Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna, by Cliff Dorse and Suretha Dorse

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna, by Cliff Dorse and Suretha Dorse. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2023. ISBN 9781775847397 / ISBN 978-1-77-584739-7

From the chapter 'Conservation' in the Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna by Cliff Dorse and Suretha Dorse.

CONSERVATION

The importance of our environment, and the need to protect it, is well established and a legal requirement in South Africa. Besides the ethical consideration that every species on Earth has the same right to be here as humans, the motivation to conserve our natural heritage is also based on the value biodiversity has for humans. This includes aspects such as ecosystem services (i.e. clean water and air), tourism, consumptive value, aesthetic value as well as social, spiritual, educational and bequest value. In essence, we are dependent on biodiversity. The biological significance of the Cape Floristic Kingdom (CFR) is indisputable. It is considered one of the most special places for plant diversity and endemism in the world. The urgency for adequate conservation is clearly depicted by 2020 statistics showing 3,427 plant taxa from the Fynbos Biome of conservation concern. With 91.7% of these taxa endemic to the region, they can only be protected and saved here. Conservation efforts in the Fynbos Biome have long been skewed towards the mountainous areas. This was primarily to protect critical water catchment areas. The largely privately owned lowlands were considered to be important for agricultural activities and urban development. Unfortunately, these lowland areas contain vastly different biodiversity. As such, a conservation crisis has resulted, with the lowland systems being heavily transformed and shockingly under-conserved. Urgent action is required if we are to save some of the remaining lowland biodiversity. Many species of large mammal that used to occur in the Fynbos Biome are now locally extinct, and a few species and subspecies are globally extinct. These include the Blue Buck {Hippotragus leucophaeus) and Cape Lion {Panthera leo melanochaita). Blue Buck was a Fynbos endemic and already restricted to the Overberg by the 17th century. It then became the first large African mammal to officially become extinct in the 18th century as a result of hunting and competition for grazing with livestock. Conservation initiatives have fortunately had some success in preventing further global and local extinctions and conservators continue to work tirelessly to prevent more. A great example of how conservation efforts prevented the extinction of a Fynbos endemic involves the Bontebok {Damaliscus pygargus pygargus). Bontebok were naturally restricted to the Renosterveld areas around Bredasdorp and Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province. The population declined to 22 individuals owing to hunting and habitat loss. Thanks to the efforts of Bredasdorp farming families, they were saved from extinction. They however remain at risk due to the long-term impacts of the restricted gene pool, limited remaining natural habitat, indiscriminate game movement and hybridisation with Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi). Always consider your individual impact on the animal and the environment it depends on. Interactions with these wonderful creatures should aim to do as little damage to them and their surroundings as possible. Take these precautions:

• Respect and adhere to the legislative restrictions involved in capturing, handling and moving of wildlife.
• Avoid directly handling animals.
• Limit all negative impacts on sensitive habitats - actively searching for certain species can be destructive to their habitat, e.g. breaking off exfoliated rock sheets; entering sensitive areas such as recently burnt veld or peat wetlands; and moving rocks.
• Take a precautionary approach with regards to the sharing of localities of sensitive, threatened or collectable species on social media. This information can unintentionally aid poachers and the illegal wildlife trade. [...]

This is an excerpt from Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna, by Cliff Dorse and Suretha Dorse.

Title: Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna
Authors: Cliff Dorse; Suretha Dorse
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781775847397 / ISBN 978-1-77-584739-7
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 272 pages, throughout colour photographs and distribution maps