A5039244386- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Botanical Studies and Applications
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Sesquiterpenes and Asteraceae Studies
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Forest Management and Policy
- Agricultural Innovations and Practices
- Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
- Seed and Plant Biochemistry
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
South African National Biodiversity Institute
2013-2025
International Union for Conservation of Nature
2020-2022
National Biodiversity Institute
2022
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
2007-2018
University of Cape Town
2003
Abstract Measuring progress toward international biodiversity targets requires robust information on the conservation status of species, which International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List Threatened Species provides. However, data and capacity are lacking most hyperdiverse groups, such as invertebrates, plants, fungi, particularly in megadiverse or high‐endemism regions. policies strategies aimed at halting loss by 2020 need to be adapted tackle these shortfalls after 2020. We...
Despite its recognition as an important global resource for conservation, the International Union Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List Threatened Species only provides assessments extinction risk a small and biased subset known biodiversity. A more complete can better support species-level conservation by indicating how quickly we need to act on species deemed be priorities action. Vascular plants represent one knowledge gaps, with 7% currently (including in Data Deficient Least Concern...
Abstract Using spatial predictions of future threats to biodiversity, we assessed for the first time relative potential impacts land use and climate change on threat status plant species. We thus estimated how many taxa could be affected by that are usually not included in current IUCN Red List assessments. Here, computed including 227 Proteaceae endemic Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, compared this with their excluding threats. developed eight different scenarios year 2020, providing a...
The ethnobotany of Sekhukhuneland and the plants used by rural Bapedi people for their everyday needs have not yet been systematically recorded. Available information is mostly focussed on medicinal that are traditional healers. aim this study was to accurately record extant indigenous knowledge most important useful within Central Sekhukhuneland. conducted from 2015 2017 in three villages: Frisgewaght, Ga-Moretsele/Tsehlwaneng Ga-Sekhele. A total 27 participants different age groups were...
Extinction risk for 101 valid species and 18 unique genetic lineages of native freshwater fishes South Africa was assessed in 2016 following the IUCN Red List criteria. An additional five (three new that were described two revalidated subsequent to assessments) present study. A synthesis outcome assessments 106 indicates 45 (36%) Africa's fish taxa are threatened (7 Critically Endangered, 25 13 Vulnerable). Of remaining taxa, 17 (14%) listed as Near Threatened, 57 (46%) Least Concern (4%)...
In 1945, the Royal Society of South Africa published a wide-ranging report, prepared by committee led Dr C.L. Wicht, dealing with preservation globally unique and highly diverse vegetation south-western Cape. The publication Wicht Committee's report signalled initiation research programme aimed at understanding, ultimately protecting, ecosystems Cape Floristic Region. This has continued for over 70 years, it constitutes longest history concerted scientific endeavour conservation an entire...
Pressures are mounting for the adoption of a Global Biodiversity Framework that transforms conservation and sustainable use efforts worldwide. Underlying this challenge is biodiversity paradox: biological diversity predominantly concentrates in tropics, while human, institutional, financial resources primarily located at higher latitudes both north south. Addressing paradox requires expansion mobilization institutional around world. We outline model championed by IUCN Species Survival...
Abstract The Red List Index (RLI) measures change in the aggregate extinction risk of species. It is a key indicator for tracking progress toward nine Aichi and many proposed post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Targets. Here, we consider two formulations RLI used reporting biodiversity trends at national scales. Disaggregated global RLIs measure changing contributions to are currently based on five taxonomic groups, while groups assessed multiple times country. For 74% nations,...
Taxonomic revisions, monographs and floras are the most important, often only source of data for assessing extinction risk plants, with recent revisions contributing to more accurate assessments. The recently completed Red List South African plants involved an overview taxonomic literature pertaining flora, providing opportunity identify critical gaps in coverage. In this study we identified research priorities effective conservation plants. Priorities were at genus level, according time...
Extinction results in not only loss of species, but also the unique evolutionary history that they represent and irreplaceable features exhibit. There is broad consensus regarding necessity to optimise preservation tree life by including information conservation prioritisation, a notion endorsed major policy frameworks. However, evolutionarily-informed prioritisations are lacking for most plants, resulting taxonomic imbalance incorporated global biodiversity analyses, which has undermined...
Triage in conservation biology necessitates the prioritization of species and ecosystems for conservation. Although highly diverse, ecologically important, charismatic, spiders are rarely considered. With 2,253 known species, South Africa's spider diversity is among highest world. A 22-year initiative culminating a national assessment all African saw 33% increase described 350% rise specimen accessions collection annually. Endemism high, at 60% species. Levels endemicity particularly high...
South Africa has the world's richest temperate flora, with 20,456 indigenous vascular plant taxa recorded. With current estimate of global flora at 379,881 taxa, 5% diversity is represented within African borders. Between 2004 and 2008, botanists completed a comprehensive assessment status using International Union for Conservation Nature Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List categories criteria, version 3.1. first floristically megadiverse country to fully assess its entire achieve Target 2...
Abstract Understanding how and why plants are driven to extinction is important if future extinctions be prevented. Here we examined reasons for of using data from the South African Red List, which includes 33 Extinct taxa 15 families 24 genera including seven infraspecific taxa. We also compared with those that threatened not-threatened, exploring predictors based on traits, distribution, anthropogenic threats. Finally, applied two structured approaches estimate probability extinction—the...
Abstract Crop wild relatives (CWR) are plant taxa that have broader genetic diversity than crops hence they an excellent source of genes and traits to improve crops. The potential value CWR for agriculture the need protect these plants in their natural habitats ( situ ) been recognized globally. South Africa has richest temperate flora globally, checklist food fodder country considers 258 be high priority conservation. A systematic conservation planning approach was used spatial...
Summary Determining the efficacy of using indicator species to predict spatial location biodiversity hotspots is one way maximising conservation in already threatened habitats. Recent evidence from Europe suggests raptors can play such an role, so we tested this approach with a globally southern hemisphere species, Black Harrier Circus maurus . We asked if found South Africa’s mega-diverse Cape Floral Kingdom, breeds habitat fragments that were more diverse terms small mammals, birds and...
South Africa, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is committed implementation of national strategy conserve plants that aligns with Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. With 6% world's plant diversity and strong botanical conservation capacity, Africa well placed make significant contribution globally.
Abstract Stopping human-induced extinctions will require strong policy commitments that comprehensively address threats to species. In 2021, a new Global Biodiversity Framework be agreed by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Here we investigate how suggested targets could contribute reducing threatened vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants, assess importance of proposed target implement recovery actions for We find whilst many benefit species, extinction risk over one third species...
This paper focuses upon the role that science-based interventions allied to effective regulatory regimes can play in reducing threat posed by inappropriate harvesting of wild flora. A Vulnerability Index (VI) has been developed for 150 natural fynbos species exist on South Africa’s Agulhas Plain, where intensive wildflower occurs. The methodology underpinning generation VI is outlined and justified this paper. comprises a range characteristics relating distribution biology are likely...
Annual growth rings are absent in many long-lived grassland geoxyles. Thus, estimates of age for individuals largely based on non-benchmarked assessments by experienced botanists. We wished to obtain a more precise estimate from the xylopodia four geoxylic taxa (i.e. Berkheya insignis, Callilepis laureola, Protea simplex and Tephrosia kraussiana) growing Pondoland grassland, using both gas proportional counting Accelerated Mass Spectroscopy radiocarbon dating techniques. Plants sampled 2008...