Keep your wood out of all the CapeNature reserves
REGIONAL - In the name of biodiversity, CapeNature has announced that it will be prohibiting visitors from bringing firewood into the reserves as a precaution against the shot hole borer beetle.
According to a press release issued by CapeNature last week, the decision was made after months of scientific research and engaging with conservation stakeholders and experts. The prohibition will be in effect from
1 April until further notice.
The reason behind the drastic measure is that the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) poses a very serious biodiversity threat.
In recent years the beetle, originally from Asia, has been causing devastation among both indigenous and non-indigenous trees, not only in South Africa, but across the world. First appearing in South Africa in 2017, it has spread rapidly and is now well established in the country as a serious threat to biodiversity.
PSHB infestations are most likely to be found at sites that are accessible to the public, particularly where they could have been introduced by infested firewood, in spots such as picnic sites, rest camps and along access roads.
Due to their small size, the beetles are not easily detected in wood articles or packaging materials and therefore all forms of wood will have to be prohibited to contain the problem at a reserve and provincial level.
CapeNature encourages its visitors to rather bring along environmentally friendly charcoal and/or eco-logs when visiting CapeNature reserves, or buy it at the reserve (if available). In addition, firewood sourced directly on a protected area/nature reserve may only be used in that specific protected area and may not be removed from that area and transported further afield.
CEO of CapeNature Dr Razeena Omar stresses the seriousness of the matter. "We are appealing to the public in general and our patrons specifically, to protect our trees against this devastating threat by not bringing firewood into CapeNature reserves and to opt for fire alternatives such as charcoal and eco-logs. . . The onus is on everyone to preserve local biodiversity by not allowing this threat to spread."
CapeNature reserves in and around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are: the Goukamma Nature Reserve (Buffalo Bay/Sedgefield), Robberg Nature Reserve (Plettenberg Bay), and Keurbooms River Nature Reserve (Plettenberg Bay).
Visitors are encouraged to contact CapeNature reserves ahead of their stay regarding the availability of firewood, charcoal and eco-logs on reserves. Visitors are welcome to bring their own charcoal and eco-logs, but any wood will be confiscated upon entry and responsibly disposed. osed.