Grootbos Foundation Tackles Invasive Plants to Protect Fynbos

What's going on at Grootbos Foundation this week? For starters and in order to seize the day, independent teams of invasive plant clearers have been getting to the roots of the problem and hand-pulling the little alien shoots in a few areas in the local conservancy specifically identified for their biodiversity value. The answer to the question is YES - you can eradicate invasive plants from wild fynbos landscapes without using herbicides and without having to use chainsaws and machinery IF you tackle the problem soon after a wildfire while the plants are still small and their roots still yield to human strength. The opportunity in this moment brings maximum benefit to the endemic fynbos, which is also regrowing after the fire, it ensures that the invasive plants can be removed without any negative impact on the soil from herbicides; it creates job opportunities for local teams and it is an investment in good future fire management.

Here is a team in the background working to hand-pull young Port Jackson plants from a wild fynbos area. In the foreground, a little patch of oxalis will now get to thrive because the Port Jackson will be removed and will not get the chance to overpower and overwhelm the little indigenous plant.

That's better. Happy oxalis!