Written by Zoë Poulsen
Cycads are one of the oldest surviving plant groups on the planet. They have been around for more than 350 million years, surviving multiple mass extinctions and a plethora of environmental changes. They have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Today they are sadly one the world’s most threatened plant groups. Of South Africa’s 38 cycad species (37 species of Encephalartos and one Stangeria species), three are now Extinct in the Wild, twelve are now Critically Endangered, four are Endangered, nine are Vulnerable and seven are Near Threatened on the Red List of South African plants. The greatest threat is illegal poaching and collection from the wild to supply the global horticultural trade.
Top: Encephartos princeps (Vulnerable) Above: Encephalartos woodii (Extinct in the wild, only known from male clones).
On 12th March, the Botanical Society launched their new educational resource ‘Learning About Cycads: A Guide to Environmental Activities’. This beautiful publication was produced in collaboration with the Western Cape Primary Schools Programme and funded by the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust. The book encourages learners to understand the age of Cycads, their life cycle and biology as well as conceptualising Cycads as threatened species that need to be conserved in perpetuity. This new publication is in line with BotSoc’s mandate through Target 14 of the National Strategy of Plant Conservation, which speaks to “The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation to be incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes”.
Top: Dr Farieda Khan, President of the Botanical Society introduces the event. Above: Debbie Schafer, Minister of Education for the Western Cape was the keynote speaker.
The launch event was held at Moyo’s at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Dr Farieda Khan, President of the Botanical Society made the official welcome and opened the event. Comments Dr Khan: “As one of the oldest civil society organisations in South Africa, and certainly one of the oldest if not the oldest environmental organisation, the Botanical Society is keen to be part of the process of teaching the next generation of young people to play an important role in protecting the natural environment…and our indigenous flora in particular”.
The keynote address was delivered by Debbie Schafer, Minister of Education in the Western Cape. Debbie Schafer comments: “We need to educate our learners regarding their importance, and to protect and conserve Cycads and other plants…Environmental education in schools is therefore vitally important. Environmental education also raises awareness amongst learners about the importance of protecting the environment as well as the actions they can take to improve and to save it for future generations”.
Top: Dr John Donaldson, Chief Director of Applied Biodiversity Research at SANBI. Above: Andrew Stuart-Recking, Representative from Nedbank Private Wealth speaks on behalf of the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust.
Dr John Donaldson, Chief Director of Applied Biodiversity Research at SANBI, provided an overview of the plight of Cycads, biodiversity management and action plan and how we all have a role to play in their conservation. He highlights that according to climate change research, Cycads have been shown to response positively to elevated Carbon Dioxide levels. Sadly, however, research through repeat photography has shown that only 16% of Cycads recorded from historical photos in the 1940s are still present today, highlighting drastic population decline through poaching. Dr Donaldson then goes on to highlight what we are doing to conserve this imperilled plant group: This includes a national strategy for Cycad conservation and biodiversity action plans for all twelve Critically Endangered Cycads.
Top: Dr Zorina Dharsey, Executive Director of the Primary Schools Programme. Above: Carmel Mbizo, SANBI Head of Branch Biodiversity Science.
Dr Zorina Dharsey, Executive Director of the Primary Schools Programme is welcomed. The organisation provides teacher training and support across a range of fields from social science to environmental education. Comments Dr Dharsey: “Teaching and learning needs to be practical, it needs to be hands on and actively involve children integrated across sciences”. This is done through accessing the knowledge of and building partnerships with leading specialists in their fields, including a new partnership with BotSoc. “Not one species is more important than another, we are all connected…Each plant and animal species is important. So we come full circle in the Cycad book”.
In closing Carmel Mbizo, SANBI Head of Branch Biodiversity Science and Policy advice, on behalf of SANBI CEO delivers the vote of thanks. BotSoc would like to thank all collaborators, partners and funders involved in making this project possible.
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