Forests have come under the spotlight in recent years for their role in keeping the Earth cool – they absorb carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
Forests have come under the spotlight in recent years for their role in keeping the Earth cool – they absorb carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
And so while their importance is now being acknowledged by many for reasons other than merely the wood they provide, trees are still viewed across the globe as an important resource. But they are far more than a resource, says Lydia Mogano, of Rhodes University's Botany Department.
The environment plays a crucial role in sustaining the emotional, spiritual and mental well-being of local communities. She was speaking at the 37th annual conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) hosted by Rhodes University's Botany department last week, where more than 250 delegates from around the world presented their work on topics including plant physiology and climate change, pollination biology, ethnobotany and medicinal use of plants, taxonomy and evolution, ecology, restoration and rehabilitation.
In her talk, “Unearthing the essence of nature and the perception of natural landscapes among the Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape", Mogano pleaded for better recognition of the pivotal role our environment played in daily life. “I've learnt that people don't view nature only as a source of untapped resources," Mogano said. "Forests play a huge role in people's overall sense of well-being and place in the world, and they should be cherished.”
On the theme of the relationship between society and the environment, too, was Suzi Vetter, also of Rhodes University’s Botany Department, who focused on biological and social diversity. "South Africa is home to three biodiversity hotspots, has 10% of all known plant species and seven% of the world's reptile and mammal species," Vetter said. “We are also very high in social diversity and we have a wealth of biocultural diversity. These are things to be cherished,” she said.
According to Vetter, whose talk, titled “Biocultural diversity presents conservation opportunities”, modern human behaviour is thought to have evolved along the Cape south coast. “So you can see that South Africa plays an integral role in matters of the environment and human evolution. "We should aim to get our conservation policies up to date, so we can deal with the complexities facing us today,” she said.
Professor Jill Farrant, holder of a research chair in plant molecular physiology in UCT's Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and president of SAAB, is also a champion of diversity. Her work in finding out how genes in drought-resistant plants can be harnessed to boost agriculture in drought-affected areas is earning her international acclaim – but Farrant said her heart lay closer to home.
“We have the most amazing diversity of plants in South Africa. I've been lucky to find some that could help us in the future. We must celebrate our diversity and work with it,” she said. Farrant described the event as a “great space for people to come together and share their views and ideas on really important topics”.
Farrant, who is UCT's first woman A-rated scientist, was awarded the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship award last year and was also named the Distinguished Woman Scientist in the Life Sciences in the South African Women in Science Awards.
Other scientists of international repute gave plenary addresses, including Professor David Beerling, of the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences of the University of Sheffield, whose address was titled “The emerald planet: how plants 'greened the earth'”.
Also in the line up was Professor Mike Wingfield, Director of the NRF-DST Centre of Tree Health Biotechnology at the University of Pretoria, whose talk was titled “Global tree health: what next?”
Wingfield highlighted the challenges facing tree and plant health in the face of invasive pathogens, insects and climate change. Dr Peter Weston, Senior Principal Research Scientist at the National Herbarium of New South Wales, Sydney, presented his thoughts on the role that systematics and evolutionary studies could play in linking historical climate change and evolution. Next year's conference will be held at the University of Pretoria.
