Biodiversity Management Plans for Aloe Ferox and Honeybush Species (Cyclopia Subternata and Cyclopia Intermedia).

This document includes two different Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP-S) for Aloe Ferox and Honeybush Species is a subsectoral document aiming to ensure the protection of species included in Appendix II of CITES to ensure that international trade in the plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.
The first Biodiversity Management Plan concerns the long-term survival of Aloe ferox in its habitat while respecting the livelihoods of stakeholders. Specific activities need to be undertaken to safeguard sustainable utilisation of the species and to establish systems to monitor ongoing impacts of commercial extraction and cultivation. To achieve this, 7 objectives have been identified during the BMP's development, supported by various actions outlined in its action plan, namely (i) ensure that the wild harvesting of A. ferox is carried out in an adaptive, practical, participatory, and transparent manner that maintains the long-term survival of the species in the wild (ii) ensure that the wild collection of A. ferox does not adversely affect the structure and functioning of the surrounding environment; (iii) establish and implement monitoring systems for A. ferox that provide the scientific evidence required to inform responsive management practices; (iv) ensure that collection and management activities are carried out under legitimate tenure arrangements and comply with relevant laws, regulations, and agreements; (v) ensure that the customary rights of local and indigenous communities to access their land, including indigenous/traditional knowledge associated with A. ferox, and to manage collection/harvesting areas are recognized, respected, and integrated into the permitting and decision-making processes; (vi) ensure that through fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the biotrade and bioprospecting of A. ferox, the conservation and sustainable use of the species is promoted, and the livelihoods of communities are enhanced; (vii) promote transnational management of A. ferox across its natural range in South Africa and Lesotho. The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism is the lead implementing agent for this BMP. An Aloe ferox community of practice shall be established to support the oversight of the BMP implementation.
The second Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) aims to ensure the long-term survival of C. subternata and C. intermedia populations in the wild, while safeguarding and respecting the livelihoods of stakeholders. This involves undertaking specific activities to enable sustainable utilization of the species and implementing systems to monitor the ongoing impacts of commercial extraction. To achieve this, the following 7 objectives have been identified during the BMP's development, supported by various actions outlined in its Action Plan (i) ensure that wild collection of C. subternata and C. intermedia is carried out in an ecologically sound and sustainable manner that maintains the long-term survival of the species in the wild; (ii) ensure that wild collection of C. subternata and C. intermedia does not adversely affect the environment, including ecosystem function; (iii) ensure that collection and management activities are carried out under legitimate tenure arrangements and comply with relevant laws, regulations, and agreements; (iv) ensure that through fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the biotrade and bioprospecting of C. subternata and C. intermedia, the conservation and sustainable use of honeybush species is promoted; (v) ensure wild collection of C. subternata and C. intermedia is based upon adaptive, practical, participatory, and transparent management practices; (vi) inform management practices that can rationally be applied to other commercial Cyclopia species, whether reseeders or resprouters; (vii) ensure the protection and management of genetic C. subternata and C. intermedia resources.
While Aloe ferox and honeybush share overarching conservation goals like sustainable harvesting, legal compliance, community benefit sharing, monitoring, and habitat protection, their specific strategies diverge. Aloe ferox emphasizes training, impact assessment, and integrated land management (including fire and alien plant control), alongside research into its ecology and genetics. Honeybush, however, focuses on robust resource monitoring, traceability systems (TOPS), IUCN Red List assessments, and distinct strategies for stakeholder training, information sharing, and accreditation and certification within its commercial sector. Essentially, honeybush has a more detailed approach to resource management and market integration, while Aloe ferox prioritizes broader ecological management and foundational research.