Community-Based Strategies for South African Medicinal Plant Conservation

There is burgeoning trade in medicinal plants in South Africa where the law enforcement conservation policies have proven largely ineffective. Novel conservation measures have adopted a biocultural approach to include local community participation. This short review of several community-based conservation strategies employed through the country will examine the opportunities and constraints of these projects. Examples of species conservation techniques discussed are alien species removal and neighborhood forester programming. Medicinal plant conservation methods employed include: ex-situ display gardens, school gardens, cultivation, sustainable harvesting workshops, horticultural and business training for healers, distribution of conservation materials, and healer certification programs. This discussion focuses on an emergent group of neotraditional healers in the Western Cape as they forge relationships with local conservation entities. Lessons learned could be applicable across South Africa and in other biodiverse areas.