South African Biodiversity

latest news & developments

The pepper-bark tree project incorporates collaboration with traditional healers, traders and harvesters (EWT Pepper-bark Project)

ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANTS

Pepper-bark tree project helps to conserve SA’s medicinal heritage

The pepper-bark tree project incorporates collaboration with traditional healers, traders and harvesters

Sheree Bega

Peripatopsis barnardi represents the first ever species from the Little Karoo, which indicates that the area was historically more forested than at present. It is one of seven new species from the Cape Fold Mountains described in a paper published in Ecology and Evolution. Image: Savel Daniels

ANCIENT FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Living ‘fossil’ found: Rare velvet worm species named after teenage explorer

A high school pupil’s nature walk led to a major scientific discovery

Sheree Bega

Rare plant experts from the University of Pretoria are spearheading the re-introduction of thousands of critically endangered Magaliesberg aloe (Aloe peglerae) seedlings into the wild.

ALOE CONSERVATION

How the University of Pretoria is saving the Magaliesberg aloe from extinction

A breakthrough conservation project is under way to save endangered species

Sheree Bega

Aeiden Swan aims to draw attention to the importance of birds and butterflies in the ecosystem. (Photo supplied)

Aeiden Swan celebrates SA wildlife through art and design

The Cape Town artist transforms her passion for wildlife into sustainable designs

Lesego Chepape