Cape Floristic Region Threats

The Cape Floristic Region, or Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest of the world’s six plant kingdoms. It is found only in South Africa, and is characterised by the high richness of plant species. Here you’ll find around 9,600 plant species, of which two thirds occur nowhere else on Earth. 

The Fynbos Biome is the most well known in the Cape Floristic Region, consisting of fynbos and renosterveld. But Succulent Karoo and Nama-Karoo, Thicket and Forest Biomes all form part of the CFR. They also contain important terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems – each also with high levels of endemism. And all of them face severe threats. 

The challenges stem from many sources. The spread of invasive alien species (plants and other species), transformation of natural landscapes to other uses, incorrect fire regimes, the impacts of climate change and biodiversity crimes are some of the main concerns. On top of that, a lack of coordination also threatens all the work that is taking place to address these challenges.

Cape Floristic Region Threats:

Invasive alien species

Invasive alien plants have spread – and continue to spread rapidly throughout the Cape Floristic Region. They prevent our natural ecosystems from supplying those essential services on which wildlife and people rely. They consume water – in a country that is already water-scarce. They burn easily – and are therefore a fire risk. Their weak root structures mean they are easily uprooted during floods, potentially causing damage as they are carried by the floodwaters. And they outcompete indigenous species. Latest research suggests that around eight percent of South Africa’s total area is invaded. 

But it’s not only plants that are proving to be problematic. According to CapeNature, feral pig, house mouse and the Polyphagous Shothole Borer Beetle are impacting on our ecosystems. 

Even in the rivers and streams running through the Cape Floral Kingdom, invasive alien fish have resulted in indigenous fish becoming increasingly threatened. In fact, fynbos fish (as these indigenous fish are known) are now among the most threatened species in the world. 

Habitat loss

Over the decades, natural landscapes that are accessible to the plough have been transformed into agricultural lands in the Western Cape. Nutrient-rich soils, like those that support renosterveld habitats, have been particularly hard hit. So much so that around 95% of renosterveld has been lost to agriculture. 

In addition, natural vegetation on private land is often included in farming activities, supporting livestock. But poor management of these landscapes results in considerable disturbance and modification. One such example is that of ostrich farming in the Little Karoo. 

Habitat is also lost as a result of urban development. The Western Cape is experiencing a well-documented influx of people from other parts of South Africa. That means towns and cities need to grow, but this often comes at the cost of biodiversity. 

According to CapeNature in their 2023 State of Biodiversity Report, between 2014 and 2020, 13% of Critically Endangered ecosystems were transformed and lost to farming and urban development. For Endangered and Vulnerable ecosystems, 12% experienced a changed land cover, to a category devoid of natural habitat. 

Fire

Fire is essential to the Cape Floristic Region. It’s an ecological driver of the Fynbos Biome – which means that it must be managed carefully. But landscapes are threatened by fire that burns too often, or not often enough. Fire and invasive alien plants are also closely correlated. These plants can increase the risks of wildfire, making fires more difficult to manage, and impacting on the ability of the natural landscapes to recover. 

Climate change

The Cape Floristic Region is expected to experience a warming trend, as well as drying in some areas. Rainfall patterns are also expected to continue changing – with more intense rainfall, but with longer periods of no rain in between. 

Many of the Western Cape’s Strategic Water Source Areas are found in the CFR. With entire towns and cities, such as the City of Cape Town, dependent on water provided from these catchments, climate change is a severe risk not only for nature, but also for people in terms of water security.

Biodiversity crimes

While biodiversity crimes in the CFR aren’t new, they are certainly increasing. The illegal harvesting of indigenous succulents has in particular increased dramatically since 2020. In 2022, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added 210 succulent species to its Red List of Threatened Species for the first time, given the threats of illegal trade. Conophytum species are among the worst affected, with 97% of the genus threatened, and 45% listed as being at risk of imminent extinction.

But trade of invertebrates, fish, reptiles and amphibians are all also a cause for concern. Lizards and tortoises are among the most targeted reptiles in the Western Cape. They are taken to supply the exotic pet trade, both locally and internationally.

Lack of coordination

While there are many organisations and government departments working to address these threats, they often work in silos. However, working together can greatly improve our collective success, while supporting cost-effective mitigation measures. The CFRP fills this important role, bringing partners together to collaborate across the landscape. This is a platform where partners engage voluntarily, to foster broader collaborations at multiple scales. 

The goal is to successfully and sustainability conserve the unique biodiversity of the CFR through old and new connections.