Extinction is Forever

The 40-hectare biodiversity corridor that runs from the upper boundary of the Estate to the Berg River is an important protected area, not only for the Estate itself but for the Cape Floral Kingdom as a whole. Of the seven floral kingdoms across the world, the Cape Floral Kingdom is the most biodiverse for its size; however, agriculture, human expansion and degradation due to over-burning means that vast areas of previously pristine fynbos and renosterveld are gone forever, along with their many species of plants.

Renosterveld refers to a unique type of vegetation found in South Africa, primarily in the Western Cape. Renosterveld is part of the Cape Floristic Region and is known for its high biodiversity, including many endemic plant species. The local vegetation type, Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld, has been decimated by 95% with only small, unlinked patches remaining. This is where biodiversity corridors such as those on Val de Vie Estate come into their own, not only protecting vulnerable and endangered species of plants but also giving room for mammals, birds and other creatures to move between areas, ensuring their survival and genetic diversity.

The ecological status of an organism falls within parameters laid down by international bodies:

Extinct (EX): A species is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Species should be classified as Extinct only once exhaustive surveys throughout the species’ known range have failed to record an individual.

Extinct in the Wild (EW): A species is Extinct in the Wild when it is known to survive only in cultivation or as a naturalised population (or populations) well outside the past range.

Regionally Extinct (RE): A species is Regionally Extinct when it is extinct within the region assessed (in this case South Africa), but wild populations can still be found in areas outside the region.

Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CR PE): Possibly Extinct is a unique tag associated with the category Critically Endangered, indicating species that are highly likely to be extinct, but the exhaustive surveys required for classifying the species as Extinct have not yet been completed. A small chance remains that such species may still be rediscovered.

Critically Endangered (CR): A species is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets at least one of the five IUCN criteria for Critically Endangered, indicating that the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction.

Endangered (EN): A species is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets at least one of the five IUCN criteria for Endangered, indicating that the species faces a very high risk of extinction.

Near Endangered (NE): This status serves as a warning that, while the species is not immediately at risk of extinction, it is vulnerable to future threats and may require conservation measures to prevent further decline.

Vulnerable (VU): A species is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets at least one of the five IUCN criteria for Vulnerable, indicating that the species is facing a high risk of extinction.

Near Threatened (NT): A species is Near Threatened when available evidence shows that if present trends continue, the organism will become Vulnerable and is, therefore, likely to become at risk of extinction in the near future.

Rare: A species is Rare when the numbers have always been low.

Presently, a study is underway on Val de Vie Estate to discover how many species of plants are in our natural and low-maintenance areas. This is a difficult task given that some only appear with winter rains or after a burn, so it may take years for the exact number to be worked out; however, to date, 31 species of plants have been found in the corridor that are on the Red List, they are as follows:

  • Leucadendron lanigerum – Endangered
  • Erica alexandri – Critically Endangered
  • Protea scorzonerifolia – Vunerable
  • Leucodendron corymbosum – Near Threatened
  • Hessea cinnamomea – Endangered
  • Lachenalia contaminate – Near Threatened
  • Babiana angustifolia – Near Threatened
  • Babiana nana – Endangered
  • Babiana nervosa – Near Threatened
  • Babiana vilosula – Near Threatened
  • Moraea tricolor – Endangered
  • Hesperantha radiata – Near Threatened
  • Lampranthus glaucus – Near Threatened
  • Lampranthus leptaleon – Endangered
  • Lampranthus reptans – Near Threatened
  • Lampranthus spiniformis – Vulnerable
  • Ruschia diversifolia – Vulnerable
  • Metalasia pulchella – Near Threatened
  • Silene burchelli – Near Threatened
  • Gnida penicilliata – Near Threatened
  • Lachnaea capitata – Vulnerable
  • Erica cerinthoides – Near Endangered
  • Asparagus lignosus – Near Threatened
  • Erodium moschatum – Near Endangered
  • Leucodendron corymbosum – Near Threatened
  • Leucodendron flexosum – Critically Endangered
  • Leucodendron langigerum – Critically Endangered
  • Protea scorzonerifollia –Vulnerable
  • Protea burchellii – Vulnerable
  • Diastella proteoides – Endangered
  • Muraltia thunbergii – Near Threatened

From the above, it can be seen that the Val de Vie Estate biodiversity corridor is an important area within our landscape and needs protection to ensure that these plants and other organisms are present for future generations to enjoy.