South Africa’s Succulent Karoo is home to succulent flora that occur nowhere else on earth. But many species are disappearing due to a rapidly escalating onslaught by criminal networks orchestrating the harvesting and trade of rare and threatened species to satisfy international demand for ornamental plants. This report explores the illegal market for South African succulent flora from the Succulent Karoo region, the impact of this market on people and ecosystems, and the implementation of the National Response Strategy to address the crisis.
About the author
Dr Carina Bruwer is an ENACT senior researcher for southern Africa. Her research focus includes transnational organised crime, environmental crime, maritime
security and international law.
Image: © Mike Keeling/Flickr
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