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• South Africa is not spared from the adverse effects of climate change which alters the ecosystem and have a ripple effect on food security. • This paper reviewed the impacts of climate change on the phenology, physiology, and economic benefits of wild fruits and vegetables in South Africa. • The possible productivity of wild fruits and vegetables was evaluated with spatial-based data through land use/land cover which showed that South Africa had varied vegetation and land cover dynamics. • There is a need to develop cultivation strategies for edible wild fruits and vegetables to expand knowledge and create options in utilizing the wild species. • This will boost the country's economy, help to improve diet, and can play a crucial role in food security. Overdependence on exotic plant species constitutes a major setback for the consumption of wild fruits and vegetables among South Africans. The country is not spared from the adverse effects of climate change which play a substantial role in altering the ecosystem and have a ripple effect on food security. Wild fruits and vegetables have been identified to be underutilized despite the country's struggle in nourishing its population. This paper reviewed the impacts of climate change on the phenology, physiology, and economic benefits of wild fruits and vegetables in South Africa. Furthermore, spatial-based data was used to evaluate the possible productivity of wild fruits and vegetables through land use/land cover (LULC) assessment. The result showed that South Africa had varied vegetation and land cover dynamics. For example, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces are dominated by shrubland and barren land, thus unsuitable for fruit and vegetable production. In contrast, Limpopo, North-West, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, some parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces are covered with grassland and cultivated areas which made them good for vegetable farming and potential ground for wild fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thus, there is a need to develop cultivation strategies for edible wild fruits and vegetables with known nutritional characteristics to expand knowledge about nutritional benefits and options in utilizing the wild species. This will boost the country's economy, help to improve diet, and can play a crucial role in food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa is widely distributed across the globe for its multiple uses as well as high nutritive content and great economic attributes; subsequently it has been highly commercialised. Even though moringa is fast becoming an important crop in several parts of the world, in South African context, it is not recognised for such, and is listed on the Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) under National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA), since it is not native to South Africa. Where it is established in South Africa, people perceive the numerous qualities of moringa as beneficial and this can result in conflict generation between communities and policy makers who have to safe guard against alien and invasive species spread and impact. In this paper, we review the ecological, social and legal status of moringa in South Africa, and highlight the importance of conducting research on non-native species with the focus of improving evidence base prior listing of species on national regulations. Moreover, we highlight the need to also focus on social aspects of invasive species, using a cost–benefit approach to assist in decision making regarding control, management and eradication of moringa and other non-native plants. • In South Africa, moringa is on the Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT). • Moringa has the potential to be a conflict-generating species, particularly between communities and policy makers. • Listing of non-native species under NEMBA should be guided by impact-based evidence to ascertain their risks and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Working for Water forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme of the South African Government, aimed at the sustainable management of natural resources through the control and management of invasive alien plants while enhancing socio-economic empowerment in South Africa. The programme''s name was taken from one of the original motivations: namely, reducing the impacts of invasive alien trees on water resources. A number of studies have looked at the potential impacts of the programme but only one or two have used actual management data to quantify its costs and benefits. This paper is the first, in hopefully a series of papers, on the costs and impacts of the programme over recent years. The paper focuses on the extent, costs and impacts of clearing invasive alien plants from riparian areas. Data were extracted from the Working for Water Information Management System (WIMS) and analysed to assess clearing costs and estimated impacts of clearance on water resources. Some of the most significant findings of the study again illustrate the need to treat invasions as early as possible. Very scattered (1–5%) invasions of selected species for example were between 3 and 25 times cheaper to clear than closed canopy stands (75–100%). On the other hand, unit reference values, used to compare clearing operations in terms of cost efficiency in generating extra water yield, were much higher for low levels of invasion than denser invasions, to the extent that the former''s viability could be questioned by the uninformed. However, this was only assessed in terms of extra water generated and not in terms of volumes of water secured, as invasive alien plants spread and become denser if not actively controlled. If left unchecked, water losses increase, which makes the clearing of light infestations much more viable. Overall, it is estimated that around 7% of riparian invasions have been cleared, resulting in significant yield increases. The increased estimated yield of 34.4 million m3 is about 42% of the yield of the new Berg River Scheme in the Western Cape (81 million m3). The investment in clearing species known for excessive water use from riparian areas, at a cost of R116 million, was found to be a very good investment. However, it is important to note that the clearing of invasive alien plants will seldom result in the total elimination of shortfalls in water supply and should be seen as part of a package of water resource options to optimize supply, aimed at minimizing wastage of water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]