258: South African 'super plant' could benefit climate

Thanks very much - once again - to RTBH reader Stacey, for sending in today's linked story from South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper. The article reports recent research findings from South Africa's Eastern Cape region, which suggest that an indigenous plant called spekboom (also known as elephant's food) can sequester vast quantities of carbon as it grows. Spekboom is a succulent that can grow to around 2.5m in height, even in very dry conditions. Under such conditions, it has been shown to sequester about 4.2 tons of carbon per hectare per annum. Much of the spekboom found in the Cape has become degraded, but if restored in significant quantities, it would not only absorb carbon and benefit the environment, it could also generate much needed employment and - the South African researchers hope - earn revenue if traded through carbon credit schemes. There may be other spin-off benefits, including plant extracts - and of course food for elephants and other wildlife. Definitely worth exploring...