The impacts of bark harvesting on a population of Encephalartos transvenosus (Limpopo cycad), in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Samuel Bamigboye (Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda. Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa)
M. PETER TSHISIKHAWE (Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda. Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa)

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2020)

Cycads are the most threatened group of plants in the world and there are a wide range of ecological and anthropological forces responsible for the extinction risk of these taxa. South Africa is a global hotspot of cycad diversity and the country’s cycads are facing high extinction risk. In this study we sampled a population (n=34) of Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy, a cycad species endemic to Limpopo Province, South Africa. The population was located on the Soutpansberg mountain range in the Mutale local municipality. A survey was conducted to quantify the threats to the population.  Forty-seven percent of the plants had been damaged by bark harvesting for traditional medicine, and the population showed a mortality rate of 9%. We recommend further studies at a range of Encephalartos transvenosus populations to provide a broader understanding of impacts of harvesting and population trends. We also recommend community based initiatives to enhance the protection of this species in the communities in which they are found.