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The economics of landscape restoration: Benefits of controlling bush encroachment and invasive plant species in South Africa and Namibia

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  • Stafford, William
  • Birch, Catherine
  • Etter, Hannes
  • Blanchard, Ryan
  • Mudavanhu, Shepherd
  • Angelstam, Per
  • Blignaut, James
  • Ferreira, Louwrens
  • Marais, Christo

Abstract

Bush encroachment and alien plant invasions alter the composition and/or balance of species in natural ecosystems and impact biodiversity, land productivity and water availability. Therefore, the appropriate control and management of bush encroachment and alien plant invasions can restore ecosystems services and enhance the provision of timber and non-timber products to society. To understand the economics of land impacted by bush encroachment and alien plant invasions, we valued a selected number of ecosystem services from landscape restoration in South Africa and Namibia. In Namibia, the estimated value of ecosystem services from the restoration of bush encroachment was US$5.8 billion. In South Africa, the estimated value of ecosystem services from the restoration of bush encroachment was US$2.1 billion, and US$6.6 billion from the restoration of alien plant invasions. The most valued ecosystem service benefit assessed was water, followed by timber products and wood-fuels such as biomass to electricity, and then grazing. The value of these ecosystem services are considerable compared to the direct costs involved to clear invasive alien plants and control bush encroachment. This clearly illustrates that the management of invasive alien plants and bush encroachment can deliver significant ecosystem services benefits whose value outweighs the costs of restoration.

Suggested Citation

  • Stafford, William & Birch, Catherine & Etter, Hannes & Blanchard, Ryan & Mudavanhu, Shepherd & Angelstam, Per & Blignaut, James & Ferreira, Louwrens & Marais, Christo, 2017. "The economics of landscape restoration: Benefits of controlling bush encroachment and invasive plant species in South Africa and Namibia," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(PB), pages 193-202.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:27:y:2017:i:pb:p:193-202
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.11.021
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    1. de Groot, Rudolf & Brander, Luke & van der Ploeg, Sander & Costanza, Robert & Bernard, Florence & Braat, Leon & Christie, Mike & Crossman, Neville & Ghermandi, Andrea & Hein, Lars & Hussain, Salman & , 2012. "Global estimates of the value of ecosystems and their services in monetary units," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 50-61.
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    1. Razafindratsima, Onja H. & Kamoto, Judith F.M. & Sills, Erin O. & Mutta, Doris N. & Song, Conghe & Kabwe, Gillian & Castle, Sarah E. & Kristjanson, Patricia M. & Ryan, Casey M. & Brockhaus, Maria & Su, 2021. "Reviewing the evidence on the roles of forests and tree-based systems in poverty dynamics," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    2. Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali & Humbelani Silas Mudau & Bethwell Moyo & Onke Hawu & Ntokozo Happy Msiza, 2021. "Prosopis Species—An Invasive Species and a Potential Source of Browse for Livestock in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-13, July.
    3. del Río-Mena, Trinidad & Willemen, Louise & Vrieling, Anton & Nelson, Andy, 2023. "How remote sensing choices influence ecosystem services monitoring and evaluation results of ecological restoration interventions," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Israel Ropo Orimoloye & Leocadia Zhou & Ahmed M. Kalumba, 2021. "Drought Disaster Risk Adaptation through Ecosystem Services-Based Solutions: Way Forward for South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Tshepiso Mangani & Hendri Coetzee & Klaus Kellner & George Chirima, 2020. "Socio-Economic Benefits Stemming from Bush Clearing and Restoration Projects Conducted in the D’Nyala Nature Reserve and Shongoane Village, Lephalale, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.
    6. Tshidi Mokgatsane Baloyi & Thabang Maphanga & Benett Siyabonga Madonsela & Qolani Golden Mongwe & Karabo Concelia Malakane & Xolisiwe Sinalo Grangxabe & Babalwa Gqomfa, 2024. "Indigenous Strategies for Managing Bush Encroachment in Rural Areas of South Africa," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, June.

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