South Africa’s Spekboom Revolution: From Angora Goat Farms to Carbon Capture
The landscape of South Africa’s Eastern Cape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once dominated by Angora goat farming, the region is now witnessing a surge in spekboom (Portulacaria afra) restoration projects, driven by a growing awareness of the plant’s carbon sequestration potential and the need to revitalize degraded ecosystems. What was once a struggling agricultural area is rapidly becoming a hub for ecological restoration and a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change.
A History of Degradation and a Path to Recovery
For nearly two centuries, the spekboom thicket biome has suffered from extensive degradation due to expanding farming and livestock herding. Overgrazing, coupled with the impacts of climate change and shifting agricultural markets, has taken a heavy toll, leaving approximately 80% of the natural thicket degraded. However, since 2004, the South African government has spearheaded efforts to reverse this trend through the Subtropical Thicket Restoration Programme, initially funded with $8 million to catalyze larger investments.
The Rise of Carbon Credits and Private Investment
The potential for income from carbon credits has attracted dozens of private operators to join the restoration effort. Companies like Nat Carbon have already planted 10,000 hectares (nearly 25,000 acres) of spekboom in the Klein Karoo, with plans to restore a total of 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) across five farms near Jansenville. More than 60 entities are now involved in spekboom thicket restoration projects across 800,000 hectares (2 million acres), collectively known as the Thicket Restoration Movement, now recognized by the United Nations.
UN Recognition and Global Implications
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently recognized thicket restoration as a World Restoration Flagship under the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This recognition is expected to further accelerate the pace of restoration by attracting additional funding and bolstering the credibility of these projects. “One of the things was just how special it is, how unique it is … the potential as well for restoration activities to go forward and the impetus that’s already behind it,” said Salman Hussain, coordinator of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity initiative at UNEP.
Beyond Carbon: Biodiversity and Community Benefits
Spekboom restoration offers benefits beyond carbon sequestration. Healthy spekboom thickets create favorable habitats for animals and insects, boosting biodiversity. Crucially, these projects are also providing much-needed employment opportunities in communities grappling with high unemployment rates, sometimes reaching 80%. Companies like EcoPlanet Bamboo are investing in long-term community development initiatives, including bakeries and dressmaking projects, to ensure lasting benefits beyond the planting phase.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Coordination among the numerous independent restoration initiatives is crucial to avoid duplication of effort and ensure best practices are shared. Concerns have been raised about the potential for overplanting, which could negatively impact other plant species. Experts recommend planting densities of 70-80%, or even lower in some cases, to maintain biodiversity. The stability of carbon markets and the need for robust verification standards are also ongoing considerations.
The Future of Spekboom Restoration
The future of spekboom restoration looks promising. With approximately $75 million already raised by the private sector and significant government funding, the scale of restoration efforts is set to increase. The UNEP recognition is expected to unlock further investment and strengthen coordination. As one field ecologist noted, “Spekboom is everywhere, it’s all anyone talks about… what used to be an Angora goat farming town is now a spekboom town.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is spekboom?
- Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a succulent shrub native to South Africa, known for its ability to sequester carbon and restore degraded ecosystems.
- Why is spekboom restoration critical?
- Spekboom restoration helps combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, restores degraded land, and provides economic opportunities for local communities.
- How are carbon credits involved in spekboom restoration?
- Carbon credits are generated from the carbon sequestered by spekboom, providing a financial incentive for restoration projects.
- What are the potential downsides of spekboom restoration?
- Potential downsides include overplanting, which can harm biodiversity, and the need for robust verification of carbon credit claims.
Did you know? Researchers found that thicker spekboom stems have higher survival rates, but watering at planting time had little impact.
Pro Tip: Successful spekboom restoration requires careful planning, appropriate planting densities, and ongoing monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability.
Learn more about ecosystem restoration initiatives around the world here.
