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Ehlers Smith DA, Ehlers Smith YC, Davies-Mostert HT, Thompson LJ, Parker DM, de Villiers D, Ricketts D, Coverdale B, Roberts PJ, Kelly C, Macfadyen DN, Manqele NS, Power RJ, Downs CT. The impacts of a global pandemic on the efficacy and stability of contemporary wildlife conservation: South Africa as a case study. AMBIO 2023; 52:598-615. [PMID: 36583831 PMCID: PMC9802021 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01814-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Conservationists speculated on potential benefits to wildlife of lockdown restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic but voiced concern that restrictions impeded nature conservation. We assessed the effects of lockdown restrictions on biodiversity conservation in South Africa, a biodiverse country with economic inequality and reliance on wildlife resources. We solicited expert opinion using the IUCN's Threats Classification Scheme to structure a questionnaire and illustrated responses with individual case studies from government parastatal and non-governmental conservation organisations. The most highly reported threats were biological resource use, residential/commercial developments, invasive species, and human intrusions. The trends reported by 90 survey respondents were supported by case studies using environmental compliance data from parastatal conservation organisations. Lack of tourism revenue and funding were cited as hindrances to conservation. Mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation in the face of global emergencies must be implemented and 'ring-fenced' to ensure conservation is not a casualty during future global crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth Park, Peter Brown Drive, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 South Africa
| | - Harriet T. Davies-Mostert
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, 1685 South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028 South Africa
- Conserve Global, London, W1G 8TB UK
| | - Lindy J. Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, 1685 South Africa
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, 1200 South Africa
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140 South Africa
| | - Deon de Villiers
- Compliance and Enforcement, Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape, Bisho, South Africa
| | - Dean Ricketts
- Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape, Bisho, South Africa
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Queen Elizabeth Park, Peter Brown Drive, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 South Africa
| | - Peter J. Roberts
- Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6140 South Africa
- Wildlife ACT Fund Trust, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa
| | | | - Duncan N. Macfadyen
- Department of Research and Conservation, Oppenheimer Generations, 6 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2139 South Africa
| | - Nomthandazo S. Manqele
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - R. John Power
- Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North-West Provincial Government, NWDC Building, Mmabatho, 2750 South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
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Sosibo MT, Ehlers Smith YC, Ehlers Smith DA, Downs CT. Some Perspectives on the Use and Value of Southern Mistbelt Forests to Surrounding Rural Communities in Northern Eastern Cape, and Southern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3957/056.052.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mbalenhle T. Sosibo
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
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Meizi-Consuming Culture That Fostered the Sustainable Use of Plum Resources in Dali of China: An Ethnobotanical Study. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060832. [PMID: 35741353 PMCID: PMC9220204 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prunus mume has been cultivated for more than three millennia with important edible, ornamental, and medicinal value. Due to its sour taste, the Prunus mume fruit (called Meizi in Chinese and Ume in Japanese) is not very popular compared to other fruits. It is, however, a very favorite food for the Bai people living in Eryuan County, Dali of Yunnan, China. The local people are masters of making various local products with plum in different ways. In this research, we conducted field investigations in Eryuan County using ethnobotanical methods from August 2019 to July 2021, focusing on the Prunus mume (for its edible fruits). A total of 76 key informants participated in our semi-structured interviews. The survey recorded 37 species (and varieties) belonging to 11 families related to the Bai people’s Meizi-consuming culture. Among them, there are 14 taxa of plum resources, including one original species and 13 varieties. These 37 species are either used as substitutes for plum due to their similar taste or as seasonings to improve the sour taste of plum. The higher Cultural Food Significance Index value implies that Prunus mume, Chaenomeles speciosa, Phyllanthus emblica, Prunus salicina, and Chaenomeles cathayensis have high acceptance and use value in the Bai communities. Among the various local products traditionally made by the Bai people, carved plums, preserved plums, perilla-wrapped plums, and stewed plums are the most famous and popular categories in the traditional markets. Currently, the plum business based on the traditional Meizi-consuming culture of the Bai people is already one of Eryuan’s economic pillars. This study showed that plums play an important role in expressing the local cultural diversity, and they also help the local people by improving their livelihood through their edible value. In turn, for the sustainable use of plum resources, the Bai people positively manage local forests through a series of measures to protect the diversity of plum resources and related plant communities.
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