WHY WE DO THIS…
The succulent plans and flowers of Namaqualand face enormous conservation challenges in the next decade or two. Climate change is just one of these challenges. There are however a few others, and maybe easier challenges to overcome.
It is true, the full impact that long term climate change will have on the Fauna & Flora of the Namaqualand is still largely unknown and that is okay.
But there is something we can do right now to help scientists prepare actions plans to deal with this ever-present thread of loosing Namaqualand for ever.
First and foremost, we need to raise awareness around the world about the urgent need of more active nature conservation projects in Namaqualand.
Here are some of the conservation challenges Namaqualand is facing right now:
- Illegal harvesting of indigenous succulents [plants] – not only by syndicates, but also by private nurseries and other traders.
- Mining activities and other infrastructure projects, for example, wind and solar farms.
- Uncontrolled farming and the lack of knowledge by small farmers and other land users.
- Enough money for research and not enough empathy and concern by the general public to help fund this type of research and conservation.
Of all these challenges, the illegal harvesting of Namaqualand indigenous succulent plants are becoming a huge problem. It is the harvesting of very rare and selective species that makes this so dangers.
For example: There are 87 different Conophytum Species in Southern Africa, 79 occur in Namaqualand. It is these type of species that are targeted by illegal harvesters.
The Conophytum Achabense species for example is extremely rare in the wild and for this reason exploited by poachers.
The remaining populations in the wild urgently need to be protected to avoid further exploitation – or it will likely be driven to extinction.
Here are a few resent news headlines [with links] regarding the illegal harvesting of Namaqualand’s indigenous succulent plants:
[ www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/03/drought-dust-storms-plant-theft-unique-botanical-landscape-peril-aoe ]
[ www.nytimes.com/2021/07/31/world/africa/south-africa-poachers-tiny-succulent-plants.html ]
[ www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-01-10-cape-biodiversity-risk-9-arrested-for-illegal-trade-in-rare-succulents/ ]
[ www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/syndicates-launch-new-poaching-offensive-targeting-sas-succulents-says-cape-nature-20210714 ]
[ www.foodformzansi.co.za/poaching-of-plants-and-animals-on-the-rise-in-n-cape/ ]
[ https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/northern-capes-rare-succulents-poached-for-illegal-overseas-market-20220307 ]
