ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS - Concern over the future of Fynbos in South Africa is mounting among scientists and researchers of the Fynbos Forum that held its annual meeting at the Wilderness Hotel from 12 to 14 August.
The forum is a regional scientific group of natural scientists, researchers, planners, managers, landowners and key stakeholders who meet annually.
They support discussions on management issues and research results, and prioritising future research and conservation management actions required to ensure the conservation and sustainability of Fynbos ecosystems.
The theme of their programme this year was ‘Future-proofing Fynbos’.
According to Cobus Meiring, chairman of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (Gref), scientists are highly concerned over the future survival of the Fynbos biome.
“Unfortunately much of what remains of our once abundant Fynbos is critically endangered due to intensive agriculture, over development, encroachment of invasive alien plants and animals as well as frequent wildfire disasters.”
The Fynbos biome is primarily found in the Western and Eastern Cape and covers mountainous and coastal areas. It is a key component of the Cape Floristic Kingdom and is vital to indigenous biodiversity.
“The good news is that as more land and conservation corridors in the Garden Route are becoming available for conservation and rewilding purposes, and as awareness grows on the incalculable value of Fynbos, there is a real chance that it may prevail despite the many challenges,” says Meiring.
Protecting conservation areas, also against wildfires, has become key to the preservation of Fynbos, he said.
Some 120 people from over the Western and Eastern Cape attended the meeting.
The Fynbos Forum was established in 1997 and is South Africa’s premier conservation and research group dedicated to the preservation of the South African Fynbos biome.
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