Ecological Fire and Propagation Research to Secure the Critically Endangered Tradouw Conebush

Jessi Venter

Other project team members: Philip Daries, Rachel Rosina Jacobz, Bella Liebenberg, Marthinus Marius Piek and Sibella Louw

The Tradouw conebush (Leucadendron tradouwense) is a Critically Endangered, fire-dependent fynbos species now restricted to a single population in the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, Western Cape. The loss of its historic population in the Tradouw Pass highlights its vulnerability to inappropriate fire regimes, invasive alien plants that increase fire intensity, and the absence of effective propagation methods. Without intervention, a single poorly timed wildfire could eliminate the species. The project aims to secure the species’ survival by restoring ecological processes, developing propagation capacity, and strengthening local conservation skills. The project purpose is to enable successful regeneration of the remaining population and establish the foundations for a second, spatially independent population. Key methods include planning and implementing a carefully timed ecological burn, informed by seasonality and fuel-load assessments; conducting seed and cutting propagation trials under specialist mentorship; and analysing soil chemistry and microbial communities to identify conditions that support establishment. Training in Proteaceae propagation and ecological fire management will be delivered through hands-on mentorship and accredited training. Expected outputs include a regenerated population, propagation protocols, soil baseline data analysis, and a trained team of early-career conservationists.

Watch the project video: