One of the major problems for the long-term survival of Streptocarpus species in the wild is the human threat to their habitats. They often grow in forests, often only forest patches in the grassland savannah regions. Along the Tanzanian coast these forests occur on higher altitude inselbergs which form the so-called Eastern Arc Mountains. They are isolated mountain outcrops that dot the coastal plain. As these areas are at higher altitudes and are cooler, malaria mosquitoes do not occur there, and they are therefore preferred for human habitation. Further south along the east coast of Africa to almost the southern tip of Africa, there is a recurrence of these forest patches in which Streptocarpus occur. These forests can be used to supply firewood, and crops can be grown in cleared areas. This puts the forest that serves as a shaded habitat for Streptocarpus under severe threat. Unless efforts are made to protect these forest habitats, they will disappear and with them Streptocarpus will disappear from their natural habitats. A notable forest restoration project is currently being undertaken in the Udzungwa mountains in central Tanzania where a number of rare Streptocarpus species survive including some of the former Saintpaulia species (https://udzungwacorridor.co.tz/)
In Madagascar, the eastern coastal rainforests are being removed at an alarming rate as they are cleared for growing rice in paddies with fragile earthen walls. This is a habitat for many Streptocarpus species (many of which have not even been described) but also for a vast array of orchids, and actual forest trees including ebony, as well as many lemur species. The cyclones that hit Madagascar in autumn result in torrential rains which wash away the cleared rice paddies, and this is threatening the sea reefs off the Eastern shores of Madagascar as well. International conservation authorities are obviously aware of this catastrophic situation, but large areas which were suitable habitats for Streptocarpus have been destroyed. Again, through the efforts of conservationists, some areas are being reforested and there are huge efforts to stop further deforestation. A simple google search with keywords “East Madagascan conservation projects” would reveal the extent of current conservation efforts in the area.
Many Streptocarpus do, however, grow in very inhospitable areas such as on gorge walls and in crevices on steep mountain slopes and are under less threat.
Ecological restoration and conservation of habitats will therefore be ever more important in future. For this reason, financial support for such projects is a hugely important consideration for hobbyists and horticulturists.