Reviewing a Systematic Biodiversity Conservation Plan: Eastern Cape

JUNE 2017

Biodiversity Forum 2017

Why review the ECBCP?

• 10 years old: Outdated• New datasets, better mapping• Matured methodology• Living landscape constantly changing

• Complete update, not simply a review

The team

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services

Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan and Framework

EOH CESTeam of experts (17)

Conservation/Biodiversity Planning

Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Biodiversity Assessment/Profile

Derek BerlinerPhilip DesmetLinda Harris

EOH CESDerek Berliner

Aquatic Biodiversity and Mapping

Estuary mapping

• Used the National Biodiversity Assessment (2008) mapping and revised using satellite imagery

• Mapped: Functional zones and 5 metre contours• Output:

– NBA = 162 estuaries vs EC Cons Plan v2 = 211 estuaries (added 49 estuaries to the National database, including a number of micro‐estuaries)

Wetlands and Rivers as polygons

Coastline: PE area

Rivers: National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority AssessmentNFEPA Fish (data updated with PES records), ecoregions, and geomorphic zones forming basis for targets

Aquatic Pressure

• Freshwater analysis integrated Present Ecological State + a number of terrestrial‐based factors

CBA criteria aquatic

CBA 1 CBA 2 ESA 1 ESA 2Modified using MARXAN outputs

FEPA rivers River FEPAs (81-100%) plus 32 metre bufferFree-flowing/Flagship rivers (as polys) plus 32 metre bufferAbove CBA1-1000m buffer If natural If NNR

Catchments Upstream of CBA1s If natural If NNRFish sanctuary immediate catchments If natural If NNR

WetlandsExpert wetland classification CBA 1 (see criteria in column I)Wetlands in aquatic CBA 1&2 catchmentsWetlands: NFEPA WETCON AB100m buffer around CBA wetlands If natural If NNRESA wetlands plus 32 metre buffer If natural If NNR

Strategic Water Source Areas

Strategic Water source areas (surface) If natural If NNR

Ground water source areas If natural If NNREstuaries CBA 1 estuaries

CBA 1 estuary 100 metre bufferCBA 2 estuariesCBA 2 estuary 100m buffer If natural If NNRESA estuary plus 100m buffer If natural If NNR

Coastal Coastal Zone

Aquatic CBA map

Terrestrial landscape

Condition of landscape: vastly improved landcover

Land cover

Soil erosion, alien plant invasion

Terrestrial Biodiversity

BIODIVERSITY PROFILE

Biodiversity mapping• Point data: variety of sources = HUGE job reviewing/revising enormous 

datasets• Expert mapping still key informant: survey data very thin

Vegetation mapping

• ECBCP2017 has developed integrated vegetation map

SANBI Vegetation Map of South Africa (2012) PLUS DAFFs forest inventory and classification, which is more accurate

Already received significant criticism for not integrating the STEP Thicket vegetation map, so still have some homework.

CA: World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserves

CA: Protected Environments

CA: Private reservesSignificant challenge: private reserves not proclaimed

Protected Areas: Gov

Climate change modelling: current extent of biomes

Future modelled extent: use to identified vegetation “stable” areas

“Other Plans”1NMBM CBA NETWORK REVISED Draft2Eastern Cape Conservation Plan v13Garden Route CBA Map4STEP5SKEP6Maloti Drakensberg TFCA7Alfred Nzo DM EMF8Coastal EMF9Wild Coast EMP

10Addo Biodiversity Prioritisation11Coega IDZ open space system12Shale‐gas SEA13Eastern Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy14National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy15Northern Cape Conservation Plan (incomplete)16KZN Biodiversity Spatial Plan17Western Cape Biodiversity Sector Plan Spatial Assessment18Free State Biodiversity Sector Plan (incomplete)19Plantation Forestry Biodiversity Screening Tool20Climate Change Adaptation Corridors21KZN Strategic Water Source Areas22National Strategic Water Source Areas23Mkambati Buffer Rapid Assessment24NBA Ecosystem Based Adaptation25Goutitz Biosphere Reserve26Baviaans Mega Reserve27Alfred Nzo DM Climate Change Response Strategy28Kouga‐Tsitsikamma Wind Energy29Southern Drakensberg30 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas31Buffalo City MM Conservation Plan

Terrestrial Pressure map

MARXAN planning units

CBA criteria terrestrial• In line with SANBI guidelines

Terrestrial

SA veg types remnant layer

Threatened Ecosystems: CR veg remaining patches >3ha in size = CBA 1

If natural If old field

EN & VU veg types NFI critically endangered/high priority forest patchesPriority clustersAll other forests CBA1 forest patch 500m buffer If natural If NNR

MARXAN analysisIrreplaceable Sites - PUs selected to meet targets for: (1) vegetation types, (2) species points, (3) expert areas

If selection frequency >80%

Best Design Sites - PUs selected to meet targets for: (1) vegetation types, (2) species points, (3) expert areas

If selection frequency <80%

Special habitats

Selected cliffs buffered by 50m If natural If NNR

Bat roost sites and 500m radiusVulture breeding sites and 500m radiusVulture breeding sites 5km buffer If natural If NNR

Eastern Cape corridors

Best Design Corridor Sites - PUs selected to meet 60% targets for vegetation types,

Nodes used for corridor network analysis

Ecological infrastructureClimate change refugia (DG)Coastal funtional zoneClimate change resilience (SH)

Terrestrial CBA map

Old and New CBA 1 map

Old and New CBA 2 map

Land use Guidelines

Currently refining Terrestrial Land use Guidelines

Aquatic Land Use Guidelines• Land use recommendations at two levels:

– Instream river– Catchment

• Specific land uses to consider: – Pollution: Waste water/effluent discharge– Development on river/estuary banks– Sedimentation and runoff: Afforestation and cultivation (catchment level)

Way forward

Gazetting of Draft CBA map and Land use guidelines: End July/August

Strategy and Action Plan1. Get a handle on Private Reserves (CAEs)2. Improved spatial data for biodiversity3. Protected Area Management of existing Pas4. Education and capacity development of use and 

implementation of Plan5. Biodiversity‐Threat interventions, e.g.

1. Wildlife Economy2. Indigenous plant cultivation3. Community‐based land use planning programme