John Ross Wilson

Areas of interest

I'm interested in dispersal, in particular how and why humans move species around, and the resulting ecological and evolutionary consequences and how this affects management options.

I work for the South African National Biodiversity Institute and am based at the Centre for Invasion Biology. I'm working closely with the Early Detection and Rapid Response team of SANBI (funded through Working for Water Program) as well as the CIB / Working for Water initiative to use genetic techniques to understand and better manage plant invasions.

For a quick link to a list of my ISI-listed publications, please click here.

Research projects

Eradication is an option (sometimes)

The cost of managing invasive species rises with the size of the infestation. However, many populations are either not detected or viewed as of concerned until they are of a substantial size, such that we no longer have an option but to either accept the integration of a new component in the ecosystem or manage and mitigate the effects.

Rafael Zenni

Rafael Zenni completed his Honours project in 2008 working on Acacia paradoxa.

We are interested in studying introduced populations before they become widespread. There are several such “emerging invaders” in South Africa. Why have these populations not spread? While citing the existence of a lag phase or Allee effect is tempting, the lack of spread may often simply be a functional of the number of individuals that were introduced and various factors restricting spread. We are also keen to take a precautionary approach. By testing detectability and extensive sampling the research can hopefully be combined with eradication. Funded by the Working for Water Program, and in collaboration with Philip Ivey, Ernita van Wyk, and Dr Barbara Mashope of SANBI, SANParks.

Using population genetics to explore comparative invasion histories

The reason for introduction, commercial value, and subsequent human use of non-native species all bias which taxa are introduced. We are using molecular ecology tools to analyse Australian species that are invasive in South Africa (concentrating on wattles and hakeas initially), and exploring the link between reason for introduction and number, type, and source of introductions. This should further our understanding of the role of humans in plant invasions, and aid management decisions (e.g. classical biological control). Funded by the Working for Water Program, and in collaboration with Prof. Andy Lowe at the Unviersity of Adelaide / Herbarium of South Australia.

Population dynamics of aquatic weeds

Invasive aquatic weeds have been controlled very successfully using classical biological control agents, particular weevils. Because water weeds are confined to discrete patches, with a clearly definable and measurable resource, they represent an interesting and a relatively simple system to explore ecological theories. With Prof. Marcus Byrne at the University of the Witwaterstrand and Prof. Martin Hill at Rhodes University.

Phylogenetic patterns in plant invasions

We have been looking at how patterns in phylogenetic diverstiy may shed light on ecological processes, or alternatively with invasive plants, highlight historical trends in human choices. With Dr. Şerban Procheş of the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Studentships

We have a dynamic and growing group working on basic ecology, modelling spread, and molecular ecology. E-mail me to discuss post-graduate projects on early detection and rapid response, e.g. Acacia stricta in the Kynsna Forest; Purple loosestrife on the Liesbeeck; Acacia adunca on a Stellenbosch wine-farm.

[CIB student projects for 2010]

Publications