Poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus, in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Tshianeo M Ndou,Mercy A Alabi,Adeyemi O Adeeyo,Milingoni P Tshisikhawe,Eduard M Stam

doi:10.3390/resources10120119

Tshianeo M Ndou, Mercy A Alabi + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10120119

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Abstract

There is an established link between deforestation and negative hydrological effects which may affect watersheds. The number of the cycads Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in South Africa is drastically reducing, and they are nearly extinct. Additionally, poaching and reduction in the population of cycads in reserves may impact negatively on watersheds in protected and buffer areas since the regeneration of this plant occurs over a long period. This research aimed to study the distributions of poached cycads, evaluate the factors responsible for poaching activity and suggest possible solutions towards conservation of E. transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in some of the nature reserves in Limpopo province. Field observation was used to ascertain and collect locations of poached cycads. Data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to rangers for the collection of data on causes of poaching, parts poached, measures taken and challenges of rangers in the nature reserves. Processing of the collected data was done by simple statistical analysis. The total population of rangers available in the reserves was used for the determination of the sample size of rangers by Slovin’s formula. Unemployment (46%) is the leading cause for poaching in Mphaphuli Nature Reserve, while trade is a leading factor in Modjadji and Lekgalameetse (37% and 60%) respectively. Debarked cycads amount to 14 (54%) while 12 of the total (26 poached cycads) were completely removed (46%). The most effective way of stopping the poaching of cycads as perceived by the rangers is by patrolling the nature reserves. The observed poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus is alarming since this plant has a low population size which is currently confined to the Limpopo Province in South Africa only. If poaching continues in the nature reserves, all cycads have the tendency of being removed. Therefore, there is a need to continually develop strategies for the conservation of cycads. The peculiar nature and challenges of each reserve have been established and unique solutions for these nature reserves in Limpopo Province have been proposed. Better conservation of cycad species can positively impact the hydrological process of the concerned area and better help the watersheds.

Highlights

IntroductionIntroduction distributed under the terms andThe impact of forests on the regulation of water cycles and prevention of adverse hydrological events in watersheds has been reported while improper management of forest reserves has been reported for significant inter-seasonal water imbalance [1]
Introduction distributed under the terms andThe impact of forests on the regulation of water cycles and prevention of adverse hydrological events in watersheds has been reported while improper management of forest reserves has been reported for significant inter-seasonal water imbalance [1]
Africa holds a rich assemblage of cycads in forest reserves and South Africa is a major hotspot of cycads conditions of the Creative Commons

Summary

Introduction

Introduction distributed under the terms andThe impact of forests on the regulation of water cycles and prevention of adverse hydrological events in watersheds has been reported while improper management of forest reserves has been reported for significant inter-seasonal water imbalance [1]. Africa holds a rich assemblage of cycads in forest reserves and South Africa is a major hotspot of cycads conditions of the Creative Commons. Cycads are currently endangered due to poaching [5,6]. Though they are long-living, they are slow-growing [7]. Within the African cycads, four species of Encephalartos are already extinct in the wild, 18 are critically endangered, and 10 are classified as endangered [8]. Of the 38 cycad species in South Africa, three are labelled extinct, twelve are critically endangered, four are endangered, nine are vulnerable and seven are classified as near threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

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