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Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa
Thesis (MScConsEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614103008182273 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail |
| author2 | Malgas, Rhoda Ronette |
| author_browse | Malgas, Rhoda Ronette Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail |
| author_facet | Malgas, Rhoda Ronette Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail |
| author_sort | Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MScConsEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/131888 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:42.610Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/131888 Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail Malgas, Rhoda Ronette Schmiedel, Ute Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology. Succulent plants -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand -- Knersvlakte region Succulent plants -- Effect of poaching on Dwarf succulent -- Conservation Wildlife trafficking Dwarf succulent -- Geographical distribution Dwarf succulent -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Plant diversity -- Environmental aspects Ecosystem services UCTD Thesis (MScConsEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2024. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Succulent poaching - the illegal and unsustainable harvesting of wild succulent plants - is a long-standing conservation problem that has been reported since the 1980s. This illicit activity has unexpectedly increased exponentially since 2020, putting poached species at significant risk, especially in their native ranges in the Succulent Karoo. The Succulent Karoo is a biodiversity hotspot with some of the highest diversity in succulent species in the world. This biome is known to include approximately 1 950 succulent plant species, of which 700 are dwarf succulent plants. Their unusual size and growth forms make these plants attractive for consumers with a preference for rarity. While some markets are entirely legal e.g. horticultural groups, special collectors, etc., many species are in high demand on the black markets. The regulation and eradication of succulent poaching requires cooperation of international countries and a central regulatory framework, all of which require resources and seamless co-operation. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the main legal framework that regulates international trade in endangered species. In South Africa, the National Environmental Management of Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) No.10 of 2004 is the legal framework for the management of natural resources. Since the spike in succulent poaching in 2020, many international poachers relied on contacting local community members to illegally harvest dwarf succulents to supply the illegal international market. Although, many poachers are local residents, they mainly supply to international markets due to the high demand. This research offers insights for succulent conservation by evaluating the possible impact on the ecosystem services and functional diversity of dwarf succulents in the Knersvlakte region, Western Cape, South Africa. As species are poached from their natural habitat, they arguably leave a void in functional diversity and ecosystem services. A mixed-method approach was used in this study to ascertain the effects of poaching on the local community and the ecosystem. Semi-structured interviews were held with 17 interested and affected local actors to determine the perceived ecosystem services of dwarf succulents in the region, and to identify the social drivers of poaching. To investigate the potential effects of poaching on functional diversity amongst plants affected by poaching, vegetation relevés from the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve were analysed using Shannon’s Entropy. Functional diversity was measured for a control sample and two scenarios. Scenario 1 was the removal of dwarf succulent species (max plant height 1 -5cm), and scenario 2 was the removal of dwarf succulent species and other small succulent species (6 – 10cm) from the data set, representing hypothetical removal from the site. Results from this study indicated that dwarf succulent plants were perceived to have 3 key ecosystem services: cultural, regulating, and supporting services. The perceived social drivers of poaching were consumer demands in the illegal wildlife trade; lack of understanding of the ecological and social consequences of succulent poaching by the poachers, law-enforcement, and the public; lack of understanding of the NEMBA by law enforcement and the judicial system; and the psychology behind greed and instant gratification which influences poachers. With regard to functional diversity, removal of dwarf succulent species would significantly alter the composition of the plant functional traits. The findings may be useful for conservationists, law-enforcement, and judiciary in combating succulent poaching. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-04-07T10:02:30Z 2025-04-07T10:02:30Z 2024-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/131888 Stellenbosch University 123 pages : illustrations (some color), maps application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Succulent plants -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand -- Knersvlakte region Succulent plants -- Effect of poaching on Dwarf succulent -- Conservation Wildlife trafficking Dwarf succulent -- Geographical distribution Dwarf succulent -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Plant diversity -- Environmental aspects Ecosystem services UCTD Pooe, Otshepeng Lerato Abigail Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title | Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title_full | Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title_short | Effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the Knersvlakte region, South Africa |
| title_sort | effects of succulent poaching on the functional diversity and ecosystem services in the knersvlakte region south africa |
| topic | Succulent plants -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand -- Knersvlakte region Succulent plants -- Effect of poaching on Dwarf succulent -- Conservation Wildlife trafficking Dwarf succulent -- Geographical distribution Dwarf succulent -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Plant diversity -- Environmental aspects Ecosystem services UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/131888 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pooeotshepengleratoabigail effectsofsucculentpoachingonthefunctionaldiversityandecosystemservicesintheknersvlakteregionsouthafrica |