P062. (Il)licit Online Supply of Succulents from the Succulent Karoo

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Abstract

Wild flora is integral to virtually all ecosystems, yet they face continuous threats and decline worldwide. The immense popularity of rare succulents among collectors is a potential impetus for the growing il(licit) wildlife trade (IWT) in cacti and other succulents. One of the worst affected regions is also one of the most biodiverse arid hotspots – the Succulent Karoo (SK) in South Africa. SK is an active supply hub for succulent trade. The poaching of SK succulents has received international attention since local populations purportedly turned to IWT for livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lack of alternative economic activities and widespread poverty.

Despite the threats IWT poses to plants and biodiversity, “plant blindness” contributes to a systemic lack of research into the plant trade and its implications for society and nature under climate change. This research fills this gap, focusing on the flourishing trading of succulents. By combining ethnographic case study and social network analysis of the (il)licit offline harvesting and online distribution of wild SK succulents, this study aims to illuminate the structure of the supply network, linking the material and virtual spaces. This study will also focus on the roles and responsibilities of human and non-human entities in the formal sector, such as government officials, collector circles, legitimate nurseries, and social media platforms, in order to provide a well-rounded and nuanced critique of international and domestic conservation laws and their respective enforcement.

This study will contribute to academic discourse on international green criminology, especially the lesser examined flora offenses. It also aims to stimulate debates on the effectiveness and potential of existing legal instruments in conservation, paving the way for the development of an ethical and sustainable framework in wildlife trade that counters the decline of ecosystem health and yet resonates with local communities.

Author

• Cleo Wong, University of Manchester