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Box 2.1. Social Consequences of Biodiversity Degradation (SG-SAfMA)The basic needs of the AmaXhosa people in South Africa are met by ecosystem services, including fuelwood, medicinal plants, building materials, cultural species, food supplements, and species of economic value. When asked by researchers about their relationship with the natural environment, a local responded “I am entirely dependent on the environment. Everything that I need comes from this environment” and “[the environment] will be important forever because if you have something from the environment it does encourage you to love the environment.” Respondents often described positive emotional and physical symptoms when the environment is healthy: “When the environment is healthy, my body and spirit is also happy.” And when describing people’s feelings toward a healthy environment, a respondent stated that “people love such an environment. They really adore it. Such an environment makes them feel free.” In addition, respondents described the feelings of peace when walking in the bush and how they would go into the natural environment to pray. The beliefs and traditions of the AmaXhosa play an important role in guiding resource use and management and encouraging values to be place-centered. The ancestors are central to this cosmology, where the very identity of a Xhosa person is based on performing traditions and rituals for ancestors. The majority of respondents stated that practicing traditions and thus communicating with ancestors is what is of value to a Xhosa person. A number of sites and species are fundamental to the performance of rituals and maintaining a relationship with the ancestors. When respondents were asked what would happen if these sites were to be destroyed, they replied “It means that the ancestors would be homeless.” “That can’t happen here at this village because our health depends entirely on these sites,” and “it means that our culture is dead.” Source:
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment |
