Endangered Succulents

latest news & developments

That sucks: The illegal trade in South Africa’s succulent plants is a major threat to the survival of many species. Photo: Yurou Guan

BIODIVERSITY LOSS SOUTH AFRICA

Illegal succulent trade pushes SA’s rare plants towards extinction

About 16% (1 589 species) of the world’s estimated 10 000 succulent species occur in the Succulent Karoo Biome

Sheree Bega

The Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden, a first of its kind in South Africa, opened its doors in August. It aims to be a living bank of the endangered and threatened plant species in the region. (All photos by Ashraf Hendricks)

AI AIS RICHTERSVELD TRANSFRONTIER PARK

How a desert garden is saving the Northern Cape’s endangered plants

Endangered succulents in the Richtersveld have been given a lifeline from poaching, mining, overgrazing, and climate change

Liezl Human