Expanding Warburgia salutaris conservation in southern Africa: a case study in Zimbabwe Karin Hannweg (ARC – Tropical & Subtropical Crops) Michele Hofmeyr – independent consultant Alfred Maroyi - University of Fort Hare, South Africa Willem Froneman - SANBI-LNBG Yvette Harvey-Brown - BGCI, Kew, London Tim Neary – SAPPI (Pty Ltd), South Africa Warburgia salutaris in southern Africa Family: Canellaceae (Cinnamon Family) Common names: pepper-bark tree (Eng.); peperbasboom (Afr.); isibhaha (Zulu); manaka (Venda); shibaha (Tsonga); muranga (Shona) (Global Trees Campaign) - screen genetic diversity of Zim & SA trees - establish collections at Vumba Botanical Garden - build capacity for cultivation in home gardens - promote the use of leaves • highly sought-after in Zimbabwe, as in South Africa • can a successful template be duplicated? Pepperbark Conservation Programme Objective 1. To promote the Objective 2: To reduce the Objective 3: To monitor the sustainable use of Warburgia local illegal harvesting of Warburgia salutaris population salutaris including the Warburgia salutaris from in Kruger to be able to detect promotion of alternative sources within the KNP changes in it’s status, in order of W. salutaris tissue for the to guide any management benefit of multiple stakeholders interventions (SAEON) Illegal Bark Harvesting Warburgia salutaris in southern Africa Multiple uses in South Africa • excellent treatment for headaches, common cold and influenza • particularly effective for healing conditions of the respiratory system, coughs, sinuses • various fungal, bacterial (including E. coli), parasitic and protozoal infections • aphrodisiac • effective against blood disorders • headaches • malaria • various skin complaints • toothache • etc. Protection • Dedicated, armed rangers • Daily monitoring • Detection & reporting on poaching incidents Threats • Hilly terrain but close to hard boundaries • Drought and elephant pressure • Poor seedling recruitment Vegetative propagation Since no seeds were foundPropagation in the wild populations – clonal propagation bulk up trees for distribution ThePropagation seed windfall!! SANBI & ARC Awareness and Distribution workshops Technology transfer Posters and handouts developed in 5 SA languages Zimbabwe: A case study In Zimbabwe….. • Warburgia salutaris - endangered at the global level (IUCN Red List) - listed as Critically Endangered - declared extinct in the wild in 2008 - limited home garden survival Warburgia salutaris growing in a home garden Mr. Duri, a retired botanist from Harare NBG Knowledge-sharing: Zimbabwean background • Extremely high demand – multi-use: unsustainable harvesting & habitat loss Uses in Zimbabwe • abdominal pain • aphrodisiac • backache • diarrhoea • fever • head wound healing • indigestion • nightmares • influenza, pneumonia • general remedy for diseases (Kotina et al., 2014) • snake bite • avian ethno-veterinary medicines Knowledge-sharing: Zimbabwean background • Material collected from the wild from the last 3 known trees & 6 trees established in Harare National Botanical Garden • 5 of these 6 trees were destroyed – only one remains under 24 hour guard! • Current harvesting: Mozambique Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Key Activities • (Determine genetic diversity within Zimbabwean and South African populations of W. salutaris – done earlier as part of GTC project) • Knowledge-sharing workshop with staff at Vumba Botanical Garden • Hands-on training on propagation & cultivation of Warburgia salutaris at Vumba Botanical Garden • Growing on W. salutaris seedlings at Vumba Botanical Gardens for distribution to local healers in the Mutema Highlands (W. salutaris historical range) • Workshop with community members in the Mutema Highlands to raise awareness of the conservation status of W. salutaris, sustainable harvesting techniques, care of seedlings and knowledge sharing Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare • 32km from Mutare, 4th largest city in Zimbabwe • founded in 1947 • natural vegetation: 1600 ha • landscaped vegetation: 201 ha • wide range of both indigenous and exotic plant collections (temperate and subtropical) • Conservation Programmes (medicinal plants, ex situ conservation) • Research Programmes (ecosystem conservation, education, floristics, horticulture, invasive species, restoration ecology) • Education Programmes (scholars & guided tours) Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Knowledge-sharing: South Africa vs Zimbabwe • Warburgia salutaris – practical propagation: • workshop • hands-on experience: planting and care of seeds & seedlings Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Knowledge-sharing: South Africa vs Zimbabwe • Warburgia salutaris – practical propagation: Success!! Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Knowledge-sharing: South Africa vs Zimbabwe Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Knowledge-sharing: South Africa vs Zimbabwe Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare “we are grateful for the time spent together….. we will work tirelessly to make it work….” “thanks very much for coming – it is my first time to learn about this tree. I am so grateful and so happy….” “thanks for the time spent with us….. I will be frequently visiting the greenhouse……” “thank you…. I am happy to meet you all…. What I have learnt is great – all of you have shared heavy material…… I wish you all to come next year….” “I am very happy for what you have taught us…… don’t go away and not come back – come and see what we have planted……” “thanks lecturers for the dear explanation…. I am very happy…” “we and my colleagues are so grateful for the team…. This is the first time that we have had training since 2005…. Thank you…… we didn’t know it was extinct in the wild in Zimbabwe…. For us it is the first of its kind to propagate….. thank you guys for what you have done……. The guys will put more effort into the nursery…. Thank you!!...” Community Engagement Workshop: Tanganda Halt, Mutema Highlands X Community Engagement Workshop: Tanganda Halt • Well-supported by the community: met with the Headman, the Headman’s advisor as well as the Councillor of the area (critical to get buy-in) • community-elected representatives • Introduction to the Warburgia Conservation Project in South Africa and its outcomes • The team’s role in Zimbabwe: supply seed, provide training, Vumba staff grow seedlings for 18m – 2 years prior to distribution Dominic Mubvanyika The Headman Acting Vumba BG Curator Community Engagement Workshop: Tanganda Halt • Discussions well-received • Similarities & differences regarding the uses of Warburgia salutaris in South Africa & Zimbabwe • The use of leaves as a sustainable source is relatively well-known; 1tsp ground = USD1.00 • Within the community, only the healers know where wild trees may have existed Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Community Engagement Workshop: Tanganda Halt • Community members foresee that each household should have at least one tree and they were interested in how the tree could be established • A demonstration on leaf pruning as well as planting and caring for the trees was well received – training materials were provided in the vernacular (Shona) • A direct link between the Botanical garden and the community through the advisor was established • Several trees were also provided for planting at a local school in the area Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Community Engagement Workshop: Tanganda Halt Mr. Duri Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Summary of Outcomes • Mr Duri will visit the Councillor and Headman on a regular basis and provide feedback regarding progress • The staff at the Vumba Botanical Gardens have great group synergy and their dedication to the gardens is exemplary. This project will provide focus and impetus in this and future projects going forward including those not related to Warburgia (whatsapp group) • Mr Duri and the Botanical Gardens staff will ensure that the seeds are taken care of (a seed sample was given to Mr Duri for germination as a ‘control’) – and that seedlings are ready for delivery from 18 months • Future site visits: seeds, seedlings and trees are doing well, training, including a survey of possible specimens in the wild • Development of a Warburgia ‘information hub’ - repository of information on the species and which can be easily accessed Vumba Botanical Garden, Mutare Community Engagement Muranga Workshop: Tanganda Halt Working with Vumba Botanical Gardens and local communities to secure the future of this threatened species. • Critical to have a multi-disciplinary team of specialists working towards saving the species! THANK YOU!.