Editor's note

The Kloof Conservancy has a proud reputation for combating alien invasive plants and encouraging the planting of indigenous flora. However, there are many other invasive species that receive far less attention. For this edition, I asked our regular species authors to help answer an important question: which invasive or exotic species occur in South Africa, and how do they affect the biodiversity in your field of expertise?

Invasive species in focus

As usual, our authors took up the challenge with enthusiasm and have produced a series of articles that are informative, educational and easy to read. This edition explores several familiar and less familiar examples of invasive species and their effects:

  • Nicolette Forbes explains why the omnipresent Common Myna is a serious problem. She also discusses the negative impact of the less common but highly intelligent House Crow.
  • Jeanne Tarrant, assisted by Richard Berridge, shows how a species that is indigenous in KwaZulu-Natal, such as the beautiful Painted Reed Frog, can become invasive in other provinces.
  • Pat McKrill addresses the issue in his usual witty style, while clearly highlighting the risks posed by escapees from the pet trade.
  • Steve Woodhall faced a different challenge: as far as we know, there are no alien invasive butterflies in KwaZulu-Natal. This did not deter him from producing a masterful article on the links between many butterflies and alien invasive plants.

Trees, elephants and indigenous plants

As this issue is due to be released in mid-August, I am very pleased to include another article by tree expert Richard Boon on the Trees of the Year, which we will celebrate during Arbor Week in early September.

Readers following the current debate on the revision of the norms and standards for elephants in South Africa will be familiar with the term “carrying capacity”. This term is often used loosely. In his Opinion Column, Arend Hoogervorst explains its meaning and use, and why it is so dependent on context. His explanation is timely, especially as the debate on elephant management is likely to intensify in the coming months.

Charles and Julia Botha continue to share articles originally written for the WESSA in-house magazine, which also support our own efforts to promote indigenous plant species. In this edition, they describe Cotyledon orbiculata, a highly versatile and attractive succulent.

Welcoming back a contributor

I am excited to welcome back Suvarna Parboo Mohan, Manager of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Programme at SANBI. Suvarna last wrote for us in the 2021 Winter-Spring edition, and her latest article helps us give greater prominence to plant species. She is well known in the conservancy’s community for her diligence and passion in preserving rare and endangered species, and her locally relevant contribution is both accessible and highly informative.

A sincere thank you to all the authors for sharing their knowledge with us. I am also grateful to our Graphics Editor, Jo Sobey, for all the hard work behind the scenes in once again producing an attractive and well laid-out edition.

The authors have put considerable effort into their articles, and I would welcome feedback from readers. Your responses help provide a sense of satisfaction and relevance for the work that has gone into this edition.

Paolo Candotti
August 2026