The Aliens Are Here
TRAIL|Issue 38
Why do we run? There is no simple answer.
The Aliens Are Here

There are a myriad reasons personal to each runner.

Common reasons are an appreciation for nature, the love of being outdoors in a natural setting, finding hidden places with beautiful soul-stirring vistas, and of course, the joy of sharing these with loved ones and like minded people.

But what if by simply passing through these beautiful areas, we are potentially contributing to their transformation?

This thought led to a study looking at the potential for trail runners to transport and introduce alien invasive plant seeds into protected areas.

It’s an important question, as globally, biological invasions are not only recognised as one of the largest threats to biodiversity conservation, but they alter natural ecosystem functioning.

This ultimately impacts the potential benefits we can obtain from these ecosystems.

For many years, protected areas were imagined as untouched places exempt from the change occurring around them. However, drivers of change, like alien invasive species, do not stop at a park boundary. Biodiversity losses as a result of alien species are a reality in protected areas.

Probably one of the bestknown impacts of alien invasive plant species is their impact on river systems.

The cost of aliens

Over 13 years (2002 to 2015), R590 million was spent within SA's national parks on alien plant management.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 38-Ausgabe von TRAIL.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 38-Ausgabe von TRAIL.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS TRAILAlle anzeigen
Heat Cheat
TRAIL

Heat Cheat

In his How Or Why series, coach SEAN TAIT, founder and Running technique coach at Off the Mark, digs deeper into specific issues troubling TRAIL readers.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Pacing The Way To Change
TRAIL

Pacing The Way To Change

Seeing a need, Jo Keppler ran 130km to raise funds for the Southern Lodestar Foundation breakfast programme on Saturday 6 November 2020.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Die Ander Tafelberg(e)
TRAIL

Die Ander Tafelberg(e)

Dalene van Staden developed Die Ander Tafelberge* project, recruiting Caro Jordaan and Magan Hanekom to summit all 15 Tafelberge in the Western Cape, ending with Cape Town's Table Mountain.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Dodge The Super Plods
TRAIL

Dodge The Super Plods

We all want to get faster, not slower. But the plods are real – if we overdo our training. Stay fast with Joburg-based coach Neville Beeton.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Grounding Is It The Missing Link?
TRAIL

Grounding Is It The Missing Link?

Durban biokineticist Stephan Terblanche has been in private practice for almost 25 years. One of his biggest frustrations is that some patients do not get better, regardless of treatment, for unknown reasons. He believes that a lack of grounding is a major factor.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
Issue 38
THE ALIENS ARE HERE
TRAIL

THE ALIENS ARE HERE

Why do we run? There is no simple answer.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Meeting Rona
TRAIL

Meeting Rona

Being young and fit doesn't faze COVID-19. Salomon runner THABANG MADIBA (36) experienced this for himself.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
Issue 38
For the Love
TRAIL

For the Love

RACHEL MANYATHI is an ultra runner and high school teacher whose life centres around kindness, and mountain adventure.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Cultivating FLOW
TRAIL

Cultivating FLOW

High-performance coach CRAIG CAROLAN shares the Tao of Mike and positive psychology to help you reach maximum gratification on the trail.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Issue 38
Bites & Stings
TRAIL

Bites & Stings

Life support medic ALET MAARTENS is a Gauteng-based trail runner with a few tips to keep you safe against summer bugs with big appetites or short tempers.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
Issue 38