The Value of Fynbos

Fynbos is a valuable treasure for all South Africans. It brings direct income when harvested for the flower markets or for medicine. It also attracts millions of tourists from across the world who come to appreciate it. Together fynbos harvesting and tourism generate about R77 million per year, according to a study by Turpie et al (2003) which assessed the economic value of the Cape Floristic Region.

The fynbos ecosystem also provides us with free services:

• Fynbos flowers provide food for honeybees when they are not being used to pollinate fruit trees.
• Fynbos uses a lot less water than invasive alien plants like Black Wattle trees. Therefore, fynbos areas allow more water to run off the land and into rivers and dams.