Prickly politics: How Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet-Briar Rose) divides rural communities, private landowners, and commercial players in South Africa

Abstract

• Rosa rubiginosa offers economic value from rosehips but threatens highland ecosystems and agriculture. • Experts are split on promoting its cultivation versus controlling it as an invasive species. • Locally informed, inclusive strategies are needed to balance its benefits and risks. The invasion of ecosystems by alien species often creates conflicts of interest among stakeholders, complicating management strategies. Rosa rubiginosa (sweet-briar), a shrub native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, has established in South Africa’s high-elevation grasslands. While rural communities collect and sell its rosehips, the invasive stands of the shrub pose challenges for agricultural landowners. This study examines the negative impacts of R. rubiginosa alongside its commercial potential, revealing how these factors potentially create stakeholder conflicts. We engaged agricultural landowners in the South African Grassland Biome, researchers working in the field of invasive plants, and rosehip-processing companies, who buy rosehips from rural communities, to assess the species' benefits and negative impacts. Findings indicate a growing market for wild harvested rosehips and increasing advocacy for the shrub's cultivation. However, opinions on its legal status are divided within the scientific community. Landowners regard R. rubiginosa as problematic, with some implementing control measures at significant cost. Rosa rubiginosa exemplifies a conflict-of-interest species, necessitating comprehensive assessments of its local impacts before management decisions. Balancing its economic potential with its ecological risks will enable informed strategies that benefit all stakeholders.