Conservation in the context of wildflower harvesting: the development and implementation of a Vulnerability Index on the Agulhas Plain of South Africa

This paper focuses upon the role that science-based interventions allied to effective regulatory regimes can play in reducing the threat posed by inappropriate harvesting of wild flora. A Vulnerability Index (VI) has been developed for 150 natural fynbos species that exist on South Africa's Agu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of environmental planning and management Vol. 63; no. 10; pp. 1738 - 1757
Main Authors Privett, Sean, Bek, David, Bailey, Roger, Binns, Tony, Raimondo, Domatilla, Kirkwood, Donovan, Euston-Brown, Douglas
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 23.08.2020
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
biodiversity conservation
Biology
Cape Floristic Region
Climate change
Economic development
Economic stabilization
Ecosystems
Environmental changes
Flora
Fynbos
Geographical distribution
Inappropriateness
Indexes
Livelihood
Red List
Resilience
Species
sustainable harvesting
Vulnerability
South Africa
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Summary:This paper focuses upon the role that science-based interventions allied to effective regulatory regimes can play in reducing the threat posed by inappropriate harvesting of wild flora. A Vulnerability Index (VI) has been developed for 150 natural fynbos species that exist on South Africa's Agulhas Plain, where intensive wildflower harvesting occurs. The methodology underpinning the generation of the VI is outlined and justified in this paper. The VI comprises a range of characteristics relating to species distribution and biology that are likely to influence vulnerability to harvesting. The VI is proving to be an important tool for regulating the harvesting of wild fynbos and maintaining the resilience of natural ecosystems threatened by climate change. Furthermore, economic development and livelihood stability are promoted by protecting the resource base of marketable species. The paper discusses issues that have arisen relating to the application and rollout of the VI in practice.
ISSN:0964-0568
1360-0559
DOI:10.1080/09640568.2019.1687428