Capensis Research Articles

Post-apartheid diversification through Afrikaaps: language, power and superdiversity in the Western Cape

ABSTRACT In South Africa, Afrikaaps is a language that dates to the seventeenth century, from encounters between indigenous Khoekhoe people, Dutch colonisers and enslaved people from South-East Asia, under Dutch rule. Long considered a dialect of Afrikaans, Afrikaaps, its name placing it in the Western Cape region of South Africa, is being re-evaluated for its roots in creolised varieties. Superdiversity and cultural creolisation have a long history in South Africa and de facto diversity in the Cape has for centuries been far more comprehensive than what is typically assumed. This article argues that the concept of superdiversity can shed light on the historical and contemporary dynamics of society and culture in the Cape. We raise fundamental questions about the relationship between individual and community, as well as explore whether a creolised twin of an already creolised language can contribute to reconciling diversity with a shared identity.

An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa.

The megagenus Erica L. (Ericaceae) comprises 851 species across its global distribution, with an extraordinary focus of diversity in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa where almost 700 species are endemic. The genus is remarkable for both its morphological diversity and the large number of species and subspecific taxa occurring in small populations, often in specialised habitats, putting them at high risk of extinction. Despite significant taxonomic work over the past century, part of this diversity remains undescribed. The sheer size of the genus, its morphological, ecological and geographical variability, and the absence of a modern, consolidated revision make alpha taxonomy challenging. By combining traditional taxonomic methods, standard DNA sequencing methods building on openly available data matrices, and an openly available specialised taxonomic tool for the genus, we present an integrative, reproducible approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica. This approach provided support for the recognition of three new species from the Western Cape in South Africa and aided in ruling out two further putative new species, confirming one as a natural hybrid and the other as a morphological variation within an existing species. We describe the three new species Ericaarida R.D.Hoekstra, Ericahessequae R.D.Hoekstra and Ericainopina J.H.J.Vlok.

Validation of Satellite Precipitation Estimates over the Western Cape Region, South Africa

Abstract Precipitation gauging networks have been declining in many developing countries such as South Africa. Satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) and reanalysis data have shown vast improvements over the last 5 years and are postulated to mitigate the lack of ground-based observations. The Western Cape of South Africa has recently experienced a devastating drought (2015–18) and consecutive local floods (2023/24) but lacks sufficient precipitation observations to fully conceptualize the impacts of these climatic extremes. Using a variety of statistical metrics, we analyze the performance of six SPPs and reanalysis-driven datasets, namely, Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS V2), ERA5, Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP V2.8), and Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) (Early and Final Runs of V6B, Final Run of V7) compared with historical records collected from local weather bureaus from 2012 to 2021. On a daily scale, reanalysis products such as ERA5 and MSWEP outperform other SPPs concerning a dichotomous wet-/dry-day distinction, temporal rainfall pattern, and Heidke skill score. All products performed best in the wet parts of the year (JJA), and performance is influenced by climate zone and topography. All products performed poorly for extreme values (i.e., >95th percentile) and are therefore of less use for evaluating potential flood peaks. SPP performance was more related to climate type as opposed to altitude, and future improvements in SPPs should focus on local microclimatic variability to capture headwater precipitation patterns. While in the African tropics, infrared (IR)/passive microwave (PMW)-based products perform best, in the Mediterranean climate region of the Western Cape, reanalysis-driven products are superior. Significance Statement The use of satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) and reanalysis data can mitigate the decline in observation stations in many countries, particularly in the Global South. While the performance of SPPs in tropical and subtropical climates in Africa has been previously investigated, this paper is among the first research into the efficacy of SPPs in the Mediterranean climate zone of southern Africa. Results from the research can potentially be extrapolated to other Mediterranean climates globally.

Community-based Revitalisation of Nama in Namaqualand

This article explores community-based revitalisation efforts of the Nama language in the Northern Cape region of South Africa by applying UNESCO's (2003) nine factors of language vitality assessment. A realist approach is applied to understanding how these factors interact and gauge the progress of revitalisation efforts. The study uses UNESCO's factors, broadly categorised as major evaluative factors for vitality, language attitudes and policies, and urgency for documentation as its theoretical framework, and utilises Atlas.ti™ to build a comprehensive network of these factors' interactions. By integrating empirical data with UNESCO's factors and recent findings, such as those by Wiltshire et al. (2022), the study provides novel insights on Nama's maintenance, development, revitalisation, and perpetuation through dynamic community-based revitalisation efforts in a South African selected context. Results indicate that Nama communities in the Northern Cape are making notable progress in language awareness, revitalisation, and maintaining community control over language revitalisation endeavours. Recommendations for the improvement of revitalisation efforts are made based on the results where the study underscores the importance of gradual progress and adequate time for sustainable language revitalisation. Overall, the findings highlight the significant achievements of the Nama community in advancing their language revitalisation efforts.

Sedentary behaviour of pregnant women in South Africa: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundSedentary behaviour is a growing global public health concern that affects not only the general population but also pregnant women. Inactivity during pregnancy could have implications for the development of cardio-metabolic complications such as prenatal obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, as well as mental well-being. Encouraging light prenatal physical exercise is crucial in improving maternal health of mothers as well as the baby. However, information on the sedentary behaviour of pregnant women in South Africa is limited, particularly in the Eastern Cape region. Therefore, this study investigates the proportion of time pregnant women spend in sedentary behaviours in the context of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the sedentary time of 1082 pregnant women attending public health facilities in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, was assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the sedentary time of the participants.ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 27.0 years, and the standard deviation was 6.2 years. The pregnant women spent more than 3 h per day sitting (40.0%). Furthermore, a significant proportion spent 4 h to more than 6 h per day watching television or videos (46.2%) and sitting, reading, or making phone calls (51.6%) during their off-work physical activity.ConclusionThe majority of pregnant women exhibit high levels of sedentary behaviour.ContributionMeasures to encourage active physical activity during pregnancy are crucial in preventing a sedentary lifestyle among pregnant women.

Phylogeny and new sectional classification for the Cape Clade of the genus Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae)

Abstract The genus Indigofera in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) comprises a diverse assortment of species. Almost 90% of the region's Indigofera species belong to the Cape Clade, while the remaining species are scattered among the other three globally distributed Indigofera clades. As a prelude to a species‐level revision, we aimed to revise the sectional classification of the Cape Clade, making use of molecular and morphological data. We present near‐complete sampled phylogenies representing ca. 95% of species within the GCFR, using the nuclear ITS region and three plastid regions. Ancestral state reconstructions identified several morphological characters that, as unique suites of traits, can help to distinguish different sections/subsections, rather than single diagnostic traits. A total‐evidence phylogeny based on both morphology and molecular data strongly supports the recognition of eight sections within the Cape Clade. Indigofera sect. Brachypodae, sect. Digitatae, sect. Juncifoliae, sect. Oligophyllae and sect. Productae are maintained and refined from previous sectional classifications. Indigofera cytisoides, I. merxmuelleri and I. nudicaulis are circumscribed into three new monospecific sections (I. sect. Cytisoidae, sect. Merxmuelleranae, sect. Nudicaules), based on suites of unique morphological characters. Indigofera sect. Digitatae and sect. Brachypodae are the most diverse sections, and are each further divided into four subsections.

Determining the Spectral Characteristics of Fynbos Wetland Vegetation Species Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) boasts rich biodiversity but faces threats from invasive species and land-use changes. Fynbos wetland vegetation within the CFR is under-mapped despite its crucial role in supporting biodiversity and maintaining hydrological cycles. This study assessed the potential of UAV VIS-NIR data, gathered during Spring and Summer, to identify the spectral characteristics of eleven Fynbos wetland species in a seep wetland. Spectral distances derived from reflectance data revealed distinct spectral clustering of plant species, highlighting which species could be distinguished from each other. UAV data also captured differences in reflectance across spectral bands for both dates. Spectral statistics indicated that certain species could be more accurately classified in Spring than in Summer, and vice versa. These findings underscore the efficacy of UAV multispectral data in analyzing the reflectance patterns of fynbos wetland species. Additionally, the sensitivity of UAV multispectral data to foliar pigment composition across different seasonal stages was confirmed. Lastly, species classification results demonstrated that a random forest classifier is well suited, with relative producer and user accuracies aligning with the derived spectral distances. The results highlight the potential of UAV imagery for monitoring these endemic species and creating opportunities for scalable mapping of Fynbos seep wetlands.

One-hectare fine-scale dataset of a fynbos plant community in the Cape Floristic Region.

Cape fynbos, which forms part of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa, a global biodiversity hotspot, is renowned for its high levels of plant species endemism and diversity. This extraordinary ecosystem, characterised by nutrient-poor soils and fire-adapted vegetation, is a treasure trove of endemic flora. However, this fragile system faces increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. Pristine fynbos, naturally high in plant diversity and which forms a large part of the CFR, presents an ideal opportunity to gather fine-scale data on community assembly patterns. Most fynbos vegetation surveys use a plot size of about 100 m2, with no spatial structures within plots to demarcate individual subplots. Here, a groundbreaking dataset is presented that fully covers 1-hectare of pristine fynbos, systematically gridded into 50 × 50 subplots, each measuring 2 × 2 m, arranged evenly within a square-shaped survey site. Each plot was assigned a unique Y-X coordinate combination. For each plot, all plant species present were recorded, along with their total percentage covers and maximum height values. Total percentage covers were also recorded for bare soil, rock, and termite mounds. This dataset provides a valuable contribution to the field of fynbos ecology, as well as plant community ecology in general, and establishes a benchmark for future one-hectare surveys of similar fynbos vegetation types, delineating the fine-scale composition and structure of fynbos in the CFR. The dataset will be useful for a wide audience, including community and spatial ecologists, plant and environmental scientists, and biodiversity informaticians and statistical ecologists, offering ideal data for testing new metrics of diversity and compositional turnover.

The root rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi: a long-overlooked threat to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa

The globally important plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi was first reported in South Africa in 1931, where it caused substantial damage to avocado orchards. Surprisingly, 40 years passed before the pathogen was recognised as a significant threat to South Africa’s natural ecosystems. This first became evident when P. cinnamomi caused a “quick decline” of the iconic silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum) in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of the Western Cape Province. Subsequent research has underscored the role of P. cinnamomi as a major root rot pathogen affecting numerous native species. Despite these findings, there has been limited research on the extent of the threat P. cinnamomi poses to Cape flora, leaving the risk of extinction for many species largely unknown. A recent observation of P. cinnamomi causing rapid mortality in Sorocephalus imbricatus, a Critically Endangered Proteaceae, underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive evaluation of this pathogen’s impact on Cape flora and the associated extinction risks. Given the high number of rare and threatened species in the CFR, many of which belong to families known to be vulnerable to P. cinnamomi, there is a pressing need to initiate an intensive local research programme to fill this critical gap. To address this, we propose a structured research programme that will guide targeted mitigation efforts against P. cinnamomi. Enhancing our understanding of P. cinnamomi’s threat to the CFR, a global biodiversity hotspot, will be essential to inform conservation strategies and to set restoration priorities in the region.

Lifespan outperforms climate as a predictor of wood functional traits, but secondary woodiness shows no clear climatic pattern in Heliophila, a diverse clade from the Cape Floristic Region.

Annuals produce little wood due to their short life cycle, while perennials can accumulate more, though not all do. Consequently, lifespan extension is a prerequisite for-but not synonymous with-secondary woodiness. Even if a shift to perenniality does not substantially increase wood production, it may still affect wood anatomy, as annuals prioritise rapid growth, whereas perennials invest in structural resilience. Heliophila, a genus of the Brassicaceae from the Cape Floristic Region, provides an excellent system to investigate drivers of secondary woodiness and the impact of lifespan shifts on wood traits due to its multiple independent lifespan transitions and occurrence of secondary woodiness. We reconstructed evolutionary transitions between annual and perennial lifespans and between herbaceous and secondarily woody habits. Using phylogenetically informed statistics, we analysed the relationship between climate, lifespan, and nine wood anatomical traits. Lifespan-specific evolutionary optima for these traits were estimated and compared. We also tested whether secondary woodiness in Heliophila is associated with specific climatic niches. Lifespan shifts in Heliophila are primarily driven by water availability and seasonality, with perennials evolving in wetter and less seasonal environments. Secondary woodiness may be more frequent in warmer niches, though this trend was not statistically supported, likely due to the limited number of secondarily woody species. Lifespan, not climate, better predicted wood traits: annuals had longer, thinner-walled cells, while perennials had shorter cells with thicker walls. In Heliophila, a shift in climatic niche prompts a change in lifespan, followed by slower adaptations in wood anatomy. Possibly, this pattern arises because alterations in lifespan affect stem architecture, establishing a developmental framework that governs subsequent anatomical adjustments. Furthermore, although not statistically robust, increased wood production may be linked to warmer niches, potentially associated with a temperature-driven enhancement in lignin biosynthesis that reinforces stem structure.

Phytochemical Analysis and Allelopathic Potential of an Aggressive Encroacher Shrub, Euryops floribundus (Asteraceae).

Euryops floribundus is an encroaching shrub species that poses a threat to grassland diversity and productivity in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. This shrub inhibits understory herbaceous plant recruitment and establishment, thereby exposing soils to erosion, owing potentially to toxins it secretes. However, the allelochemicals of E. floribundus and their potential effects on the germination and establishment of plants remains poorly understood. We investigated the phytochemical classes of leaves and twigs of E. floribundus and evaluated the effects of extracts from these plant parts on seed germination and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa through a laboratory experiment. In the laboratory, we analysed phytochemicals in leaf and twig extracts and tested their allelopathic effects on Lactuca sativa seed germination and growth using the Petri dish method. In this proof-of-concept study, we identified 12 phytochemical classes of E. floribundus. Quantitative analysis showed that the leaves had significantly higher levels of flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins than twigs. As a result, leaf extracts caused 100% inhibition of seed germination, while twig extracts inhibited seed germination by 90% at 50 g L-1. Both leaf and twig extracts also significantly reduced radicle and plumule growth, with a stronger effect observed from the leaves than twigs. This study provides new insights into the phytochemical composition and strong allelopathic potential of E. floribundus, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms driving its encroachment in semi-arid grasslands.

Species discovery in Southern African bee flies (Diptera, Bombyliidae): A new species in the revised genus Enica Macquart, 1834

The Bombyliidae genera Enica Macquart, 1834 and Nomalonia Rondani, 1863, restricted to South Africa, are synonymized. Currently, one species of Enica is known from South Africa, Enica longirostris (Wiedemann, 1819), and six Nomalonia species are newly combined with Enica: Enica clavicornis (Hesse, 1956), comb. nov.; Enica eremophila, (Hesse, 1975), comb. nov.; Enica henicoides (Hesse, 1956), comb. nov.; Enica imitata (Hesse, 1956), comb. nov.; Enica sporanthera (Hesse, 1956), comb. nov.; and Enica syrticola (Hesse, 1956), comb. nov. A new species, Enica adelphesp. nov. from the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape of South Africa, is described. All Enica species are redescribed and a dichotomous key with photographic references is provided for ease of identification. Specimen occurrence data and photographs are provided for each species. Each species of Enica occurs in at least one of three biodiversity hotspots in South Africa, i.e., Succulent Karoo, Cape Floristic Region, and Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany, with E. longirostris occurring in all three.

Managing wilding pines in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa: Progress and prospects

Managing wilding pines in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa: Progress and prospects

Survey and Identification of Fusarium Head Blight Pathogens of Wheat in the Western Cape Region of South Africa.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease affecting wheat production worldwide, caused by multiple Fusarium species. In this study, seven Fusarium strains were isolated from wheat fields across the Western Cape region of South Africa and identified through phylogenetic analysis. The strains were classified into three species complexes: the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC), Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC), and Fusarium tricinctum species complex (FTSC). Disease severity was highest in the South coast regions of Swellendam (42.73%) and Caledon (38.00%), with the dough stage of wheat development showing the highest disease rate (0.3 in Swellendam and Caledon). The phylogenetic analysis showed distinct clustering of these isolates with known species from the NCBI database, confirming their classification. F. ipomoeae was uniquely found in Swellendam and Caledon, while F. tricinctum occurred only in Klipheuwel and Caledon, highlighting geographical variation in species distribution. Mycotoxin profiling revealed that F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum produced zearalenone, F. culmorum and F. tricinctum produced 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON), while F. pseudograminearum produced nivalenol (NIV). These findings provide significant insights into the distribution of Fusarium species and their associated trichothecene chemotypes in the Western Cape, which is crucial for developing effective FHB management strategies and ensuring food security and safety.

Global biogeographic patterns of the genus Indigofera (Fabaceae: Indigofereae)

Indigofera L. is the most diverse genus in the tribe Indigofereae and the third largest genus in the Fabaceae with over 750 species distributed in most tropical to temperate areas of the world. The centre of diversity of the genus lies on the African continent, accounting for over two-thirds of its global diversity. Diversification of Indigofera’s four main clades began in the Early Miocene, with the Tethyan and Cape Clades having slightly older crown ages than the Pantropical and Paleotropical Clades. Using biogeographical models under a newly assembled, more comprehensively-sampled ITS phylogeny, we confirmed that the tribe Indigofereae originated in the Africa-Madagascar centre, with the genus Indigofera resolving with a mainland African origin c. 38 Mya. Long-distance dispersals were rare, but did occur from Africa to South America and Africa to Australia during the late Miocene. Multiple dispersals from Africa into Asia took place via the arid north-east African and Arabian corridors during the same period. At least four Indigofera dispersals to Madagascar took place during the Miocene. The Cape Clade is a narrowly endemic lineage, mostly restricted to the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of southwestern South Africa, while the Tethyan, Pantropical and Paleotropical Clades are more widely dispersed across multiple continents. Both the Cape and Tethyan Clades display strong signals for arid origins in the southern Namib and Richtersveld regions of Southwestern Africa. This study emphasizes the importance of the global Succulent biome in shaping biogeographical patterns of Indigofera globally, particularly in terms of biome conservatism and how it created corridors facilitating trans-continental dispersal.

Investigating Fish Composition and Diversity About Physicochemical Oceanographic Conditions Captured in the Cape Region, Bone Gulf, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Investigating Fish Composition and Diversity About Physicochemical Oceanographic Conditions Captured in the Cape Region, Bone Gulf, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Morchella capensis sp. nov., the Fynbos morel-the first description of an endemic Morchella species from Africa.

A species of Morchella was observed growing in spring, under a vulnerable member of the Proteaceae, in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. These fungi shared many of the cryptic characteristics common in the genus Morchella and displayed a wide range of phenotypic expression. The unique ecology of these fungi and the fact that no endemic Morchella species have been described from Africa lead to suspicions that this could be a novel species. Sequencing of key genetic regions, phylogenetics, and morphological studies confirmed that this was indeed a previously unknown species of Morchella. Roots collected underneath the fruiting bodies displayed a range of root-associated activities, alluding to a possible relationship. Further, this Morchella species has a history of traditional use on the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. The traditional use of fungi is rarely recorded in Africa. In this study, we introduce Morchella capensis sp. nov., the first endemic African morel.

Assessing the socio-economic impact of a zinc mine in South Africa through the application of digital tools: A case study

The study was intent on assessing the socio-economic impact of a zinc mine in South Africa through the application of people-centric digital tools using a case study research methodology. The global mining industry is undergoing significant technological shifts to modernize, improve operational sustainability, and align with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda. While the case study mine is a more modernized mine, continuous improvement around the 'social' pillar becomes critical, and to this end application of people-centered digital tools presented as the vehicle to understand community needs and impacts. Despite considerable annual corporate social investment by mines annually, the overall impact or social return on investment is marginally understood. Towards contributing to addressing this gap, digital ESG 'social-related' data gathering tools for mines decision-making were developed, including the training-needs assessment tool, community-social needs assessment, small, micro, and medium enterprise (SMME) communications and engagement tool, digital leadership competencies gap assessment tool, and change management blueprint, which further allowed for customization to the mining context. Hence, the novelty of this paper relates to applying digital tools to provide real-time information of the needs of a community, both socially and economically. The findings suggested that these digital tools enabled gathering of information for the establishment of regional and operational baselines towards enabling of social investment returns in relation to socio-economic transformation development interventions. These tools have been applied to a zinc mine context, with lessons and experiences obtained through this study, invaluable to the application of these digital tool in other mines in South Africa. The study was conducted in September 2023 across five host communities, surrounding the zinc mine, in the Northern Cape region, with 120 participants involved in the application of three relevant community-related digital tools, which included the training needs, community-social needs, and SMME communications and engagement tools. It was evident that the digital ESG tools could be used for data gathering for the mine's informed decision-making and allowed for securing of insights on community needs in near real-time, and further proved practical for community use.

ФИТОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ ЭФИРНОГО МАСЛА ПЕЛАРГОНИИ ДУШИСТОЙ (PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS L’HÉR.) В УСЛОВИЯХ КУЛЬТУРЫ НА ЮЖНОМ БЕРЕГУ КРЫМА

The article presents the results of a study of the mass fraction and component composition of essential oil obtained from the above-ground mass of rose-scent geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.), grown in open ground conditions on the Southern Coast of the Crimea (SCC). P. graveolens is a species of the genus Pelargonium, a combined Geraniaceae, naturally produced in the Cape Floristic Region and widely cultivated throughout the world as a valuable ornamental, essential oil and medicinal plant. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using Ginsberg apparatus. The component composition of essential oils was determined using a hardware and software complex based on a chromatograph “Chromatek-Crystal 5000.2” equipped with a mass spectrometric detector. Identification was performed based on a comparison of the obtained mass spectra with data from the NIST 14 library (National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA). “MS Search” spectrum search and identification program (USA). Retention indices were obtained by logarithmic interpolation of the presented retention times using the analytical standard of a mixture of reference n-alkanes “Sigma-Aldrich” (Switzerland) and analytical standards “Supelco” (USA). The mass fraction of components in the sample was determined by the percentage normalization method. The mass fraction of EOs in freshly collected raw materials is 0.22 % and 1.33 % in terms of absolutely dry weight. The essential oil is represented by 41 components, 87.8 % of which have been identified. Based on the results of chromatographic analysis, it was established that the quantitatively predominant components of the EO of the studied sample of P. graveolens under the conditions of the SCC are: terpene alcohols: citronellol – 39.67 %, geraniol – 13.61 % and terpene ether – citronellyl formate 10.58 %. The EO sample was characterized by a small amount of undesirable components, such as isomenthone (5 %) and a complete absence of 10-epi-udesmol and menthone. By this composition, the EO obtained under the conditions of the SCC is close to samples, produced from raw materials grown in China, Armenia and Tajikistan. The results obtained allow us to consider P. graeolens for the conditions of the SCC as a promising source of natural essential oils of domestic production for the needs of pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetics and food industries.

Biosphere reserves in the megadiverse Cape Floristic Region are effective in conserving arthropod diversity

Abstract Biosphere reserves (BRs) aim to protect global biodiversity alongside social and economic development. Each BR is composed of a core area where biodiversity conservation is maximal. Surrounding this zone is a buffer and then a transition zone where agroecological farming and other low‐intensity land‐uses are undertaken to an increasing degree. The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a biodiversity hotspot at the southern tip of Africa, extremely rich in endemic plants and arthropods. We review the instigation of four CFR BRs for effective conservation to protect this unique biodiversity, and where new species are regularly being discovered. Core areas protect many endemic and rare arthropod species with impacts from human activities in these critical areas being softened by the outer zones. Within the buffer and transition zones, agroecological approaches are advancing arthropod conservation, largely through maintenance of natural patches in the agricultural matrix. While larger patches are better, small patches also have high value for arthropods, especially when functionally connected. Other biodiversity‐friendly farming methods such as high vegetation cover between vine rows are also proving to be effective for indigenous arthropod conservation, as is an ecologically sensitive pest management strategy. Furthermore, a national programme aimed at removal of invasive alien trees is enabling arthropod recovery, especially endemic stream insects. Although fire is a natural CFR phenomenon, increased fire frequency is of concern. Nevertheless, natural fire refuges remain vitally important and are playing a critical role, especially for vulnerable species‐rich groups like pollinators. Overall, there is optimism that most arthropod species will remain at effective population levels in this megadiversity hotspot by putting in place effective precautionary measures. Here we show that the BR model contributes towards the protection of the CFR's endemic arthropod fauna, with potential to expand the BRs beyond the four official reserves.