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GENERAL NOTICE

NORTHERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE CONSERVATION

Notice X of 2010

NAMAKWA BIOREGIONAL PLAN IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004 (Act No. 10 of

2004)

This Bioregional Plan entitled “Namakwa Bioregional Plan” is hereby published by the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

This Bioregional Plan is available at http://bgis.sanbi.org

Namakwa Bioregional Plan Page 1

Contents

CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... 1

1 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................... 7

2 BIODIVERSITY PROFILE .......................................................................................... 7

2.1 CLIMATE .................................................................................................................................. 8

2.2 NATURAL RESOURCES .............................................................................................................. 9

2.2.1 Land .................................................................................................................. 9

2.2.2 Water ................................................................................................................. 9

2.3 BIODIVERSITY OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................ 10

2.4 ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES ....................................................................................................... 11

2.4.1 A note on ecosystem services ......................................................................... 11

2.4.2 Ecosystem Services – What our environment does for us. .............................. 12

2.4.3 Net Primary production .................................................................................... 13

2.4.4 Water production ............................................................................................. 13

2.4.5 Species movement corridors and climatic refuges ........................................... 13

2.5 PATTERNS OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER ............................................................................... 14

2.6 STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY ....................................................................................................... 20

2.6.1 Threatened Species ......................................................................................... 20

2.6.2 Ecosystem Status ............................................................................................ 21

2.6.3 Levels of Protection ......................................................................................... 21

2.6.4 Present ecological state of rivers ..................................................................... 22

2.7 AGENTS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS ............................................................................................. 23

2.7.1 Alien plants and animals .................................................................................. 23

2.7.2 Veld management ............................................................................................ 24

2.7.3 Transformation of natural landscapes .............................................................. 25

2.7.4 Harvesting of natural resources ....................................................................... 25

2.8 BIODIVERSITY CATEGORIES FOR LAND USE PLANNING ............................................................... 25

3 MAP ........................................................................................................................ 26

3.1 DEFINITION OF CBA‟S ............................................................................................................ 28

3.2 WHAT IS ON THE CBA MAP? ................................................................................................... 32

3.3 PUTTING THE CBA MAP TOGETHER ........................................................................................ 34

3.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE CBA MAP ................................................................................................ 35

3.5 DESCRIPTION OF CBA‟S FOR THE NAMAKWA DISTRICT ............................................................ 36

4 GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................... 42

4.1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAND-USE PLANNING IN THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT ................... 42

4.2 NOTES ON APPLYING THE LAND USE GUIDELINES ...................................................................... 50


4.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAND-USE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE AQUATIC

ENVIRONMENT. .................................................................................................................................... 51

4.3.1 Context for Water Resource Management in the Municipality .......................... 51

4.3.2 Legal Obligations ............................................................................................. 52

4.3.3 Recommendations for land-use planning and management actions relating to aquatic ecosystems ..................................................................................................... 58

4.3.4 Specific Guidelines for Land Use Activities that may impact Aquatic Ecosystems 59

4.3.5 Key References relating to land use in the aquatic environment ...................... 66

4.3.6 Roles and responsibilities for managing water resources ................................. 66

5 MONITORING AND REVIEWING ............................................................................. 67

5.1 LEAD IMPLEMENTING AGENCY ................................................................................................ 67

5.2 IDENTIFYING MONITORING INDICATORS ................................................................................... 67

5.3 APPROACHES TOWARDS MONITORING ..................................................................................... 67

5.3.1 Continuous Monitoring ..................................................................................... 67

5.3.2 Periodic Monitoring .......................................................................................... 68

5.4 REVIEWING AND REPORTING .................................................................................................. 68

6 GIS FILES ............................................................................................................... 68


Acronyms, Abbreviations and Glossary

Biodiversity The wide variety of plant and animal species in their natural environment. The term encompasses different ecosystems, communities, populations and genes.

Biodiversity offsets Conservation activities intended to compensate for the residual, unavoidable harm to biodiversity caused by development projects. Compensation for biodiversity loss resulting from authorised changes in land use. Can include assigning stewardship or protected area status to remaining conservation-worthy land or making a financial bequest for purposes of biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity priority map A map that indicates priority areas for safeguarding to ensure the continued existence of biodiversity and its ecological processes.

Community A collection of interacting species in the same geographic area;

Connectivity “Functional” connectivity refers to the ability of connective corridors to sustain ecosystem processes common to linked patches (it is the opposite of fragmentation).

Conservation The safeguarding of biodiversity and its processes (often referred to as biodiversity conservation).

Delineate [a wetland] Determine the boundary of a wetland based on soil, vegetation, and/or hydrological indicators.

DTEC Department Tourism, Environment and Conservation

Dynamic ecosystems are those which are highly mobile (e.g. driftsands, dunefields) or prone to change (e.g. mouth of an estuary, floodplains, areas of subsidence).

DWAF Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

Ecology The study of ecosystems and the interaction of living and non-living components within those systems

Ecosystem The system of relationships and interactions between plants animals and the non-living environment (e.g. soil, air). Ecosystems can operate at different scales – from very small (a small pond) to whole landscapes (an entire water catchment area). An ecosystem is a working system, maintained by internal ecological processes. The totality of factors of all kinds, living and non-living, which make up a particular environment; the complex of a biotic community and its abiotic, physical environment, functioning as an ecological unit in nature. In the Biodiversity Priorities Map, different types of vegetation were recognised as ecosystems.

Ecological corridor Habitat, ecosystems or undeveloped areas that physically connect habitat patches. Smaller, intervening


patches of surviving habitat can also serve as “stepping stones” that link fragmented ecosystems by ensuring that certain ecological processes are maintained within and between groups of habitat fragments.

Ecological process Natural operations which occur within ecosystems and maintain them as working systems. Ecosystems work because they are kept “alive” by ecological processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling, disturbance (e.g. fire), migration of species or soil maintenance. Other examples of processes include plant-herbivore processes, diversification of plant lineages along soil type transitions and lowland to upland gradients, natural fire regimes, predator-prey relationships, migration and exchange between inland and coastal biota (often along river corridors), faunal seasonal migration and hydrologic regimes.

Ecosystem status Describes the condition of an area‟s biodiversity relative to past, present and future threats, and is an indicator of the level of safeguarding required for the continued existence of the biodiversity which is found in that particular area. Ecosystem status of terrestrial ecosystems is based on the degree of habitat loss that has occurred in each ecosystem, relative to two thresholds: one for maintaining healthy ecosystem functioning, and one for conserving the majority of species associated with the ecosystem. As natural habitat is lost in an ecosystem, its functioning is increasingly compromised, leading eventually to the collapse of the ecosystem and to loss of species associated with that ecosystem.

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMF Environmental Management Framework

Endemic A plant or animal species, or a vegetation type, which is naturally restricted to a particular defined region (not to be confused with indigenous). For example, a plant may be endemic to South Africa in which case it grows naturally anywhere in the country, or endemic only to the Moorresberg area, which means it is restricted to this very small area and grows naturally no where else in the country or for that matter, in the world.

Fragmentation [of habitat] The breaking up of a continuous habitat, ecosystem, or land-use type into smaller fragments.

Function/functioning/functional Used here to describe natural systems working or operating in a healthy way (opposite to dysfunctional which means working poorly or in an unhealthy way)

GIS Geographical Information Systems

Habitat The natural home of a plant or animal species. Generally those features of an area inhabited by animal or plant which are essential to its survival. The habitat


of a frog might be a wetland, whereas the habitat of a kudu is veld with tall shrubs and trees which it feeds off.

IDP Integrated Development Plan

Indigenous Naturally occurring or “native” to a broad area, such as South Africa.

Intact/ecological integrity Used here to describe natural environment that is not badly damaged, and is still operating healthily.

Invasive alien species Invasive alien species means any non-indigenous plant or animal species whose establishment and spread outside of its natural range threatens natural ecosystems, habitats or other species or has the potential to threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species; and may result in economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.

Mitigate To take actions to reduce the impact of a particular proposal.

NEMA National Environmental Management Act

NGO Non-governmental organisations

NSBA National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment

Pristine Unspoiled, used here to describe the natural environment in its undisturbed state.

Precautionary principle In the face of uncertainty about the workings of ecosystems and the effects of our actions, we should always err on the side of caution. Incomplete or inadequate data are generally the norm in conservation and resource management actions. Actions, or refraining from potentially harmful actions should be based on the probable consequences to species, habitats, and ecosystems, especially when long-term or irreversible consequences are more likely than not (Mundy 1998).

PSDF Provincial Spatial Development Framework

Threatened ecosystem In the context of this booklet, Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable ecosystems.

Red Data Book or Red List provides information on threatened species: endangered species are most at risk of extinction, followed by rare and vulnerable species

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SDF Spatial Development Framework

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment

SoER State of Environment Report

SPC Spatial Planning Category

Sustainable development Development that meets the needs of both present and future development, equitably. In terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, “(sustainable) development is the integration of social,


economic and environmental factors into planning, implementation and decision-making so as to ensure that development serves present and future generations.”

Systematic conservation (biodiversity) plan. An approach to conservation that prioritises actions by setting quantitative targets for biodiversity features such as broad habitat units or vegetation types. It is premised on conserving a representative sample of biodiversity pattern, including species and habitats (the principle of representation), as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that maintain biodiversity over time (the principle of persistence).

Transformation [habitat loss] Clearing an area of its indigenous vegetation. These transformed parts of the landscape no longer contain indigenous habitat. In many areas, this has led to the breakdown of natural ecological processes.

WMA Water Management Area


1 Introduction and Objectives

This product is intended to help guide land-use planning, environmental assessments and authorisations; and, natural resource management in order to promote development which occurs in a sustainable manner. It has been developed to further the awareness of the unique biodiversity in the area, the value this biodiversity represents to people as well as the management mechanisms that can ensure its protection and sustainable utilization.

The purpose of this document is to ensure that biodiversity information can be accessed and utilized by local municipalities within the Namakwa District Municipality (NDM) to inform land use planning and development as well as decision making processes within the NDM.

In terms of the National Environment Management Act (NEMA) 107 of 1998, all organs of state are obligated to take biodiversity considerations into account and to ensure decisions are informed by the most up to date information. NEMA also states that, although the environment is a functional area of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence, all spheres of government and all organs of state must co-operate with, consult and support one another. Use of the CBA map and associated land use guidelines will support municipalities and other sectors as they provide a common reference point of Critical Biodiversity Areas in the NDM for incorporation into multi-sectoral planning processes.

Users of this document and map products should include all sectors involved in land-use planning and decision-making, as well as other multi-sectoral planning processes. The products provide a common point of reference for municipal officials, planning and environmental professionals, National and Provincial Environmental Departments, National & Provincial Agricultural Departments, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Department of Minerals and Energy, Department of Land Affairs, Department of Local Government & Housing, Department of Public Works, Catchment Management Associations; and all organs of state preparing guidelines in terms of section 74 of the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations. Programmes such as Working for Water, Working for Wetlands, LandCare, CoastCare; private landowners, estate agents, the general public and conservation NGOs are also recommended users.

2 Biodiversity Profile

Located within the Succulent Karoo - one of only two semi-arid biodiversity hotspots in the world, and exhibiting by far the highest plant diversity of any arid ecosystem - the Namakwa District Municipality (NDM) is located in the North West of South Africa. It covers Succulent Karoo (winter rainfall) and Nama Karoo (summer rainfall) arid systems as well as a small part of the Mediterranean-climate Fynbos in the extreme SW of the District. Having both summer and winter rainfall arid zones in the DM means that it is an area containing an exceptional variety of biodiversity.

Spanning approximately 12.686M ha, the NDM is the biggest District in South Africa and spans from the Lower Orange River in the North to the border of the Western Cape in the South. This area includes Namaqualand, which comprises of approximately one third of the Succulent Karoo biome, and lies within four of the six Local Municipalities within the NDM (namely, the Richtersveld, Nama Khoi, Khai Ma and Kamiesberg local municipalities). The


lower two municipalities (Hantam and Karoo Hoogland) are characterized by Nama Karoo vegetation.

Figure 1. Local Municipalities in the Namakwa District

Namaqualand contains about 3500 plant species in 135 families and 724 genera, with about 25% of this flora endemic to the region. It is also home to an exceptionally high level of insect and reptile endemism, with new species still being discovered. This remarkable diversity is not distributed evenly throughout the region, but is concentrated in many local centres of endemism.

Most of the 108 118 people living within the NDM speak Afrikaans, and Christianity is the dominant religion – a result of the extensive impact of early missionaries in the area. The seat of the District Municipality lies in Springbok (within the Nama Khoi Local Municipality)

2.1 Climate

The climate in the west of the NDM, or Succulent Karoo parts, is characterised by relatively reliable, although minimal (50–400mmpa) winter rainfall (>60% arriving between May and September). The east of the NDM lies in the Nama Karoo and despite receiving similar total annual rainfall this comes predominately in late summer (February-April) as violent thunderstorms and can be highly variable when and where it falls. The presence of the cold Atlantic Ocean in the west not only moderates temperatures throughout Namaqualand


(mean summer temperature 30°C), but also provides an additional sources of moisture in the form of coastal fog and heavy dew experienced in winter months.

However, this pattern is likely to change, as the effects of global climate change lead scientists to the conclusion that the entire Succulent Karoo will most likely experience increased temperatures. It is projected that a 2°C increase in temperature in the area will lead to a 10% reduction in rainfall – a significant loss in an area that is already severely water restricted. This decrease in rainfall is projected to result in a 35% decrease in livestock carrying capacity over the coming 200 years. These projections point to the need for the development of alternative economic opportunities in the area, in order to successfully cope with the changes that are already underway.

2.2 Natural resources

2.2.1 Land

Land use in the majority of the NDM is defined by livestock grazing and mining – the two major economic drivers in the region. Some agriculture in the form of wheat and grape cultivation occurs in areas under irrigation and dry land rooibos tea production occurs on the Bokkeveld Escarpment. Another significant economic factor for the NDM‟s economy is “flower” tourism that is based on Namaqualand‟s fantastic annual wildflower displays that cover regions in a kaleidoscope of colour each spring. This is a distinctly seasonal aspect of the economy, lasting only eight to ten weeks, and being highly dependent on the timing and duration of the previous winter rains. However, there are indications that in recent years the regional ecotourism industry is diversifying (e.g. 4x4 and nature tourism) with greater numbers of tourists arriving throughout the year. River rafting is also a big industry on the Orange and Doring Rivers. On a good weekend the Orange can have upwards of 3000 paddlers per day on the river.

2.2.2 Water

The scarcity of water resources is a defining feature of this arid environment. The two main river systems – the Orange River on the northern boundary, and the Oliphant‟s/Doring River system that flows in a northwesterly direction through the Hantam and Karoo Hoogland Municipalities – are both under pressure from the clearing of land for agriculture and the encroachment of alien vegetation along river banks. Similarly, the high yielding water catchment areas of the high mountain areas – some of which provide a significant amount of fresh water to surrounding towns – are also demonstrating lower yields because of a lack of efficient water management strategies. In order to maintain ecosystem health and thereby ensure the sustainability of existing towns and land use practices it is critical for each municipality to safeguard these areas.

The health of the world‟s freshwater ecosystems has declined by 50% in the last 30 years, and up to 35% of the world‟s freshwater fish are now endangered, threatened or extinct. The deterioration of rivers not only results in a loss of freshwater species but also degrades the ability of the systems to provide the goods and services that people depend on. Estimates are that freshwater use is growing at 2.5 times the rate of the human population growth rate, with water demand in developing countries increasing by 50% in the next 25 years. Water resource managers and water users alike must alter their practices if we are to ensure that rivers continue to support both freshwater biodiversity and human life.

The conservation of aquatic (river, wetland and estuary) resources can help ensure that the region is able to withstand climate change, and sustain the NDM‟s people and globally


unique biodiversity in the face of climate change. Thus, effective water resource management is essential for all municipalities in the Northern Cape, especially since it is an extremely water limited area.

Wetlands are water storage areas - above and below ground. Their plant cover slows runoff, filters and purifies water and reduces the impacts of droughts and floods by regulating stream flow. Wetlands adjacent to streams and rivers provide temporary storage for peak floodwaters by allowing water to spread over the floodplain. This reduces downstream flood levels and thereby reduces the impact of flooding. Wetlands provide large surface areas to temporarily contain large volumes of water produced during wet weather. At the same time they filter out nutrients and suspended particles and thereby improve the quality of the water as it drains away.

Some of the main pressures affecting aquatic ecosystems include:

Conversion of wetlands and associated buffer areas for cropping agricultural (ploughing),

road crossings (construction and maintenance),

overgrazing and trampling (mostly by donkeys and cattle, also by goats and sheep),

inappropriate fire regimes (most often this means too frequent fires, at the wrong time of year), and

drainage (ditches / furrows), dams, or abstraction (pumps or boreholes).

2.3 Biodiversity overview

Biodiversity is the living component of the natural environment –and underpins both ecosystem processes and the provision of ecosystem services. Human wellbeing is intimately linked to these services especially where livestock production forms the basis of local culture and economies, and local water sources provide the bulk of domestic water needs.

Biodiversity is the basis for evolution and adaptation to changing environments, and can be seen as „life insurance for life itself‟. If we allow that biodiversity, and the capacity of ecosystems to deliver services, to deteriorate, people‟s wellbeing will suffer sooner or later. Biodiversity depends on its „pattern‟ and on „process‟. To conserve biodiversity, it is important to represent the full variety of patterns of living organisms, and to ensure their persistence by maintaining the space necessary for ecological processes to continue functioning.


Figure 2. SKEP priority areas

2.4 Ecological processes

In the Succulent Karoo, distinct processes have been associated with surface geology and soils, climate, topography, drainage systems, and the makeup of the remaining native vegetation. These features could be missed or only partly incorporated into land use plans unless they are specifically identified and targeted. Ideally, areas maintaining adaptive diversification (e.g. environmental gradients) or containing historically isolated populations should be identified and protected. The spatial aspect of ecological processes also need to be determined and such insights incorporated in conservation planning. Finally, connectivity within these areas should be ensured to maintain species migration and gene flow.

However, the spatial components of processes have rarely been considered in conservation planning – an approach that is also especially useful for development planning in biodiversity hotspots. Three types of ecological processes are discussed below.

2.4.1 A note on ecosystem services

“Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioning services such as food, water, timber, and fiber; regulating services that affect climate, floods, disease, wastes, and water quality; cultural services that provide


recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits; and supporting services such as soil formation, photosynthesis, and nutrient cycling”. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), 2005)

2.4.2 Ecosystem Services – What our environment does for us.

Terrestrial (or land) ecosystems provide valuable ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being. For example they can provide:

buffers against natural hazards such as fire and floods

carbon sequestration (storage), important for reducing the impacts of climate change

regulation of water supply grazing for wild animals and livestock

natural spaces for recreation &tourism

the air we breathe

spiritual, ritual and ceremonies

horticultural & wild flower industries

natural heritage

food, fibre and medicinal plants

Rivers are central to human welfare and economic development. They provide:

water for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses

flood attenuation and regulation

food and medicinal plants

transport and/or purification of biodegradable wastes

tourism, recreational and cultural use

enhanced property values

Estuaries, together with an associated buffer of natural vegetation, perform a number of valuable functions, especially in relation to:

subsistence fishing

commercial fisheries (as they provide a refuge for commercial fishes when they are young)

wildlife habitat e.g. nursery and refuge (providing habitat for amphibians, birds, fish and mammals for all or portions of their life cycles)

tourism, recreational, cultural use and craft materials

enhanced property values

Ecological corridors provide valuable ecosystem services that are often impossible or very costly to replicate or offset. For example they:

support the migration (movement) and long-term survival of plant and animal species and their ecological processes (e.g. fire, pollination, seed dispersal), in response to global climate change.


are important areas for storing carbon to reduce the impacts of global climate change.

are important areas for regulating water supply (e.g. filtering and storing drinking water, keeping excess nutrients out of wetlands and rivers, ensuring a high water yield from mountain catchments).

supply good quality water from mountain catchment areas, both surface and groundwater.

the supply of water quality and quantity is not only for human consumption but for ensuring the survival of downstream estuaries, wetlands (vleis) and streams (which in turn provide us with other ecosystem services).

are of important scenic value, contributing to tourism and the „sense of place‟.

Coastal & marine areas:

Subsistence & commercial fishing (food)

Medicinal & Cosmetic resources e.g. kelp & microscopic plants for the feed, food, cosmetics, & pharmaceutical industries.

Mining (sand and heavy mineral)

Recreational value (sport and fishing)

Retail value (market-value of housing)

2.4.3 Net Primary production

This critical ecological process involves the process of photosynthesis – which translates into the amount of carbon plants are able to fix on an annual basis. This is important for each LM within the district as the amount of carbon fixed translates directly into the amount of forage produced and thus made available for grazing. Consequently, livestock management directly impacts upon forage production as overgrazing reduces the vegetations‟ ability to maintain this ecosystem process. This ecological process is especially significant for the NDM, as the main land use comprises of livestock grazing. Therefore, this factor has a direct bearing on both the amount of food available for livestock, and the amount of plant material available with regard to reducing runoff in wetland areas.

2.4.4 Water production

The majority of municipalities and towns rely on groundwater or local water resources to supply to town with drinking water. Thus, the higher rainfall areas are key recharge zones for these groundwater resources. Consequently, land use management of these catchment areas is critical for the maintenance of the quality and quantity of water sourced from each area. For example, water courses and wetlands that have been cleared for agricultural purposes, or overgrazed, will not only cause soil erosion, but most importantly cause increased water runoff, thus reducing the amount of water that feeds back into the water table for consumption.

2.4.5 Species movement corridors and climatic refuges

Global climate change is undoubtedly one of the most significant threats to the Succulent Karoo in the coming decades. A key action to mitigate its effects is the maintenance of species‟ ability to migrate to new locations as the climatic conditions which they require


move across the landscape. These corridor and refuge migration strategies occur on both a micro and macro level.

Figure 3. Climate Change Refugia in the NDM

On the macro scale corridors provide for species movement at landscape scales. This entails the ability of fauna and flora to undertake large scale movements towards areas which continue to provide the conditions required by a species for growth and reproduction. Movements could entail migrations of up to hundreds of kilometers, and corridors of mostly natural or near natural vegetation across the landscape are needed to permit this to occur.

Climactic refuges can be localized areas that have moderated climates – such as mountain kloofs and south facing slopes. These areas provide cooler habitats where species under threat from changing climates can colonize. An example of an existing climactic refuge is the south facing slopes on the Bushmanland inselberg‟s which provide habitat for Succulent Karoo vegetation.

2.5 Patterns of land use and land cover

Approximately 90% of NDM is used for livestock grazing and production, with the remainder comprising of mining, agriculture and urban development. The main crops currently grown in the NDM include lucerne, oats, wheat and rooibos. Approximately 10% of the crops are planted near rivers for chance/accidental irrigation. The other approximately 90% is dry land crops, which are being planted in high rainfall areas with approximately 600mm/year.


Tourism is a seasonal but rapidly growing feature – with visitors to the region arriving almost exclusively between July and October in order take in the world renowned yearly flower display. Urban development is not a major feature of the landscape, and is not expected to increase much in the coming years.

It is hoped that the tourism industry will expand, and diversification of cropping – such as the sustainable harvesting of plants rich in essential oils – could prove a viable land use in the area. Emphasis must be placed on the development of alternative economic opportunities, as climate change is likely reduce the potential for livestock production in the NDM

Land use involves mostly cultivated dry lands and mining (diamonds, copper, base-metals, granite, sandstone and gypsum), as well as salt pans. Future pressures on biodiversity are likely to come from:

new mining development

expansion of crop agriculture

ostrich farming (an unsustainable land use in this area)

unsustainable use of natural resources, (especially due to overgrazing by sheep and goats), and

to a certain extent urban development

The 2002 “Social and Economic Conditions in Southern Africa Report” paints an alarming picture of how environmental degradation will hinder much needed economic growth in the region, if not urgently addressed. The report highlights that the exploitation of the natural environment in pursuit of achieving economic growth and poverty alleviation, does not come without consequence- adversely effecting land, water and soil quality and availability, pollution, desertification and forest cover levels. In addition, overexploitation not only results in environmental degradation, but also worsens poverty conditions - counteracting the very goal economic growth aims to achieve.

Vast opportunity awaits local governments – who are the key to implementing mechanisms and influencing local communities to adopt environmental best practices - in order to ensure that their own and future generation‟s livelihoods are effectively sustained

Note that current land cover indicators do not take into account degradation due to, for example, spread of alien plants, secondary impacts of mining (e.g. sand mobilization) or overgrazing by livestock.


Tabel 1. A summary of the extent (% of total LM area) of different land cover categories for local municipalities based on 2005 SPOT5 satellite imagery.

LM Name Natural Cultivated Dryland

Cultivated Irrigated

Mining Settlement

DMA Bushmanland 99.75 0.17 0.02 0.04 0.02

DMA Tankwa 98.69 1.06 0.24 0 0.01

Hantam 97.71 2 0.21 0.01 0.07

Kamiesberg 97.35 2.14 0 0.43 0.07

Karoo Hoogland 99.49 0.32 0.13 0.01 0.06

Khâi-Ma 99.63 0.02 0.18 0.07 0.11

Nama Khoi 98.85 0.36 0.08 0.52 0.19

Richtersveld 97.7 0 0.06 2.15 0.09

Figure 4. Land Cover in the NDM


Figure 5. South African biomes occurring in the Namakwa District.


Figure 6. South African vegetation types occurring in the Namakwa District.


Figure 7. Ecosystem status of vegetation types within the Namakwa District.

2.6 Status of Biodiversity

2.6.1 Threatened Species

This refers to flora identified as under threat due to habitat transformation or illegal harvesting, among other factors. Reflected below are provisional results.

Table 2. Number of threatened plant species per Local Municipality

MUNICIPALITY THREATENED NEAR THREATENED

DATA DEFICIENT

Hantam 59 9 25

Kamiesberg 45 6 39


Karoo Hoogland 10 4 15

Khai-Ma 5 3 8

Nama Khoi 29 7 40

Namakwa DMA Boesmanland

3 0 5

Namakwa DMA Tankwa

0 0 4

Richtersveld 22 9 14

2.6.2 Ecosystem Status

Section 52 of the Biodiversity Act provides for the listing of threatened ecosystems at both national and provincial levels. Ecosystem status classification refers to the likelihood of an ecosystem, in this case defined as a vegetation type, persisting into the future given the current level of land use transformation. Ecosystem status takes into account both species diversity and turnover (through biodiversity targets), and habitat transformation, and the proclaimed status is based on a classificatory system developed by IUCN.

Ecosystems that are Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable should be listed according to the Biodiversity Act. Critically endangered vegetation types have been transformed to such an extent that the remaining habitat is less than that required to represent 75% of species diversity (i.e. the biodiversity target); in other words, one would expect species loss to take place in such vegetation type. Endangered vegetation types have lost more than 40% of their original extent and are exposed to partial loss of ecosystem function. Vulnerable vegetation types have lost more than 20% of their original extent, which could result in some ecosystem functions being altered.

2.6.3 Levels of Protection

As both biodiversity and protected areas are not uniformly distributed in the landscape, substantial gaps appear in the protected area network. South Africa strives to protect a representative proportion of each vegetation type within protected areas. Targets for this level of protection are set nationally and range between 15-35% of the total original extent of vegetation types. Therefore, if South Africa‟s protected are network was effective then approximately 15-35% of the country would be under some form of formal conservation management.

The way to assess protection level of ecosystems is by looking at the proportion of the national target achieved. This is referred to as a gap analysis. Nationally, 6% of South Africa is conserved within protected areas. For the NDM this figure drops to just under 5%. Therefore biodiversity is on the whole poorly represented within the regions protected area network and there is significant room for protected area development in order to meet out national conservation targets.


2.6.4 Present ecological state of rivers

The state of river ecosystems depends not only on what happens to the rivers themselves and their banks, but also upon how land is managed within the whole of the river catchment area. Country wide, 44% of river systems are critically endangered, while a further 82% are considered threatened.

Figure 8. Levels of protection within the NDM


Figure 9. Status of the Rivers in the NDM

2.7 Agents of Biodiversity Loss

2.7.1 Alien plants and animals

The incursion of alien vegetation and fauna presents a major threat to the limited natural resources within the district. The threat presented by fauna is limited – the biggest threat coming in the form of alien fish that affect the population of indigenous and endemic species. The problem is significant throughout the region, but of especial import for the Oliphant‟s-Doring river system, as it contains numerous endemic fish species that are threatened by the incursion of alien species.

The problems of alien vegetation is both widespread and of critical importance to the NDM, as most alien species propagate in river systems – thus consuming significant amounts of water in this water scarce area.

Prosopis, Black Wattle and poplar trees all present challenges to the integrity of water courses in the district. The Orange River system presents an excellent example of alien encroachment, where Prosopis is widespread along the river banks.


Figure 10. Alien Distribution in the Namakwa District

2.7.2 Veld management

Sustainable land use management is the most important conservation action pertaining to the NDM. Because of the low levels of development, and the vast distances between settlements, the perpetuation of healthy vegetation depends upon the utilization of the land in a manner that allows ecological corridors to persist, and the capacity of the of the veld to produce forage be taken into account.

2.7.2.1 Over gazing

Although live stock grazing is, in theory, a viable and biodiversity friendly land use in the region, in practice this is often not the case. Over grazing, especially considering the effects of climate change constitutes the biggest threat to biodiversity within the NDM as a whole, mostly by virtue of it being the most widely practiced land use activity in the region. Effective veld management plans and practices (especially around catchment areas) are critical for sustainable land use in the NDM. Goat and sheep farming is a major land use, and thus should be monitored in order to ensure that stock numbers do not exceed the environments‟ carrying capacity – which could render large areas unable to support its ecosystem functions. The resultant erosion and reduction in vegetation cover would not only affect the productivity of the land, but also affect water quality and wetland health – thus having a direct impact upon human wellbeing.


2.7.2.2 Predator control

Predatory animals such as caracal, jackal and leopard have been known to effect stock numbers, thus impacting upon local livelihoods in the region. However, the hunting and trapping of predators can often lead to an increase in predator numbers because of the elimination of alpha males that restrict access of other predators within their territory. Thus, common methods of predator control can have the opposite effect to that which is intended. Practices such as the use of gin traps are also problematic for local biodiversity, as it is an indiscriminate method that usually serves to eradicate many more non target animals such as tortoises, aardvarks, etc, than it does the predator in question. Therefore, the issue of predator management is a very pertinent issue with regard to land management in the region. Alternative strategies, such as the use of Anatolian dogs, should be encouraged, and effort should be made into researching other approaches, such as the use of distinctive collars on livestock, which is thought to be a deterrent to predators.

2.7.3 Transformation of natural landscapes

Mining practices within the NDM has had multiple impacts upon both the economy and the landscape. The remnants of mining activities can be seen in each local municipality, in the form of mine dumps and excavations. Although copper is no longer mined in the District, the effect that granite mining has on natural landscapes is a good example of the transformative effect of the industry upon the region. Other mining activities in the region include Wollestonite, diamonds, base metals, salt and gypsum.

2.7.4 Harvesting of natural resources

The illegal collection of unique plant species – especially from areas such as quartz patches that are located near to roads- is a major threat to biodiversity in the Succulent Karoo. The use of certain plants for medicinal usage has long been practiced in the area, and it is important to ensure that these resources are harvested in a sustainable manner. This issue, which extends into the proliferation of bio-prospecting in the region, is pertinent not only to the local biodiversity, but also to cultural heritage, as respect for indigenous knowledge systems is here linked to the utilization of local plants. A good example of the effect of bio-prospecting on local inhabitants and plant life is the uptake of Hoodia – a plant traditionally used by San hunters to stave off hunger on long trips – into the mainstream weight loss market. In this example, acknowledgement was not given to the local cultural heritage that enabled the product to be generated until a much later stage, when royalties were eventually awarded to local San communities after an international outcry.

2.8 Biodiversity categories for land use planning

The term biodiversity refers to genes, species (plants and animals), ecosystems, and landscapes and the ecological and evolutionary processes that allow these elements of biodiversity to persist over time. The Namakwa District‟s biodiversity provides an important basis for economic growth and development, in ways such as providing rangelands that support commercial and subsistence farming, horticulture and agriculture industry based on indigenous species, our tourism industry, aspects of our film industry, commercial and non-commercial medicinal applications of indigenous resources, and provision of clean water. Keeping our biodiversity intact is also vital for ensuring ongoing provision of ecosystem services such as production of clean water through good catchment management, prevention of erosion, carbon storage (to counteract global warming) and clean air. Loss of biodiversity puts aspects of our economy and quality of life at risk and reduces socio-economic options for future generations


People are ultimately fully dependent on living, functioning ecosystems and the services they provide. Loss of biodiversity leads to ecosystem degradation and subsequent loss of important services, which tends to harm the rural poor more directly - poor people have limited assets and are more dependent on common property resources for their livelihoods, whilst the wealthy are buffered against loss of ecosystem services by being able to purchase basic necessities and scarce commodities. Our path towards sustainable development, poverty reduction and enhanced human well-being for all, is therefore dependent on how effectively we conserve biodiversity.

Effective management of biodiversity does not guarantee sustainable development, but sustainable development is not possible without it. Wise use and management of biodiversity is a cornerstone of sustainable development" (Driver et al. 2005)

The purpose of the critical biodiversity areas (CBA) map and guidelines is to mainstream biodiversity into land-use planning and decision-making by identifying those sites critical for biodiversity persistence. The overall aim is to avoid loss and degradation of natural habitat in critical biodiversity areas (CBA's), whilst managing sustainable development in other natural areas remaining. The CBA map and guidelines provide a common reference point for all decision-makers within the land-use sector, including all stakeholders involved in land-use planning and decision-making processes. Although the CBA maps constitute the best available biodiversity information, they can never replace a site-assessment and are always to be viewed as the biodiversity informant only in the triple bottom line of sustainable development, i.e. social, economic and natural environments" (Vromans, D. C et al. 2008)

3 Map

Critical biodiversity areas (CBA‟s) are terrestrial and aquatic features in the landscape that are critical for retaining biodiversity and supporting continued ecosystem functioning and services (SANBI 2007). These form the key output of a systematic conservation assessment and are the biodiversity sectors inputs into multi-sectoral planning and decision making tools (Figure 4).


Figure 4. A conceptual outline of where bioregional plans fit in the broader set of tools for land use planning and decision making.

The primary purpose of CBA‟s is to inform land-use planning and the land-use guidelines attached to CBA‟s aim to promote sustainable development by avoiding loss or degradation of important natural habitat and landscapes in these areas and the landscape as a whole. CBA‟s can also be used to inform protected area expansion and development plans.

The use of CBA‟s here follows the definition laid out in the guideline for publishing bioregional plants (Anon, 2008):

Critical biodiversity areas (CBA‟s) are areas of the landscape that need to be maintained in a natural or near-natural state in order to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems and the delivery of ecosystem services. In other words, if these areas are not maintained in a natural or near-natural state then biodiversity conservation targets cannot be met. Maintaining an area in a natural state can include a variety of biodiversity-compatible land uses and resource uses.

Ecological support areas (ESA‟s) are areas that are not essential for meeting biodiversity representation targets/thresholds but which nevertheless play an important role in supporting the ecological functioning of critical biodiversity areas and/or in delivering ecosystem services that support socio-economic development, such as water provision, flood mitigation or carbon sequestration. The degree of restriction on land use and resource use in these areas may be lower than that recommended for critical biodiversity areas.

From a land-use planning perspective it is useful to think of the difference between CBA‟s and ESA‟s in terms of where in the landscape the biodiversity impact of any land-use activity action is most significant:


For CBA‟s the impact on biodiversity of a change in land-use that results in a change from the desired ecological state is most significant locally at the point of impact through the direct loss of a biodiversity feature (e.g. loss of a populations or habitat).

For ESA‟s a change from the desired ecological state is most significant elsewhere in the landscape through the indirect loss of biodiversity due to a breakdown, interruption or loss of an ecological process pathway (e.g. removing a corridor results in a population going extinct elsewhere or a new plantation locally results in a reduction in stream flow at the exit to the catchment which affects downstream biodiversity).

Table 3. The conceptual steps followed in developing the CBA categories and the associated land-use guidelines.

Step Process

1 Set conservation goals

Gather information on biodiversity patterns and process (biodiversity information layers or CBA criteria)

2 Define biodiversity conservation targets or thresholds, i.e. spatial requirements necessary to represent and maintain biodiversity into perpetuity

3

Define desired ecological state or land management objectives that relate to the component of biodiversity being targeted (i.e. pattern or process) and the flexibility in the landscape in terms of being able to achieve targets for each component (i.e. irreplaceability)

4 Define CBA categories based on the land management objectives

6 Using the biodiversity information layers, classify the landscape into CBA categories based on thresholds for each criterion.

7 Develop land-use recommendation for each CBA category based on each activities perceived impact on biodiversity patterns and process

3.1 Definition of CBA’s

The objective of the CBA map is to inform land-use planning and make recommendations as to which parts of the landscape should ideally be retained in a natural state and which parts could potentially be transformed to other land-uses. This recommendation is based on the biodiversity sectors understanding of what constitutes the desired ecological state or land management objective for different CBA categories. These objectives inform how many CBA


categories are necessary in a schema and provide a basis for defining criteria and thresholds for assessing and classifying the landscape into CBA categories based on the available biodiversity information (Table 3).

The foundations of the CBA classification and the attached land-use guidelines are the biodiversity sector‟s understanding and quantification of the desired ecological state or biodiversity land management objectives for a given component of biodiversity. These objectives are based on the fundamental ecological and conservation planning principles of:

1. Representation - The biodiversity present at the site;

2. Complementarity - The spatial relationship between the biodiversity present at the site and neighbouring areas; and,

3. Ecological Processes - Our understanding of the landscapes ecological composition, structure and functioning requirements for persistence interpreted in the form of the biodiversity conservation targets or land management objective thresholds that determine the minimum spatial requirements for biodiversity patterns, ecological process and ecosystem services to be adequately represented and persist into the future.

The purpose of CBA‟s is simply to indicate spatially the location of critical or important areas for biodiversity in the landscape. The CBA, through the underlying land management objectives that define the CBA, prescribes the desired ecological state in which we would like to keep this biodiversity. Therefore, the desired ecological state or land management objective determines which land-use activities are compatible with each CBA category based on the perceived impact of each activity on biodiversity pattern and process. These are the land-use recommendations attached to the CBA map.

Information on the likelihood of this biodiversity being lost or threats to biodiversity is not contained in the CBA map. This information, however, can be incorporated into the criteria used to classify biodiversity features into different CBA categories.

The guideline for bioregional plans defines three basic CBA categories based on three high-level land management objectives which we have adapted for the Namakwa District (Table 4).

Table 4. A framework for linking spatial planning categories (CBA‟s) to land-use planning and decision-making guidelines based on a set of high-level land biodiversity management objectives. Adapted from the guideline for bioregional plans (Anon 2008).

CBA category

Land Management Objective

PA & CBA 1 Natural landscapes:

Ecosystems and species fully intact and undisturbed

These are areas with high irreplaceability or low flexibility in terms of meeting biodiversity pattern targets. If the biodiversity features targeted in


CBA category

Land Management Objective

these areas are lost then targets will not be met.

These are landscape that are at or past their limits of acceptable change

CBA 2 Near-natural landscapes:

Ecosystems and species largely intact and undisturbed.

Areas with intermediate irreplaceability or some flexibility in terms of area required to meet biodiversity targets. There are options for loss of some components of biodiversity in these landscapes without compromising our ability to achieve targets.

These are landscapes that are approaching but have not passed their limits of acceptable change.

Ecological Support Areas (ESA)

Functional landscapes:

Ecosystems moderately to significantly disturbed but still able to maintain basic functionality.

Individual species or other biodiversity indicators may be severely disturbed or reduced.

These are areas with low irreplaceability with respect to biodiversity pattern targets only.

ONA and Transformed

Production landscapes: manage land to optimize sustainable utilization of natural.

In Table 4 the land management objectives are qualitative statements about the desired level or amount of biodiversity retained (both biodiversity pattern and ecological processes and services) in a landscape or the amount of biodiversity one is prepared to loose in a landscape to other land uses. Conceptually it is relatively easy to define each CBA category in relation to a land management objective. CBA categories only begin to make practical sense once they are linked to a land management objective that can then be related to land-use activities.

The high-level land management objectives (natural, near-natural and functional) listed in the Table 4 can be further unpacked using the three ecosystem integrity indicators described by Noss (1990) and adapted by O‟Conner (2005) for grassland in South Africa. These include indicators of ecosystem composition, structure and function (Table 5). Composition relates to biodiversity pattern, and structure and function relate to ecological process and services.


Table 5. A summary of the CBA map categories used in relation to the biodiversity-related land management objectives and potential landscape-level biodiversity indicators.

Lan

d M

ana

gem

ent

Ob

jectiv

e:

Landscape Management Objective Biodiversity Indicators

Component of biodiversity: Biodiversity Pattern Ecological Processes and Services

Indicator category: Composition Structure Functioning

Specific Indicators: habitat types

species

populations

meta-populations

alien plants

transformation

fragmentation

Fire

grazing regimes

biogeochemical processes

hydrological functioning

soil formation & erosion

biotic processes

CBA Category: Limit of Acceptable Change (LAC): Permitted amount or degree of change in biodiversity indicator1:

Natural PA/CA None None None

CBA 1 None None None

Near-Natural

CBA 2 Some Some None

Functional

ESA1 Significant Some None

ESA2 Significant Some Some

ONA Significant Significant Some

Transformed Significant Significant Significant 1 Possible quantitative definitions of LACs:

None: Greater than 90% of original extent/amount remaining

Some: Between 60 and 90% of original extent/amount remaining

Significant: Less than 60% of original extent/amount remaining


Unpacking the high-level objectives in terms of measurable indicators and thresholds is fundamental if one is to understand the relative impact of different land-uses on biodiversity and formulate a set of land-use guidelines that relate to the CBA‟s.

A land management objective defines the desired ecological state that an area of land should be kept in so as to ensure biodiversity persistence. Table 5 lists some potential ecosystem indicators for which ecosystem condition or state indicators, referred to as Limits to Acceptable Change indicators (or LACs) can be defined. LAC values are assigned to each land management indicator and ultimately each CBA category to describe limits for the degree of acceptable ecological change or impact that any proposed land-use activity (individually or cumulatively) may bring about without compromising the designated ecological state.

Limits of acceptable change are quantitative thresholds that limit the amount of transformation or the amount of a particular land use that can occur within a CBA category or an area (e.g. water catchment). Quantifying LACs for the various indicators lies beyond the scope of this document, however, the thresholds or targets set for South African vegetation types are LACs which have been extensively used to calculate ecosystem status. At this point recommendations regarding desirable land use activities for the different CBA categories in relation to the land management objectives is based on a qualitative interpretation of LACs and not a quantitative assessment.

At a fundamental ecological level the South African biodiversity sector still needs to debate the specifics of what “natural” and “near natural” means in terms of quantitative and measurable indicators. To our knowledge there are no detailed studies in South Africa that attempt to quantify acceptable limits of change for ecosystem indicators in relation to land-use activities. At this stage this discussion has not happened broadly within the ecological community in the country and it will take a significant amount of research and consultation within the biodiversity sector before we are in a position to fully quantify LACs.

Although the application of a „desired ecological state‟ to guide land use is new in South Africa, it is in principle close to the concept of river management class that is part of the National Water Resource Classification System. LACs, also referred to as Thresholds of Potential Concern (TPCs), were originally used in the context of adaptive management. TPCs are the limits of sets of critical ecosystem indicators that are used to trigger management interventions in protected areas (see for example Du Toit & Biggs, 2007). The national thresholds (targets) for South African vegetation types that are used in the CBA criteria and ecosystem status calculations can be considered LACs for levels of transformation.

3.2 What is on the CBA Map?

The guidelines for bioregional plans recommend that four major categories need to be clearly identified on the “CBA Map”. These categories are:

1. Protected areas

Areas that have been proclaimed in terms of the Protected Areas Act and are included in the national protected areas register (these include privately


owned contract nature reserves)

Special protected forest areas declared in terms of the National Forest Act; 47

Areas that are in the process of being proclaimed if there is high certainty that the proclamation will occur

Note that areas under voluntary conservation agreements for which there is no long-term security, such as conservancies/stewardship agreements, must not be shown as protected areas, but may be shown as context information (see below).

2. Critical biodiversity areas (CBA‟s)

This category may include several sub-categories, such as:

i. irreplaceable sites

ii. important sites

iii. terrestrial ecological corridors

iv. aquatic ecological corridors

v. special habitats

vi. critical wetlands

vii. critical estuaries

viii. critical sub-catchments

ix. critically endangered ecosystems *

x. endangered ecosystems *

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of possible sub-categories of critical biodiversity areas

* These terms must be reserved for ecosystems whose status has been assessed using the criteria developed for identifying threatened ecosystems in terms of the Biodiversity Act. The ecosystems need not be formally listed when the plan is drawn up, but must be identified using the criteria developed for listing of ecosystems in terms of the Biodiversity Act.

If there is a separate map showing ecological support areas, it could also include a number of sub-categories, such as:

i. Primary water production areas

ii. Groundwater recharge zones

iii. All wetlands

iv. All estuaries

v. All riparian zones

3. Other natural areas (ONA's)

These areas are still subject to the usual authorisation procedures, e.g. EIA's, and still require a site visit to ensure the absence of important biodiversity features before any environmental authorisation in terms of NEMA is given.

4. Areas where no natural habitat remains (Transformed)

These areas include cultivated areas, afforested areas, mined areas, urban areas, and areas under coastal development.


The CBA map can also include context information such as:

Features included for orientation, such as towns, roads, administrative boundaries, and cadastral boundaries (recommended)

Labels for rivers and protected areas (recommended)

Areas under voluntary conservation agreements with no long-term security, such as conservancies

Other significant natural sites or features, such as Natural Heritage sites or natural sites that are of cultural significance, if spatial information is available for these

Degraded areas of natural habitat, if these have been identified

These are the basic categories and the trend with developing CBA products for land-use decision making and planning in South Africa is to subdivide the CBA and ESA categories based on desired ecological state or biodiversity land management objectives for a given are as discussed in the previous section.

3.3 Putting the CBA Map together

Once the land management objectives and CBA categories had been defined a set of criteria were developed in order to asses and categorise the available biodiversity information into CBA categories (Table 7). The criteria have drawn on the experiences of other similar exercise in South Africa and have been adapted to the available biodiversity information.

The overall CBA map at the provincial scale is derived from overlaying multiple biodiversity information layers (viz. criteria) and then summarising the CBA category classification for all areas in the landscape with the highest ranking CBA category taking precedent for display in the final map. Therefore any point or area in the landscape can be classified as a CBA based on one or many biodiversity criteria (biodiversity information layers) and can have multiple CBA categories (e.g. CBA1 and ESA). In the printed map only the highest ranking CBA category is displayed, however, in the online version of the CBA map (http://bgis.sanbi.org) the CBA classification for all criteria can be viewed when querying a site.

The biodiversity criteria used to define the CBA‟s draws from experiences with similar exercises elsewhere in South Africa (Table ), existing biodiversity conservation studies as well as from discussions with stakeholders and experts during the development of the CBA map. Most importantly, the CBA categories presented here follow the national recommendations presented in the „Guideline Regarding the Determination of Bioregions and the Preparation and Publication of Bioregional Plans‟ (Anon 2008).

The CBA categories and criteria used to define these CBA‟s are summarised in Table 7. Terrestrial and aquatic CBA‟s are presented in separate maps partly for clarity and partly because the land use guideline recommendations for terrestrial and aquatic CBA‟s can differ.

http://bgis.sanbi.org/


Table 6. A summary of the information consulted when developing the CBA categories for the Namakwa District.

Guideline documents Author

Guideline regarding the Determination of Bioregions and the Preparation and Publication of Bioregional Plans

Anon, April 2008

Guidelines Production: C.A.P.E Fine-scale Plans. Gelderblom 2007

Garden Route Biodiversity Sector Plan Debora Vroumans

Pre-CBA category LU schemes

CAPE

STEP

Mpumalanga land use guidelines Mervyn Lotter and Tony Ferrar

CBA category schemes

Eastern Cape Derek Berliner and Philip Desmet

Richtersveld Philip Desmet and Derek Berliner

Cape Fine-Scale Plans Genevieve Pence and Kerry ter Roller

Other related land use category schemes

Western Cape Rural Development Guidelines Rodney Cronwright, Jeff Manuel et al.

3.4 Limitations of the CBA map

The spatial accuracy of the information presented is inherently limited by the accuracy of the biodiversity databases used to develop the map. Mapping accuracy varies from approximately 1:10 000 through to about 1:150 000 scale.

More importantly the information content of the CBA map is limited by the depth of knowledge on the distribution of biodiversity in the district captured in electronic databases. As discussed previously, our biodiversity electronic knowledge base for the Namakwa District is very limited. The majority if information used to define CBA‟s is “coarse-filer” surrogates for biodiversity pattern and process. There is no “fine-filer” (e.g. point locality species datasets) or fine-scale (e.g. 1:50 000 scale vegetation maps) biodiversity datasets available for the district except where fine-scale biodiversity studies have been undertaken (e.g. Bokkeveld escarpment, Kamiesberg and Bushmanland Inselberg‟s).


3.5 Description of CBA’s for the Namakwa District

Table 7. Biodiversity criteria used to define Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA‟s) in the North West Province.

CBA level codes T1/A1 and T2/A2 refer to terrestrial/aquatic CBA1 and terrestrial/aquatic CBA2 respectively. Criteria not included in the final CBA product are highlighted in PINK. These criteria may be included in future iterations of the provincial or regional (e.g. district municipality) conservation assessments.

Map Category

Name Sub-Category Name Description of biodiversity features used to define CBA category Shp File Name

Shp File CBA Field

Name

CBA Level Codes

Protected Areas

Protected Areas Protected areas recognised in the Protected Areas Act including South African National Parks and North West Provincial Parks

NDM protected areas

CBA_pa PA

Conservation areas Conservation areas not recognised in the Protected areas Act (e.g. conservancies)

NDM protected areas

CBA_pa CA

Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA‟s)

Critical Vegetation Types: Ecosystem Status - Critically Endangered Ecosystems

Remaining extent of critically endangered ecosystems (vegetation types). i.e. The amount remaining intact of this vegetation type is less than representation target. NOTE: The ecosystem status classification used is the provincial level classification and does not include degradation in the calculation

NDM Vegetation CBA

CBA_saveg T1

Critical Vegetation Types: Ecosystem Status - Endangered and Vulnerable Ecosystems

Remaining extent of endangered and vulnerable ecosystems (vegetation types), i.e. The amount remaining intact of these vegetation types is less than 60%.

NDM Vegetation CBA

CBA_saveg T2

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Quartz Patches

SA vegetation types with quartz or other types of gravel patches present Excluding Richtersveld vegetation types as these do not correspond closely to the occurrence of quartz patches. Richtersveld quartz patches picked up through the expert mapping process.

NDM vegetation CBA

CBA_quartz

T2

Important Terrestrial Habitats: South-facing Slopes

All areas with steep south-facing mountain slopes larger that 25ha in extent. These represent an important climate change refugia for biodiversity. Modelled using the SRTM 90m digital elevation model

NDM Slopes CBA_slopes

T2


Map Category


Shp File CBA Field

Name

CBA Level Codes

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Kloofs

All kloofs larger than 50ha in extent. These represent a keystone resource for biodiversity (e.g. presence of springs) and important climate change refugia for biodiversity. Modelled using the SRTM 90m digital elevation model

NDM Kloofs CBA_kloof T2

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Riverine Rabbit

Modelled Riverine Rabbit habitat based on observed records and buffered 1:50 000 scale stream lines

NDM Riverine Rabbit

CBA_rabbit T2

Critical Terrestrial Habitats: Experts Areas

Areas in the terrestrial environments identified by experts as being most important for biodiversity. BCI vegetation map quartz patches Kamiesberg vegetation map quartz patches LHSKT highest ranked areas Expert mapped areas (kk, wp, pd) Estuary buffers (Groen and Spoeg) See Section Error! Reference source not found.

NW Expert Critical Terrestrial

CBA_exp_T1

T1

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Experts Areas

Areas in the terrestrial environment identified by experts as being important for biodiversity. Elsabe Swart Kobus Kritzinger Richard Dean Red Lark habitat Tania Anderson Wessel Pretoirus Philip Desmet additional areas LHSKT expert mapping (plants) Richtersveld expert mapping (Graham Williamson v2) Note: Replicated features by experts were discarded and union was smoothed and generalised (10m tolerance for both) See Section Error! Reference source not found.

NDM Expert Important Terrestrial

CBA_exp_T2

T2

Irreplaceable Sites: Bokkeveld CAPE Fine-Scale Plan

Irreplaceable sites identified through a MARXAN or C-Plan irreplaceability analysis as part of a systematic conservation assessment. These are areas or sites that are mandatory if

NDM Bokkeveld fsp terrestrial

CBA_bokkev

T1


Map Category


Shp File CBA Field

Name

CBA Level Codes

conservation targets are to be achieved. The results from the district level irreplaceability analysis are not included as this repeats what is already identified by the above criteria

Critical sites for species Buffered point locality of threatened species or other species of conservation concern. Point locality buffered by 500m Not all data included at this time. Only data for Riverine Rabbit included at present. Plant locality dataset or datasets for other species groups not finalise or available.

NDM critical sites

CBA_sites T1

Existing or Proposed Protected Area Development Corridors

Existing protected area development corridors identified in previous studies: 1. Namaqualand Mega Reserve 2. Coastal Corridor

T2

Biodiversity Development Nodes

Potential biodiversity or nature-based industry development nodes identified through the systematic biodiversity assessment. Nodes coincide with areas of important remaining or intact biodiversity that contribute significantly towards achieving biodiversity conservation goals (e.g. achieving targets, economic development). In most cases these are the last remaining areas in the landscape where extensive reserve networks can be developed as other areas are heavily transformed and are thus better suited to stewardship type conservation.

T2

Critical Biodiversity Corridors Linkages

Critical linkages in the municipal biodiversity corridor network where existing conversion of natural landscapes to other uses has severely restricted options for maintaining connectivity in the natural landscape.

T1

Kamiesberg Irreplaceable wetlands

Highest conservation importance individual wetlands or clusters of wetlands (including pans) based from Kamiesberg Wetland study. Criteria: All Fynbos and Renosterveld wetlands that are in a natural state All estuaries

NDM Kamiesberg wetlands

CBA_kbergw

A1

Kamiesberg Wetlands and Pans

Remaining wetlands, rivers and pans in the Kamiesberg. The ecological buffer around wetlands is included under the Ecological Support Areas.

NDM Kamiesberg

CBA_kbergw

A2


Map Category


Shp File CBA Field

Name

CBA Level Codes

wetlands

Bokkeveld critical wetland and rivers

NDM Bokkeveld FSP aquatic

CBA_bokkva

A1

Important Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Lower Orange River Experts Areas

Pristine (A1) and near natural (A2) stretches of the Lower Orange River including the estuary (A1)

NDM LOR expert

CBA_LOR A1/A2

SANBI wetland layer All pans especially bushmanland

Irreplaceable Sub-Catchments

River sub-Quaternary catchments identified by the CSIR national assessment as being highest priority or most irreplaceable river catchments

NW Sub Catchments

CBA_sq4 A1

Important Aquatic Habitats: Experts Areas

Areas in the aquatic environments less than 10 000 ha in extent identified by experts as being important for biodiversity conservation. See Section Error! Reference source not found.

NW Expert Aquatic

CBA_exp_A

A1

Important Sub-Catchments

Other important sub-Quaternary catchments identified by the CSIR national assessment.

NW Sub Catchments

CBA_sq4 A2

Ecological Support Areas

Biodiversity Corridors Whole landscape-level biodiversity corridor network aimed at retaining connectivity between all geographic areas in the district and nationally. Corridor network identified based on existing corridor networks (Richtersveld, LOR TFCA, Namaqualand Wilderness, Knersvlakte, Cederberg Mega Reserve, Bokkeveld FSP) and following alignment guidelines laid out in the NSBA such as upland-lowland, climatic and latitudinal gradients. NOTE:

The corridor network is notional to indicate general alignment of biodiversity corridors at the provincial level.

Main corridors (Escarpment, Coastal, Namaqualand Mega-Reserve, etc. buffered by 5km (i.e. corridor 10km wide). Remaining corridors buffered by 3km (i.e. 6km wide)

NDM Biodiversity Corridor

ESA_corr ESA_T

Richtersveld springs Keystone ecological support areas for terrestrial biodiversity as these are the only natural perennial source of water in the environment

NDM Richtersveld springs

ESA_spring ESA_T

Wetland Buffer Areas The buffer zone around wetlands and rivers where land-use activities NDM ESA_kberg ESA_A


Map Category


Shp File CBA Field

Name

CBA Level Codes

can impact the ecological functioning and integrity these features. Criteria: 500m radius buffer around all pans and estuaries 100m radius buffer around all wetlands and rivers All farm dams

kamiesberg wetland buffers

w

Bokkeveld critical wetland and river buffers

NDM Bokkeveld FSP aquatic ESA

ESA_bokkva

ESA_A

Groundwater recharge areas and aquifers

Areas known to be important for ground water recharge (e.g. major geological faults) or aquifers (e.g. dune fields) No data at present

Other Natural Areas

All remaining natural areas not included in the above CBA or ESA categories. Degraded areas falling with the CBA and ESA categories should be earmarked for rehabilitation to an acceptable ecological state

No Layer Natural

No Natural Habitat Remaining

Urban and rural settlements Crop lands Industrial, mines and mined areas Forest plantations

NW Land Cover Transformed


Figure 5. Map of critical biodiversity areas for the Namakwa District


Figure 6. Map of aquatic critical biodiversity areas in the Namakwa District that have been identified to date.

4 GUIDELINES

4.1 Recommendations for land-use planning in the terrestrial environment

In developing a set of land-use planning and management guidelines for each CBA requires that each land-use activity be assessed in terms of its known/perceived/anticipated biodiversity impact on the land management objective indicators listed in Table 5. This is necessary in order to determine whether a land-use activity is potentially compatible with one or more of the CBA categories given the land management objectives for each category.


For the terrestrial environment this process has not been done in detail for the Namakwa District. Instead we draw on information from the following documents that discuss land-use guidelines in relation to spatial planning categories in more detail:

Ferrar, A.A. and Lötter, M.C. 2007. Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Handbook. Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Nelspruit (Contact Mervyn Lotter E-mail: [email protected])

De Villiers CC, Brownlie S, Clark B, Day EG, Driver A, Euston-Brown DIW, Helme NA, Holmes PM, Job N, Rebelo AB (2005) Fynbos Forum Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment in the Western Cape. Fynbos Forum and Botanical Society of South Africa, Kirstenbosch. (Available from http://bgis.sanbi.org/wces/FF_Ecosystem_Guidelines.pdf)

CREW guidelines for threatened species (Contact Tilla Raimondo E-mail: [email protected])

Western Cape Rural Planning & Development Guidelines (currently being developed by DEA&DP, contact Jeff Manuel E-mail: [email protected])

Garden Route Initiative. 2008. Critical Biodiversity Areas in the Garden Route: A common reference point of Critical Biodiversity Areas for all sectors involved in land-use planning & decision-making. Garden Route Initiative. Project Management Unit. (Contact Debbie Vromans E-mail: [email protected])

As part of the bioregional plan development process the land use planning guidelines presented here should be developed through the stakeholder consultation process. Also, the detailed guidelines being developed for specific economic sectors such as for the rooibos tea and livestock industries provide practical recommendations for how to mainstream biodiversity considerations into production landscapes. Following these guidelines will be particularly useful for producers wishing to obtain green certification for their product.

Ultimately more detailed guidelines can also be used to inform the provincial land-use management (LUM's) legislation.

The following section contains land use guidelines for dealing with aquatic ecosystems. These were developed by Nancy Job specifically for the Kamiesberg but can be applied to wetlands throughout the district especially in the Bokkeveld and Hantam-Roggeveld-Nuweveld escarpment regions.

Table 8 presents a matrix of recommended land use activities for the different CBA categories. This matrix has been adapted from that developed for the Mpumalanga Province. Naturally, land-use activities in practice are more complicated in terms of their impacts on biodiversity and this table needs to be expanded to qualify assumptions and exceptions as well as define acceptable and un-acceptable practices within the same land-use category (e.g. organic vs. non-organic cultivation, game farming with exotic vs. indigenous species).

Table 9 presents a more detailed breakdown of recommendations for land use in relation to CBA categories. The focus of this table is the more extensive land uses prevalent in the district namely, conservation, livestock, tourism and mining.

mailto:[email protected]


Table 8. A matrix of recommended land-use activities in relations to the different CBA categegories for the Namaqua District (adapted from Ferrar & Lotter 2007).

No Type of Land Use

PA

/CA

CB

A1

CB

A2

ES

A

ON

A

1 Conservation Management Y Y Y Y Y

2 Extensive Game Farming Y Y Y Y Y

3 Extensive Livestock Production R Y Y Y Y

4 Rural Recreational Development R N R R Y

5 Rural (Communal) Settlement N N R R R

6 Dryland Crop Cultivation N N N R Y

7 Intensive Animal Farming (e.g. Dairy, piggery‟s) N N N R Y

8 Irrigated Crop Cultivation N N N R Y

10 Urban & Business Development N N N N R

11 Major/Extensive Development Projects N N N R R

12 Linear Engineering Structures N R R R R

13 Water Projects & Transfers N N R R R

14 Underground Mining N N R R Y

15 Surface Mining, Dumping & Dredging N N N R R

Notes:

Y = YES, permitted and actively encouraged activity; N = NO, not permitted, actively discouraged activity; and, R = RESTRICTED to compulsory, site-specific conditions & controls when unavoidable, not usually permitted.


Table 9. CBA categories with recommended land use activities for the Namakwa District.

Land use category Biodiversity criteria Land Management

objectives Recommended appropriate land use

1

PA: Protected Areas

Protected areas (PA's) are recognised entities in the Protected Areas Act and include South African National Parks, Northern Cape Provincial Nature Reserves and Municipal Reserves

Conservation areas (CA's) are not recognised in the Protected areas Act (e.g. conservancies, private nature reserves)

Natural landscapes to be managed to maintain in a natural state with limited or no biodiversity loss.

Conservation landscape where biodiversity conservation is a primary management objective

Protected Areas:

PA‟s to be managed as such with a management plan, a designated management authority, appropriate management resources such as budget and staff

Private land preferably to be designated in some way e.g. Stewardship Agreements with audited management plan

Livestock:

Preferably no livestock grazing. Grazing by indigenous ungulates permitted

Tourism:

Suitable for tourism development subject to EIA and provided impact area does not fall into the CBA1 category

Other:

Strictly no mining, agricultural or urban development. Hard development is permitted within protected areas subject to an EIA and impact area does not fall within a CBA1 area.

Suitable for scientific research, religious ceremonies, environmental education.

Priority areas for restoration and rehabilitation

CBA 1: Irreplaceable Sites Terrestrial CBA‟s: Natural landscapes to be managed to maintain in a

Conservation landscape with potentially multiple uses where biodiversity conservation is one of the primary management




1

Any area that is irreplaceable in terms of meeting biodiversity pattern targets. i.e. if these areas are not retained in a natural state then conservation targets will not be met.

These are core biodiversity areas either with the highest biodiversity value (species richness, endemism, unique habitats, etc.) or areas that have been so transformed to other land-uses (mining and croplands) that all of what remains is required to meet conservation targets

The most important areas for biodiversity conservation in the municipality

Critical Vegetation Types: Ecosystem Status - Critically Endangered Ecosystems

Critical Terrestrial Habitats: Experts Areas

Irreplaceable Sites: Bokkeveld CAPE Fine-Scale Plan

Critical sites for species

Aquatic CBA‟s:

Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Bokkeveld critical wetlands and rivers

Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Lower Orange River Experts Areas

Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Kamiesberg wetland study

natural state with no biodiversity loss.

objectives

Protected Areas:

Suitable and a priority for statutory protected area development


Livestock:

No permanent livestock grazing. Seasonal grazing permissible

Strictly no kraals, stock posts or artificial water points

Maintain stock within recommended stocking rates

Adopt and implement the Grazing Management Guidelines developed for the NDM

Tourism:

No large-scale or intensive tourism development or construction of permanent tourism infrastructure

Suitable for low impact recreation tourism subject to an EIA

Other activities:

Strictly no mining, agricultural or urban development

Suitable for scientific research

No biodiversity offsets possible for developments that result in the transformation of natural habitat (e.g. cropping and mining) irrespective of anticipated restoration success.

Priority areas restoration and rehabilitation




1

CBA 2: Important Areas

Other areas know to be of high biodiversity value.

Important areas for ecological processes and climate change adaptation.

Terrestrial CBA‟s:

Critical Vegetation Types: Ecosystem Status - Endangered and Vulnerable Ecosystems

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Quartz Patches

Important Terrestrial Habitats: South-facing Slopes

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Kloofs

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Riverine Rabbit

Important Terrestrial Habitats: Experts Areas

Aquatic CBA‟s:

Important Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Lower Orange River Experts Areas

Important Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Kamiesberg wetland study

To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with some loss in ecosystem integrity and functioning

Multi-use landscapes where biodiversity conservation is a preferred but not the only land use activity

Biodiversity compatible land uses strongly encouraged and industries encouraged to adopt and implement industry accepted biodiversity management plans

Protected Areas:

Suitable and a priority for statutory protected area development


Livestock:

Stock farming permissible


Tourism:

No large-scale or intensive tourism development or construction of permanent tourism infrastructure

Suitable for low impact recreation tourism and construction of temporary infrastructure subject to an EIA

Other:


Restrict further expansion of surface-mining, cropping agricultural and urban development – i.e. avoid further loss of natural habitat and where possible utilise existing transformed or degraded areas for hard developments




1

Biodiversity offsets required where development impacts on land management objective

ESA: Ecological Support Areas

(Processes)

Areas meeting ecological process targets or achieving biodiversity persistence objectives.

Areas not explicitly targeted for biodiversity pattern or process, but that support key resources (e.g. water) or features in the landscape whose basic structure and ecological function require protection such as large areas with no permanent human structures (roads housing etc), away from stock posts for maintaining large-scale ecological processes such as free-ranging wildlife

Biodiversity Corridors

Richtersveld springs

Kamiesberg wetland buffer areas

Bokkeveld critical wetland and river buffers

Wilderness areas (not included)

To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with minimal loss in ecosystem integrity and functioning

Spatially explicit corridors must be managed to maintain function and structure, especially for aquatic systems.

To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with minimal loss in ecosystem integrity and functioning

Buffers to be managed to limit transformation with particular emphasis on maintaining ecological process that require large areas.

Multi-use landscapes where land-use management focuses on maintaining connectivity within the natural landscape


Protected Areas:

Priority areas for the promotion of stewardship

Livestock:

Stock farming permissible


Tourism:

Suitable for tourism development

Other:


Where possible restrict further expansion of surface-mining, cropping agricultural and urban development – i.e. avoid further loss of natural habitat and where possible utilise existing transformed or degraded areas for hard developments.

Biodiversity offsets required where development impacts on land management objective

ONA: Other Natural Areas

All remaining natural areas

All remaining natural vegetation Functional landscapes: manage land to maintain basic ecosystem processes despite

Production landscapes where land-use management focuses on maintaining connectivity within the natural landscape




1

containing Vulnerable and Least Threatened Vegetation

expecting significant loss in natural vegetation cover

Biodiversity maintained in critical patches and ecosystem corridors

Management guidelines are dependent on specific features such as vegetation type status and special species or habitats. These are often protected by specific legislation such as that relating to the maintenance of riparian buffers.


Livestock production should adopt and implement “Grazing Guidelines” developed for the NDM

Development of extensive tourism facilities (e.g. visitor‟s centre‟s, villages)

Transformation by mining, agricultural or urban development conditionally allowed subject to EIA

Developments do not necessarily require biodiversity offsets


4.2 Notes on applying the land use guidelines

When interpreting the CBA categories and associated land-use guidelines information for land-use planning the following points should be kept in mind:

All data and the information on the CBA map, especially in contentious situations (e.g. economic intervention zones) should be verified on the ground, preferably by an ecologist with local experience, before a decision about land-use is taken.

The CBA map is based on available data sources. Information on all biodiversity features of conservation concern (e.g. species localities, wetlands and natural spring) are not available for whole district. With better biodiversity information the location and extent of CBA‟s can be better defined spatially.

At the district scale the CBA map is intended to flag general areas of conservation concern that require more detailed impact assessments when considering land-use changes especially in natural areas. There are inherent limits to interpretation of the CBA map due to available biodiversity information and the scale of data collection. The printed map scale and also that at which the biodiversity mapping was conducted is in most cases not fine enough for on the ground decision making. Before land-use change decisions are made in all CBA areas data needs to be verified by (a) zooming into the area of impact on a GIs (e.g. BGIS.sanbi.org) to view the available biodiversity information in more detail; and, (b) site visits and impact assessment studies. In many CBA areas there may be development options for other land-uses that are not currently recommended in the guidelines table. These options can only be established through closer investigation of the on-site conditions.

The recommended land-use guidelines do not apply universally to already transformed areas within any CBA category although this does not apply generally especially where critical areas have been transformed such as wetlands where the recommended management is restoration.

In areas where biodiversity and development priorities overlap, conflict in land management objects can be avoided or minimized through proactive and environmentally sensitive land-use planning that considers:

o consult biodiversity sector planners when planning green-field developments

o utilize existing transformed or heavily degraded areas for hard-surface development wherever possible

o avoid/control unregulated development sprawl

o keep development compact and minimize the development/natural edge

o adhere to defined urban-edge development boundaries

o avoid cutting off of natural corridors through ribbon development

o consider cumulative impacts of new developments on biodiversity


4.3 Recommendations for land-use planning and management guidelines for the aquatic environment.

This section contains land use guidelines for dealing with aquatic ecosystems. These were developed by Nancy Job specifically for the Kamiesberg but can be applied to wetlands throughout the district especially in the Bokkeveld and Hantam-Roggeveld-Nuweveld escarpment regions.

4.3.1 Context for Water Resource Management in the Municipality

Conservation of aquatic (river, wetland and estuary) resources can help ensure that the region can sustainably manage their water resources for the benefit of the human population, is able to withstand climate change, and conserve the municipality‟s unique biodiversity that is an asset even on a world scale Good aquatic resource management can contribute to the future socio-economic well-being and development of all inhabitants of the municipality.

Effective water resource management is essential for most municipalities in the Northern Cape, including Kamiesberg Local Municipality. Planning tools, such as the information in this document, serve as a framework for municipalities to prioritize actions, mobilize the necessary resources, target their own activities and develop a holistic environmental management strategy.

The protection and conservation of aquatic biodiversity and of water resources / supply for the community are interconnected and complementary goals.

Kamiesberg municipality is water poor. Due to its scarcity, water is a valuable resource in the municipality.

Wetlands of the Kamiesberg Uplands are under pressure as a result of competing demands (cultivation / grazing / biodiversity) on limited resources.

People are dependent on groundwater in the municipality. Wetlands play a role in the sustainability of groundwater supply.

Overall, the Coastal Orange Water Management Area (WMA) currently has more or less equal amounts of water required and available. This makes the area vulnerable during drought as periods of low rainfall may result in demands exceeding the water available for use (DWAF 2005).

Both surface and groundwater sources are nearing full development and utilization (DWAF 2005).

The state of aquatic ecosystems depends not only on what happens to rivers and wetlands themselves, but also on how land is managed throughout their associated catchment.

Best management practices on agricultural lands would ensure that aquatic resources are not damaged and are wisely managed for the benefit of the resource, the landowner and those downstream.

Rivers and their associated riparian habitats also provide important landscape level ecological corridors, linking mountains to coastal habitats.


4.3.2 Legal Obligations

Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995: Chapter 1(3) (c)

(i) Promote the integration of the social, economic, institutional and physical aspects of land development;

(ii) Promote integrated land development in rural and urban areas in support of each other;

(viii) Encourage environmentally sustainable land development practices and processes.

National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998: Chapter 1(2) (4) (a)

(i) That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; and,

(r) Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure.

National Environmental Management Act: EIA regulations

Listed Activities (i.e. an EIA is required) in R386 include:

Activity 1 (m) any purpose in the one in ten year flood line of a river or stream, or within 32 metres from the bank of a river or stream where the flood line is unknown, excluding purposes associated with existing residential use, but including - canals; channels; bridges; dams; and weirs;

Activity 1 (n) the off-stream storage of water, including dams and reservoirs, with a capacity of 50 000 cubic metres or more, unless such storage falls within the ambit of the activity listed in item 6 of Government Notice No. R. 387 of 2006.

Listed Activities (i.e. an EIA is required) in R387 include:

Activity 1 (n) the transfer of 20 000 cubic metres or more water between water catchments, or impoundments per day.

Activity 6 The construction of a dam where the highest part of the dam wall, as measured from the outside toe of the wall to the highest part of the wall, is 5 metres or higher or where the high-water mark of the dam covers an area of 10 hectares or more.

Activity 10 Any process or activity identified in terms of section 53(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).

National Water Act 36 of 1998

Section 21 lists eleven water uses that must be authorised (i.e. a permit is required) by DWAF:

(a) taking water from a water resource;

(b) storing water;

(c) impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse;

(d) engaging in a stream flow reduction activity contemplated in section 36;


(e) engaging in a controlled activity identified as such in section 37(1) or declared under section 38(1);

(f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit;

(g) disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;

(h) disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in, any industrial or power generation process;

(i) altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse;

(j) removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity or for the safety of people; and

(k) using water for recreational purposes.

General Authorisations in terms of Section 39 of the National Water Act should also be consulted.

Conservation of Agricultural Resources (CARA) Act 43 of 1983

Regulation 7: Utilisation and protection of vlei, marshes, water sponges and watercourses

no land use shall utilise the vegetation in a vlei, marsh or water sponge or within the flood area of a watercourse or within 10 meters horizontally outside the flood area in a manner that causes or may cause the deterioration of or damage to the natural agricultural resources.

Except on authority of a written permission by the executive officer, no land user shall-

drain or cultivate any vlei, marsh or water sponge or a portion thereof on his farm unit; or

cultivate any land on his farm unit within the flood area of a watercourse or within 10 meters horizontally outside the flood area of a watercourse.

The prohibition contained in sub-regulation (3) shall not apply in respect of-

a vlei, marsh or water sponge or a portion thereof that has already been drained or is under cultivation on the date of commencement of these regulations provided it is not done at the expense of the conservation of the natural agricultural resources; and

land within the flood area of a watercourse or within 10 meters horizontally outside the flood area of a watercourse that is under cultivation on the date of commencement of these regulations, provided it is already protected effectively in terms of regulation (4) against excessive soil erosion through the action of water.

Regulation 8: Regulating the flow pattern run-off water

(1) Subject to the provisions of the Water Act, 1956 (Act 54 of 1956), no land user shall in any manner whatsoever divert any run-off water from a water course on his farm unit to any other water course, except on authority of a written permission by the executive officer.


No land user shall effect an obstruction that will disturb the natural flow pattern of run-off water on his farm unit or permit the creation of such an obstruction unless the provision for the collection, passing through and flowing away of run-off water through, around or along that obstruction is sufficient to ensure that it will not be a cause for excessive soil loss due to erosion through the action of water or the deterioration of the natural agricultural resources.


Table 10. Kamiesberg recommended spatial planning categories for aquatic critical biodiversity areas.

SPC category These include: Land management objective Land-use Planning Strategies

Critical Aquatic Biodiversity Areas

CBA A1

Critical Aquatic Biodiversity Areas are critical for conserving biodiversity, supporting rare and endemic species, maintaining ecosystem functioning and long term water supply. They represent the best set of remaining healthy, functioning wetlands / river reaches for each aquatic type occurring in the municipality. They are key resources whose basic structure and ecological function require protection. Conserving them will help protect the biodiversity dependant on them as well as the services they deliver to people and the environment.

They include:

Groen and Spoeg River estuaries

Intact granite renosterveld wetlands, granite fynbos wetlands and mountain streams within significant mountain catchment areas of the Kamiesberg Uplands

Maintain in a natural state

Manage to maintain natural state / high protection / land use conservation or manage for biodiversity by various means.

Priority areas for conservation and protected areas

Priority for restoration

Aim to avoid any further loss or degradation of these areas. Aim to avoid any further loss or degradation of these areas.

Develop management plans for specific sites, areas or catchments.

Explore options for creation of proclaimed protected areas aimed at protecting wetlands

Important Aquatic Biodiversity Areas

CBA A2

The National Water Act and other legislation applies to ALL rivers and wetlands, thus all remaining wetlands & rivers not included in CBA A1 should also be protected from negative land-use impacts, including their buffer zones (ecological support areas).

The inter-related character and importance of all rivers and wetlands is recognised in maintaining ecological functioning, and providing important goods and services to humans.

They include natural springs and other identified

Maintain in a natural to near-natural state

to maintain basic ecosystem functioning.

Manage to maintain functional state / moderate protection and rehabilitate wherever possible / land use low impact and manage for biodiversity by various means.

May be able to withstand a moderately modified condition, as long as it supports key aquatic processes within the catchment. Various moderate impact land-use activities

Focus on management of activities that have a direct impact (e.g. abstraction, removal of natural vegetation, cultivation, road crossings and drainage, erosion, etc.)

Rehabilitate where appropriate and feasible.

Partner with programmes such as Working for Water and Working for Wetlands

Incorporate wetland management into commonage grazing and cultivate land management and development plans.

Apply existing legislation to all aquatic ecosystems.


lowland river surficial aquifer discharge areas exist (e.g. grazing, resource harvesting) but ensure hydrological functioning is maintained.

May allow options for different types of land use that should be decided by the application of EIA procedures and negotiation between stakeholders.

Priority for rehabilitation primarily intended for returning to natural / near natural i.e.

need to ensure key functioning is maintained

Stringent EIA required

Manage for a sustainable water supply, outlined in a Water Services Development Plan.

Initiate Catchment Management Plans which apply a landscape approach and set over-arching goals for biodiversity and ecosystem services for each catchment.

Establish long term monitoring plots and programs for selected rare and threatened indicator species (that are easy to identify).

Expand upon the 2007 inventory of Kamiesberg Uplands wetlands and wetland integrity.

Determine cost to farmers of returning ploughed fields to wetlands and natural grazing areas.

Ecological Support Areas

ESA A

All wetland and river buffer areas Manage to maintain hydrologic functioning

Aquatic Ecological Support Areas directly support aquatic Critical Biodiversity Areas as well as the key ecosystem services delivered by aquatic ecosystems in the municipality. Conserving and managing ESA's will help prevent further degradation of the CBA‟s dependant on them and the services they deliver to people and the environment

Buffer for CBA A1 areas:

No go 50m buffer + 500m management zone

Buffer for CBA A2 areas: 32m buffer + 100m management zone

Environmental authorization / permits

Apply existing legislation to prevent the inappropriate conversion of wetlands to other uses.

Raise awareness within municipal departments whose day to day activities may impact wetlands.


required for buffer 50/32m buffer and 500/100m management zone

Recommended land-cover/land-use for:

Buffer zone = Natural vegetation

Management zone = Restricted land uses


4.3.3 Recommendations for land-use planning and management actions relating to aquatic ecosystems

Recommendations for aquatic ecosystem management that can be incorporated in the IDP and municipal management plans are guided by four overarching management objectives that inform water resource management generally in South Africa:

1. Conserve aquatic Critical Biodiversity Areas, for example:

a. Buffers Do not permit infilling, excavation, drainage ditches, hardened surfaces or intensive agriculture within a CBA wetland or stream, or within at least 50 meters of the delineated wetland boundary or riparian edge.

b. Buffers The ideal situation for CBA wetlands and streams is to conserve them in association with as large as possible an area of adjacent terrestrial vegetation.

c. Abstraction Aim to maintain an Ecological Reserve of 70% - 100%.

d. Abstraction Improve regulation of abstractions and encourage efficient water use throughout the area (i.e. demand control).

2. Conserve Ecological Support Areas, for example:

a. Buffers Do not permit infilling, excavation, drainage ditches, hardened surfaces or intensive agriculture within a CBA wetland or river or within at least 50 meters of the delineated wetland boundary or riparian edge. Any changes to buffer width should consider the current condition of the aquatic ecosystem, existing and proposed buffer, functioning of the system in the broader landscape, plus an assessment of the impacts to the ecosystem of the existing and proposed adjacent land use.

b. Buffers Manage buffers with particular emphasis on maintaining large scale aquatic functions such as groundwater recharge and other landscape scale processes within the catchment.

c. Rehabilitation Rehabilitate riparian zones to act as a buffer between mountain streams and surrounding agricultural areas.

d. Rehabilitation All wetlands should be rehabilitated where possible by leaving buffers to each side of wetlands, and allowing the natural vegetation to slowly return. Wetland functioning can sometimes be successfully restored when the flow regime is reverted to its original state and ditches or canals are closed.

e. Abstraction Ensure an Ecological Reserve of no less than 50%, alternatively General Authorisations in terms of the NWA apply.

f. Abstraction Improve regulation of abstractions and encourage efficient water use throughout the area (i.e. demand control)

3. Protect all water resources (as defined in the National Water Act 36 of 1998) within the municipality such that their basic structure and ecological functioning are maintained and protected from degradation, for example:

a. Keep buffer areas of undeveloped land around wetlands that are free of alien plants. The buffer width will be determined by the size of wetland as well as impacts of adjacent land use, but should be no less than 32m.

b. The water source and downstream portions of the wetland should not be separated.


c. Make sure that no over-abstraction of surface or ground water feeding into a wetland occurs, which can cause the wetland to dry out. No high-yield boreholes should be sunk near to natural wetlands.

d. Damming of wetlands will change seasonal wetlands into permanent water bodies and the special habitat formed by the wetland will be lost. Dams require authorization from DWAF (see Objective 3 below).

e. Check for any pollution sources that could impact on water quality such as seepage from manure & compost heaps, domestic waste dumps etc.

f. Alien plants e.g. Prosopis sp. use large quantities of water from wetlands and should be removed with “manual” methods, with kapmes or chainsaw.

g. It is illegal to interfere with the flow regime by canalizing waterflow, digging drainage ditches or infilling by dumping soil and rubble.

h. Wetlands can be utilized for grazing, provided the grazing pressure is not too high, is in the correct season (usually summer), and livestock are kept away from the deeper, wetter and areas where soil is unstable. Monitoring wetlands for signs of degradation and erosion by overgrazing is important.

i. For wetland delineation, refer to „A practical field procedure for identification and delineation of wetlands and riparian areas‟ (DWAF 2005) at www.dwaf.gov.za.

j. For more information on wetland management and rehabilitation go to www.wetland.org.za-pracmanage.htm.

4. Meet legislative and international obligations as custodians of the aquatic ecosystems that occur within the municipality by developing municipal policy and management plans with respect to aquatic ecosystems, which builds on legislation, for example:

a. Not permitting new cultivation in wetlands

b. Outlining the permit procedure for water abstraction and other key impacts to wetlands

c. Grazing and cropland management plans that recognize the importance of wetlands and institute management mechanisms to protect aquatic ecosystems

4.3.4 Specific Guidelines for Land Use Activities that may impact Aquatic Ecosystems

The degree of biodiversity impact of a particular land use is context specific. However, land use activities that result in irreversible loss of natural habitat (such as cultivation, urban development, mining) generally have the highest impact on biodiversity, and land uses that allow for natural habitat to remain intact (such as appropriately managed grazing by either livestock or game, sustainable harvesting of natural products from the wild), have the lowest impact on biodiversity.

In the case of rivers and wetlands, land use impacts can affect three basic „drivers‟ of health and ecological character:

http://www.wetland.org.za-pracmanage.htm/


Table 1. A summary of types of land use impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

DRIVER DESCRIPTION LAND USE IMPACT

Hydrological varies seasonally and after rainfall in terms of volume and movement of water

impacts may change the presence and the flow of water / water quantity

Chemical and physical

a measure of the dissolved chemicals, pollutants and sediment contained in and transported by the water

certain land uses may impact water quality

Geomorphological the shape of the wetland, types of rock, soil and the slope of the surfaces over which the water flows or ponds; this includes plant cover

impacts may physically change the wetland or river

Some of the main pressures affecting aquatic ecosystems include:

agricultural transformation (ploughing),

road crossings (construction and maintenance),

heavy grazing and trampling (mostly by donkeys and cattle, also by goats and sheep),

inappropriate fire regimes (most often this means too frequent fires, at the wrong time of year), and

drainage (ditches / furrows), dams, or abstraction (pumps or boreholes).

These pressures may affect one, two, or all three, of the above-mentioned “drivers” of aquatic ecosystem health and ecological character. When preparing management or rehabilitation actions, it is important to identify which “drivers” are impacted. Often the hydrological driver is the most fundamental and important to re-establish. If the area retains a near-natural hydrologic regime, then steps to repair other drivers usually have a higher chance of success.

4.3.4.1 Cultivation

Includes the clearing of natural vegetation within wetland areas and their margins

Clearing of natural vegetation to provide areas for crop cultivation within wetland systems affects habitat quality by reducing cover and plant species diversity. Habitat transformation due to cultivation also impacts on the important insect fauna of the Kamiesberg. More significantly, it can also lead to the establishment of nodes of head cut erosion. These can be associated with the increase in rate of runoff through cleared areas, and the tendency for erosion channels to develop in areas that were previously characterized by sheet flow or shallow subsurface seepage, rather than concentrated runoff. In many cases ploughing has taken place right up to the edge of streams and often right through seasonal wetlands. Clearing of natural vegetation adjacent to wetland systems reduces the positive impact of


these areas as “buffers” from impacts associated with surrounding land use, including runoff from roads and cultivated areas. Cleared areas also promote access into wetland areas, increasing “edge impacts” of disturbance, such as trampling.

Core areas of wetlands, particularly hillside seeps, should be protected from clearing. Where protected wetlands are considered of high biodiversity importance, buffer areas should be established between the wetland edge and surrounding land use. Where wetland structure has already been degraded, the recommended buffer width could be reduced. Where head cut erosion has already commenced, the following broad scale measures are recommended:

the advice of a wetland ecologist, working in association with an engineer should be sought regarding rehabilitation / remediation activities – these may include the construction of gabions to halt head cut erosion and further loss of wetlands, as well as planting of disturbed areas the design of the existing drainage system should be addressed, such as incorrect culvert or outlet alignment, and downstream flow velocity, through changes in design the eroded area should be carefully monitored for up to three years after remediation, and until a new stable state is achieved in wetland structure and function eroded areas should be protected from grazing and trampling by livestock during their re-establishment phases

4.3.4.2 Road crossings

Including drifts, box culverts, pipe culverts, and bridges

Loss of connectivity:

Certain structures (e.g. bridges that tie in to the wetland / stream edge and culverts) can interrupt natural terrestrial corridors of movement by physically blocking routes along river margins.

Concentration of flows into downstream areas:

Road crossings over drainage lines, streams and wetlands can have profound impacts on wetland ecosystems downstream. Crossings that result in narrowing of the downstream system (e.g. where bridges do not span the full wetland or floodplain width, or where culverts are inadequately spaced and poorly located) can result in concentration of flows and canalisation downstream. In some cases, this results in a fundamental change in wetland function, and drying out and shrinkage of the wetland area. Erosion and increased vulnerability to invasion of drier banks by alien vegetation can also occur.

Culverts should be adequately spaced such that they do not result in shrinkage of downstream wetlands. Where roads cross minor drainage channels, this would probably entail the placement of a single culvert only, aligned with the downstream drainage line. Where more substantial wetland systems exist and are intercepted by a road, sufficient culverts should be provided such that downstream shrinkage of wetland width does not occur. Moreover, culverts should be aligned, as far impossible, with existing, natural channels.

Ideally, wetlands should be bridged rather than crossed by roads equipped with culverts or spanned by drifts. This is because bridges should result in less disruption of flow through the wetland. Bridges should also span across a portion of land beyond the river bank, where the maintenance of longitudinal connectivity along the river corridor is considered important.


All crossings of wetland systems should ensure that both surface and shallow subsurface flows can be accommodated where appropriate and that unnatural canalisation does not occur downstream

Erosion and turbulence upstream, resulting in bank collapse and degradation:

Interruption of flows and their concentration through narrow pipes, culverts or past structures in the channel such as piers can result in upstream turbulence, leading to bank erosion

Culverts and bridges should be designed so as to minimize the risk of upstream turbulence. Where old structures have been replaced by new road alignments and bridges, old structures that continue to impede river / wetland flow if left in situ should be removed.

4.3.4.3 Roads

Fragmentation of wetlands resulting from particular road alignments

Where roads intercept natural drainage lines and / or wetlands, they may result in fragmentation of natural systems, separating corridors of movement for animals including plant pollinators. This can have serious biodiversity implications – small wetland fragments are more vulnerable to impacts than larger systems, which are sometimes able to buffer an inner “core” area from such impacts. The separation of wetland areas from terrestrial habitat is also ecologically undesirable, as it can prevent movement of fauna between habitat types, or increase the risk in such activity. This is likely to be a greater issue in well-used areas, where the intensity of human and vehicle traffic along the road makes its use by fauna as a crossing point both unlikely and undesirable.

Planning of new roads along or across significant corridors should seek to minimize fragmentation and to include, in road design, allowance for the spanning of wetland corridors and their margins by bridges, with the spanned area including a robust provision of space between the wetted edge and the edge of the bridge platform.

Runoff –concentration of flows into wetlands abutting roads:

The increase in hardened surfaces associated with roads leads to an increase in the volumes and velocities of flows generated from road surfaces during rainfall events. These flows are of necessity channelled off the roads themselves, resulting in concentrated flows along road verges, often resulting in erosion of surrounding areas. Where the road closely abuts wetland habitat, down cutting / canalisation associated with roadside drains can result in local lowering of the water table, leading to wetland shrinkage. Increased flow velocities off roads can also contribute to head cut erosion in adjacent wetland areas, by changing natural flow dynamics and increasing velocities at the foot of slopes.

Diversion of flows:

Diversion of flows from natural drainage channels may occur when roads interrupt natural drainage lines, and water is forced to run in channels along the manipulated road edge to formalized crossing points. Even slight diversion from the natural drainage line can result in excessive downstream erosion, as the new channel cuts across the slope to reach the valley bottom. In the study area, this impact is often the result of inadequate culverts and their


positioning at variance of the natural drainage lines. These impacts are probably the most significant of the negative impacts affecting Kamiesberg wetland systems at present.

Critical to effective management should be the management of flows across and along roads and their impact on downstream systems. The following preventative activities / approaches are recommended:

Adequate culverts should be provided along the length of all roads to prevent diversion of flow from natural drainage lines

Culverts should be carefully located, such that outlet areas do in fact align with drainage lines

The downstream velocity of runoff should be managed, such that it does not result in downstream erosion – on steep slopes, where roads have been constructed on cut areas, allowance should be made for culverts to daylight sufficiently far down the slope that their velocities are managed and erosion does not occur

Where necessary, anti-erosion structures should be installed downstream of road drains – these may comprise appropriate planting, simple riprap or more formal gabion or other structures

Roads and their drainage system should be subject to regular inspection, particularly during the wet season, so that areas where head cut erosion is observed can be addressed at an early stage

Where head cut erosion has already commenced as a result of poor management of roadside runoff, the following broad scale measures are recommended:

the advice of a wetland ecologist, working in association with an engineer should be sought regarding rehabilitation / remediation activities – these may include the construction of gabions to halt head cut erosion and further loss of wetlands, as well as planting of disturbed areas

the design of the existing drainage system should be addressed and incorrect culvert or outlet alignment, as and downstream flow velocity, addressed through changes in design

the eroded area should be carefully monitored for up to three years after remediation, and until a new stable state is achieved in wetland structure and function

eroded areas should be protected from grazing and trampling by livestock during their re-establishment phases

Water quality:

Ideally, road runoff should be directed into downstream drainage lines along vegetated swales, which would allow for a level of filtration of water quality impacts – in particular, vegetation can be effective in improving sedimentation rates. Note however that in some parts of the Kamiesberg area, summer aridity may preclude the establishment of vegetated swales.

The most effective means of addressing turbidity as a water quality issue are measures (see above) aimed at preventing erosion and the creation of sediment-rich runoff. Where important wetlands are considered vulnerable to accumulation of sediment, the construction of small settlement depressions in drainage lines upstream could be considered. Where


wetlands have already been affected by sedimentation, manual removal of sediment from affected areas should be considered – with the note that clearing of sediment should not result in canalisation through naturally braided or uncanelled systems. Ongoing removal of alien vegetation is strongly recommended to prevent the permanent stabilisation of areas of sediment deposition.

4.3.4.4 Grazing and trampling

Permanently saturated wetlands provide a useful source of water and grazing. Trampling of wetland vegetation by livestock promotes soil compaction, loss of vegetation, increased erosion and a high potential for erosion along and upstream of compacted zones. Donkeys typically graze more destructively than goats and sheep. Nevertheless, high stocking rates of goats and/or sheep may cause changes in the vegetation structure and species composition with the resultant loss of insect host plants, nesting sites and existing nest structures. Trampling of sensitive moss pads and shallow soils on sloping granite domes is a threat to many plant species in this upper area, as these microhabitats are home to many geophytes.

Numbers of stock in and around wetland areas should be controlled such that excessive grazing and trampling of wetlands does not occur – this could necessitate rotation of livestock between areas. In some areas it would be best to fence off all wetlands and 32 m buffers, so that these areas are not trampled and grazed by stock while in the process of rehabilitation.

4.3.4.5 Fire

Changes in natural fire regime such as too frequent fire or no fire at all can have significant biodiversity impacts. Spring burning of wetland areas and, alternatively, protection of wetlands from any burning, both result in dominance of wetland plant communities by renosterbos, at the expense of a more diverse wetland flora. These changes result in reduced biodiversity, including, as invasion by renosterbos increases, a reduction in diversity of wetland habitat type.

Controlled autumn burning of wetlands should take place [only if renosterbos is becoming dominant]– given the difficulty in setting fire to dense renosterbos stands, it is important that grazing should also be controlled at a level that allows the persistence of grasses that will add to the load of flammable material. Burning of wetlands in spring should not take place. Healthy wetlands should not be deliberately burnt, although if they burn as part of a much larger wildfire that should not be a problem.

4.3.4.6 Abstraction / shallow pits in wetland

Uncontrolled abstraction from rivers and other wetlands may have a cumulative severe impact on wetland function downstream. Impacts of loss of flow include:

shrinkage of wetland extent

loss of flows in downstream areas – this may be particularly relevant for areas that depend on the functioning of upland wetlands as source areas for their water supply

impacts on cues for flowering, setting seed and other life stages of riverine /wetland plants and loss of cues for, inter alia, emergence, among aquatic invertebrates


Abstraction should be strictly regulated – in terms of the National Water Act; abstraction needs to take cognisance of both the Human and the Ecological Reserve in terms of both water quality and water quantity. Abstraction of run of river flow should not take place. The extent and plant community composition of wetlands of high conservation importance should be monitored on an annual basis, and evidence for wetland shrinkage resulting from abstraction should be addressed.

4.3.4.7 Dams

Impoundment results in a dramatic alteration in local river / wetland structure and function, with habitats within the impoundment being transformed into largely perennial, deep, standing water. In the Kamiesberg, impoundments mainly comprise relatively small in-channel structures. Their downstream impacts can be severe, with impacts over and above those linked directly with abstraction, including diversion of flows from braided side channels and wetland areas, and downstream concentration of flows at outlet/overflow areas, sometimes resulting in down cutting and erosion, and usually resulting in wetland shrinkage and canalisation of previously uncanalled or braided systems.

Where impoundments do not allow for downstream release of flows or release insufficient water to maintain downstream ecological integrity, deterioration of downstream habitats can occur. Sedimentation within impoundments is common, particularly in catchments where erosion rates are high. Downstream of in-channel impoundments the erosion potential of river water may increase in response to having lost a portion of the total sediment load at a particular capacity.

In-channel impoundments should include provision for adequate downstream releases that take cognizance of both ecological and human requirements. Multiple outlets from in-channel impoundment structures may be necessary to prevent diversion of flow from flood channels. The legal aspects of dams are discussed in Section C of this document.

4.3.4.8 Settlements and towns

Ensure integrated storm-water planning in urban areas, described within the Water Services Development Plan:

Water courses should not be canalized; floodplains and low-lying wetlands near rivers should never be built on.

Water that is returned to rivers and wetlands after urban, industrial or agricultural use must adhere to the biological and chemical standards set by DWAF, otherwise the Polluter Pays Principle will apply as per the NEMA.

Water supply demands must be managed against the volumes of water which are available for use so that a sustainable supply is available for present and future needs. The National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) recognises the resources required to sustain the functioning ecosystems and therefore ecological reserve determination is an important consideration when determining water available for use (DWAF 2002). Water resource management therefore involves controlling flow, minimising usage, prevention of pollution, and monitoring and evaluation.


It is suggested that assurance of supply is met if water resources can meet the peak demand of users by utilising less than 80% of the resource capacity (DWAF 2005). The DWAF (2005) document reports:

Kamieskroon, Kheis, Spoegriver, Garies - exceed 100%

Paulshoek , Leliefontein, Kharkams, Klipfontein - just below 80%

Nourivier - just above 40%.

4.3.5 Key References relating to land use in the aquatic environment

Day, L. Kamiesberg Land Use Recommendations

Kotze, D. Draft Chapters: Kamiesberg Report for the Wetland Health and Integrity Programme.

Helme, N and Desmet, P. Kamiesberg Vegetation Report.

Northern Cape Water Summit 2005. The Status of the Water Sector of the Northern Cape: Achievements and Challenges. Prepared by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

Vromans, D. Draft Garden Route Initiative Land Use Guidelines.

Lotter, M. Mpumalanga Biodiversity Plan.

Kwazulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. 2002. Guideline

Document: Interim guidelines for development activities that may effect wetlands. Chief Directorate Environmental Management.

4.3.6 Roles and responsibilities for managing water resources

When developing and instituting management plans and actions aimed at protecting aquatic ecosystems it is important that all stakeholders and role players be involved in the consultation process. These include:

All - Legislation applies to us all – public, private land owners, consultants, DTEC etc

Municipality (Local and District) - Ensure laws are adopted into documents such as the Water Services Development Plan and Spatial Development Framework, and in land use change approvals

DWAF - Until Catchment Management Agencies (CMA) are established, DWAF Regional Office performs this function. The National Water Act (36 of 1998) and the National Water Resources Strategy provide the overall framework. DWAFs' current knowledge and responsibilities are captured in the Internal Strategic Perspectives which provide guidance until a catchment management strategy can be developed.


5 Monitoring and Reviewing

5.1 Lead Implementing Agency

The Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation, and more specific the Division for Bioregional Planning and Support, will be responsible to lead the monitoring and reviewing process. The reviewing will be conducted in partnership with local communities, other conservation organizations, NGO‟s and scientist operating in the Namakwa District Municipality.

5.2 Identifying Monitoring Indicators

The following key performance areas (KPAs) have been identified to act as monitoring indicators and must be addressed by the Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan and Work Plan of the Division for Bioregional Planning and Support:

KPA1 Have all relevant stakeholders been informed and trained in implementing the bioregional plan and especially the CBA Map?

KPA2 Have the lead agency made human and financial resources available for the monitoring and reviewing process?

KPA3 Have the bioregional plan been successful implemented into all the IDPs, SDFs and EMFs in all local municipalities, in the Namakwa District?

KPA4 How much natural habitat has been lost in CBAs?

KPA5 Number of biodiversity management plans published for Critical and Endangered Ecosystems and/or species.

KPA6 Is there a Protected Area Expansion Plan and how many CBAs has been placed under formal protection?

KPA7 What is the present ecological state and management class of aquatic critical biodiversity areas and the changes in these?

5.3 Approaches towards monitoring

The objective of monitoring is to gain an understanding of what is changing and why. Two main approaches for monitoring operational performance are:

5.3.1 Continuous Monitoring

The Namakwa Biodiversity Advisory Forum has been established between main stakeholders (municipalities, government departments and NGO‟s) as a platform to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Namakwa Bioregional Plan. The Department of Environment and Nature Conservation will collaborate with SANBI and SKEP to facilitate forum meetings and promote cooperation and training in the use of the bioregional plan and associated environmental tools and information.

Participation in local and national forums e.g. Arid Zone Ecological Forum, will play an important role to compare newly or improved information with existing data.


Monitoring operational achievements based on the implementation of the annual performance and work plan, recording achievements and reporting these to the HOD of the department through quarterly reports, establishes a basis for transparent accountability of management.

5.3.2 Periodic Monitoring

Annual surveys will be conducted on Critically Endangered Ecosystems to determine how much natural habitat has been lost. The remaining CBA1 and CBA2 areas will be monitored every five years with the revision of a systematic biodiversity plan.

5.4 Reviewing and Reporting

The Department of Environment and Nature Conservation will review and update the Namakwa Bioregional Plan every five years, starting from the date of approval and gazetting of the bioregional plan by the MEC/Minister. The reviewing process will take into consideration all new and update information and will also identify and address gaps or needs in the bioregional plan.

Reporting on KPAs will be done annually to National Department of Environmental Affairs according to annual performance plan.

6 GIS files

Table 2. This table summarizes the individual GIS files and key information fields that were used to create the NDM CBA coverage.

Output Layer Name

Input Layer Name Shp File CBA Field

Name CBA Level

Codes

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_Vegetation_CBA CBA SAVEG T1, T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_Vegetation_CBA CBA QUARTZ T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_kloofs CBA KLOOF T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_riverine_rabbit CBA RABBIT T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_slopes CBA SLOPE T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_bokkeveld_fsp_terrestrial CBA BOKKE T1

NDM CBA NDM_critical_sites CBA SITES T1


Terrestrial

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_expert_critical_terrestrial CBA EXPERT T1 T1

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_expert_important_terrestrial CBA EXPERT T2 T2

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_Richtersveld_springs ESA SPRING ESA_T

NDM CBA Terrestrial

NDM_Biodiversity_Corridor ESA_CORR ESA_T

NDM CBA Aquatic NDM_kamiesberg_wetlands CBA KBERG A1, A2

NDM CBA Aquatic NDM_LOR_expert CBA LOR A1, A2

NDM CBA Aquatic NDM_bokkeveld_fsp_aquatic CBA BOKKVA A1

NDM CBA Aquatic NDM_kamiesberg_wetland_buffers ESA KBERGW ESA_A

NDM CBA Aquatic NDM_bokkeveld_fsp_aquatic_ESA ESA BOKKVA ESA_A

NDM Protected Areas

NDM_protected_areas CBA PA PA,CA

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