Scattered through South Africa, you can find an endangered habitat type called ‘the sand forest’. It’s a habitat known for its unique, rich biodiversity and geographical sparsity. Unfortunately, more and more sand forests are lost due to agriculture and human expansion. Thanks to the work of John Steward and Wendy Hapgood from Wild Tomorrow Fund, one patch of sand forest, located in the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, got a chance to revive. In this article, we talk to them and to Greg Canning, the reserve manager on site.  

If we look at the sand forest as a habitat, it is a wonderful creation of nature. Sand forests are fossilized sand dunes, where total ecosystems came to life. Historically, the sand forest has never been very abundant across South Africa. However, in north-eastern South Africa (the Maputaland region and biodiversity hotspot), where the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve is located, which surrounds the Greater Ukuwela Nature Park, there used to be a fair amount. 

Over the years, habitat destruction, deforestation – in particular for agricultural purposes – and an expanding human population have become major threats to the sand forests. In addition, the impact of climate change has been an increasing threat. As the habitat has a very narrow environmental range, any kind of abrupt change will most likely damage the sand forest. 

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Website: www.wildtomorrowfund.org 

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