When browsing Facebook Marketplace for succulents, you might think you’re simply adding greenery to your space. However, you could be inadvertently supporting illegal trade and endangering South Africa’s Succulent Karoo Biome, one of only two arid biodiversity hotspots globally.
Previously confined to nurseries and physical catalogs, the illegal trade of succulents has surged online, with platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace inadvertently facilitating this illicit activity.
This week, conservation organizations Traffic and Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) Kew announced a collaboration with eBay to combat this illegal trade.
Why Can’t I Buy These Plants?
Succulents are essential to the Succulent Karoo Biome, which houses over 6,300 plant species, 40% of which are found nowhere else. Despite this rich diversity, more than 950 species are currently at risk. Legislation in Western Cape and Northern Cape protects many of these indigenous plants. Without a proper permit, it is illegal to engage in certain activities involving these protected species.
Dominique Prinsloo, a project manager at Traffic, a global NGO focused on sustainable wildlife trade, explained that nurseries in these regions require permits to grow and sell protected plants. There is also a list of Threatened or Protected Species (ToPs), regulated through national legislation, which has additional permit requirements.
Poached to the Brink of Collapse
Domitilla Raimondo, Threatened Species Programme Manager at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi), highlighted the severe impact of illegal harvesting on South Africa’s succulent flora. Monitoring by Sanbi has revealed a dramatic decline in some species, with illegal harvesting reducing populations by over 90% in certain cases.
The illegal trade has intensified since 2019, driven by increased demand in Asia, particularly affecting the Succulent Karoo Biome and the Namaqualand region. Raimondo noted that organized crime syndicates exploit socioeconomic challenges, luring locals into poaching succulents.
“Species with limited distribution are now facing imminent extinction,” Raimondo warned, “as collectors risk wiping out entire species in a single harvesting event.”
Traffic reported that syndicates often pay poachers meager wages or even drugs. Prinsloo advises buyers to look for certifications from independent bodies such as FairWild, Fairtrade Flowers and Plants, and Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network to ensure legal and sustainable purchases.
eBay’s Efforts to Combat Illegal Trade
In response to the rise in online plant trading, eBay is working with Traffic and RBG Kew to develop measures to prevent illegal sales. This includes strengthening online policies and improving detection of illegal listings. In 2023, eBay reported blocking or removing 500,000 items that violated its wildlife policies.
David Whitehead, RBG Kew Science Officer, noted the challenge of monitoring the trade of numerous species with varying conservation statuses. Developing specific policies for plant vendors can help monitor and ensure compliance for species particularly threatened by illegal collection.
eBay is also collaborating with Traffic and RBG Kew to educate its staff about illegal plant trade, making it the first online platform to pilot such an initiative with conservation organizations.
FloraGuard: A Key Tool
A significant development in this fight is FloraGuard, a web-crawling algorithm developed by RBG Kew. This tool scans online listings for vulnerable or endangered species, helping identify plants that may have been illegally harvested. While the algorithm helps detect trade patterns, human expertise is still required to interpret results accurately.
“Responsible vendors can aid this process by providing detailed information about their plants’ origins, propagation methods, and necessary permits,” Whitehead said.
How to Spot Poached Plants Online
Traffic offers guidance for identifying poached plants:
Shape and Form: Wild-harvested plants may look worn or irregular, while nursery-grown plants are more manicured.
Marks and Scars: Wild plants often have scars from their natural environment.
Age and Size: Some succulents take years to mature; large specimens might be wild-harvested.
Root Condition: Wild plants may have damaged or torn roots.
Know the Law
Even if a plant appears to be nursery-grown, buyers should be aware of national and provincial regulations. Purchasing from vendors without the proper permits can lead to penalties. Prinsloo recommends checking a plant’s scientific name on the IUCN Red List to confirm its conservation status before buying.
What’s Being Done in South Africa
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in collaboration with Sanbi and WWF South Africa, has developed a National Response Strategy to tackle illegal succulent trade. Although approved in February 2022, its implementation has been limited by a lack of resources.
Sanbi supports the Traffic and eBay collaboration, noting that tools like FloraGuard are crucial for identifying and removing suspected wild-harvested plants.
“Plants brighten our homes and support mental health, but they also play critical roles in their natural habitats,” Prinsloo said. “We cannot afford to lose them from the wild.”