Climate change: Researcher to test ways to protect vulnerable desert plants
Stellenbosch University professor Wendy Foden will lead a five-year research programme investigating how vulnerable desert plants in Southern Africa can survive climate change, including through assisted translocation.
A five-year research program led by Stellenbosch University professor Wendy Foden will explore methods to safeguard vulnerable desert plants from the impacts of climate change in Southern Africa. Focusing on arid regions such as the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, the study will examine how species like quiver trees and the halfmens adapt to rising temperatures and water scarcity.
Foden, a climate change specialist with South African National Parks, has been awarded the first Oppenheimer Research Chair in Conservation in a Changing Climate to spearhead the project. Additionally, Foden serves as a professor at Stellenbosch University's School for Climate Studies and chairs the IUCN's Species Survival Commission Climate Change Specialist Group.
Collaborating with SANParks scientists and protected area managers, Foden's team will assess the resilience of desert succulents to heat and water stress, while also evaluating the feasibility of assisted translocation – the process of relocating species to more suitable habitats. Though this approach brings potential ecological, genetic, and biosecurity concerns, the team will weigh these against the potential benefits.
Foden emphasizes the urgent need for robust scientific evidence to inform conservation decisions, particularly as climate conditions continue to evolve. The research will encompass various species and the challenges faced by Southern Africa's delicate ecosystems. The project will also collaborate with the University of Cambridge's Conservation Evidence group to evaluate existing research on conservation strategies in Africa and beyond.
By sharing findings with international partners, the initiative aims to promote global conservation policies and connect local research with broader efforts. Established by the Benjamin Raymond Oppenheimer Trust through Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, this award supports leading African researchers tackling critical challenges the continent faces.
Dr. Duncan MacFadyen, head of Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, believes Foden's program will bridge the gap between scientific research and practical conservation actions. Furthermore, his support will facilitate international collaboration, postgraduate training, and the development of emerging researchers. Stellenbosch University's Guy Midgley highlights the importance of connecting research, policy, and practice through this initiative.
Meanwhile, Howard Hendricks, managing executive of SANParks' Conservation Services Division, underscores how national parks can serve as platforms for transforming scientific findings into actionable conservation measures. Ultimately, this research aims to determine if conservation interventions can enhance the resilience and survival chances of vulnerable species in the face of a changing climate.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
