Abstract ID: 3.12133 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Invasive plant species are expanding into higher elevations in mountainous environments where climate change and human activities facilitate their spread. These invasions can significantly alter biodiversity, disrupt ecosystem functions, and impose economic and management challenges. While global patterns of plant invasion are well documented, knowledge gaps remain regarding the effectiveness of management strategies across different biogeographical regions. This study investigates the ecological impacts of invasive plant species and evaluates recovery dynamics following their removal in a multi-regional experiment spanning South Africa, Switzerland, Australia, and India (Kashmir). The main aim of looking at whether the effectiveness of removal depends on elevation. Across all regions, we conducted standardised removal experiments along elevation gradients, monitoring the recovery of native, non-native, and focal following short-term (12 months) removal efforts. As a detailed case study, we present findings from the South African component of this study, which focused on invasive woody Rosaceae species (Pyracantha angustifolia, Pyracantha crenulata, Rosa rubiginosa, and Cotoneaster pannosus). The study was conducted in the eastern Free State province across three sites at different elevations. Within each site, we established experimental plots where invasive species were mechanically removed, and their regrowth, along with the recovery of native and alien vegetation, was monitored over a year. Preliminary results indicate that the effectiveness of invasive species removal varies across elevations and plant functional groups. In South Africa, native plant recovery was faster at higher elevations, while at lower elevations, alien herbaceous species recolonised more rapidly than native species. Persistent regrowth of invasive Rosaceae species after removal suggests that single interventions may be insufficient for long-term control. These findings highlight the importance of regional differences in invasion dynamics and recovery, emphasising the need for adaptive, context-specific management strategies. By synthesising results from multiple regions, this study contributes to the development of evidence-based global guidelines for managing invasive species in mountain ecosystems.