Curriculum Vitae
Brian William van Wilgen
Updated: April 2011
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of birth
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Languages
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Home address:
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25 March 1952
Married to Jane Du Plessis on the 23rd of January 1981.
Two children, Nicola (born 1984); Lawrence (born 1988)
South African
English, Afrikaans
Jonkershoek State Forest, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Office tel. no.: (021) 888 2400
Home tel. no.: (021) 866 1423
Cell: 082 454 9726
Email: bvwilgen@csir.co.za
TERTIARY EDUCATION
1974
BSc (Forestry) – University of Stellenbosch
1977
BSc (Hons) in Forestry (Nature Conservation) – University of Stellenbosch
1980
MSc (with distinction) - University of Cape Town.
(Thesis title: Some effects of fire frequency on fynbos at Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, South
Africa).
1985
PhD - University of Cape Town.
(Thesis title: The derivation of fire hazard indices and burning prescriptions from climatic
and ecological features of the fynbos biome).
2008
DSc - University of Stellenbosch.
(Thesis title: The conservation of southern African terrestrial ecosystems, with special
reference to the role of fire and the control of invasive alien plants).
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EMPLOYMENT
1974 – 1985: Research Officer, Department of Forestry, Jonkershoek Forestry Research Centre,
Stellenbosch
1985 – 1990: Specialist Scientist, Department of Environment Affairs, South African Forestry
Research Institute
1990 – 1995. Ecologist, CSIR Forest Science and Technology
1995 – 2006. Research Group Leader, CSIR Water, Environment and Forestry Technology
2006 – present. Chief Ecologist, and CSIR Research Fellow, CSIR Natural Resources and the
Environment.
PROFESSIONAL STANDING
South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Registration No. 400233/06).
Research rating with National Research Foundation: B2 (valid until 2015).
Core team member of the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology at the University of
Stellenbosch.
Associate Editor and Editorial Advisory Committee member, International Journal of Wildland Fire
Associate Editor, Fire Ecology
Associate Editor, South African Journal of Science.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
I am a terrestrial ecologist, employed by the CSIR since 1990. I have conducted research into the
ecology and management of terrestrial ecosystems, especially Cape fynbos and African savannas. My
postgraduate training was under the guidance of Prof. Eugene Moll at the University of Cape Town,
and Dr Fred Kruger at the South African Forestry Research Institute, and included a six-month
secondment to the US Forest Service for training in fire behavior modeling systems. After obtaining
my PhD in 1985, I was program coordinator for a large interdisciplinary ecological study of the
effects of fire on fynbos at the Jonkershoek Research Centre (1985 – 1990). In 1991-1992, I was
coordinator of ground studies, STARE/SAFARI steering committee. (SAFARI was the Southern
African Fire Atmosphere Research Initiative under the auspices of the International GeosphereBiosphere Programme, IGBP). Between 1992 and 1994, I acted as lead author of a large multidisciplinary environmental impact assessment of proposed dune mining in the St Lucia area. Between
1996 and 2004, I was first programme manager of, then scientific advisor to the Working for Water
programme. In 2005, I became a core tem member of the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion
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Biology. I currently serve as Chair of the Research Advisory Panel of the CSIR Natural Resources
unit, and is also a member of the Research Advisory Panel of the Working for Water programme. I
serve as an associate editor of the South African Journal of Science, the International Journal of
Wildland Fire and Fire Ecology. I have a B2 rating from the National Research Foundation (B applies
to researchers who enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and
impact of their recent research outputs). As a CSIR Fellow, my role is to help the CSIR maintain its
technical excellence.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research has focused in a number of related main fields under the broad umbrella of terrestrial
ecology. Each of these is described briefly below.
The ecological and atmospheric effects of vegetation fires and the use of fire in ecosystem
management. My early research concentrated on the ecological effects of fire in fynbos shrublands. I
expanded this to include studies into fire behaviour, and the use of fire danger rating systems. I have
produced three books (one as co-author and two as senior editor) that have reviewed and synthesized
knowledge in this field. My work led to further studies into the role of vegetation fires in the dynamic
chemistry of the atmosphere (in the SAFARI project). In conducting this work, I developed an
understanding of the role of fires in savannas (a more widespread vegetation type than fynbos), and I
built on this work to develop and modify the fire management policies of major savanna conservation
areas, notably in the Kruger National Park. I have developed approaches to using fire patterns as
surrogate measures for biodiversity conservation, and this has been adopted in the Kruger and Table
Mountain National Parks. I have also worked in close collaboration with the Department of Water
Affairs and Forestry to develop a national fire danger rating system (required in terms of the new Veld
and Forest Fire Act).
The ecology and management of invasive alien plants. My work initially focused on the impacts of
invasive woody species on streamflow runoff from catchment areas. I have combined the knowledge
of ecology (biomass and spread characteristics) and water use (based on forest hydrological
principles) to demonstrate that invasion would have severe consequences, and this information was
used primarily to initiate the Working for Water programme (a R1 billion /yr government-funded
programme to combat invasive alien plants). I have subsequently worked with colleagues in the field
of resource economics to investigate the economic consequences of invasions, and this has relied on
an understanding of the impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. I have also worked with
colleagues in the Agricultural Research Council and at several universities on the biological control of
invasive plants, developing a detailed strategy to ensure that the maximum benefits are achieved from
limited funding available for biological control.
The conservation of biological diversity and ecosystem services. In this field, I have focused
mainly on the development of policy that would conserve biological diversity. I have done this
through the development of approaches that would build on knowledge of biodiversity patterns, and
threats, on the one hand, and on existing institutional capacity on the other. My work has focused
mainly in the Cape Floral Kingdom (CAPE and Cape Peninsula initiatives) and in the Thicket Biome
(Greater Addo project). I was also invited to serve on the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and
Technology’s Foresight Working Group for the biodiversity sector, where I edited the Working
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Group’s final report. My interests are in the quantification of ecosystem services that arise from
healthy ecosystems, and how these can be accurately valued.
The adaptive management of ecosystems. Ecosystems are complex, and are characterized by nonlinear relationships that lead to unpredictable outcomes. The realization of these facts has led to the
increasing use of adaptive management, where targets are set, and the outcomes of management are
monitored, leading to both increased understanding and changes in management approaches. I have
developed adaptive systems for fire management in savanna protected areas, and have broadened
these to other protected areas. I have also reviewed the effectiveness of adaptive management
approaches to other topics (river management, the management of herbivores, and invasive species)
and have participated in collaborative international programs to derive generic lessons from these
reviews.
The management and administration of research. In recent years, I have occupied senior positions
which have required me to spend a considerable time in research management and policy
development. I chair the CSIR Natural Resources Research Advisory Panel, and serve on other such
panels externally. I developed and guided the implementations of a career ladder for researchers in the
CSIR in 2006. I serve on the editorial boards of several journals. I have also led the compilation of
several important scientific policy and assessment documents, including several large-scale
environmental impact assessments, The Department of Science and Technology’s “Grand Challenge”
on Global Change, and South Africa’s Second National Communication on Climate Change.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1975 - 1980
Appointed as a research officer in the South African Forestry Research Institute.
Conducted extensive field studies on effects of fire in fynbos vegetation.
1982
Seconded to the Intermountain Fire Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, and
Missoula, Montana. Studied fire behavior prediction models under guidance of Drs
Dick Rothermel and Frank Albini.
1984 – 1989
Programme leader for fynbos research, and fire research in the South African
Forestry Research Institute (including budgeting, co-ordination, quality control,
supervision and personnel management). During this period, I conducted and coordinated basic ecosystem research, and developed experience in research
management.
1988
Senior Visiting Fellow, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Collaborated with Dr
Steve Kessell on the development of GIS-based fire management systems.
1985 – 1990
Co-ordinator of a large interdisciplinary ecosystem study project investigating the
effects of a fire on the Swartboskloof study site at Jonkershoek, near Stellenbosch.
This research culminated in the publication of a review volume in Springer’s
Ecological Studies series, of which I was senior editor.
1987 – 1992.
Elected to the board of the South African Institute of Ecologists (1987). Appointed
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Secretary of the Board of the SAIE (1988). Elected Chairman of the Board of the
SAIE in 1989-90. Elected additional board member 1991 – 1992.
1991 - 1992
Coordinator of ground studies, STARE/SAFARI steering committee. (SAFARI is
the Southern African Fire Atmosphere Research Initiative under the auspices of the
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, IGBP). I was lead editor of a book,
and contributor to a special issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research that arose
from this work.
1991 – 1993
Senior editor of the St Lucia Environmental Impact Report on the effects of
proposed dune mining. At the time, this study was the largest EIA undertaken in
Africa, where the studies by over 50 specialists were integrated into a
comprehensive report. The scientific interpretation of the consequences of mining
were subjected to widespread and intense public scrutiny.
1995 – 1996
National Programme Manager for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's
"Working for Water" programme. Working for Water is the largest environmental
project currently running in Africa. It is aimed at dealing with the problem of
invasive alien plants. During the initial six months of its existence, I was appointed
as Programme Manager, and carried the overall responsibility for the initiation,
implementation and management of all activities.
1996
Publication of joint book on “plants and fire”, with Prof. William Bond. This book
written at the invitation of the publisher (Chapman & Hall), and has received almost
1000 citations.
1996 – 2004
Research Group Leader (20 scientists), CSIR Division of Water, Environment and
Forestry Technology. This was a challenging management position within a newlyformed Division in the CSIR, and operated largely in support of the Working for
Water programme.
1996 – 2004
Scientific Advisor to the Working for Water programme - responsible for coordination of supporting research programme. This included the development of a
five-year strategy for the programme, mentoring of staff in the research arm of the
programme, initiating and chairing the Research Review Panels for biological
control and for hydrology, and serving on two other Research Review Panels (for
ecological, and resource economics research), and representing the programme on
eight Water Research Commission Steering Committees.
1997
Seconded for 3 months to Scientific Services Division of the Kruger National Park,
Skukuza. Collaborated with Dr Harry Biggs on the development of adaptive fire
management models and practices.
2003
Member of the Organizing Committee, and International Liaison Committee, of the
3rd International Wildland Fire Conference and Exhibition, Sydney, Australia.
2004
Appointed as a Research Fellow of the CSIR, in recognition of contributions and
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leadership in Science and Technology.
2004
Guest Editor of a special issue of the South African Journal of Science, in which 19
papers dealing with aspects of the ecology and management of invasive alien plants
were published. (South African Journal of Science Volume 100 (1), February 2004).
2005 - 2006
Appointed chair of a task team to develop and implement a career ladder for
research staff in the CSIR. In 2006, awarded the CSIR annual award for mentorship
in recognition of this work.
2008
Awarded the degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Stellenbosch.
2010
Recipient of the National Science and Technology Foundation’s annual award for
the outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology and innovation,
over a lifetime, based on achievements and impact in the field of terrestrial ecology,
nationally and internationally.
2010
Recipient of South African National Parks annual Kudu Award, in the category
“Corporate contribution to conservation by an individual”. The award was based on
a 20-year contribution to the development of adaptive fire management approaches,
promoting and obtaining funding for invasive alien plant control, and for the public
defence of SANPark’s management approaches when these were publically
criticized.
EDITING, REVIEWING AND EXAMINING
Editorial Boards of South African Forestry Journal (1984 – 1994); South African Journal of Botany
(1984 – 1994); International Journal of Wildland Fire (1989 – 2002; 2007 - present); Restoration
Ecology (1993 – 2003); South African Journal of Science (2008 – present); Fire ecology (2010 present); Editorial Advisory Committee of the International Journal of Wildland Fire (2009 present).
Regular reviewer for papers submitted to a range of journals. Examples from the past 10 years:
African Journal of Ecology; African Zoology; Agricultural Systems; American Naturalist; Austral
Ecology; Australian Journal of Botany; Biological Conservation; Biological Invasions; BioScience;
Bothalia; Diversity and Distributions; Ecological Applications; Ecological Economics; Forest
Ecology and Management; International Journal of Wildland Fire; Journal of Applied Ecology;
Journal of Arid Environments; Journal of Arid Environments; Journal of Biogeography; Journal of
Ecology; Journal of Vegetation Science; Koedoe; Landscape Ecology; Oecologia; ORiON; PLOS
Biology; Restoration Ecology; Science; South African Journal of Botany; South African Journal of
Science; South African Journal of Wildlife Management; Southern African Forestry Journal; Trends
in Ecology and Evolution.
Guest Editor of a special issue of the South African Journal of Science in 2004; Moderator and
external examiner for fire ecology at Saasveld Forestry College, George (1985 – 1992);External
examiner for numerous MSc and PhD theses produced by candidates in South Africa and Australia,
between 1995 and present.
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CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
I have attended and contributed to many conferences and scientific meetings during my career. The
list below provides examples, and is not complete.
1985
National SCOPE symposium on alien
invasive biota in southern Africa,
Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Co-author of two papers and one poster
paper.
1986
National Wildlife Management Association
Symposium, Pretoria, South Africa.
Paper on "Predicting fire behaviour for
prescribed burning in some South African
ecosystems".
1989
3rd International Fire Ecology Conference
in Freiburg, West Germany.
Presented two papers (both on invitation):
"The history of fire ecological research in
fynbos ecosystems"; "Fire in southern
African Ecosystems: an overview".
1992
Dahlem Conference (Fire in the
environment: Its ecological, climatic and
atmospheric chemical importance), Berlin,
Germany.
Invited participant.
1994
International MEDECOS conference in
Vina Del Mar, Chile.
Presented papers "Modeling the spread and
effects of alien trees and shrubs in South
African fynbos using GIS", and "Current
and future threats to biodiversity on the
Cape Peninsula, South Africa".
1999
International Rangelands Congress in
Townsville, Australia
Invited plenary paper “Invading alien
plants in South Africa: Impacts and
solutions”.
1999
Workshop on developing systems for the
management of invasive alien organisms
(under the auspices of the Global Invasive
Species Programme) in Kualua Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Invited participant
2000
Joint South Africa – United States of
America Bi-national Commission’s
symposium on Best Management Practices
for Preventing and Controlling Invasive
Alien Species, Kirstenbosch, South Africa.
Invited plenary paper on “Integrated
control of invasive alien plants in
terrestrial ecosystems”.
2000
9th International Mediterranean Ecosystems
Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Invited paper “Managing fires on the Cape
Peninsula, South Africa”.
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2000
Cape Action Plan for People and the
Environment’s (CAPE) Conference in Cape
Town, South Africa
One of 5 presenters, presented an overview
“The sustainable use of resources: Making
the most of the Cape’s biodiversity”.
2001
National Council for Science and the
Environment’s 2nd NCSE Annual
Conference on Science and Environmental
Policy, Washington DC
Invited to deliver a keynote address on the
Working for Water programme.
2002
Australasian Fire Authorities Council
Biennial Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
Invited paper on fire management in the
Kruger National Park.
2002
Series of review meetings, fire management
options in the Santa Monica National Park,
California.
Member of an invited delegation.
2002
Review workshop on options for invasive
alien plant management in Africa, Nairobi,
Kenya.
Invited participant.
2003
3rd International Wildland Fire Conference
and Exhibition, Sydney, Australia.
Member of the Organizing Committee, and
International Liaison Committee, and coauthor of two presented papers.
2003
Inaugural Working for Water Research
symposium, Kirstenbosch, South Africa.
Member of the organizing committee, and
co-presenter of two papers. Guest editor of
proceedings which appeared in a special
issue of the South African Journal of
Science.
2004
2nd International Symposium on Riverine
Landscapes in Bredsel, Älvsbyn, Sweden.
Invited paper (dealing with invasive alien
plant management in riparian areas).
2004
Global Fire Partnership Expert’s Workshop, Invited participant; meeting arranged
Sigrisvil, Switzerland
under the auspices of WWF
(International), The Nature Conservancy,
and IUCN. The workshop produced a joint
global position document on fire and
conservation.
2004
14th Australian Weeds Conference held in
Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Invited keynote plenary speaker, Title “An
international perspective on plant
introductions: motivations, problems and
processes”.
2006
15th Australian Weeds Conference held in
Presented paper “Invasive alien plants and
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Adelaide, Australia.
the delivery of ecosystem services in South
Africa: A preliminary assessment”.
2006
20th National Congress of the Southern
African Weed Science Society, Bela Bela,
South Africa.
Invited keynote speaker.
2006
FAO expert workshop to develop
international wildland fire management
code. Madrid, Spain.
Invited participant to workshop to produce
FAO policy document (Fire Management:
Guiding Principles and Strategic Actions.
FAO, Rome).
2006
4th International Wildland Fire Conference.
Coimbra, Portugal.
Member of the International Liaison
Committee.
2007
International workshop on conifer invasions
in South America, Bariloche, Argentina.
Invited workshop facilitator.
2007
21st Annual Meeting of the Society for
Conservation Biology, Port Elizabeth,
South Africa.
Presented a paper entitled “Fire
management in the Kruger National Park,
South Africa: A case study of
experimentation, incremental gains and
adaptive management”.
2007
Workshop on the economic impacts of
invasive alien species, Phoenix, Arizona.
Meeting arranged under the auspices of
DIVERSITAS.
Invited speakers and chapter contributor.
Proceedings published in book form by
Oxford University Press.
2008
51st Annual Symposium of the International
Association of Vegetation Science,
Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Invited keynote address “The management
of alien conifers in South Africa: Three
centuries of benefits, impacts and conflict
resolution”.
2008
Joint conference of the South African
Association of Botanists and the Southern
African Society for Systematic Biology,
Drakensberg, South Africa.
Invited keynote speaker.
2009
10th Conference of the International
Association of Ecologists (INTECOL) in
Brisbane, Australia.
Presented paper “The evolution of
adaptive ecosystem management in a large
savanna protected area in South Africa”.
2009
10th International Conference on the
Ecology and Management of Alien Plant
August 2009. Three oral papers presented.
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invasions in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2009
Joint SANBI/GSSA symposium on the
ecology and management of timber
plantation in grassland ecosystems,
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Invited keynote speaker.
2011
5th International Wildland Fire Conference,
Sun City, South Africa
Member of the organizing committee. Coauthor of two presented papers.
PUBLICATIONS
Papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals
1980
van Wilgen, B.W. (1980). Assessment of the effects of burning on populations of the
Clanwilliam cedar using aerial photography. South African Forestry Journal 114, 72-74.
1981
van Wilgen, B.W. and Kruger, F.J. (1981). Observations on the effects of fire in mountain
fynbos at Zachariashoek, Paarl. Journal of South African Botany 47, 195-212.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1981). Some effects of fire frequency on fynbos plant community
composition and structure at Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch. South African Forestry Journal
118, 42-55.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1981). An analysis of fires and associated weather factors in mountain
fynbos areas of the southwestern Cape. South African Forestry Journal 119, 29-34.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Le Maitre, D.C. (1981). Preliminary estimates of nutrient levels in
fynbos vegetation and the role of fire in nutrient cycling. South African Forestry Journal
119, 24-28.
1982
van Wilgen, B.W. (1982). Some effects of post-fire age on the above-ground biomass of
fynbos (macchia) vegetation in South Africa. Journal of Ecology 70, 217-225.
1984
van Wilgen, B.W. (1984). Fire climates in the southern and western Cape Province and
their potential use in fire control and management. South African Journal of Science 80,
358-362.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1984). Adaptation of the United States Fire Danger Rating System to
fynbos conditions. I A fuel model for fire danger rating in the fynbos biome.
South African Forestry Journal 129, 61-65.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Burgan, R.E. (1984). Adaptation of the United States Fire Danger
Rating System to fynbos conditions. II Historic fire danger in the fynbos biome. South
African Forestry Journal 129, 66-78.
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Richardson, D.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1984). Factors affecting the regeneration of
Hakea sericea. South African Forestry Journal 131, 63-68.
1985
van Wilgen, B.W. and Kruger, F.J. (1985). The physiography and fynbos vegetation
communities of the Zachariashoek catchments, southwestern Cape Province. South
African Journal of Botany 51, 379-399.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Richardson, D.M. (1985). Factors influencing burning by
prescription in mountain fynbos catchment areas. South African Forestry Journal 134,
22-32.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Viviers, M. (1985). The effect of season of fire on serotinous
Proteaceae in the western Cape and the implications for fynbos management.
South African Forestry Journal 133, 49-53.
van Wilgen, B.W., Le Maitre, D.C. and Kruger, F.J. (1985). Fire behaviour in South
African fynbos (macchia) vegetation and predictions from Rothermel's fire model. Journal
of Applied Ecology 22, 207-216.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Richardson, D.M. (1985). The effect of alien shrub invasions on
vegetation structure and fire behaviour in South African fynbos shrublands: a simulation
study. Journal of Applied Ecology 22, 955-966.
1986
Richardson, D.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). Effects of thirty-five years of
afforestation with Pinus radiata on the composition of mesic mountain fynbos near
Stellenbosch. South African Journal of Botany 52, 309-315.
Richardson, D.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). The effects of fire in felled Hakea sericea
and natural fynbos and the implications for weed control in mountain catchments. South
African Forestry Journal 139, 4-14.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Siegfried, W.R. (1986). Seed dispersal properties of three pine
species as a determinant of invasive potential. South African Journal of Botany 52,
546-548.
Bosch, J.M., van Wilgen, B.W. and Bands, D.P. (1986). A model for comparing water
yield from fynbos catchments burnt at different intervals. Water S.A. 12, 191-196.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Lamb, A.J. (1986). The flower picking industry in relation to
mountain catchment management in the fynbos. Acta Horticulturae 185, 181-188.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). A simple relationship for estimating the intensity of fires in
natural vegetation. South African Journal of Botany 52, 384-385.
1987
Richardson, D.M., van Wilgen, B.W. and Mitchell, D.T. (1987). Aspects of the
reproductive ecology of four Australian Hakea species (Proteaceae) in South Africa.
Oecologia 71, 345-354.
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Higgins, K.B., Lamb, A.J. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1987). Root systems of selected plant
species in the Jonkershoek Valley, Southwestern Cape Province. South African Journal of
Botany 53(3), 249-258.
1988
Everson, T.M., van Wilgen, B.W. and Everson C.S. (1988). Adaptation of a model for
rating fire danger in the Natal Drakensberg. South African Journal of Science 84, 44-49.
van Wilgen, B.W. and Wills, A.J. (1988). Fire behaviour prediction in savanna
vegetation. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 18, 41-46.
1990
van Wilgen, B.W., Higgins, K.B. and Bellstedt, D.U. (1990). The role of vegetation
structure and fuel chemistry in excluding fire from forest patches in the fire-prone fynbos
shrublands of South Africa. Journal of Ecology 78, 210-222.
1993
Le Maitre, DC, van Wilgen, BW and Richardson, DM (1993). A computer system for
catchment management: background, concepts and development. Journal of Environmental
Management 39, 121 - 142.
1994
van Wilgen, BW, Richardson, DM and Seydack, A (1994). Managing fynbos for
biodiversity: constraints and options in a fire-prone environment. South African Journal of
Science 90, 322 - 329.
Richardson, DM, van Wilgen, BW, Le Maitre, DC and Higgins, KB, and Forsyth, GG
(1994) A computer-based system for fire management in the mountains of the Cape
Province, South Africa. International Journal of Wildland Fire 4, 17 -32.
1996
Stocks, BJ, van Wilgen, BW, Trollope, WSW, McRae, DJ, Mason, JA, Weirich, F and
Potgieter, ALF (1996). Fuels and fire behaviour dynamics on large-scale savanna fires in
Kruger National Park, South Africa. Journal of Geophysical Research 101 (D19), 23541 23550.
Lindesay, J.A., Andreae, M.O., Goldammer, J.G., Harris, G., Annegarn, H.J., Garstang,
M., Scholes, R.J. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1996). International Geosphere-Biosphere
Programme/International Global Atmospheric Chemistry SAFARI-92 field experiment:
Background and overview. Journal of Geophysical Research 101 (D19), 23521 - 23530.
Le Maitre, D.C., van Wilgen, B.W., Chapman, R.A. and McKelly, D. (1996). Invasive
plants and water resources in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: modelling the
consequences of a lack of management. Journal of Applied Ecology 33, 161 - 172.
Weaver, A.vB., Greyling, T., van Wilgen, B.W. and Kruger, F.J. (1996). Logistics and
team management of a large environmental impact assessment: the case of proposed dune
mining at St Lucia, South Africa. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 16, 101 - 113.
van Wilgen, B.W., Cowling, R.M. and Burgers, C.J. (1996). Valuation of ecosystem
services: a case study from the fynbos, South Africa. BioScience 46, 184 - 189.
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Richardson, D.M., van Wilgen, B.W., Higgins, S.I., Trinder-Smith, T.H., Cowiling, R.M.
and McKelly, D.H .(1996). Threats to plant biodiversity on the Cape Peninsula, South
Africa. Biodiversity and Conservation 5, 607 - 647
van Wilgen, B.W. (1996). Management of the natural ecosystems of the Cape Peninsula:
Current status and future prospects. Biodiversity and Conservation 5, 671 - 684.
1997
Allen, D.G., Harrison, J.A., Navarro, R.A., van Wilgen, B.W. and Thompson, M.W.
(1997). The impact of commercial afforestation on bird populations in Mpumalanga
province, South Africa - insights from bird atlas data. Biological Conservation 79: 173185.
Kruger, FJ, van Wilgen, BW, Weaver, AvB, and Greyling, T (1997). Sustainable
development and the environment: lessons from the St Lucia Environmental Impact
Assessment. South African Journal of Science 93, 23 - 33.
van Wilgen, BW, Little, PR, Chapman, RA, Görgens, AHM, Willems, T and Marais, C
(1997). The sustainable development of water resources: History, financial costs and
benefits of alien plant control programmes. South African Journal of Science 93, 404 –
411.
1998
van Wilgen, BW, Biggs, HC, and Potgieter, ALF (1998). Fire management and research in
the Kruger National Park, with suggestions on the detection of thresholds of potential
concern. Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation 41, 69 - 87.
van Wilgen, BW, Le Maitre, DC, Cowling RM (1998). Ecosystem services, efficiency,
sustainability and equity: South Africa’s Working for Water programme. Trends in
Ecology and Evolution 13, 378.
2000
van Wilgen, BW, Biggs, HC, O’Regan, S and Mare, N (2000). A fire history of the
savanna ecosystems in the Kruger National Park, South Africa between 1941 and 1996.
South African Journal of Science 96 167 – 178.
Holmes, PM, Richardson, DM, van Wilgen, BW and Gelderblom, C (2000). The recovery
of South African fynbos vegetation following alien tree clearing and fire: implications for
restoration. Austral Ecology 25 631 – 639.
H.C.Eckhardt, B.W. van Wilgen and H.C. Biggs (2000). Trends in woody vegetation cover
in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, between 1940 and 1998. African Journal of
Ecology 38 108 - 115.
van Wilgen, BW, van der Heyden, F, Zimmermann, HG, Magadlela, D and Willems, T
(2000). Big returns from small organisms: developing a strategy for the biological control
of invasive alien plants in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 96 148 – 152.
van Wyk, E, Jaganyi, J, van Wilgen, BW, Breen, C, Rogers, K, Roux, D and Venter, F
13
(2000). Developing a protocol for managing the biophysical condition of a water
management area: The Sabie catchment case study. African Journal of Aquatic Science 25,
162 – 168.
2001
Brockett, B.H., Biggs, H.C. & van Wilgen, B.W. (2001). A patch mosaic burning system
for conservation areas in southern Africa. International Journal of Wildland Fire 10, 169 –
183.
De Wit, M, Crookes, D and van Wilgen, BW (2001). Conflicts of interest in environmental
management: Estimating the costs and benefits of a tree invasion. Biological Invasions 3,
167-178.
van Wilgen, BW and Scott, DF (2001). Managing fires on the Cape Peninsula: Dealing
with the inevitable. Journal of Mediterranean Ecology 2, 197 - 208.
van Wyk, E, van Wilgen, BW and Roux, D (2001). How well has biophysical research
served the needs of water resource management? Lessons from the Sabie-Sand catchment.
South African Journal of Science 97, 349 - 356.
van Wilgen, BW, Richardson, DM, Le Maitre, DC. Marais, C and Magadlela, D (2001).
The economic consequences of alien plant invasions: Examples of impacts and approaches
to sustainable management in South Africa. Environment, Development and Sustainability
3, 145 - 168.
2002
Le Maitre, DC, B.W. van Wilgen, C.M. Gelderblom, C. Bailey, R.A. Chapman and J.A.
Nel (2002). Invasive alien trees and water resources in South Africa: Case studies of the
costs and benefits of management. Forest Ecology and Management 160, 143 - 159.
van Wyk, E and van Wilgen, BW (2002). The control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia
crassipes): A case study approach to compare the costs of three control options in South
Africa. African Journal of Aquatic Science 27, 141 – 149.
Rouget, M, Richardson, DM, Nel, JA and van Wilgen, BW (2002). Commercially
important trees as invasive aliens – towards spatially explicit risk assessment at a national
scale. Biological Invasions 4, 397 – 412.
2003
Gelderblom, CM, van Wilgen, B.W., Nel, J, Sandwith, T, Botha, M, and Hauck, M (2003).
Turning strategy into action: implementing a conservation plan for the Cape Floral
Kingdom. Biological Conservation 112, 291 – 297.
2004
van Wilgen, BW, N. Govender, H.C. Biggs, D. Ntsala and X.N. Funda (2004). Response of
savanna fire regimes to changing fire management policies in a large African national park.
Conservation Biology 18, 1533 - 1540.
van Wilgen, B.W., M.P. de Wit, H.J. Anderson, D.C. Le Maitre, I.M. Kotze, S. Ndala, B.
Brown and M.B. Rapholo (2004). Costs and benefits of biological control of invasive alien
plants: case studies from South Africa. South African Journal of Science 100, 113 -122.
14
Richardson, D.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2004). Invasive alien plants in South Africa:
How well do we understand the ecological impacts? South African Journal of Science 100,
45 - 52.
Görgens, A.H.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2004). Invasive alien plants and water resources:
an assessment of current understanding, predictive ability and research challenges. South
African Journal of Science 100, 27 - 34.
Nel, J.L., Richardson, D.M.,Rouget, M., Mgidi, T, Mdzeke, N.P., Le Maitre, D.C., van
Wilgen, B.W., Schonegevel, L., Henderson, L., and Neser, S. (2004). A proposed
classification of invasive alien plant species in South Africa: towards prioritizing species
and areas for management action. South African Journal of Science 100, 53 - 63.
Marais, C., van Wilgen, B.W. and Stevens, D. (2004). The clearing of invasive alien plants
in South Africa: a preliminary assessment of costs and progress. South African Journal of
Science 100, 97 - 103.
Forsyth, G.G., Richardson, D.M.,Brown, P.J. and BW van Wilgen, B.W. (2004). A rapid
assessment of the invasive status of Eucalyptus species in two South African provinces.
South African Journal of Science 100, 75 - 77.
van Wilgen, B. W. (2004). Scientific challenges in the field of invasive alien plant
management. South African Journal of Science 100, 19 - 20.
Breen, CM, J.J Jaganyi, B.W. van Wilgen and E. van Wyk (2004) Research projects and
capacity building. Water SA 30, 429 - 434.
2006
Govender, N, Trollope, WSW and van Wilgen, BW (2006). The effect of fire season, fire
frequency, rainfall and management on fire intensities in savanna vegetation in South
Africa. Journal of Applied Ecology 43, 748 - 758.
Bernhardt, E., Bunn, S.E., Hart, D.D., Malmqvist, B., Muotka, T., Naiman, R.J., Pringle, C,
Reuss, M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2006). The challenge of ecologically sustainable water
management. Water Policy 8, 475-479.
E. van Wyk, C.M. Breen, K.H. Rogers, T. Sherwill, D.J. Roux, and B.W. van Wilgen
(2006). The Ecological Reserve: Towards a common understanding for river management
in South Africa. Water SA 32, 403 - 409.
2007
van Wilgen, B.W., Nel, J.L. and Rouget, M. (2007). Invasive alien plants and South
African rivers: A proposed approach to the prioritization of control operations. Freshwater
Biology 52, 711 – 723.
van Wilgen, B.W., Govender, N., Biggs, H.C. (2007). The contribution of fire research to
fire management: A critical review of a long-term experiment in the Kruger National Park,
South Africa. International Journal of Wildland Fire 16, 519 – 530.
15
Sherwill, T., van Wyk, E, Arendse, L., Sihlope, N., Zeka, S., Rogers, K. B.W. van Wilgen
(2007). Stakeholder connectedness and participatory water resource management in South
Africa. Water SA 33, 505 – 512.
2008
van Wilgen, B.W., Reyers, B., Le Maitre, D.C., Richardson, D.M. and Schonegevel, L.
(2008). A biome-scale assessment of the impact of invasive alien plants on ecosystem
services in South Africa. Journal of Environmental Management 89, 336 – 349.
Heelemann, S., Procheş, Ş., Rebelo, A.G., van Wilgen, B.W., Porembski, S. and Cowling,
R.M. (2008). Fire season effects on the recruitment of non-sprouting serotinous Proteaceae
in the eastern (bimodal-rainfall) fynbos biome, South Africa. Austral Ecology 32, 119 –
127.
Richardson, D.M., van Wilgen, B.W.and Nuñez, M.A .(2008). Alien conifer invasions in
South America: short fuse burning? Biological Invasions 10, 573-577.
van Wilgen, B.W., Govender, N. and MacFadyen, S. (2008). An assessment of the
implementation and outcomes of recent changes to the fire management of the Kruger
National Park. Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation 50, 22 - 31.
Forsyth, G.G. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2008). The recent fire history of the Table Mountain
National Park, and implications for fire management. Koedoe: African Protected Area
Conservation 50, 3 - 9.
Scholes, R.J., F. Anderson, C. Kenyon, J. Napier. P. Ngoepe, B. W. van Wilgen and A.
Weaver (2008). Science Councils in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 104,
435 – 438.
2009
Archibald, SA, Roy, DP, van Wilgen, BW and Scholes, RJ. (2009). What limits fire? An
examination of drivers of burnt area in sub-equatorial Africa. Global Change Biology 15,
613 – 630.
Rahlao, S.J., Milton, S.J., Esler, K.J., van Wilgen, B.W. and Barnard, P. (2009). Effects of
invasion of fire-free arid shrublands by a fire-promoting invasive alien grass species
(Pennisetum setaceum) in South Africa. Austral Ecology 34, 920–928.
Roura-Pascual, N., Richardson, D.M., Krug, R., Brown, A., Chapman, R.A., Forsyth, G.G.,
Le Maitre, D.C., Robertson, M.P., Stafford, L., van Wilgen, B.W. and Wessels, N. (2009).
Ecology and management of alien plant invasions in South African fynbos:
accommodating key complexities in objective decision-making. Biological Conservation
142, 1595–1604.
van Wilgen, B.W. (2009). The evolution of fire management practices in savanna protected
areas in South Africa South African Journal of Science 105, 343 - 349.
van Wilgen, B.W. (2009). The evolution of fire and invasive alien plant management
16
practices in fynbos. South African Journal of Science 105, 335 - 342.
2010
Simberloff, D. Nuñez, M.A., Ledgard, N.J., Pauchard, A., Richardson, D.M., Sarasola, M.,
van Wilgen, B.W., Zalba, S.M., Zenni, Z.D., Bustamante, R., Peña, E. and Ziller, S.R.
(2010). Spread and impact of introduced conifers in South America: Lessons from other
southern hemisphere regions. Austral Ecology 35, 489–504.
Esler, KJ, van Wilgen, BW, te Roller, KS, Wood, AR, van der Merwe, JH. (2010). A
landscape-scale assessment of the long-term integrated control of an invasive shrub in
South Africa. Biological Invasions 12, 211 - 218.
van Wilgen, B.W., Forsyth, G.G., de Klerk, H., Das, S., Khuluse, S. and Schmitz, P. (2010)
Fire management in Mediterranean-climate shrublands: a case study from the Cape fynbos,
South Africa. Journal of Applied Ecology 47, 631 – 638.
De Lange, W.J. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2010). An economic assessment of the contribution
of weed biological control to the management of invasive alien plants and to the protection
of ecosystem services in South Africa. Biological Invasions 12, 4113 – 4124.
2011
van Wilgen, B.W. and Biggs, H.C. (2011). A critical assessment of adaptive ecosystem
management in a large savanna protected area in South Africa. Biological
Conservation 144, 1179‑1187.
van Wilgen, B.W. and De Lange, W.J. (2011). The costs and benefits of invasive alien
plant biological control in South Africa. African Entomology 19 (in press)
Hoffmann, J.H., Moran, V.C. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2011). Prospects for biological
control of invasive Pinus species (Pinaceae) in South Africa. African Entomology 19 (in
press)
van Wilgen, B.W., Dyer, C, Hoffmann, J.H., Ivey, P., Le Maitre, D.C., Richardson, D.M.,
Rouget, M., Wannenburgh, A., Wilson, J.R.U. (2011). National-scale strategic approaches
for managing introduced plants: Insights from Australian acacias in South Africa. Diversity
& Distributions 17, 1060 - 1075.
Carruthers , J., Robin , L., Hattingh, J. Kull, C., Rangan,H. & van Wilgen, B.W. (2011). A
native at home and abroad: the history, politics, ethics and aesthetics of Acacia. Diversity
& Distributions 17, 810, 821.
van Wilgen, B.W., Govender, N, Forsyth, G.G. and Kraaij, T. (2011). Towards adaptive
fire management for biodiversity conservation: Experience in South African national parks.
Koedoe: 53 DOI:10.4102/koedoe.v53i2.982.
Kraaij, T., Cowling, R.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (2011). Past approaches and future
challenges to the management of fire and invasive alien plants in the new Garden Route
National Park. South African Journal of Science 107 (doi:10.4102/sajs.v107i9/10.633)
Forsyth, G.G., Le Maitre, D.C., van Wilgen, B.W. and O’Farrell, P.J. (submitted). An
approach for prioritizing invasive alien plant control projects using spatial data and expert
opinion. Journal of Environmental Management
Wise, R.M., van Wilgen, B.W. and Le Maitre, D.C. (submitted). Costs, benefits and
17
management options for an invasive alien tree species: The case of mesquite in the
Northern Cape. Journal of Arid Environments (submitted)
van Wilgen, B.W. (submitted). Evidence, Perceptions and Trade-offs associated with
Invasive Alien Plant Control in the Table Mountain National Park, South Africa. Ecology
and Society
Smith, MD, van Wilgen, BW, Burns, C, Andelman, S, Biggs, H, Emery, S, Govender, N,
Kruger, J, Potgieter and ALF, Trollope, WSW. (submitted). Long-term effects of fire
frequency and season on herbaceous vegetation in a South African savanna. Oecologia.
Trollope, W.S.W., van Wilgen, B.W., Trollope, L.A., Govender, N & Potgieter, A.L.F.
(submitted). The effect of five decades of fire and grazing by wildlife on range condition in
a southern African savanna. Koedoe
Wintle, B.A., Bekessy, S.A., Keith, D.A., van Wilgen, B.W., Cabeza, M., Schroeder B.,
Carvalho, S., Maiorano, L., Rondinini, C., Boitani, L. and Possingham, H.P. (submitted).
Designing conservation investment strategies under climate change. Nature Climate
Change
van Wilgen, B.W. and Richardson, D.M. (2011). Three centuries of managing introduced
conifers in South Africa: Benefits, impacts, changing perceptions and conflict resolution.
Journal of Environmental Management (submitted)
van Wilgen, B.W., Forsyth, G.G. and Prins, P. (submitted). The management of fireadapted ecosystems in an urban setting: The case of Table Mountain National Park, South
Africa. Ecology and Society
Books and chapters in books
1986
Kruger, F.J., Richardson, D.M. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). Processes of invasion.
The ecology and control of biological invasions in South Africa. (Ed. by I.A.W.
Macdonald, F.J. Kruger and A.A. Ferrar). Oxford University Press, Cape Town, pp 145-,
155.
Versfeld, D.B. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). Impacts of woody aliens on ecosystem
properties. The ecology and control of biological invasions in South Africa. (Ed. by
I.A.W. Macdonald, F.J. Kruger and A.A. Ferrar). Oxford University Press, Cape Town,
pp 239-246.
1990
van Wilgen, B.W., Everson, C.S.and Trollope, W.S.W. (1990). Fire management in
southern Africa: Some examples of current objectives, practices and problems. In:
Goldammer, J.G. (ed.). Fire in the tropical biota: ecosystem processes and global
challenges. Springer, Berlin, pp179 - 209.
1992
van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van Hensbergen, H.J. (Editors)
(1992). Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and ecosystem
response in Swartboskloof. Ecological Studies Series, number 93. Springer Verlag,
Heidelberg, Germany.
van Wilgen B.W., Bond, W.J. and Richardson, D.M. (1992) Ecosystem management. The
18
Ecology of Fynbos: Nutrients, Fire and diversity Ed: Cowling, R.M. Oxford University
Press, Cape Town, pp 345-371.
van Wilgen, B.W. & McDonald, D.J. (1992). The Swartboskloof experimental site. Fire
in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and ecosystem response in
Swartboskloof. Eds: van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van
Hensbergen, H.J. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 1-20
Versfeld, D.B., Richardson, D.M., van Wilgen, B.W., Chapman, R.A. & Forsyth, G.G.
(1992). The climate of Swartboskloof. Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species,
community and ecosystem response in Swartboskloof Eds: van Wilgen, B.W.,
Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van Hensbergen, H.J. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp
21-36
van Wilgen, B.W. & van Hensbergen, H.J. (1992). Fuel properties of vegetation in
Swartboskloof. Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and
ecosystem response in Swartboskloof. Eds: van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M.,
Kruger, F.J. & van Hensbergen, H.J. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 37-53
van Wilgen, B.W. & Forsyth, G.G. (1992). Regeneration strategies in fynbos plants and
their influence on the stability of community boundaries after fire. Fire in South African
Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and ecosystem response in Swartboskloof. Eds:
van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van Hensbergen, H.J.
Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 54-80
Smith, R.E., van Wilgen, B.W., Forsyth, G.G. & Richardson, D.M. (1992). Co-existence
of seeders and sprouters in a fire-prone environment: the role of ecophysiology and soil
moisture. Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and ecosystem
response in Swartboskloof Eds: van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van
Hensbergen, H.J. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 108-122.
Richardson, D.M. & van Wilgen, B.W. (1992). Ecosystem, community and species
response to fire in mountain fynbos: Conclusions from the Swartboskloof experiment.
Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species, community and ecosystem response in
Swartboskloof. Eds: van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J. & van
Hensbergen, H.J. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 273-284.
1993
Binkley, D, Becker-Heidman, P, Crutzen, PJ, Frost, P, Gill, AM, Granstrom, A, Mack, F,
Menaut, J-C, van Wilgen, BW and Wein, RW (1993). Impacts of fires on ecosystems. In
GJ Goldammer and PJ Crutzen (eds). Fire in the environment: Its ecological, climatic and
atmospheric chemical importance. Wiley, Chichester, pp 359-374.
1994
Andreae, MO, Fishman, J, Garstang, M, Goldammer, JG, Justice, CO, Levine, JS,
Scholes, RJ, Stocks, BJ, Thompson, AM and van Wilgen, BW (1994). Biomass burning
in the global environment: First results from the IGAC/BIBEX field campaign
STARE/TRACE-A/SAFARI-92. In R.G. Prinn (ed). Global Atmospheric-Biospheric
Chemistry, Plenum Press, New York and London.
19
1996
Bond, WJ and van Wilgen, BW (1996). Plants and Fire. Chapman & Hall, London.
1997
van Wilgen, BW, Andreae, MO, Goldammer, GJ, and Lindesay, JA (1997). Fire in
Southern African Savannas: Ecological and Atmospheric Perspectives. Witwatersrand
University Press, Johannesburg.
van Wilgen, BW and Scholes, RJ (1997). The vegetation and fire regimes of southern
hemisphere Africa. In: van Wilgen, BW, Andreae, MO, Goldammer, GJ, and Lindesay,
JA (eds). Fire in Southern African Savannas: Ecological and Atmospheric Perspectives.
Wits University Press, pp 27 -46.
Stocks, BJ, van Wilgen, BW and Trollope, WSW (1997). Fire Behaviour and the
Dynamics of Convection Columns in African Savannas. In: van Wilgen, BW, Andreae,
MO, Goldammer, GJ, and Lindesay, JA (eds). Fire in Southern African Savannas:
Ecological and Atmospheric Perspectives. Wits University Press, pp 47 - 55.
1998
Richardson, DM, Caroline Gelderblom, Brian W. van Wilgen and Terry H. TrinderSmith (1998) Managing biodiversity on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa: a hotspot
under pressure. In: Rundel, P.W., Montenegro, G. & Jaksic, F. (eds). Landscape
Degradation and Biodiversity in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems, pp 189 - 204. Berlin,
Springer-Verlag.
2002
van Wilgen, BW, Richardson, DM, Le Maitre, DC. Marais, C and Magadlela, D (2002).
The economic consequences of alien plant invasions: Examples of impacts and
approaches to sustainable management in South Africa. In: Pimmental, D (ed). Biological
invasions: Economic and environmental costs of alien plant, animal and microbe species.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 243 – 265.
van Wilgen, BW, Marais, C, Magadlela, D, Jezile, N and Stevens, D (2002). Win-winwin: South Africa’s Working for Water programme. In Mainstreaming biodiversity in
development: Case studies from South Africa (ed by S.M. Pierce, R.M. Cowling, T.
Sandwith and K. MacKinnon), pp. 5 - 20. The World Bank, Washington D.C.
2003
van Wilgen, B.W., Trollope, W.S.W, Biggs, H.C., Potgieter, A.L.F. and Brockett, B.H.
(2003). Fire as a driver of ecosystem variability. In: The Kruger experience: Ecology and
management of savanna heterogeneity (ed by J. du Toit, K.H Rogers and HC Biggs),
Island Press, New York, pp 149 – 170.
2004
Geldenhuys, C.J., van Wilgen, B.W., Bond, W.J., van der Vijver, C.A.D.M. and De
Ronde, C. (2004). Fire effects on the maintenance of biodiversity, soil and nutrients. In:
Wildland fire management handbook for sub-Saharan Africa (ed by J.G. Goldammer and
C. De Ronde). Global Fire Monitoring Centre, Freiburg, pp. 88 – 113.
2010
van Wilgen, B.W. & Richardson, D.M. (2010) Current and future consequences
of invasion by alien species: a case study from South Africa. Bioinvasions and
Globalization (eds C. Perrings, H. A. Mooney & M. Williamson), pp. 183-201.
20
Oxford University Press, Oxford.
2011
van Wilgen, B.W., Khan, A., & Marais, C. (2011). Changing perspectives on
managing biological invasions: insights from South Africa and the Working for
Water programme. In: Fifty years of invasion ecology: The legacy of Charles
Elton (ed. By David M. Richardson). Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 377 -393.
Le Maitre, D.C., W.J de Lange, D.M. Richardson, R.M. Wise, B.W. van Wilgen
(2011). The economic consequences of the environmental impacts of alien plant
invasions in South Africa. In: Pimmental, D (ed). Biological invasions: Economic
and environmental costs of alien plant, animal and microbe species, pp. 295 - 323.
CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Van Wilgen, B.W. & Impson, N. D. (2011). Are invasive aliens a real threat to
biodiversity in South Africa? In: Zietsman, L. (ed) Observations on
environmental change in South Africa, pages 124 – 134. Stellenbosch University
Press.
POPULAR AND PRESS ARTICLES, INFORMATION BROCHURES, AND PUBLIC
INTERVIEWS
1983
van Wilgen, B.W. (1983). Prescribed burning in the U.S.A. and Australia. Forestry News
1/83,21-23.
1984
van Wilgen, B.W. (1984). The role of fire in fynbos. Forestry Information Leaflet 5,
Directorate of Forestry, Pretoria.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1984). Prescribed burning in fynbos. Forestry Information Leaflet
11, Directorate of Forestry, Pretoria.
1985
van Wilgen, B.W. (1985). Ecological research at the Jonkershoek Forestry Research
Centre. Bulletin of the South African Institute of Ecologists 4(2), 16-18.
1986
van Wilgen, B.W. (1986). Swartboskloof - Twenty years on. African Wildlife 40,
244-249.
Twenty-minute television broadcast on the SABC programme 50/50, dealing with fire in
fynbos and the Swartboskloof experiment generally.
1987
Bands, D.P., Bosch, J.M., Lamb, A.J., Richardson, D.M., van Wyk, D.B., van Wilgen,
B.W., Versfeld, D.B. (1987). The Jonkershoek Forestry Research Centre. Pamphlet 348,
Department of Environment Affairs, Pretoria, 36 pp.
21
1988
Worth, S.W. and van Wilgen, B.W. (1988). The Blushing Bride: Status of an endangered
species. Veld & Flora 74, 123-124.
van Wilgen, B.W. (1988). Root systems of selected Proteaceae in their natural habitat.
Protea News 8, 4.
1989
van Wilgen, B.W. and Newby, T. (1989). Huge mountain fires in the western Cape.
Veld & Flora 75, 26.
1991
van Wilgen, B.W. (1991). Water catchment areas in the fynbos: What of the future? Veld
& Flora 77, 34-35.
1992
Richardson, DM and van Wilgen, BW (1992) Swartboskloof - Major study of effects of
fire in mountain fynbos completed. African Wildlife 46, 160 - 164.
Richardson, DM, van Wilgen, BW and Le Maitre, DC (1992). Catchment management
with GIS. Environmental Planning and Management 3,4 -13.
1993
Fifteen-minute environmental report broadcast on “Radio Today” of SABC, dealing with
the predicted effects of dune mining at St Lucia. This broadcast was voted the best
environmental broadcast of the year by the SABC.
1994
van Wilgen, BW and Scholes, RJ (1994). Africa alight! Veld fires on the greenhouse
effect. Africa: Environment and Wildlife 2, 45 –46.
1998
van Wilgen, BW and van Wyk, E (1998). The environmental impacts of invading alien
plants in South Africa. Working for Water programme, Cape Town, 20 pages.
2002
Bill Moyers Reports. Earth on Edge – the premiere was screened on Public Television in
the USA on 19 June 2002. The programme covered the impacts of invasive alien plants
on water resources, and the role of scientific research in establishing the link between
aliens and water use.
2004
van Wilgen, BW (2004). Crackdown on invasive aliens. Quest 1, 5 - 10.
2005
van Wilgen, BW (2005). Managing fires: the science behind the smoke. Quest 1(3), 26 –
33.
van Wilgen, BW (2005). Building environmental research capacity to find global
solutions. Science Scope 1 (1), 16 - 18.
2006
van Wilgen, BW (2006). Invasive alien species – an important aspect of global change.
Science Scope 1 (2), 8 – 11.
van Wilgen, B.W. (2006). CSIR guide to a career in research. CSIR, Pretoria, 16 pp.
2007
van Wilgen, B.W. (2007). Gums, badgers and economics. Quest 3, 41.
22
van Wilgen, B.W. and Moran, V.C. (2007). Integrated management of invasive alien
plants in South Africa: A case for biological control. Working for Water Programme,
Cape Town, 27 pp.
Lighting fires regularly is vital for fynbos to thrive. Cape Times, 26 April 2007.
Fires were a benefit to the park. The Star, 17 August 2007
2008
van Wilgen, B.W. (2008). Fires in mediterranean areas of the world: living with the
inevitable. The Mediterranean Garden 51, 4 – 10.
van Wilgen, B.W., Archibald, S and Frost, P. (2008). Managing fires in southern Africa:
A hot topic. Science Scope 3 (1), 26 – 28.
van Wilgen, B.W. (2008). Alien plants and ecosystem services: estimating the costs.
Science Scope 3 (1), 62 - 63.
CSIR Fellows (2008). The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research:
Case study of a science and technology development intervention in Africa. Discovery
and Innovation 19, 149 – 156.
2009
Cowling, R., van Wilgen, B. and Kraaij, T. (2009) How no-man’s land is becoming
everyone’s problem: Runaway pine invasions in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma
mountains. Veld & Flora, September 2009, 147 – 149.
Van Wilgen, B.W. (2009). Its time for the fynbos to come out of the shade: There is a
case for clearing pine trees from Table Mountain. Cape Times, 21 August 2009.
Van Wilgen, B.W. (2009). Peninsula fynbos is not up to a battle against invasive and
pervasive pines. Cape Argus, 25 February 2009.
2011
Be afraid, the alien invasion is real: Scientific evidence supports the eradication of
invasive alien plant species. Natal Witness, 10 November 2010
Van Wilgen, B.W. (2011) Don’t beat about the bush in this debate where biodiversity is
the bottom line: The carbon and other recreational benefits of pines are tiny. Cape Times,
February 25, 2011
ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS
I have also written or contributed to a further 80 publications, including “grey literature’ reports (for
example the South African National Scientific Programmes Reports), published book reviews,
environmental impact assessments, published conference proceedings and internal scientific reports.
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