Conservation Biology
Group
A biodiversity hotspot faces intensification of Viticulture
Research Project
The Role of Fynbos remnants for the conservation of plants and butterflies
Overview
Biodiversity hotspots are global priority areas for nature conservation, as they contain numerous endemic species and have lost much natural habitat in the past. One example is the Fynbos biome within the Cape, Floristic Region in South Africa, which is under pressure due to land-use change. Here, viticulture increasingly expands into remnants of Renosterveld vegetation, with unpredictable consequences for the associated fauna.
Duration
01.04.2018 - 30.06.2020
Project location
Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Finished
Source: Topp, E. N., Loos, J. (2019): Fragmented Landscape, Fragmented Knowledge: A synthesis of Renosterveld Ecology and Conservation
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) in Africa is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot and contains some of the most transformed habitat in South Africa due to agriculture, urbanisation and the spread of invasive alien plants.
Despite covering a relatively small geographic area (78 555 km2), the CFR contains more than 9000 vascular plant species of which 70% are endemic, many of which are neophytes. Globally, the region represents c. 2% of all known plant species and has high levels of faunal endemism particularly reptiles, birds, amphibians and invertebrates, such as dragonflies and butterflies.
Project Outcome
This project approached a socio-ecological understanding of conservation of isolated fragments of natural Renosterveld vegetation by first conducting a systematic literature review on the ecology and conservation conditions of the Renosterveld. Threats and obstacles to nature conservation were identified and recommendations for research and implementation were derived. Two empirical ecological studies demonstrate the relationship of butterfly diversity to local and landscape characteristics of Renosterveld fragments in the intensive agricultural landscape of the Swartland. In particular, the availability of flowers and microhabitat conditions correlated with butterfly species diversity and individual numbers, and the size of the remaining fragments was found to be a determinant of butterfly diversity in the landscape. Fire proved to be an explanatory factor for vegetation structure and the number of butterfly individuals, with landscape factors proving to be more important for butterfly species diversity. Two empirical studies within this project discuss the decision-making context of farmers with regard to nature conservation and climate change adaptation strategies.
Through interviews with the farmers, the different value perceptions of the renosterveld by the farmers were contrasted and embedded in three different decision narratives.
Overall, the importance of external factors emerged through both formal support and informal knowledge exchange between Renosterveld management actors. This study demonstrates the complexity of the social and ecological processes of conservation in this sensitive habitat.
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) in Africa is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot and contains some of the most transformed habitat in South Africa due to agriculture, urbanisation and the spread of invasive alien plants.
Despite covering a relatively small geographic area (78 555 km2), the CFR contains more than 9000 vascular plant species of which 70% are endemic, many of which are neophytes. Globally, the region represents c. 2% of all known plant species and has high levels of faunal endemism particularly reptiles, birds, amphibians and invertebrates, such as dragonflies and butterflies.
Publications
This is an overview of the research outcome of the project.
Decision-making for nature's contributions to people in the cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge
Farmers' perception of climate change and adaption strategies in South Africa's Western Cape
Fire and landscape context shape plant and butterfly diversity in a South African scrubland
Limited knowledge flow among stakeholders of critically endangered Renosterveld in South Africa
Local and landscape level variables influence butterfly diversity in critically endangered South African Renosterveld
Fragmented Landscape, Fragmented Knowledge: A synthesis of Renosterveld Ecology and Conservation
Founded by..
With contribution from..
In order to adequately counteract the global loss of biodiversity, an understanding of human-nature relationships is required. This is particularly crucial in biodiversity hotspots, which are home to an exceptionally large number of endemics but have already lost large parts of their natural habitat due to human activities. In these areas, the understanding of the human-nature relationship can be enhanced by mapping both the ecological and social components of the landscape. One such area is the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), which is home to one of South Africa's most threatened ecosystems: Renosterveld.
Renosterveld is a naturally flammable bush ecosystem in the Western Cape of South Africa, much of which has already been converted to arable land. The remaining Renosterveld fragments are mainly privately owned on land that is unsuitable for agriculture. These fragments harbor a high biodiversity, especially endemic plants, but also insect diversity, including various butterfly species. This interdisciplinary project investigated both ecological aspects, particularly butterfly diversity, and social aspects, including the context of conservation decision-making and climate change adaptation by farmers in the agricultural landscape of the Swartland, South Africa.
In order to adequately counteract the global loss of biodiversity, an understanding of human-nature relationships is required. This is particularly crucial in biodiversity hotspots, which are home to an exceptionally large number of endemics but have already lost large parts of their natural habitat due to human activities. In these areas, the understanding of the human-nature relationship can be enhanced by mapping both the ecological and social components of the landscape. One such area is the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), which is home to one of South Africa's most threatened ecosystems: Renosterveld.
Renosterveld is a naturally flammable bush ecosystem in the Western Cape of South Africa, much of which has already been converted to arable land. The remaining Renosterveld fragments are mainly privately owned on land that is unsuitable for agriculture. These fragments harbor a high biodiversity, especially endemic plants, but also insect diversity, including various butterfly species. This interdisciplinary project investigated both ecological aspects, particularly butterfly diversity, and social aspects, including the context of conservation decision-making and climate change adaptation by farmers in the agricultural landscape of the Swartland, South Africa.
Who is involved?
Less Underhill
Partner
Leuphana University
Contact
Dave Edge
Partner
Leuphana University
Contact
The project brings together a divers team of international researchers from a wide range of backgrounds.