Human Impacts and Future Prospects

(Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund)

Human activity has gravely impacted the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region. The mild climate of this temperate region has made the area ideal for living and the population has flourished.  However, the rapid urbanization of this area has greatly and negatively impacted this environment. South Africa's capital, Cape Town, grows at a rate of 2% a year (CEPF), and is gradually expanding further and further into the biome. It is projected that population of the Cape Peninsula will grow to 6.3 million by the year 2020 (UNESCO). As evidenced by this map, rapid urbanization has resulted in the endangerment of many endemic plants and threatens the diversity of plant life. Wherever cities have flourished, the environment has subsequently suffered. These maps and pictures also show that the areas surrounding cities are "critically endangered" by this expansion or under a high level of threat and need protection.
Additionally, with the growth of cities came the growth of demand for jobs and exportation. Due to this expansion, researchers project that an additional 15-20% of the ecosystem will be converted to agriculture in the next 20 years (CEPF). Currently, an astounding 96% of the Cape Floristic Region has been "coverted for cultivation" of wine and grapes and has created jobs for the flourishing South African cities in the region(CEPF). As the population continues to grow and expand, people are continuing to convert some of the most diverse land in the world to agricultural farmland, threatening endemic plants in lower altitudes. The third and final major impact on this ecosystem is the presence of invasive species. Currently, 43% of the Cape peninsula features foreign plant life and hundreds of endemic plants are threatened by their presence. Without control, up to 750 plant species face extinction (CEPF).
Finally, in addition to an apathetic public, the unorganized infrastructure of the South African government threatens the Cape Floral Biome. As illustrated in the table above, environmental agencies do not communicate effectively with one and other and they lack experienced professionals. There are laws currently in place that actually discourage conservation efforts which can seriously harm the fragile endemic plant life (CEPF). There is little political drive to support conservation efforts because of the public's lack of concern. These threats, combined with urbanization, the spread of agriculture and foreign plant species, seriously impact the unique diversity of the region.
Taking into account the three main factors of human impact on this region, the future prospect for the Cape Floristic region is bad. In addition, human-induced climate change is contributing to warmer temperatures and less rainfall in the region, and there is very little political drive to protect this area (as of now, only 6% is legally protected). Much of this region is already endangered and faces extinction, and if things continue the way they are, it is very likely that this biodiverse hotspot will vanish, or, at the very least, become much less diverse.

Global Partnership for Plant Conservation

Leila Mariz, UNESCO


Biological Conservation