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A Carbon Sequestration Champion
Spekboom is exceptional at pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into plant biomass and soils. Under optimal conditions, spekboom thicket can store up to 200 tonnes of carbon per hectare (Mills et al., 2005), comparable to tropical forests in terms of carbon density.
Even more impressively, restored spekboom thicket can sequester 4–10 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per hectare per year (Mills & Cowling, 2014). In semi-arid systems where few species can thrive, this makes spekboom one of the most cost-effective natural climate solutions available.
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A Keystone for Biodiversity Recovery
The Subtropical Thicket biome is home to a variety of rare and threatened species — from the Addo flightless dung beetle (Circellium bacchus) to the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra).
Degraded landscapes, often reduced to bare soil and scattered shrubs after decades of overgrazing, lose much of their wildlife. Spekboom planting accelerates canopy recovery, providing food, shelter, and microclimates that enable a cascade of ecological benefits (Sigwela et al., 2009).
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Resilience in a Changing Climate
Spekboom is remarkably drought-tolerant and can survive extended dry periods thanks to its Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis pathway (Guralnick & Gladsky, 2017). This adaptation allows it to open its stomata at night, reducing water loss — an essential trait for climate-resilient restoration in South Africa’s arid zones.
It also resprouts readily from cuttings, meaning large-scale restoration can proceed without intensive nursery infrastructure, keeping costs down and enabling rapid scaling.
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Economic and Social Impact
Restoring spekboom thicket is not only good for the planet — it is good for people. Large-scale planting projects create seasonal and permanent employment in rural communities, often in areas with limited economic opportunities.
In the Eastern Cape, projects like Return To Thicket provide jobs in planting, maintenance, monitoring, and fire prevention, alongside accredited environmental training. This approach supports local livelihoods while building skills for long-term ecological stewardship (Driver et al., 2012).
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The Road Ahead
While the potential of spekboom is immense, restoration success depends on site selection, planting density, and long-term management. Without proper protection from browsing livestock and wildlife, mortality rates can be high (Powell et al., 2018).
That is why Return To Thicket invests heavily in fencing, community engagement, and adaptive management — ensuring each hectare planted can thrive for decades to come.
