Poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus, in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Tshianeo M. Ndou, Eduard M. Stam, Milingoni P. Tshisikhawe, Mercy A. Alabi and Adeyemi O. Adeeyo
Additional contact information
Tshianeo M. Ndou: Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Eduard M. Stam: Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Milingoni P. Tshisikhawe: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Mercy A. Alabi: Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure 340252, Nigeria
Adeyemi O. Adeeyo: Ecology and Resource Management Unit, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

Resources, 2021, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: There is an established link between deforestation and negative hydrological effects which may affect watersheds. The number of the cycads Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in South Africa is drastically reducing, and they are nearly extinct. Additionally, poaching and reduction in the population of cycads in reserves may impact negatively on watersheds in protected and buffer areas since the regeneration of this plant occurs over a long period. This research aimed to study the distributions of poached cycads, evaluate the factors responsible for poaching activity and suggest possible solutions towards conservation of E. transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in some of the nature reserves in Limpopo province. Field observation was used to ascertain and collect locations of poached cycads. Data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to rangers for the collection of data on causes of poaching, parts poached, measures taken and challenges of rangers in the nature reserves. Processing of the collected data was done by simple statistical analysis. The total population of rangers available in the reserves was used for the determination of the sample size of rangers by Slovin’s formula. Unemployment (46%) is the leading cause for poaching in Mphaphuli Nature Reserve, while trade is a leading factor in Modjadji and Lekgalameetse (37% and 60%) respectively. Debarked cycads amount to 14 (54%) while 12 of the total (26 poached cycads) were completely removed (46%). The most effective way of stopping the poaching of cycads as perceived by the rangers is by patrolling the nature reserves. The observed poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus is alarming since this plant has a low population size which is currently confined to the Limpopo Province in South Africa only. If poaching continues in the nature reserves, all cycads have the tendency of being removed. Therefore, there is a need to continually develop strategies for the conservation of cycads. The peculiar nature and challenges of each reserve have been established and unique solutions for these nature reserves in Limpopo Province have been proposed. Better conservation of cycad species can positively impact the hydrological process of the concerned area and better help the watersheds.

Keywords: watershed; hydrological processes; cycads; endangered plants; mitigation strategy; nature reserves (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/10/12/119/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/10/12/119/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jresou:v:10:y:2021:i:12:p:119-:d:685743

Access Statistics for this article

Resources is currently edited by Ms. Donchian Ma

More articles in Resources from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().