Research in the Arid Zone

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Ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services and rooibos production as affected by connectivity to natural vegetation and pesticide use in rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) farming

Keywords

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), ecosystem services, pollination, organic farming, invertebrates

Location of study sites

Areas near the towns of Nieuwoudtville and Clanwilliam

Project Description

This project aims to inform the Rooibos Biodiversity Initiative (RBI) best practice guidelines by empirically testing various conservation farming methods and their effects on the surrounding ecosystems, and some of the ecosystem services they deliver. An understanding of these effects may encourage farmers to comply with RBI guidelines.

Collaborating institutions

University of Cape Town, South African National Biodiversity Institute, University of Pretoria, CIRAD (Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement)

Contact details

Mariante Herbst (marianteh@gmail.com) 1
Heidi-J Hawkins (heidi-jayne.hawkins@uct.ac.za) 1
Mike D Cramer 1
Colleen Seymour (seymour@sanbi.org) 2
Estelle Bienabe (estelle.bienabe@up.ac.za) 3

1. Department of Botany, University of Cape Town
2. South African National Biodiversity Institute
3. Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria

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