Illegal Harvesting Threatens South Africa’s Succulent Biodiversity

南非多肉植物面臨滅絕危機　非法採集成元凶

Global demand for Southern Africa’s unique succulent plants has fueled widespread illegal harvesting, particularly in South Africa’s Northern Cape, placing hundreds of rare species at risk of extinction. According to a report by TRAFFIC, over 1.6 million illegally collected succulents were seized between 2019 and 2024. Factors such as drought linked to climate change and the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified poaching, driving it further into the realm of organized crime.

The trade harms ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and disrupts local communities. Legal nursery owners struggle to compete with the illegal trade, while some young people are drawn into trafficking. Demand from online buyers, international collectors, and lifestyle trends like “plant parenting” has contributed to illegal harvesting activities. Experts warn that without stricter law enforcement and conservation efforts, much of the region’s succulent heritage could be lost.

由於全球對南非特有多肉植物的需求，促使了大規模的非法採集行為（尤其是在南非的北開普省），使得數百種稀有物種面臨滅絕的風險。根據國際野生物貿易研究委員會（編按：全名為 Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce，是一個監測野生動植物貿易的全球性非政府組織，致力於保護生物多樣性，推動合法且可持續的野生物貿易，同時打擊非法貿易行為）的一份報告，從 2019 年到 2024 年之間，查獲的非法採集多肉植物超過一百六十萬株。與氣候變遷相關的乾旱以及新冠肺炎疫情帶來的社會經濟影響等因素加劇了盜採活動，進一步將其推向有組織犯罪的領域。

這種貿易損害了生態系統、降低了生物多樣性，也擾亂了當地社區。合法苗圃業者難以與這種非法交易競爭，而有些年輕人也被吸引加入非法走私行列。網路買家、國際收藏家以及「植物育成」（編按：指像照顧小孩或寵物一樣地照顧植物）等生活風潮的需求促成了非法採集活動。專家警告，如果沒有更嚴格的執法與保育措施，該地區許多的多肉植物資產恐將消失… 閱讀完整內容