Pretoria — A new national list of protected tree species has been declared to contribute towards the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry says in a statement the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems has become a high priority following South Africa's ratification of the Convention on the Protection of Biological Diversity.

In terms of the declaration, tree species listed as protected may not be cut, disturbed or damaged and their products transported or sold without a licence.

Listing certain species as protected is not primarily aimed at preventing the use of a tree species, but to ensure sustainable use through licensing control measures, explained the department.

South Africa is home to more than 1 700 indigenous species of trees and shrubs, some of which are currently threatened on account of their rarity as well as the pressure of commercial and subsistence use.

The department said the new list, which appeared in the Government Gazette No. 1012 on 27 August, followed a comprehensive three-year review of the old list which had been in place since 1976.

"It is the first comprehensive national list of protected trees to be developed through the application of objective scientific criteria, supported by a computerised scoring system.

"Having gone through an exhaustive participative process, it also reflects the collective input from various stakeholders, interest groups as well as the public," explained the department.

The criteria to list trees as protected related to the rarity of species, the importance of species in the maintenance of an ecosystem (keystone species), the utilisation pressure on a species (timber, fuelwood or other uses) as well as the cultural or spiritual value of species (including landscape value), said the department.

"An important consideration was also the degree to which species already enjoy protection under provincial ordinances and other legislation," it added.

A Protected Tree Task Team has meanwhile been set up within the department to develop national policy and guidelines for the management of protected tree species.

The department said detailed guidelines had already been developed for the handling of licence applications to cut Camel thorn trees (Acacia erioloba) following extensive research and consultation with a variety of stakeholders.

It also said large scale felling of Camel thorn for commercial braaiwood had made proper control, based on scientific criteria, a matter of urgency.

Other protected species under threat include the rare Pepperbark tree (Warburgia salutaris), which is widely used for medicinal purposes and the Marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea), which is one of the most highly valued trees in the country.

A large industry is based on products derived from Marula fruit, including beauty products and a famous brand of Marula liqueur. It is also a vital source of income and subsistence to many rural people.

The Tsonga people also celebrate the Feast of the First Fruits by pouring an offering of fresh Marula juice over the graves of deceased chiefs.

Trees are mainly threatened by commercial harvesters, while some ecologically important forest trees are also under pressure from coastal development.