The Xhosa say uThixo ulihlathi lam, “God is my forest”, and they are backed by scientists saying healthy subtropical thicket will provide food and water for animals and humans for many years to come.
Now the sacred and scientific have combined in a series of brochures in isiXhosa and English on how to restore the Eastern Cape’s distinctively dense and diverse vegetation, as well as the benefits of doing so.
The free brochure has been compiled by the Rhodes Restoration Research Group with the overarching message being partnership — with the Earth and each other.
Mike Powell, director of the group, said on Wednesday subtropical thicket covered about three million hectares in the Eastern and Western Cape but the Eastern Cape was the heartland of this area.
He said the exceptionally high diversity of plants and animals that characterised intact subtropical thicket made it more resilient in the face of climate change.
“It is capable of withstanding prolonged droughts and provides forage for animals if sustainably utilised.
“It also provides a range of ecosystem services, like helping to replenish the water table.
“The thicket roots help rain penetrate and leaf litter helps retain moisture.
“And it prevents erosion in steep valleys so dams do not silt up.”
He said subtropical thicket was, however, in trouble.
“Close to one million hectares are degraded.
“Degraded subtropical thicket also does not recover on its own and if just left it will get worse as soil erosion kicks in.”
Powell said though spekboom (Portulacaria afra) had become the poster child for subtropical thicket restoration a more holistic approach yielded better results.
He said there were 44 subtropical thicket types but the general rule was to recognise what was appropriate in a specific area.
“First, cover the soil with grasses, herbs and wild flowers to hold the soil together and increase water retention.
“Then plant small plants that hold the soil together like kweekgras and ankerkaroo.
“You can also put in larger shrubs that provide forage and enrich the soil like spekboom and igwanishe and spiny trees, shrubs that make wind breaks like small-leaf honeythorn, needle bush and blue kuni bush and medicinal plants like aloe ferox.”
Rhodes Restoration Research Group intern Kamva Zenani, who co-compiled the brochures with fellow intern Kelly Bernard, said environmental education was key.
He said one of the brochures covered seed collection and storage, propagation and planting.
“When planning restoration, it is vital to be aware of local environmental knowledge and community resource use.
“This not only helps to protect nature, but ensures that local practices and rituals can continue for many more years to come.
“For instance, many subtropical thicket plants and some animal products are used medicinally (amayeza esiXhosa) to treat different illnesses, and they are also used in rituals (amayeza okwenza amasiko).
“Examples are African wormwood (umhlonyane) for treating fever and the roots of African potato (inongwe) for skin rashes.”
He said in the Eastern Cape, subtropical thicket was referred to as ihlathi lesiXhosa.
“ihlathi lesiXhosa is respected not only for resources but as a sacred space to connect with the ancestors (izinyanya).
“A popular Xhosa saying explains this sacred space and connection: uThixo ulihlathi lam — God is my forest.
“At the same time, restoring degraded subtropical thicket will provide food and water for animals and humans for many more years to come.”
Powell said the brochure series was freely available.
“It has been written in layman’s language in English and Xhosa and can be accessed at www.rrrg.co.za”
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.