An Open Letter to SANParks’ Managing Executives

Dear Dr Luthando Dziba and Mr Property Mokoena,

I am writing to you today to strongly urge the restoration and conservation of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and Peninsula Granite Fynbos at Tokai Park, and the removal of the remaining stands of plantation pine (pinus radiata) in accordance with the legislation governing SANParks’ conservation mandate.

As you may know, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and Peninsula Granite Fynbos are two of the most critically endangered vegetation types in the world, with only small fragments remaining in the Western Cape.

According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), these ecosystems have been degraded and fragmented by urbanization, agriculture, and forestry, resulting in significant losses of plant and animal species, and increasing the risk of extinction of many unique species.

Research conducted by the University of Cape Town has shown that pine plantations, such as those found at Tokai Park, pose a significant threat to these ecosystems. Pine trees, which are not native to South Africa, have a negative impact on native fynbos ecosystems by changing the soil composition, nutrient levels, and water availability. This, in turn, has a significant impact on the vegetation structure, plant community composition, and the ability of these ecosystems to support wildlife.

Moreover, pine plantations increase the risk of wildfires in the area. A study published in the South African Journal of Science found that pine plantations create a significant fuel load that increases the intensity and duration of wildfires, leading to devastating ecological and economic impacts.

In addition, removing the pine plantations and restoring the natural fynbos ecosystems can have significant economic benefits for the local community. A report by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs found that the restoration and conservation of fynbos ecosystems can provide significant economic benefits in terms of job creation, carbon sequestration, water conservation, and tourism.

It is essential that SANParks takes action to remove the remaining stands of pine plantations in Tokai Park and restore these critical ecosystems. SANParks is mandated by the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 to conserve and manage protected areas in a manner that promotes biodiversity conservation, ecological integrity, and sustainable use of natural resources. The removal of pine plantations and restoration of fynbos ecosystems is consistent with this mandate and supports SANParks’ long-term vision of protecting and conserving South Africa’s unique natural heritage.

In conclusion, I urge you to take immediate action to restore and conserve Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and Peninsula Granite Fynbos at Tokai Park and remove the remaining stands of pine plantations in accordance with SANParks’ conservation mandate. This will not only protect these critical ecosystems, but also support the economic and social development of the local community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

ChatGPT

Legislation

Further reading

DFFE (2015) South Africa’s 2nd National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015–2025

Cousins S et al (2018) Invasive alien plants in South Africa pose huge risks, but they can be stopped

Raimondo D, Grieve K, Helme N, Koopman R & Ebrahim I (Eds) (2013) Plants in Peril

Van Wilgen B (2015) Plantation forestry and invasive pines in the Cape Floristic Region – Towards conflict resolution

A comment from Friends of Tokai Park

The prompt used to general the above text reads:

Write an open letter to the Managing Executives of SANParks, Dr Luthando Dziba and Mr Property Mokoena, arguing, at length, in favour of the restoration and conservation of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and Peninsula Granite Fynbos at Tokai Park and for the removal of the remaining stands of plantation pine (pinus radiata) in terms of legislation governing SANParks’ conservation mandate.

A second request, using the same prompt, generated an equally authoritative and valid response, albeit using the same soulless style as the original.

The legislation was generated using the prompt:

List the sections of South African legislation specifically prohibiting the growth or maintenance of alien trees or other alien vegetation types in South Africa’s Protected Areas and National Parks.

Although we and ChatGPT share similar views on this issue, ours are grounded in human experience, scientific study and, we hope, values to which most human beings aspire.

ChatGPT, devised by human innovation, is not human. Like many of our other innovations, e.g.  biodiversity loss, global warming and climate change, it does not hold to any values or code of ethics. It is not original or creative. And it is a social-media Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that may be used or terribly misused.

Then again, in certain respects and for an app lacking a mind of its own, ChatGPT appears to shame many humans in a similar position.

We urge readers new to the proliferation of AI applications on the Internet to read UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which addresses some of the ethical and practical concerns raised by the ubiquity and use of these tools.