From decline to recovery: Turning the tide for South Africa’s threatened plants

GAUTENG – Each year, Reverse the Red Day on 7 February shines a spotlight on a powerful idea: extinction is not inevitable. With the right knowledge, partnerships and action, species that are slipping towards extinction can be stabilised and, in some cases, brought back from the brink.

South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) 2025, accessible via: https://nba.sanbi.org.za/, provides clear evidence that species recovery is possible and that targeted interventions can make a measurable difference. 

South Africa is home to remarkable plant diversity and 67% of South Africa’s plant species are endemic, but many species (an estimated 17%) face elevated extinction risk. The NBA 2025 tracks these risks through national assessments using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species global standard, and highlights how species recovery is increasingly being addressed through prioritised, evidence-based interventions. Rather than treating recovery as an emergency response, the NBA presents it as a structured process focused on addressing the specific drivers of decline. 

With over 3 000 plant species threatened with extinction, and 293 Critically Endangered and Endangered plant species needing urgent recovery projects, multiple interventions to address threatened species declines are required. Recovery actions range from habitat protection and restoration to managing invasive species and reducing unsustainable use. Importantly, the NBA shows that recovery efforts are most effective when they are designed with social and ecological realities in mind. 

A recovery in action: the Pepper Bark tree

One of the clearest recovery examples highlighted in the NBA 2025 is the pepper bark tree (Warburgia salutaris), a culturally significant medicinal plant. The species experienced severe declines due to overharvesting and was previously listed as Endangered on South Africa’s Red List. Rather than relying solely on strict protection, recovery efforts focused on reducing pressure on wild populations while supporting continued use. Cultivated plants were supplied to traditional healers and growers, providing an alternative to harvesting from the wild. This approach directly addressed the root cause of the species’ decline. 

The recovery of Warburgia salutaris was not driven by a single institution, but by sustained collaboration across sectors. Conservation organisations, government agencies, traditional healers and local communities worked together to address the drivers of decline. Partners including the Endangered Wildlife Trust, with support from Sappi, provincial conservation authorities, protected area agencies and botanical institutions, focused on reducing pressure on wild populations while enabling continued, sustainable use. This collective approach combined scientific evidence, traditional knowledge and on-the-ground action demonstrating how shared responsibility and long-term partnerships are central to successful species recovery. 

As a result, the conservation status of Warburgia salutaris has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable — a rare and encouraging example of a species moving to a lower risk category. While continued management is needed, this shift demonstrates that targeted, collaborative action can reverse extinction risk. 

Why species recovery matters

Species recovery is not only about saving individual plants. The NBA 2025 highlights that plant species underpin ecosystem health, supporting pollinators, stabilising soils, regulating water flows and contributing to resilient landscapes. Recovering threatened plants therefore strengthens ecosystems and supports livelihoods, particularly where species are culturally or economically important.

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The example of Warburgia salutaris shows that conservation outcomes are strongest when recovery efforts align biodiversity protection with sustainable use and community involvement. 

Recovery is possible, but it requires commitment, coordination and long-term investment. Partnerships across sectors and practical interventions on the ground are essential to turn declining trends around. Reversing the Red is ultimately about turning knowledge into action ensuring that South Africa’s extraordinary plant diversity continues to support ecosystems, cultures and livelihoods for generations to come. Read more about plant species recovery here: https://nba.sanbi.org.za/content/species/sp_plants.html#species-recovery and be sure to join the CREW Programme and become a citizen scientist for plants!