Strategic conservation of the Endangered Pepper-bark Tree (Warburgia salutaris) in South Africa.
Secure an additional 10,000 ha of critical habitat to protect Warburgia salutaris populations in the western Soutpansberg through expanding the Protected Area created in the first project, adding additional critical habitat, and creating a buffer around properties with W. salutaris present. Rehabilitate 20 hectares, and maintain 20 hectares, of prime W. salutaris habitat through invasive tree eradication along riparian areas within the protected area and neighbouring properties. Engage with key stakeholders (Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs), market operators and communities) to significantly increase cultivation of W. salutaris and reduce harvesting pressures on wild populations.
Helathy working relationships between different stakeholders, such as the protected areas and Traditional Health Practitioners.
Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for six threatened medicinal plants in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga province, South Africa.
This management plan has been developed following the BMP-S norms and standards however in addition it also addresses the need of South African citizens for the long-term access to medicinal plant species for health care. The plan has been conducted for six medicinal plant species naturally occurring in Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga Province, Alepidea cordifolia, Bowiea volubilis, Dioscorea sylvatica, Haworthiopsis limifolia, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Warburgia salutaris. It has been developed by a wide array of stakeholders including conservation authorities, horticulturists, researchers, law enforcers, users of traditional medicines, those involved in the traditional medicine value chain (traders, and Traditional Healer Practisioners) and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) interested in supporting rural livelihoods.
This report details the outcomes of a process to collaboratively develop a Biodiversity Management Plan for the six species. Since many Traditional health practitioners’ (THP) in the area already grow certain medicinal plants in their home gardens, and many others are open to doing so. This plan explores options around cultivation as a possible tool for conserving and sustainably using these plants. Acceptance of cultivated medicinal plants depends on the species and its uses, as well as its socio-cultural significance within communities.
The BMP-S will be implemented in a complex and dynamic environment; therefore, over-arching principles will govern the successful overall implementation and provide context for future adaptive management.
We provided refresher training on ecological services of the seagrass;
We trained representatives of local fishers on monitoring protocols (Seagrass Watch methodology (McKenzie et al., 2003));
We conducted the assessment of seagrass beds with trained fishers collecting data on the location of boundaries/edges, species, percentage of cover, sediment type and depth;
We collected data using paper-based records and entered data into a computer database before analysis.
As a result of the various conservation awareness raising activities, communities became increasingly interested in the health of the ecosystems, referring to it as their “pantry” during bad weather.
Even though the methodology was adapted for use by the local fishermen, it was necessary to do refresher training in order for them to carry out the monitoring.
