Conservation and propagation of endangered Proteaceae on the Agulhas Plain for sustainable ecotourism development

Abstract

Large parts of the Agulhas plain contribute to the commercial cut flower export industry. However, this industry is causing the destruction of many Proteaceaespecies both endemic and threatened. The Agulhas plain is a large region (34°50′00″S 20°00′09.15″E / 34.833333°S 20.0025417°E) where threatened red data species are not sufficiently valued as many landowners and local communities lack vigilance in the preservation of these species. Flowers are harvested from their natural habitat and trading permits are misused while the lack of authorities inspecting farms is clearly evident. Environmental threats include wine farming, alien invasive plants and wild fires. The occurrence of fires has become one of the biggest threats to the area. Involvement of stakeholders such as conservation, tourism and government departments are important for conservation to succeed. Education and training of farm workers remains undeveloped. Propagation techniques are limited as no red data species are propagated to increase an awareness of these species. There is a lack of guidance and available information in the conservation of the Agulhas plain while the ecotourism potential of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) remains underdeveloped. Current practices which cause the destruction of red data species and the ecotourism potential on the Agulhas plain are assessed in this review.