Effective conservation action: Evaluating the implementation of the Core Flora Sites, a systematic conservation plan

Systematic conservation plans (SCP) are well advanced in many countries but there is a lack of evidence as to if they guide effective conservation action. This paper focuses on one of the earliest SCP in South Africa, undertaken in the late 1990s in the lowlands of the City of Cape Town. Case studies that explore SCP evaluation, including the achievement of objectives are rare. This case study presents a long-standing SCP allowing for the interrogation of over 24 years of material on conservation effort in a critical biodiversity hotspot in the Global South. To effectively evaluate the plan and draw lessons, a novel framework that is relevant to both context and moment is presented. Through this systematic interrogation, it is evident that the implementation of SCPs must be viewed as a continuous endeavour, which takes many years to show continuous results after the initial quick gains. The case of the Core Flora Sites also brings to light the importance of spatial planning, effective partnerships, support of decision makers, stable institutional arrangements, good governance, and supportive policies and legislation. The importance of champions, who are proactive and innovative, are shown to be central to the slow process of continuous successful conservation implementation. Stakeholder and community involvement, and education and awareness are critical to ongoing conservation effort.