The Wild Cycad Conservancy
Protecting the world’s most threatened plant species from extinction in South Africa
Research and publications
The WCC currently supports one student in South Africa.
The research focusses on the pollination of Encephalartos species and the insects associated with these plants.
Latest NEWS
Testing remote technologies to map and monitor cycad populations
A cycad conservation workshop, convened in the Waterberg in January 2023, identified the need to explore the use of drones to sample material from plants in inaccessible places. Drones can also be used to more effectively survey and monitor cycads spread across difficult terrain. Wild Cycad Conservancy (WCC) is working with several partners
WCC restoration projects provide new hope for cycads
Wild Cycad Conservancy (WCC) received its nursery permit from the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and our gene bank is beginning to produce material for restoration projects. Female cones of Encephalartos dolomiticus, E. laevifolius Wolkberg and E. dyerianus were pollinated successfully. To fully utilise this asset, WCC entered into a research
Genetic and pollination research to support cycad conservation
Are there too many cycad species in South Africa? By using existing genetic approaches, it is difficult to distinguish between several of the 37 Encephalartos species described from South Africa. This could mean that taxonomists have been too eager to describe new species or that the genetic methods are not refined enough to accurately resolve species.
Racing to rescue a Middelburg Cycad
Encephalartos middelburgensis occurs in the upper drainage basin of the Olifants River, at altitudes of 1100 to 1400m, between Middelburg and Loskop Dam. It grows in open grassy, rocky areas on steep slopes on slightly acidic soils. The mean annual rainfall in its distribution area is 600 mm and occurs mainly in summer. E middelburgensis grows well in full sunlight
Overcoming extinction risk due to pollinator collapse
Wild Cycad Conservancy (WCC) is leading research to address what appears to be an existential crisis for many of South Africa’s cycads: the extinction of cycad-specific pollinators! Studies over the past 10 years have revealed an alarming trend where beetle pollinators, which are specific to cycads, are absent from many cycad populations. Without pollinators, these cycads do
Why cycad conservation keeps me grounded
Over 35 years, I worked on some of the biggest issues in biodiversity conservation, including wildlife trade, the impacts of agriculture and biological invasions. Throughout this time, I have maintained an interest in cycad ecology and conservation and colleagues often ask why I invest time in this relatively small group of plants when there are so many bigger issues to worry about.
PROJECT
Population and reproductive ecology of Encephalartos species in South Africa,
by P J van Rensburg
Insects associated with plants are one of the most diverse groups of species on earth. Through their contribution to multiple ecosystem services, they have a widely recognised impact on the ecology and evolution of their host plants. During this project, we will be studying the population and reproductive ecology of Encephalartos eugene-maraisii, E. middelburgensis and E. lebomboensis. This study aims to document the arthropod species associated with these cycads as well as providing insights into the complex associations they have with their hosts.
Studies within the African cycad genus Encephalartos is particularly interesting since there is a high diversity of insects associated with this genus of which several are species-specific. Insects play an important role in the ecology of cycads, most notably in their reproductive ecology. These insects and the services they provide are under increasing threat from anthropogenic sources, including fragmentation of habitat, changes in land use and decline of their cycad host. Of particular concern is the lack of new seedlings in some species (e.g., E. eugene-maraisii) and it has even been suggested that the lack of fertile seeds in some species may be due to the absence of pollinators, because of pollinator extinctions.
Wild populations of E. eugene-maraisii, E. middelburgensis and E. lebomboensis were visited during the start of 2021 and, encouragingly, our field surveys revealed there are still several insect species associated with these plants. During these visits, plant size and life history stage demographics and levels of herbivory on individuals were recorded from a representative sample of E. eugene-maraisii populations.
In later years we will investigate whether arthropods are involved in pollination and identify the most important pollinators. Also, whether there are any other arthropod mutualists and the importance of maintaining these mutualists.
This study will provide insight into several vital attributes and ecological processes of Encephalartos species as well as provide new information for arthropods associated with cycads. This will ultimately help conservation authorities to determine priorities for conservation, assess the threats to different cycad populations and develop management practices to ensure the long-term survival of wild cycad populations.
Paul Janse van Rensburg is supported by the WCC to complete his doctoral degree in Environmental Sciences at North-West University, Potchefstroom.
NEW PROJECTS
• Conservation genetics of Encephalartos spp to support assurance colonies and recovery programmes