Aspalathus Linearis) in the Suid Bokkeveld, Northern Cape

Sustainable harvesting of wild rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) in the Suid Bokkeveld, Northern Cape Leslie Hill Institute for Plant Conservation Botany Department University of Cape Town Final submission: November 2006 Rhoda Louw Sustainable harvesting of wild rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) in the Suid Bokkeveld, Northen Cape Rhoda Louw Submitted in partial fulfilment for the Degree MSc. (Bot.) 27 November 2006 Leslie Hill Institute for Plant Conservation Botany Department University of Cape Town Principal supervisor: Prof. Timm Hoffman Director of the Leslie Hill Institute for Plant Conservation Botany Department University of Cape Town Cape Town Co-supervisor: Mr. Noel Oettlé Rural Programme Manager Environmental Monitoring Group Nieuwoudtville Abstract Rooibos tea is produced from the harvested shoots and leaves of Aspalathus linearis (Fabacaea), a species endemic to its limited distribution area within the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The Heiveld Co-operative, an organisation of small- scale farmers in the Suid Bokkeveld, Northern Cape, cultivate A. linearis and harvest wild plants of the same species to supply fairly traded organic rooibos tea to niche oversees markets. Ploughing of its natural habitat for cultivated rooibos production, changes in local climate and economic pressures to over-harvest are key threats to sustainable management of wild rooibos populations. Limited scientific literature was supplemented with the knowledge of local harvesters and land users throughout this study on sustainable harvesting practices for wild rooibos. Field data was collected by monitoring experimentally harvested plants on a monthly basis at a two rooibos farms – one mesic and one xeric site - in the Suid Bokkeveld. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers and land-users in the Suid Bokkeveld and the contents of these interviews were integrated with findings from field experiments to arrive at recommendations for sustainable harvesting practices for populations in the wild. Research was conducted within a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodological framework with emphasis on two-way learning between researcher and farmers. Data was gathered with participating local land-users and findings continually shared with a larger audience at appropriate community gatherings. The research approach was adopted for its suitability as a research methodology to enhance local harvesters’ capacity to improve on-farm harvest management and in- situ conservation of wild A. linearis populations. Differences between wild and cultivated A. linearis, and the wild plants’ response to harvest intensity and harvest seasonality were investigated. From interviews and field observations, wild rooibos was found to differ from cultivated plants in morphology, life-history strategies and response to harvesting. Observations and data corresponded with local information on the physical description and sprouting ability of wild populations. Wild rooibos plants shed less v litter less often than cultivated individuals; however, there was little difference in the phenology cycles between wild and cultivated rooibos. Interviewees suggested that a severe harvest would result in dwarfing of the plants, but that plants would not necessarily die. Data gathered from field experiments indicated that a severe harvest resulted in retarded growth and minimal flowering, especially of severely harvested individuals at the xeric site where only 8% of the original biomass was recovered after 12 months. A moderate harvest treatment at this site resulted in regrowth of 59% of the original biomass. At the mesic site moderately harvested plants exceeded the original biomass by 32%, while severely harvested individuals recovered 32% of the average biomass measured at the time of the initial harvest. A study was conducted on the effect of harvest seasonality and harvest timing on post-harvest regrowth for wild A. linearis plants. Field data support the conventional practice of summer harvests that depend on a host of ecological and social factors. A January harvest (summer) resulted in the highest vegetative and reproductive output compared with plants subjected to April (autumn) and July (winter) harvest treatments. A winter harvest favoured plants at the xeric site, causing regrowth of up to 94% of the original volume. Wild rooibos individuals at the mesic site recovered only 55% of their initial average plant volume. Recommendations based on the key findings of the research are offered on sustainable harvesting for wild rooibos tea populations in the Suid Bokkeveld. A moderate harvest height of 60% or less is recommended for wild rooibos in the Suid Bokkeveld, and a corresponding harvest shoot diameter of 2mm. While a winter harvest yielded the highest regrowth post-harvest biomass after 12 months, arguments are made for a summer harvest in January as this treatment facilitated optimal growth and reproduction in wild A. linearis plants. The thesis concludes with final remarks, a summary of recommendations for sustainable harvesting practices, and possibilities for future research directions on A. linearis in the wild. Key words: Aspalathus linearis, Participatory Action Research, phenology, rooibos, Suid Bokkeveld, sustainable harvest, wild rooibos vi Acknowledgements The present study would not have been possible without the financial support of the following institutions: The South African Netherlands Programme for Alternatives in Development (SANPAD), the Table Mountain Fund (TMF) administrator of funds provided by the South African arm of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA), the Leslie Hill Institute fro Plant Conservation (LHIPC), the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Desert Margins Programme (DMP). Thanks to the various donors and administrators who have aided the research financially. Thanks also to the members of the SANPAD Suid Bokkeveld team for their research support, especially at the start of the research process. The team members were:: Dr. Monique Salomon (Farmer Support Group), Dr. Nicky Allsopp (Agricultural Research Council), Ms. Wiesaal Salaam (University of the Western Cape), Dr. Samantha Adey (University of Pietermaritzburg), Mr. Noel Oettle (Environmental Monitoring Group) and Ms Bettina Koellle (Indigo development & change). For institutional and collegial support throughout the research process, I extend my sincere thanks to colleagues and staff at the Leslie Hill Institute for Plant Conservation (LHIPC) at the Botany Department, University of Cape Town (UCT), and to members of the Environmental Monitoring Group in Cape Town and Nieuwoudtville. Thanks also to colleagues at INDIGO development & change in Nieuwoudtville for support and input during the full duration of the research. Prof. Timm Hoffman (LHIPC), Mr. Noel Oettlé (EMG) and Ms Bettina Koelle (Indigo development & change) are sincerely thanked for their mentorship in participatory research methodologies. Thanks to these colleagues also for contribution of photos, and, in Ms. Koelle’s case, the production and printing of relevant maps. The Heiveld Co-operative was instrumental in its institutional role during the research process. I would like to thank the Board and members of the Heiveld Co-operative for support, input and advice during the study period. Members of the co-operative were also rich sources of information on wild rooibos, a body of knowledge without which this thesis would have been far less substantial. I thank each of the people who contributed to this study by sharing their knowledge and wisdom about the ecology and character of wild rooibos. iii I have relied on many people for goods and services during fieldtrips and extended visits to research sites during the last three years. I would like to express my appreciation to members of the broader Suid Bokkeveld and Nieuwoudtville communities in this regard who offered accommodation and transport during monthly fieldtrips. Thanks to the owners of Blomfontein and Landskloof, the two rooibos farms in the Suid Bokkeveld where the research sites were located. I thank the owners and managers for access to the farms and sites and for their contributions of rooibos bushes for the experimental treatments. Thanks also to Mr. Barry Koopman, Mr. Lionel Koopman and Mr. Hannes Koopman who often provided transport to research sites. I would like to make special mention of local rooibos farmers Mr. Jakobus Paulse (Blomfontein) and Mr. Jakobus Koopman (Landskloof) as co-researchers and key contributors to this study. Mr. Paulse and Mr. Koopman dedicated time on a monthly basis to participate in data collection activities and discussions on field methods and research outcomes. I would especially like to commend Mr. Koopman for his commitment to continued research collaboration, and would like to thank him for the contributions he has made since the time of our initial meeting. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents, friends and family who have prayerfully offered unwavering support during the many months of research. I would not have been able to write this thesis without the love and support of those with whom God has graced my life. Thank you all. iv Table of contents Abstract iii Acknowledgements v Table of contents vii List of tables xi List of figures xiv List of photos xvii Chapter 1: The sustainable harvesting of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): problem statement, objectives and context 1.1 General introduction 1.1.1 Problem statement 1 1.1.2 Objectives of the study 3 1.2 Literature review

Load more