Black wattle trees, an invasive species, outcompete native plant species, thereby reducing biodiversity and significantly impacting on water resources, which is why Eastern-Cape-based wildlife reserve Lalibela approached the Coega Biomass Centre (CBC) for a mutually-beneficial solution. Black wattle, Acacia mearnsii, is an invasive species that arrived in South Africa from Australasia. A single adult tree can absorb up to 40 ℓ/d of underground water, and the plants spread rapidly. According to the National Environmental Management Biodiversity and the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, landowners are legally required to manage these species.
