Environmental Situation Analysis · Report No 104860/5065 Environmental Situation Analysis Cape Winelands District Municipal Area of the Western Cape Final Report August 2010 EIA

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Report No 104860/5065

Environmental Situation Analysis

Cape Winelands District Municipal Area of the

Western Cape

Final Report

August 2010

EIA CONSULTANT

Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

81 Church Street

P.O. Box 494

Cape Town

8000

CLIENT

Rode & Associates

Spatial & Development Planners & Economists

Tel: (021) 481-2500 Office: 082 658 7545

Fax: (021) 424-5588

Email: [email protected] Email : [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

CWDMA: Situational Environmental Analysis. © Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd (2010)

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PROJECT DETAILS

TITLE : Environmental Situational Analysis for the Cape

Winelands district Municipal Area

AUTHORS : Simon Van Wyk

CLIENT : Cape Winelands District Municipality

PROJECT NAME : Cape Winelands District Spatial Development Framework

REPORT STATUS : FINAL

REPORT NUMBER : 104860/5065

SUBMISSION DATE : August 2010

....................................................................

SIMON VAN WYK (Pr. Sci. Nat. SAIEES Cert.)

Practitioner: Environmental Services

..................................................................

KAREN SHIPPEY (Pr. Sci. Nat. Cert. EAPSA)

Associate: Environmental Services

This report is to be referred to in bibliographies as:

AURECON. 2010. Final Environmental Situational Analysis: Cape Winelands District Spatial

Development Framework, Report No. 104860/5065


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Contents

1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .............................................................................. 8

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8

1.2 Terms of reference for the Situational Environmental Analysis .................................... 8

1.3 Context ........................................................................................................................ 9

1.4 background .................................................................................................................10

1.5 Approach to the project ...............................................................................................11

1.5.1 Consultation process ...........................................................................................11

1.5.2 Research .............................................................................................................12

1.5.3 Spatial Planning Categories .................................................................................13

1.6 Assumptions and limitations ........................................................................................20

2 Biodiverstiy Conservation policy and Activities ...................................................................21

2.1 Policy, Legislative and programme Context ................................................................21

2.1.1 Policy ...................................................................................................................21

2.1.2 Legislation ...........................................................................................................21

2.1.3 Strategies, frameworks and programmes .............................................................22

2.1.4 Conservation initiatives ........................................................................................24

2.1.5 International agreements and policy frameworks .................................................25

3 Situational Assessment ......................................................................................................26

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................26

3.2 Vegetation and associated biodiversity .......................................................................26

3.3 Fauna Biodiversity ......................................................................................................32

3.4 Ecosystem biodiversity ...............................................................................................35

3.5 Catchments.................................................................................................................35

3.6 Wetlands .....................................................................................................................39

3.6.1 River channels .....................................................................................................39

3.6.2 Valley bottom and hillside seep wetlands .............................................................40

3.6.3 The importance of wetlands .................................................................................41

3.7 Geology and soil .........................................................................................................42

3.8 Climate and Climate Change ......................................................................................46

4 Resource Management ......................................................................................................50


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4.1 Spatial Planning Categories and Guidelines ...............................................................50

4.1.1 Category A: Core Areas .......................................................................................51

4.1.2 Category B: Buffer Areas .....................................................................................54

4.1.3 Category C: Intensive Agriculture .........................................................................58

4.1.4 Category D: Human Settlement ...........................................................................61

4.1.5 Biosphere Reserve ..............................................................................................67

4.2 District Level Areas of General Concern .....................................................................68

4.3 Composite Overview ...................................................................................................72

5 Environmental Constraints and Opportunities ....................................................................74

5.1 Activities commonly associated with agriculture ..........................................................74

5.2 Activities associated with cultivated lands ...................................................................76

5.3 Activities associated with livestock farming .................................................................78

5.4 Activities associated with aquaculture .........................................................................79

5.5 Implications of invasive alien vegetation .....................................................................80

5.6 Implications of afforestation ........................................................................................81

5.7 Implications of human settlements ..............................................................................82

5.8 Implications of resort development and golf courses ...................................................85

5.9 Implications of roads ...................................................................................................86

5.10 Implications of dams, weirs and gabions in river channels ..........................................87

5.11 Generic opportunities ..................................................................................................90

5.12 Generic Constraints ....................................................................................................92

6 Spatial Guidelines ..............................................................................................................93

6.1 Formulation of overarching management objectives ...................................................93

6.2 Management Objective A ............................................................................................93

6.3 Management Objective B ............................................................................................94

6.4 Management Objective C ............................................................................................95

6.5 Management Objective D ............................................................................................95

7 Indicators to measure implementation and outcomes ........................................................97

7.1 Terrestrial ecosystems ................................................................................................97

7.2 Aquatic ecosystems ....................................................................................................97

7.3 Acknowledgement.......................................................................................................98


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8 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................99

List of Tables

Table 1.1: Sections where aspects of the Terms of Reference are complied with ...................... 9

Table 1.2: Stakeholders and consultants consulted in terms of the situational analysis .............12

Table 1.3: Spatial Planning Categories .....................................................................................13

Table 3.1: Area of conservation areas .......................................................................................28

Table 4.1: Extent of land use within the Buffer Area ..................................................................54

Table 4.2: Extent of land use within the Transitional Area .........................................................58

List of Figures

Figure 3.1: Comparative area of conservation areas .................................................................28

Figure 3.2: Vegetation types .....................................................................................................29

Figure 3.3: Conservation Areas .................................................................................................30

Figure 3.4: Land Use.................................................................................................................31

Figure 3.5: Biological sensitivity (Fauna) ...................................................................................34

Figure 3.6: Relative size of the Water Management Areas within the Cape Winelands District

Municipality ...............................................................................................................................35

Figure 3.7: Water Catchment Areas ..........................................................................................37

Figure 3.8: Geology of the Cape Winelands District Municipal Area ..........................................44

Figure 3.9: Soil potential of the Cape Winelands .......................................................................45

Figure 3.10: Mean Annual Precipitation ....................................................................................47

Figure 3.11: Predicted impact of Climate Change on the Succulent Karoo Biome .....................48

Figure 4.1: Relative area of Spatial Planning Categories in Cape Winelands District Municipality

.................................................................................................................................................50

Figure 4.2: Category A – Core Areas ........................................................................................52

Figure 4.4: Relative areas of the various land uses within the Buffer Areas excluding unspecified

areas .........................................................................................................................................55

Figure 4.5: Category B – Buffer Areas ......................................................................................57

Figure 4.6: Relative area of land uses excluding unspecified areas within the Transitional Area

.................................................................................................................................................59

Figure 4.7: Category C – Intensive agriculture ..........................................................................60

Figure 4.8: Category D – Human Settlements ...........................................................................62


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Figure 4.9: Industrialised Areas .................................................................................................64

Figure 4.10: Infrastructure .........................................................................................................66

Figure 4.11: Areas prone to Fire Hazard ...................................................................................69

Figure 4.12: Areas prone to Environmental Degradation ...........................................................70

Figure 4.13: Areas prone to Flooding ........................................................................................71

Figure 4.14: Composite Map depicting Spatial Planning Categories .........................................73

Figure 5.1: Agricultural activities extending to the edges of river banks .....................................75

Figure 5.2: Encroachment of agricultural activities into valley bottom wetlands .........................75

Figure 5.3: Burning of a valley bottom wetland in the Doring River subcatchment .....................77

Figure 5.4: Disposal of grape skins in close proximity to the Van Wyks River ...........................77

Figure 5.5: Invasion of alien vegetation into the Sand and Klein Berg Rivers respectively ........80

Figure 5.6: Degradation of rivers & associated wetlands in human settlements ........................84

Figure 5.7: River channels upstream (left) and downstream (right) of a road crossing ..............86

Figure 5.8: Impacts of gabions and weirs constructed along rivers............................................87

Figure 5.9: A farm dam altering the flow of the Dal River in its upper reaches ...........................88

List of Annexures

Annexure A: List of Conservation areas and their size ............................................................ 100


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Abbreviations

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment

SDF Spatial Development Framework

IDP Integrated Development Plan

CWSDF Cape Winelands Strategic Development Framework

ESA Environmental Situational Analysis

CW Cape Winelands

ISP Internal Strategic Plan

CAPE Cape Action for People and the Environment

CWDMA Cape Winelands District Municipal Area

CWSEA Cape Winelands Strategic Environmental Assessment

DWA Department of Water Affairs

CMA Catchment Management Agencies

WMA Water Management Areas

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

CAPE Cape Action for People and the Environment

SPC Spatial Planning Categories

DMA District Municipal Area

DWAF Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

Glossary

Environment The surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of soil,

water and atmosphere as well as micro-organisms, plant and animal life and

the interrelationships among these elements

Niche Micro-habitats to which specific organisms are adapted

Eutrophic High levels of nutrient enrichment

Mesotrophic Moderate amount of nutrients, less than eutrophic

Biome large scale ecological communities characterized by distinct soils, climate

and vegetation


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1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Cape Winelands District Municipal Area (CWDMA) is rich in natural and human resources.

It is imperative for long term sustainable development that the natural resources are protected

as these resources supply essential ecological services that sustain development.

The purpose of this document is to:

Assess the natural resources in the CWDMA

Determine the opportunities and constraints relating to these resources

Provide guidelines on how to adapt to or mitigate these constraints

How to measure mitigation performance over time

1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE SITUATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

The following Terms of Reference was provided to Aurecon Environmental Unit by Rode Plan

for the Environmental Situational Analysis for the Cape Winelands District Municipality:

1. To complete a high-level qualitative assessment of current biodiversity conservation

guidelines/policy/activities with particular reference to spatial relevance and implication.

2. To determine and locate areas of high conservation importance and current

conservation status.

3. To complete a broad synthesis of existing biophysical information (spatially referenced

according to the bioregional sub-regions).

4. To assist in the description and delineation of Spatial Planning Categories.

5. To determine opportunities and constraints presented by the environment.

6. To assist in the formulation of “spatial” guidelines (strategy, objective, action) as part of

the Spatial Development Framework within the “environmental” thrust.

7. To make preliminary proposals regarding (basic) indicators to measure the

implementation and outcome of CWDSDF proposed spatial guidelines over time.


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Table 1.1 below provides an indication of where the Terms of Reference have been met in this

report.

Table 1.1: Sections where aspects of the Terms of Reference are complied with

Terms of reference Section

1. Assessment of guidelines, policy and activities Section 2

2. Determine areas of high conservation value Section 7

3. Synthesis of existing biophysical information Section 3

4. Description and delineation of Spatial Planning Categories Section 1.5.3 & Section

4.1.1

5. Environmental opportunities and constraints Section 4

6. Spatial environmental guidelines Section 6

7. Indicators to measure the implementation and outcome Section 7

1.3 CONTEXT

The Environmental Situational Analysis (ESA) as a part of the Cape Winelands Spatial

Development Framework (CWSDF) is in line with and informed by the vision, scope and

strategic planning of the Cape Winelands Strategic Environmental Assessment (CWSEA) in

terms of the environment of the Cape Winelands District. This report will focus on ecosystem

services provided for social development, how people impact on these services and how to

mitigate these impacts. It will furthermore consider the governance of social interactions with

the environment from a municipal perspective.

The environment means the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of

soil, water and atmosphere as well as micro-organisms, plant and animal life and the

interrelationships among these elements. It furthermore includes the physical, chemical,

aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health

and wellbeing.

These elements of the environment have been categorised according to Categories A to D to

facilitate effective management of these resources. Section 4.1 describes the scope of each of

these categories.

BOX 1: VISION

The Cape Winelands District Municipality, together with its key stakeholders, effectively

manages human activities to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of key ecosystem

services within the area, for the benefit of all, now and into the future


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1.4 BACKGROUND

The CWDMA is endowed with a number of natural and human systems. Natural systems

provide ecological services to the social systems namely biodiversity, soil and water services.

These services and elements that provide the services are impacted by human activities and

Climate Change. The services and influences are introduced below and are discussed in more

detail in Section 3.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the multitude of fauna, flora and micro-organism species that constitute an

ecosystem at three scales viz. genetic, species and ecosystem.

Although there is limited research on the role of biodiversity in functioning of ecosystems, there

is general consensus that the loss of biodiversity would impact on ecosystem services and in

turn on human well being. Biodiversity for example plays an important role in inter alia the

pollination of crops and natural vegetation, the provision of useful species such as flowers for

harvesting, fauna and flora species for pest control, and the creation of a pleasant and attractive

environment for tourists for instance.

The CWD is dominated by the Fynbos Biome (aka the Cape Floristic Kingdom) and the

Succulent Karoo Biome. Both these are recognized as global biodiversity hotspots, with high

levels of plant diversity and endemism (Midgley et al. 2008). These vegetation types provide

habitat for many animal and micro-organism species that together provide ecological services.

Even though a particular organism may not provide a direct or indirect service to the human

system it helps maintain balances within the natural system that in turn provides important

ecological services.

Water Resources

Water resources in the Cape Winelands provide a variety of direct and indirect ecosystem

services. Not only is drinking water essential to human survival, but water resources are also

critical to cultivation, processing and manufacturing, in addition the river systems of the Cape

Winelands are important tourist and recreational resources and contribute to the sense of the

place of the Winelands.

The Cape Winelands area straddles four Water Management Areas (WMA) viz. Gouritz,

Olifants/Doorn, Breede and Berg WMAs. Of these the Breede River and Berg River systems

provide most of the water used to irrigate crops in the Cape Winelands as well as water for

domestic purposes within and beyond the boundaries of the Cape Winelands, mostly notably

also contributing significantly to the supply of the Cape Metropolitan Area.

Land and soil

Soil, which largely determines the characteristic of the land on which it occurs, provides a

number of ecological services for development, most notably a medium within which to grow

crops. It is important to note, however, that this service in particular is provided in combination

with climate and water availability and thus cannot be seen in isolation.


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Soil is derived from the underlying geological formations and derives its characteristics from

these formations. It takes a long time to form and is easily eroded if the land is not appropriately

managed resulting in loss of productive areas.

Climate change

In the Western Cape Climate Change is predicted to result in a drying trend from west to east,

with a weakening of winter rainfall, possibly slightly more summer rainfall (mainly in the east of

the province), a shift to more irregular rainfall of possibly greater intensity, and rising mean,

minimum and maximum temperatures (CWDM 2008). In the Cape Winelands these trends are

likely to result in increased competition for scarce water resource.

The competition for water resources would bring developed areas in direct conflict with natural

systems such as rivers and other wetlands through water extraction. To protect wetlands

effectively the ecological reserve needs to be maintained. The ecological reserve is the

minimum amount of water required to maintain in situ ecological systems.

Climate Change would furthermore compromise the integrity of natural vegetation, especially

vegetation that is stressed due to development. The ecological services provided by the

vegetation and associated ecosystems e.g. flood attenuation, soil erosion, pollinators, pest

control etc; will be compromised, which would limit the potential for sustainable development.

Human activities in the CWDM area

The most prominent economic activities in the Cape Winelands District are agriculture, primarily

wine and deciduous fruit production, and tourism, which centre on the wine industry, the natural

environment and cultural history in the District. Other less prominent economic activity includes

forestry, mining, manufacturing and construction.

Agricultural activity comprises not only viticulture and deciduous fruit production, but also

vegetable, poultry and essential oil production, and aquaculture. A wide range of manufacturing

industries operate in the District including food and tobacco, textiles, leather tanning, wood and

paper products, chemicals, metals, machinery, household and medical supplies, motor vehicles

and jewellery production. The tourism sector in the District offers a diverse mix of opportunities

in health and wellness, food and wine, eco-and adventure tourism, conferencing, and history

and cultural heritage categories.

1.5 APPROACH TO THE PROJECT

1.5.1 Consultation process

The stakeholders and consultants noted in Table 1.2 have been consulted for input into the

situational analysis.

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Table 1.2: Stakeholders and consultants consulted in terms of the situational analysis

SUBJECT NAME ORGANISATION

General SW van der Merwe, Alexander Rehder Dennis Moss Partners

Melanie Simpson CapeNature

Aquatic systems Jan Truter South Consulting

Marlé Kunneke Clean Catchment Concepts

Indicators Atherton de Villiers, Dean Impson & Jaco van Deventer CapeNature

Dr Charles Boucher Environmental Consultant

Vegetation Mark Berry, Jan Vlok & Charles Boucher Environmental Consultant

Fauna Peter Lloyd & Jaco van Deventer CapeNature

Fire management Jan Vlok Environmental Consultant

Jaco van Deventer CapeNature

Agricultural Brian Barnes ARC: Infruitec

Alien vegetation Charles Boucher Environmental Consultant

Jaco van Deventer CapeNature

Gerhard Erasmus Planning Services

Climate Change Jaco van Deventer CapeNature

Jan Truter South Consulting

Ecosystem fragmentation Peter Lloyd CapeNature

Gerhard Erasmus Planning Services

Mapping Zelda Els Aurecon

Alexander Rehder Dennis Moss Partners

Ricky de Villiers CapeNature

Protected areas Patrick Shone, Ricky de Villiers & André Mitchell CapeNature

Jan Truter South Consulting

Legal issues Jan Truter South Consulting

André Mitchell CapeNature

Consultant Anneke De Kok Anneke De Kok Environmental

1.5.2 Research

Various stakeholders and consultants as noted in Table 1.2 have been consulted to obtain relevant information for the Situational

Analysis. Reference material provided by them, the Strategic Environmental Analysis (SEA), Drakenstein Spatial Development

Framework (SDF), Drakenstein SEA and the Cape Biosphere Spatial Plan were reviewed as well as any other relevant reports

compiled by Aurecon. A geographic Information System (GIS) was used to analyse available data to determine spatial extent of the

environmental elements that are discussed in this analysis.

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1.5.3 Spatial Planning Categories

The land use for the CWDM has been divided into four major categories namely Categories A to D as defined in Table 1.3 below.

These categories are used in the environmental analysis to define distinct management categories implemented by the CWDM.

Table 1.3: Spatial Planning Categories

Definition of core SPC

Purpose of Core SPC Possible land use & activities in the Core SPC Core SPC delineation guidelines

What kinds of activities?

Where to locate? Appropriate form and scale

Core 1 Areas Core 1 Areas are those parts of the rural landscape required to meet biodiversity patterns or ecological processes (i.e. critical biodiversity areas). These include habitats classified as highly irreplaceable, critically endangered, or endangered terrestrial (land), aquatic (rivers, wetlands & estuaries) and marine habitats. These also include areas currently not yet exhibiting high levels of biodiversity loss, but which should be protected and restored in order to ensure biodiversity pattern and ecological process targets/thresholds can be met in the most efficient way possible. Also includes essential biological corridors vital to sustain their functionality. Two components of the rural landscape make up Core 1 Areas: (i) All areas with formal conservation status (i.t.o. the Protected Areas Act), namely: national parks; provincial nature reserves; designated mountain catchment areas (i.t.o. the Mountain Catchments Areas Act); forestry reserves; wilderness areas; and marine reserves (i.t.o. the Marine

Designate which parts of the rural landscape are of highest conservation importance, and if they are currently protected or not. (ii) Informs expansion of the protected area network. (iii) Delineates areas that must be maintained in, or restored to, a natural state in order to sustain biodiversity patterns and processes and the functionality of ecosystem services. (iv) Identify areas of land that could serve as biodiversity offset receiving areas. (v) In combination with Core 2 Areas, they spatially define the „core‟ of the rural landscape‟s ecological network.

Essentially „no-go‟ areas from a development perspective. Accordingly they should, as far as possible, remain undisturbed by human impact. Conservation management activities such as alien clearing, research and environmental education should be encouraged. Subject to stringent controls the following biodiversity compatible land uses (i.e. those of very low impact) may be accommodated in Core areas: o Non-consumptive low

impact eco-tourism activities such as recreation and tourism (e.g. hiking trails, bird and game watching, and visitor overnight accommodation). o Harvesting of natural

resources (e.g. wild flowers for medicinal, culinary or commercial use), subject to EMP demonstrating the sustainability of harvesting. Where Core areas are identified on land that has no formal conservation status (e.g. private farm), no further loss of natural habitat should occur. Given the often high visual or aesthetic value of these landscapes, no large-scale eco-tourism developments to be permitted. Land consolidation

No development is permissible in proclaimed Wilderness Areas. Wherever possible, structures associated with activities in Core Areas should preferably be located in neighbouring Buffer areas. Fine-scale environmentally sensitivity mapping should inform the placement of essential buildings or structures in Core areas (e.g. as per SANParks CDF planning process). Where structures associated with biodiversity-compatible activities are located in Core areas, these should preferably be located on currently disturbed footprints. Restrict development in Mountain Catchment Areas in order to maintain their high water yielding and water quality function (e.g. plantations or activities resulting in increased sediment inputs to aquatic systems).

Where buildings and structures in Core Areas are justifiable, “touch the earth lightly” construction principles should be applied to ensure that development is in harmony with the character of the surrounding landscape and to ensure the maintenance of its natural qualities. The receiving environment and aesthetic qualities of an area must be the determinant of the scale and form of development. Good management practices, with small low density footprints, appropriate technology and design concepts (e.g. Enviro-loos, temporary structures, green architecture and use of natural resources). Temporary structures to be preferred (e.g. wooden structures, tents, and/or tree canopy structures, with units carefully dispersed or clustered to achieve least impact. Raised boardwalks preferred or alternatively porous materials and design concepts. Stringent management programs for resource harvesting informed by determination of carrying capacity and a management plan to ensure appropriate harvesting techniques and volumes.

Include all formal Protected Areas. (ii) Include all land designated as Critical Biodiversity Areas (public or private) that should be protected and eventually incorporated into the Protected Areas network. (iii) Where possible incentivize incorporation using the following designations: - Private Land; Stewardship Agreements or as a Protected Environment or Nature Reserve i.t.o. NEMA or the Protected Areas Act. - Municipal Land; Nature Reserve i.t.o. NEMA or Protected Areas Act. - Forest Nature Reserves through the National Forest Act and Wilderness Areas i.t.o. of the Wilderness Act. - Title deed restrictions where land has been designated under the Stewardship Program or declared a Nature Reserve or Protected Environment

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Living Resources Act). (ii) Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA), as identified through a systematic conservation planning process, that have no formal conservation status. These may comprise terrestrial or aquatic habitats, remnants or features that must be conserved to meet national biodiversity pattern or process thresholds.

should be encourages and sub-division prohibited.

Core 2 Areas This category includes: (i) Areas currently not yet exhibiting high levels of biodiversity loss, but which should be protected and restored in order to ensure biodiversity pattern and ecological process targets can be met in the most efficient way possible. (ii) Ecological Support Areas (ESA) to Critical Biodiversity Areas (i.e. river reaches within priority CBA sub-catchments which prevent degradation of CBA‟s). (iii) CBA aquatic Buffer areas including CBA catchment areas. (iv) Coastline and coastal processes. (v) River and ecological corridors (those not classified essential as per Core 1 definition). (vi) Mountain Catchment Areas.

Manage to restore and sustain eco-system functioning, especially ecological processes (i.e. rivers and seep clusters and their respective buffers) in support of wetlands and rivers in Critical Biodiversity Areas.

Biodiversity – compatible and low impact conservation land uses as per Core 1 Areas, but allowing for a limited increase in scale of development in less sensitive areas (provided ecological processes not disrupted). To be informed by environmental sensitivity mapping, transformation thresholds and cumulative impacts. Biodiversity offsets may be necessary in this case. Where existing agricultural activities (e.g. livestock) occur in Core 1 or Core 2 Areas, it needs to be subject to: - Lower impact practices - Lower than standard stocking rates - Resting cycles (i.e. rotational grazing) - Wetland & river bank protection to avoid overgrazing, trampling and destabilization - Avoiding areas containing red data species - Limiting “value-adding” to nature-based tourism. Incentivise consolidation of the conservation estate by: - Introducing limited low density rural housing development rights - Financial incentives (i.t.o. the Property Rates Act) - Other incentives (e.g. resource economic approaches)

As for Core 1 Areas As for Core 1 Areas Delineation and inclusion of Critical Ecological Support Areas (i.e. river reaches and their buffers and significant seep clusters in support of CBA rivers and wetlands). (ii) Coastline outside the urban edge, together with coastal processes to be included.

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No further extensions of intensive or extensive agriculture Refer Table 3 for Land use Management Guidelines

Definition of Buffer SPC

Purpose of Buffer SPC

Possible land use & activities in the Buffer SPC Buffer SPC delineation guidelines

What kinds of activities?

Where to locate? Appropriate form and scale

Buffer 1 Areas Bufer 1 SPC comprises large intact portions and remnants of natural or near natural vegetation not designated as CBA or ESA, especially in proximity/adjacent to CBAs and/or ESA:

(i) To restore & maintain ecological processes. (ii) To retain landscape scale biodiversity corridors (iii) To strengthen the conservation and extensive agricultural economies through; - incentivising the consolidation and maintenance of extensive agricultural units; and - broadening the agricultural economic base through farm diversification of use and revenue generation (e.g. farm tourism) (iv) To buffer Ecological Support Areas (including CBA Buffer Areas) which support Critical Biodiversity Areas. (v) To enhance biodiversity through innovative agricultural practices (e.g. veld management) and rehabilitation of previously disturbed agricultural land. (vi) To buffer against the impacts of climate change.

(i) Conservation activities as per Core 1 and 2 Areas including sustainable consumptive or non-consumptive uses. (ii) Biodiversity compatible land uses as informed by transformation thresholds, including: - Low density Rural Residential Development - Resort and holiday accommodation - Tourist and recreational facilities - Additional dwelling units (iii) Development (e.g. structures) in support of both tourism and biodiversity conservation in Core Areas preferably be located in Buffer 1 and 2 if logistically feasible. (iv) Extensive agriculture comprising extensive game and livestock farming, subject to the following: - Lower impact practices be favoured (e.g. indigenous game farming as opposed to domestic livestock production) - Lower than standard stocking rates be employed - Resting cycles (i.e. rotational grazing) be employed - Buffer areas be protected from overgrazing and trampling in order to avoid wetland shoreline and river bank erosion and destabilization - Avoidance of areas containing red data species

(i) Development to target existing farm precincts and disturbed areas, with the employment of existing structures and footprints to accommodate development. (ii) Extensive developments (e.g. caravan and camping sites) be restricted to sites of limited visual exposure and sites not prominent in the landscape. (iii) Consolidation and maintenance of Buffer Area land units should be promoted, especially when in private ownership, through encouraging voluntary stewardship together with incentives (e.g. alienable property rights and opportunities in terms of the Property Rates Act).

(i) Development to reinforce farm precinct and reflect similar vernacular in terms of scale, form and design. (ii) In the absence of existing farmsteads, development to reflect compact and unobtrusive nodes, conforming to local vernacular in terms of scale, form and design. (iii) Development design (e.g. resort) to embrace the spatial form, movement patterns, building design and conservation and ecology of the area through: - Maintaining the dominance of the natural and agricultural landscapes - Maintaining and enhancing natural continuities of green spaces, riverine corridors and movement - Maintaining dominant landscape features and their continuity (e.g. ridge lines, valleys) - Protecting conservation-worthy places and heritage areas (e.g. farmsteads)

(i) All land designated as Large intact portions/r remnants of natural or near natural vegetation not designated as CBA or ESA, especially in proximity/adjacent to CBAs and/or ESA including: - rivers and wetlands (together with their buffers) - vulnerable and least threatened vegetation types - significant water yield areas, and - significant groundwater recharge and discharge areas (ii) Corridors (river, vegetation, habitat) necessary to promote and sustain ecological processes.

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- Strictly limited “value-adding” through intensified tourism (e.g. resort or recreational facilities) or consumptive uses (e.g. hunting) (v) Extension of extensive agriculture may be accommodated if accompanied with biodiversity offsets, with receiving areas for such offsets being onsite or in other Core 1 areas. Refer Table 3 for Land Use Management Guidelines

Buffer 2 Areas This category includes areas designated as Other Natural Areas, located in an extensive and/or intensive agriculture matrix (i.e. livestock production) as the dominant land use

(i) Manage for sustainable development of current land use in the area. (ii) Protect existing agricultural activity (i.e. livestock production) to ensure food security, contribution to the regional economy, maintenance and management of rural areas and contributing and to the working agricultural and cultural landscape. (iii) Facilitate agricultural diversification and non-agricultural opportunities (e.g. game farming, tourist facilities) and “value-adding” to the primary product (e.g. cheese-making). (iv) Accommodate space extensive and nuisance urban uses, and extensive agricultural uses (e.g. waste water treatment plants, piggeries, mushroom growing plants, etc.). (v) Enhance biodiversity through innovative agricultural practices (e.g. veld management). (vi) Minimize fragmentation of remaining natural habitats and corridors. (vii) Reverse lost biodiversity in order to reinstate buffer zones and corridors. (viii) Rehabilitate degraded

(i) Activities and uses directly relating to the primary agricultural enterprise (ii) Farm buildings & activities associated with the primary agricultural activity, including a homestead, agricultural buildings and worker accommodation (iii) Additional dwelling units, including: - units approved under the agricultural-land policy equating to 1 additional non-alienable dwelling unit per 10ha to a maximum of 5 per agricultural unit - units permissible in terms of Rural Residential Development (iv) Additional land uses to facilitate diversification and “value adding” including: - Small-scale holiday accommodation (farmstay, B&B, guesthouse, boutique hotel,); - restaurant, lifestyle retail, venue facility; - farm stall & farm store; - home occupation- local product processing (e.g. cheese-making) - tourist & recreational facilities (e.g. hiking trail, 4x4 routes) (iv) No fragmentation of farm cadastral unit, with spot zoning and consent uses employed to accommodate

(i) Location of primary agricultural activities (e.g. livestock production) to be informed by the exclusion of steep slopes, wetlands, floodplains of rivers and streams (and associated buffers), as well as areas of remnant vegetation (ii) Development in support of primary cultivation (e.g. product handling and processing) to be located within or peripheral to the farmstead precinct or as distinct clusters at farm outposts. (iii) Development associated with farm diversification or “value adding” should: - not result in excessive expansion and encroachment of building development and land use into the farm area; and - not be located in visually exposed areas given the extensive landscape of extensive farming areas (iv) Development (i.e. farm diversification or “value adding”) to be located within or peripheral to the farmstead precinct or outposts and should be accommodated in reused, converted or replaced farm buildings (i.e. existing footprint) or to target

(i) Development of the primary agricultural enterprise (e.g. livestock production) to comply with existing guidelines for extensive agriculture, including: - Carrying capacity; - veld management and soil erosion control; & - agricultural setback on wetlands, rivers and streams as per CARA regulations. (ii) Building development to reflect the style, scale, form and the significance of the farmstead precinct or farm outpost, their buildings and setting (iii) In the absence of existing farmsteads or outposts, development to reflect compact and unobtrusive nodes, conforming to local vernacular in terms of scale, form and design. (iv) Development design (e.g. resort) to maintain and enhance the dominance of the agricultural landscape, continuation of green spaces, riverine corridors, and dominant landscape features (e.g. ridge lines)

All other natural areas that are located in an agricultural matrix, including: - Existing extensive agricultural areas - All areas considered suitable for current and future extensive agricultural activities as identified in the LandCare/Area- Wide Planning Programme - All areas of endangered vegetation that are not included in a CBA or ESA,, including remnants Corridors (river, and biodiversity), wetlands natural habitats

17


areas (e.g. agricultural, mining).

nonagricultural uses (v) On-farm settlement of farm workers, using existing housing stock or upgraded hostels (vi) Buffer 2 Areas within the “fringe” of urban settlements to accommodate the following uses not suited to location within the urban edge: - space extensive requirements (e.g. regional sports & recreation facilities, tourist facilities) - nuisance and buffer requirements (e.g. waste water treatment plants, cemeteries, solid waste disposal sites, airports, feedlots, quarries and mines, truck stops) Refer Table 3 for Land Use Management Guidelines

disturbed areas (v) Location of additional development to be informed by existing farm road access and existing on-line services network (vi) Buffer 2 areas within the “fringe” of urban settlements to be determined through an integrated urban fringe study to determine their extent and suitability for accommodating space extensive and nuisance agricultural and urban uses.

Definition Purpose of Intensive Agriculture SPC

Possible land use & activities in Intensive Agriculture SPC SPC delineation guidelines What kinds of

activities? Where to locate? Appropriate form

and scale The Intensive Agriculture SPC comprises a consolidation of the existing and potential intensive agricultural footprint (i.e. homogeneous farming areas made up of cultivated land and production support areas). The Intensive Agriculture SPC includes: (i) Irrigated crop cultivation (annual & perennial) (ii) Dry land crop cultivation including tillage of nonirrigated crops (annual & perennial) (iii) Timber plantations

(i) Consolidating & protecting existing & potential agricultural landscapes. (ii) Facilitating sustainable agricultural development, land and agrarian reform, and food security.

(i) Activities and uses directly related to the primary agricultural enterprise. (ii) Farm buildings and associated structures (e.g. homestead, barns, farm worker accommodation, etc). (iii) Additional dwelling units approved under the policy of 1 additional nonalienable dwelling unit per 10ha, up to a maximum of 5 per farm (iv) Ancillary rural activities of appropriate scale that do not detract from farming production, that diversify farm income, and add value to locally produced products, e.g.: - small-scale rural holiday accommodation (e.g. farmstay, B&B, guesthouse, boutique hotel); - restaurant, rural lifestyle retail; function venue facility; - farm stall and farm store; - home occupation (farm product processing); - local product processing

(i) The location of agricultural activities will be dictated by local on-farm agro-climatic conditions (e.g. soils, slope, etc.), but wetlands, floodplains & important vegetation remnants should be kept in a natural state. (ii) Ancillary activities should be located within or peripheral to the farmstead precinct (preferably in re-used or replaced farm buildings and disturbed areas), not on good or moderate soils, and linked to existing farm road access and the services network.

(i) Farming to be undertaken in accordance with existing guidelines regarding slope, setbacks around wetlands and streams, etc (as per CARA Regs). (ii) Facilities for ancillary on-farm activities should be in scale with and reinforce the farmstead precinct, enhance the historic built fabric and respect conservation-worthy places. (iii) Landscaping should complement existing planting patterns. (iv) Fragmentation of farm cadastral unit should be prevented, and consent uses and spot zoning employed for managing ancillary on-farm activities. (v) Consolidation of cadastral units should be promoted, especially where farms have Conservation-worthy natural remnants (see Appendix A for Conservation Stewardship

The SPC should be delineated to consolidate farming landscapes. Land suitable for intensive agriculture should be included, such as:

Existing intensive agricultural super blocks,

areas of High Potential and Unique Agricultural Land (HPUAL),

areas in between of lower agricultural potential that are not Core or Buffer SPCs,

areas identified in the Land Care/ Area-Wide Planning Programs,

areas having irrigation rights or future irrigation potential, and

land suitable for small-scale farming in close proximity to settlements.

18


(e.g. winery, olive pressing); and - rural recreational facilities (e.g. riding school) (v) Ancillary on-farm activities in an Intensive Agriculture SPC will be impacted on by surrounding farming activities (e.g. dust generation, spray drift, etc), and these impacts are not grounds for restricting farming production. (vi) Large scale resorts, and tourist and recreation facilities should not be accommodated within Intensive Agriculture SPCs as they detract from the functionality and integrity of productive landscapes. (vii) Intensive-feed farming should not be accommodated in Intensive Agriculture SPCs due to their operational impacts (e.g. odour and traffic). (viii) Nurseries in Intensive Agriculture SPCs should limit propagation to local crop types Refer Table 3.2 for Agricultural Land Use Management Guidelines

Options).

Definition Purpose of Settlement SPC

Possible land use & activities in Settlement SPC SPC delineation guidelines What kinds of

activities? Where to locate? Appropriate form

and scale This category includes all existing cities, large and smaller towns, villages and hamlets, and all forms of new human settlements.

To develop & manage existing and new settlements on a sustainable basis. Where-ever possible existing settlements should be used to accommodate non-agricultural rural development activities and facilities. This is for reasons of: - local economic development; - consolidating, integrating and reinforcing settlement structure; - improving service delivery; - strengthening rural-urban linkages;

(i) Agricultural activities of excessive scale and non-agricultural activities not suited for location in the Intensive Agricultural and Buffer 1 and 2 Areas to be located within settlements or their “fringe areas”. These activities include: - Off-farm residential development and farm worker accommodation(e.g. in “agricultural suburbs”) - Agricultural industry (e.g. wine bottling plant) and regional product processing (e.g. fruit cannery)

Non-agricultural related land uses and activities associated with rural development initiatives should, where-ever possible, be located in existing settlements. Preference should be given to settlements along dominant routes and accessible to bulk services corridors. The SDF and its urban edge component should define areas suitable for the expansion of existing settlements. Visual impact considerations should be

New buildings and structures should conform with the massing, form, height and material use in existing settlements. When accommodating development in existing settlements the following principles should be adhered to: - Retain the compact form of smaller settlements; - maintain and enhance public spaces; - reinforce the close relationship of settlements to the regional route structure; - integrate new development

(i) All settlements as delineated by their interim and/or medium-term urban edges. (ii) Urban “fringe areas” as denoted within Buffer 2 Area immediately peripheral to urban edges. (iii) Use CBA and HPUAL mapping to inform delineation.

19


- promoting socioeconomic development; and - increasing thresholds for service delivery and social facilities In line with the principles of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, new settlements in the rural landscape should only be established in essential circumstances (e.g. power station, mine, etc.).

- Institutions (e.g. jail or rehabilitation centre) - Agricultural colleges and schools - Large-scale tourist accommodation (e.g. hotel) and facilities (e.g. water park) - Service trades - Footloose business, including farming co-operatives, agricultural requisites and filling stations (ii) New settlements should be restricted to: - Servicing of geographically isolated farming areas; - servicing rural resource exploitation (e.g. mine); - proclaiming the urban component of existing Act 9 and church settlements (e.g. Wupperthal, Genadendal), and - servicing significant infrastructural developments (e.g. new power plant) situated in an isolated location.

taken into account, especially within settlement gateways. Where new settlements need to be established, consideration needs to be given to: - Environnemental impact (e.g. waste management) - Visual impact, especially on the rural landscape - Historical settlement patterns and form - Natural landscape and topographical form as design informants

into the settlement structure; and - respect socio-historical and cultural places.

(Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Rural Land Use Planning & Management Guidelines)

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1.6 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

It is assumed that:

The information drawn on by this study that has been sourced from planning documentation and

documentation provided by the CWDM is comprehensive and accurate.

The findings of this study are also subject to the following limitations:

The scope of the ESA did not allow for the collection of new biophysical, chemical, geographical or

socio-economic data and the Situational Assessment thus relied extensively on existing reports and

databases.

The study area was assessed at the scale of 1:250 000 for most part and 1:10 000 to 1:50 000 for the

Breede River and Breede Valley municipal areas. There may thus be land use features that were not

recognised due to the small scale used in some areas.

The impact data used is not up to date as it varies considerably for each Spatial Planning Category

(SPC), therefore all deductions are provided subject to available literature and data at time of

compilation. It is thus reasonable to assume a certain level of deviation applies from true data i.e.

status per SPC at current date.

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2 BIODIVERSTIY CONSERVATION POLICY AND ACTIVITIES

Numerous policies and regulatory and strategic frameworks exist regarding biodiversity conservation. Many of

the older statutes do not directly use the term biodiversity but refer to the need for conserving environments

and species. In the sections that follow, we look at policy, legislation and strategies that deal directly with the

biodiversity sector, and then at related policy, legislation and strategies.

2.1 POLICY, LEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAMME CONTEXT

2.1.1 Policy

White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biological Diversity

(1997) was South Africa‟s first step to give effect to the various measures outlined in the Convention

on Biodiversity (1992). It is the government‟s national policy on the conservation and sustainable use

of South Africa‟s biological diversity. It emphasizes that sustainable resource use depends on the

conservation of biodiversity.

White Paper on Environmental Management Policy (1998) is the national policy on environmental

management. It sets out the vision, principles, strategic goals and objectives, and regulatory

approaches that government uses for environmental management in South Africa. This overarching

framework policy applies to all government institutions and to all activities that impact on the

environment.

2.1.2 Legislation

National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA) provides the overarching

framework governing environmental management in South Africa. It provides for cooperative

environmental governance by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the

environment. One of these principles is sustainable development, which requires the consideration of

a range of factors including that the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity be

avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied.

Chapter 1(2) of NEMA contains a set of core environmental principles that are applicable to all organs

of state that may significantly affect the environment. Local Government is required to incorporate

these into any policy, programme, plan or any decision made that may have a negative impact on the

environment. These principles embodied in the act and the derivatives thereof viz. National

Environmental Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) and National Environmental Management Protected

Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) ensure that people and their needs are put first and that resources are

shared equitably and sustainably. This is achieved through sensible environmental management and

where damage or degradation cannot be avoided, that it is minimised and remedied. It furthermore

encourages public participation in environmental management and the use of natural resources.

NEMA: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004) forms part of the National Environmental Management suite of

legislation. It provides for the management and conservation of South Africa‟s biodiversity, the

protection of ecosystems and species, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and

equitable sharing of benefits arising from bio-prospecting of genetic material. It also provides for the

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development of a National Biodiversity Framework and bioregional plans that is consistent with

NEMA. The statute also provides for the protection of ecosystems and species that are threatened or

in need of protection and seeks to prevent the introduction and spread of alien or invasive species.

NEMA: Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003 as amended 2005) forms part of the National Environmental

Management suite of legislation. It provides for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable

areas representative of South Africa‟s biological diversity and its natural landscapes and seascapes,

the establishment of a national register of national, provincial and local protected areas, and the

management of these areas according to national norms and standards.

National Water Act (34 of 1998) provides for the development, use and protection of water

resources.

National Forests Act (84 of 1998) recognises that natural forests and woodlands form an important

part of the environment and need to be conserved and developed according to the principles of

sustainable management. It furthermore recognises that conservation of biological diversity within

woodlands should be promoted in a way that is consistent with the primary economic purpose for

which the plantation was established.

National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999) allows for conservation and management of national

heritage and cultural resources.

Genetically Modified Organisms Act (15 of 1997) provides for measures to promote the responsible

development, production, use, and application of genetically modified organisms.

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1993) provides for the conservation of natural

agricultural resources by maintaining the production potential of land through combating and

preventing erosion, the weakening or destruction of water sources, the protection of vegetation, and

the combating of weeds and invader plants.

Sustainable Utilization of Agricultural Resources Bill will replace the Conservation of Agricultural

Resources Act.

Mountain Catchment Areas Act (63 of 1970) provides for the conservation, use, management and

control of land in mountain catchment areas.

Development Facilitation Act (67 of 1995) set out local government land development principles and

procedures. It includes a principle that encourages environmentally sustainable land development

practices and processes.

Municipal Property Rates Act (6 of 2004) includes an important provision for a rates exclusion for

formally declared protected areas, including private land which is declared a contract nature reserve in

terms of the Protected Areas Act.

2.1.3 Strategies, frameworks and programmes

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) builds on the above policies and

legislation by translating biodiversity-related policy goals into prioritized objectives and implementation

action plans.

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National Biodiversity Framework (NBF) is required in terms of the Biodiversity Act, and will be

based on the NBSAP. It must provide an integrated, coordinated and uniform approach to biodiversity

management throughout the country.

National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) (2004) provides the framework within which the water

resources of South Africa will be managed in the future. The NWRS sets out policies, strategies,

objectives, plans, guidelines, procedures and institutional arrangements for the protection, use,

development, conservation, management and control of the country‟s water resources. Objectives for

the strategy include achieving equitable access to water, sustainable use of water and efficient and

effective water use.

Catchment Management Strategies provide guidelines on the management of Water Management

Areas (WMAs). The country has been divided into 19 WMAs, with four being located in the Western

Cape. The delegation of water resource management from central government to catchment level will

be achieved through the establishment of Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) at a WMA level.

Each CMA will progressively develop a Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) for the protection,

use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources within its WMA. The

Department of Water Affairs (DWA) aim is to eventually hand over certain water resource

management functions to CMAs, but until such time as the CMAs are established and fully

operational, the Regional Offices of the DWA will continue to manage the water resource in their areas

of jurisdiction.

State of environment reporting provides a framework for tracking the impact of policy, legislation

and strategies on the state of biodiversity. Consistency between the biodiversity indicators used in

national, provincial and local State of Environment Reports is important. The National State of the

Environment Report (1999) considers the forces driving economic change, the environmental

pressures, the state of the environment, the impacts of environmental change, the country‟s

responses to this change, and environmental management scenarios for South Africa. The Western

Cape State of the Environment Report (1995) further considers the importance of the biodiversity in

the Cape Floristic region and the Succulent Karoo and the impacts on these biomes.

Environmental Management Plans and Environmental Implementation Plans, required of national

departments in terms of NEMA, should include a focus on biodiversity. However, biodiversity tends to

be weakly integrated into these.

Bioregional programmes are multi-sectoral partnership programmes that aim to link biodiversity

conservation with socio-economic development. They include:

o Cape Action for People and the Environment (CAPE)

o Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP)

o River Health Programme measures and reports on river health in order to achieve ecologically

sound water resource management of South Africa‟s river systems.

Policy on Agriculture in Sustainable Development forms part of the process of incorporating

principles and objectives of sustainable development into the ethos of the agricultural sector of this

country. It aims at integrating and harmonising the three pillars of sustainable development viz. social

(people), environment (planet) and economic (prosperity). Its goals should be to ensure socially

24


responsible economic development while protecting the resource base and the environment for the

benefit of future generations. The policy recognizes the shared goals of government, farmers and

conservationists and the need for all stakeholders to work together to achieve a sustainable

agricultural sector in South Africa. The success of this policy will depend largely on the support and

participation of farmers, consumers, government departments, parastatals, the private sector, non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders.

Strategy for rates rebate for the conservation of biodiversity and removal of alien vegetation:

Landowners that have taken it upon themselves to set-aside and manage threatened habitat to

maintain biodiversity should be given an incentive for their foresight and commitment. Over and above

forgoing the economic benefits of ploughing the land for agriculture, many spend a substantial amount

of time, money and effort on conservation management interventions such as clearing the land of

alien vegetation, implementing firebreaks, erecting fencing etc. Aside from conserving a vital part of

South Africa‟s natural heritage, these landowners are delivering the following benefits to the region:

o Conserving biodiversity, a prerequisite to healthy ecosystems and sustainable production

o Saving water through the eradication of alien plant species on their property

o Reducing fire risk by removing alien vegetation and having a fire management plan

o Creating employment through the management of conservation land

o Securing tourism as South Africa‟s biodiversity is a major tourist attraction

Levying rates on such land would serve as a disincentive to landowners to conserve and might result

in them cultivating natural areas to avoid an escalating rates bill. This would have a serious negative

effect on the biodiversity of CFK, and in turn on the ability for the Western Cape to meet its agricultural

potential on a sustainable basis.

2.1.4 Conservation initiatives

Working for Water is aimed at removing invasive alien species and restoring water supplies, while

addressing social objectives through poverty alleviation and job creation.

Working for Wetlands aims to facilitate the conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable use of

wetland ecosystems through cooperative governance, while at the same time contributing to poverty

alleviation, job creation, training and empowerment. It furthermore offers technical expertise to

landowners and collaborates with local partners to set rehabilitation objectives with the intention of

improving the integrity and functioning of ecosystems.

National Land Care Programme is a programme for natural resource management with the overall

aim of optimizing productivity and sustainable use of natural resources, to ensure the conservation of

natural resources, improved productivity, food security and empowerment.

CapeNature stewardship program offers three stewardship options to landowners who wish to

conserve biodiversity (namely Conservation Areas, Biodiversity Agreements & Contract Nature

Reserves). They differ according to degree of restriction and amount of benefit / assistance offered by

CapeNature.

The stewardship options can be regarded as a tool for the expansion of protected areas within a

municipality, by securing portions of land containing critically endangered and endangered natural

25


vegetation on private land. Only Contract Nature Reserves are recognized as statutory protected

areas in terms of the Protected Areas Act, No 57 of 2003.

Biodiversity & Wine Initiative through the South African Wine and Brandy partnership with

Conservation International, CAPE and the Botanical Society actively promote conservation of the

natural resources that are present on wine farms and develop Fire Protection Areas.

2.1.5 International agreements and policy frameworks

Convention on Biological Diversity (1993) (CBD) provides broad principles for the conservation of

biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits

arising from the utilization of genetic resources. The CBD is being implemented through several

national policies and laws including the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP),

the Biodiversity Act, and the Protected Areas Act.

RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. South Africa has 17 sites designated

to the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is

being implemented through the Biodiversity Act.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being implemented

through the Climate Change Response Strategy approved by Cabinet (2004).

Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage

Convention) is being implemented nationally through the World Heritage Convention Act (49 of 1999).

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Genetically Modified Organisms Act (15 of 1997) is currently

under review to enable implementation of this Protocol.

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Box 2: Spatial Planning Categories

Category A: Core

Category B: Buffer

Category C: Intensive Agriculture

Category D: Human Settlement

3 SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT

3.1 INTRODUCTION

GIS was used to collate and analyse the spatial data layers. The

areas for the Categories A to F provided in Section 1.5.3 (see Box 2:

Spatial Planning Categories) and the intersection of these categories were

calculated and are provided in this report. This system was

furthermore used to generate spatial images of the extent of the

various categories as depicted in this report.

The vegetation layers for Categories A and B were created by Cape

Action for People and the Environment (CAPE.) project. CAPE is a

conservation plan that was developed for the Cape Floristic Region aimed at conserving sufficient areas that

would reflect the uniqueness of biodiversity as well as ensure the long term survival of this biodiversity. The

plan highlighted the priority areas for conservation that would inform decision making about land use and

development in the area. The priority areas have been mapped at relatively small scale (1:250 000) with fine-

scale mapping at a larger scale (1:10 000 to 1:50 000) in the Breede Valley and Breede River municipal

areas. As part of this conservation plan, the formally protected areas have also been mapped.

The ecological elements that provide services to the social systems are fauna, flora and micro-organisms and

associated biodiversity as well as the elements in which they live namely water, soil and atmosphere. The

elements and the services they provide are discussed below.

Water is one of the most important natural elements used by social systems and one of the most impacted.

This section places more emphasis on water resources including catchments and wetlands but also

recognises the value of the other ecological elements, especially vegetation and the service vegetation

provides in maintaining water quality and sustained flow and other ecological services.

The conservation of these aspects viz. vegetation, fauna, micro-organisms and aquatic systems are

organised and prioritised in accordance with Spatial Planning Categories (SPCs) presented in Section 1.5.3.

3.2 VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED BIODIVERSITY

The natural vegetation in the Cape Winelands is dominated by the Fynbos Biome which includes Fynbos,

which constitutes 42% of the vegetation, and Renosterveld, which constitutes 22 % of the vegetation as well

as the Succulent Karoo Biome, which constitutes 28 % of the vegetation (Figure 3.2). The Fynbos Biome and

the Succulent Karoo Biome are recognized as global biodiversity hotspots, with high levels of plant diversity

and endemism (Midgley et al. 2008).

Vegetation offers numerous direct and indirect ecosystem services. The direct services include harvesting of

flowers and plants for medicinal purposes, particularly in the DMA in the north eastern part of the CWDMA,

tourist attraction, recreation (hiking, plant and bird viewing) throughout the CWDMA. Indirect services include

water storage, flood attenuation, water purification in the catchment areas and along river channels in the

CWDMA as well as soil stabilization, pollination of crops, CO2 sequestration and O2 production and controlling

27


pests throughout the CWDMA. It is generally acknowledged that the greater the diversity the more services

that are provided by the vegetation. Some of the more important services are discussed in more detail below.

Erosion control and flood attenuation

Vegetation, particularly in the Mountain Catchment Areas (CMA) of the CWDMA holds water during rainfall

events by creating a sponge effect both in the vegetation layers as well as in the organic ladened soil and

slowly releases the water overtime. As the soil is more porous and the water flow rate is decreased by the

vegetation more water is able to penetrate the soil and is diverted into the ground water to replenish aquifers

and supply a source of water for rivers, especially during the drier periods. As more water penetrates the soil

the surface runoff reduced. The lower runoff coupled with the soil being bound by vegetation, reduces

erosion of the soil and thus results in less siltation of dams and better water quality. It also reduces flooding

as there is less sheet flow across the land and less water enters rivers during the rainfall event.

Water purification

Vegetation in wetlands within the CWDMA that are adequately conserved and properly managed where

needed provide large surfaces for micro-organisms including bacteria to live on. The vegetation together with

the sediment in which it grows and the associated micro-organisms, filter nutrients and toxins from polluted

water thereby purifying the water. If the wetlands are however not properly managed as for example in river

channels down stream of Human Settlements in the CWDMA they may release the bound toxins into the

water.

Pollination and pest control

The majority of the commercial farms in the CWDMA have one or more mono-crops planted as cash crops.

As mono-crops have a limited number of niches (micro-habitat), it is unable to support large numbers of

insect species. Natural vegetation on the other hand is able to support large numbers of species and is a

source of insects required to pollinate many crops grown in the CWDMA. Furthermore natural vegetation

provides a habitat and food for insects when annual crops are harvested or seasonal crops don‟t provide

sustenance. Similarly it provides a source of predators to reduce the levels of pests that feed on and

damages the commercial crops.

Conservation areas

The extents of the conservation areas were determined using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). It was

determined that the conserved areas in the CWDMA (Figure 3.3) consist predominantly of Mountain

Catchment Areas, Provincial Reserves and Conservancies. The areas for the conservation areas are

depicted in Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1.

Smaller area with regard to total extent, are conserved in Private Nature Reserves, SANParks, Local Nature

Reserves and Heritage Sites. Provincial, Local Nature Reserves, SANParks, Heritage Sites and registered

Private Nature Reserves are statutory reserves and are formally protected. Some of the Private Nature

Reserves and Conservancies belong to associations and adhere to agreed conservation principles.

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Table 3.1: Area of conservation areas

Type Area (ha)

Mountain Catchment Areas 349,618

Provincial Reserves 158,771

Conservancies 138,886

Private Nature Reserves 61,600

SANParks 39,022

Local Nature Reserves 14,329

SA Heritage Sites 8,802

45%

21%

18%

8%

5%

2%1%

Mountain Catchment Areas

Provincial Reserves

Conservancies

Private Nature Reserves

SANParks

Local Nature Reserves

SA Heritage Sites

Figure 3.1: Comparative area of conservation areas

The conservation areas in the CWDMA have however been severely fragmented (Figure 3.4) and degraded

in some parts, particularly in the Stellenbosch, Drakenstein and Witzenberg Municipalities due to human

activity. The primary cause of loss of biodiversity through fragmentation is urban expansion and cultivation. Of

particular concern is the transformation of the low lying Renosterveld areas for cultivation purposes, of which

there is very limited areas left. Whereas there has been a fairly significant expansion of vineyards from 1992

to 2000 (91 038 ha – 105 566 ha) this took place on land that was mostly already transformed for grazing and

wheat farming purposes. However the trend towards cultivating specific cultivars on foothills is more likely to

result in the loss of biodiversity (Matthews et al. 2003). In essence the findings of the CWSEA suggest that

there is limited scope for the expansion of agricultural areas in the Cape Winelands and that the urban

expansion should also be approached with caution so as to avoid loss or impacts on biodiversity.

29

Figure 3.2: Vegetation types

30


Figure 3.3: Conservation Areas

31


Figure 3.4: Land Use

32

The terrestrial component of the remaining fragmented areas is heavily impacted by social

systems and affords varying degrees of protection for the various vegetation types. The main

impacts include frequent fires and the introduction of invasive alien vegetation as discussed

below.

Fire threat

Fragmented conservation areas in the CWDMA are usually surrounded by human systems

including farms and urban areas and often have recreational facilities within them e.g. Paarl

Rock. These are all sources of fire that easily spread through the vegetation once ignited under

suitable conditions. Fires are thus frequent in fynbos. Although fynbos is adapted to fires and

requires fire to ensure a sustainable ecology, frequent fires alter the ecology and result in lower

biodiversity and altered ecosystem functioning. Plants for example do not have enough time to

mature and produce seeds for the next generation. Different fire frequencies furthermore select

for different species e.g. more frequent fires select for more Erica species and fewer Protea

species. The loss of vegetation and organic material on and in the soil reduces the erosion and

flood control capabilities of the ecosystem.

Invasive alien species

Invasive alien species pose numerous threats to the environment including out competing

indigenous vegetation, consuming large consumes of water, creating hot fires that damage

ecosystems and in some cases are allelopathic. These invasive aliens are common along river

channels, parts of the Mountain Catchment Areas and on many of the farms in the Buffer and

Transitional Areas in the CWDMA.

Invasive species out compete the natural vegetation as they have fewer predators and are

better able to utilise available resources than indigenous species. They are thus capable of

growing faster and capturing more of the scarce resources viz. water, nutrients and eventually

light. Invasive species consumes large volumes of water due to extensive root systems and

large leaf surface areas and leaf characteristics, reducing the amount of water available to the

ecosystem and also human systems.

Many of these invasive species are well adapted to fire. Due to their biomass and chemical

properties they create very hot fires that are capable of sterilizing the soils of useful

microbiological species and indigenous seed. After a fire, the seeds of many of the invasive

species are some of the first to regenerate and out-compete indigenous species. Some species

furthermore are allelopathic, producing toxins in the soil that prevent indigenous seeds from

germinating and growing.

3.3 FAUNA BIODIVERSITY

The fauna of the area is poorly studied, largely because it is time consuming and costly to

obtain accurate census data. The species present and their relative abundance however have

been determined for the CWDMA.

Fauna includes large vertebrates such as mammals, reptiles and birds as well as invertebrates

such as insects. The fauna populations are vulnerable for most of the CWDMA, with over 120

33


species regarded as sensitive (Figure 3.5). The north eastern parts, which constituted of large

portions the DMA, however, are less vulnerable with areas near the north eastern border of the

DMA having less than 110 sensitive species.

Fauna depend on the integrity of the natural vegetation for their survival. The greater the

vegetation biodiversity within the Fynbos Biome and the Succulent Karoo, the more niches and

food sources available for fauna and thus ensures a greater fauna diversity. The fynbos is

generally unpalatable due to high tannin content and thus does not support many large

herbivores. There are however a few herbivores and omnivores that have adapted to fynbos

e.g. klipspringers and duikers.

Human disturbances and development creates added stress on faunal ecology. These

stressors predominantly occurring in the Buffer and Transitional Areas of the CWDMA include:

Hunting and poisoning of “vermin” such as caracal, leopard and porcupine

Frequent fires caused by controlled burns on farms that get out of hand

Loss of habitat due to developments and agriculture

Creating barriers to movement e.g. fences and roads

The introduction of invasive aliens that transform the natural habitats

The introduction of cats and dogs that hunt indigenous wildlife

The spraying of insecticides to control pests

34

Figure 3.5: Biological sensitivity (Fauna)

35

3.4 ECOSYSTEM BIODIVERSITY

The fauna, flora and micro-organism biodiversity interact with non-living factors such as air

water, soil, rock and temperature to create unique ecosystems. These factors are influenced by

climate and landscapes to further diversify the ecological systems and ecological services. All

these elements furthermore interact and influence each other and are finely balanced. As a

unified system it provides services to human systems.

3.5 CATCHMENTS

Water resources in the Cape Winelands provide a variety of direct and indirect ecosystem

services. Not only is drinking water essential to human survival, but water resources are also

critical to cultivation, processing and manufacturing, in addition the river systems of the Cape

Winelands are important tourist and recreational resources and contribute to the sense of the

place of the Winelands.

The Cape Winelands area straddles four Water Management Areas (WMA) viz. Gouritz,

Olifants/Doorn, Breede and Berg WMAs as indicated in

Figure 3.7. The relative size of these catchments are depicted in Figure 3.6. Of these the

Breede River and Berg River systems provide most of the water used to irrigate crops in the

Cape Winelands as well as water for domestic purposes within and beyond the boundaries of

the Cape Winelands, most notably also contributing significantly to the supply of the Cape

Metropolitan Area.

12%

34%

15%

39%

Berg

Breede

Gourits

Olifants

Figure 3.6: Relative size of the Water Management Areas within the Cape Winelands District

Municipality

“The catchment areas of most of the major dams within the Western Cape Water Supply

Scheme originate within the mountains of the Cape Winelands District Municipality Area. These

36


dams provide bulk water supply mainly to Stellenbosch and Cape Town, and to vineyards and

fruit farms in the area. The Berg-Riviersonderend Scheme transfers water from Theewaterskloof

Dam in the Breede River to Kleinplaas Dam at Jonkershoek (RHP, 2005). The water is mostly

used for domestic purposes (3 million m3/a) in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and for irrigation

(24 million m3/a). Kleinplaas Dam (0.38 million m3/a) serves as a balancing dam to the

Franschhoek/Jonkershoek Tunnel system, while two off-channel dams (5.5 million m3/a) in Idas

Valley store excess winter water from the Eerste and Dwars Rivers to supplement bulk water

supply to Stellenbosch (RHP 2005).

Similarly, groundwater plays an increasingly important role as a water supply source. The

largest groundwater resource in the Western Cape (i.e. Table Mountain Group Aquifer)

originates in this area, as most of the recharge to this system occurs in the mountains of the

winelands. Farmers rely heavily on groundwater in the Ceres area, in the vicinity of Rawsonville,

and in the Hex River valley. In the Hex River valley for instance, surface and groundwater use

are of similar magnitude (approximately 20 million cubic metres per year each)” (CWDM 2008).

Berg River WMA

The berg River WMA falls predominantly within the Drakenstein Municipal Area. The Internal

Strategic Perspective (ISP) prepared for the Berg WMA in 2004, indicated that approximately

57 % of water in this system is used for urban purposes, 41 % for irrigation and 2 % to serve

rural communities. Based on the year 2000 requirements it is calculated that there is a shortfall

of at least 28 million m3/a in this system, with the highest shortfalls in the Greater Cape Town

and Upper Berg components of the system. As will be indicated below, there is some spare

capacity in the Breede River system, and although the current greater system allows for the

pumping of water from this system into the Berg River system, the cost and environmental

impacts of this practice would render it inappropriate for irrigation purposes (CWDM 2008).

37

Figure 3.7: Water Catchment Areas

38

Breede River WMA

The Breed River falls with in the Breede Valley and Breed River Municipal Areas. The Internal

Strategic Perspective for the Breede WMA, 2004, indicates that 95% of all water in the Breede

River WMA is used for irrigation purposes and only 5% for urban purposes. The Greater

Brandvlei Dam is the largest of the dams supplying water for irrigation purposes and has spare

storage capacity of 133 million m3 / a (compared to its current firm yield of 155 million m3/a)

(CWDM 2008)..

The ISP indicates that there is 889 million m3/a of water available in the Breede River

component in 2000, with a requirement of 869 million m3/a, thus in an estimated surplus of 20

million m3/a of which 17 million m3 is potentially available in the Upper Breede sub-area and 3

million in the Lower Breede sub-area. The surplus lies in the Koekedouw Dam (3 million m3/a),

the Stettynskloof Dam (14 million m3/a) and the Buffeljags Dam (3 million m3/a) which falls

outside the CWDM area (CWDM 2008).

Olifants/Doorn

A part of the Witzenberg and CWDMA area falls with the upper areas of the Olifants/Doorn

WMA. The highest runoff contributing to this system is found in the Upper Olifants, Doring and

Koue Bokkeveld sub-areas. The total available water supply in this system is estimated at 339

million m3/a of which 95% is used by the agricultural sector. The water requirements for the

2000 base year has been calculated at 373 million m3/a which would indicate a deficit of 34

million m3/a of which 29 million m3 is experienced in the Lower Olifants sub-area and the ISP

indicates that the sub-areas including the Koue Bokkeveld and Upper Olifants areas are all

more or less in balance (CWDM 2008)..

Gouritz

A small part of the CWDMA area falls within the Gouritz WMA, in particular in the Groot sub-

area. In the Groot sub-area a total of 53 million m3/a is required of which 49 million m3 is used

for irrigation purposes. However the supply is highly variable and crops are only irrigated in

years when the supply is sufficient. However only 42 million m3/a is available, which indicates a

deficit of 11 million m3/a. The Overview of Water Resources Availability and Utilisation Study

undertaken for the Gouritz WMA in 2003 also indicate that there is no potential for development

of further resources in the Groot sub-area (CWDM 2008).

39


Box 3: What is a wetland?

The term “wetland” incorporates a wide

range of wetland types, including rivers

and their estuaries, and even shallow

coastal marine areas.

The South African National Wetland

Classification defines wetlands as: “areas

of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether

natural or artificial, permanent or

temporary, with water that is static or

flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including

areas of marine water the depth of which

at low tides does not exceed ten meters”.

Wetlands are areas where water is the

primary factor controlling the environment

and, therefore, wetlands develop in areas

where soils are saturated or inundated

with water for varying lengths of time and

at different frequencies.

3.6 WETLANDS

Wetlands are found throughout the CWDMA, particularly

in the Mountain Catchment Areas, and in the Buffer and

Transitional Areas. Small isolated wetlands are also

found within the more developed Human Settlements

(Category D).

The National Wetland Classification recognises five

separate wetland units that are linked to channels and

thus, at a catchment scale, should be considered of

relevance in terms of river management. These “non-

isolated” systems comprise: river channels, valley

bottom wetlands, floodplain wetlands, depressions linked

to a channel and hillslope seeps. Other inland wetland

types are classified as isolated (not linked to any

channel), and the classification itself extends to

estuarine and shallow marine systems (Box 3).

The following types of wetlands contribute significantly to

the flow of the catchments in the CWDMA and are thus

considered in more detail:

River channels (in turn subdivided into mountain headwaters, mountain streams,

transitional rivers, upper (cobble bed) foothills, lower (gravel bed) foothills and lowland

rivers).

Valley bottom wetlands (subdivided into naturally channelled and unchannelled

systems).

Hillslope seeps.

River channels are generally associated with the larger named rivers viz. the Berg, Olifants

Gouritz and the Breede Rivers an their main tributaries.. Mountain headwalls and mountain

streams occur in the mountainous areas and high gradient areas. Foothill streams occur at

slightly flatter gradients as well as downstream of most mountain stream reaches. Transitional

and lower river channel types characterise most of the tributaries at their point of confluence.

3.6.1 River channels

This wetland type includes so-called “true” rivers, with well-defined channels and occur in all the

local municipal areas of the CWDMA. The National Wetland Classification defines river

channels as “linear landforms which when inundated usually carry water. The definition

includes the river bed and its riparian fringe (vegetation along the river banks that is there by

virtue of the proximity of the river channel).

The main river channels are mountain streams, foothill streams and lowland rivers. These are

briefly discussed below.

40


Mountain streams, predominantly found in the MCA of the CWDMA are fast flowing, erosive

areas, with stream beds often dominated by boulders and bedrock. Their waters are usually

shallow, well oxygenated and cool, with relatively low concentrations of nutrients compared to

downstream reaches, and low concentrations of phytoplankton (floating algae). They would be

particularly sensitive to impacts such as abstraction, impoundment, changes in flow regime,

nutrient enrichment, removal of indigenous riparian vegetation and invasion by alien trees, with

the latter leading to channelisation, downcutting and erosion.

Foothill streams, predominantly occurring on the foot slopes of the MCA often have more

diverse habitats than mountain streams, including combinations of riffle and run habitat, sand

bars, backwaters, pools and marginal vegetation. Gravel bed foothills are usually at a lower

gradient than cobble bed foothills, with the former dominated by sand/ gravel substrate and the

latter having a larger component of cobbles and coarser gravels. The flatter gradient means

that flow rate is slower than in mountain streams, but discharge is usually greater. Oxygenation

decreases and both water temperatures and nutrient concentrations tend to increase even

under natural circumstances. Wider channels and less shading means that increased

phytoplankton as well as attached algae is likely to occur in these reaches. These river reaches

are particularly vulnerable to abstraction and changes in flow regime, nutrient enrichment,

sedimentation and erosion.

Lowland rivers, predominantly found in the Buffer and Intensive Agricultural Areas and some of

the Human Settlements and low lying Core Areas, have relatively flat gradients, and their beds

are usually dominated by alluvial material. They tend to meander within a relatively wide

floodplain and may be associated with broad floodplain features such as oxbow lakes. Lowland

rivers are usually deeper and wider than their upstream reaches. Water is usually more turbid,

with higher concentrations of fine sediments and phytoplankton. Lowland rivers are vulnerable

to changes in flow regime, impoundment (particularly where impoundment results in loss of

flood flows), nutrient enrichment and invasion by alien aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth

Eicchornia crassipes.

3.6.2 Valley bottom and hillside seep wetlands

Valley bottom wetlands contribute a lower proportion of runoff at a catchment level than do

river channels. They play a significant role if unimpacted in terms of management of water from

the surrounding catchment. Shallow, diffuse flow through such systems, contribute to flood

amelioration, trapping sediment during low flow periods and removal of phosphorus under

aerobic conditions. Subsurface seepage of water from the surrounding catchment into the

valley bottom and flow through wetland vegetation, promotes the removal of nitrates and other

toxicants. This is of particular relevance to farm land in the Buffer and Transitional Areas within

the CWDMA that could be negatively affected by flooding and cause nutrient enrichment and

erosion,

Both unchannelled valley bottom wetlands and hillslope seeps are vulnerable to headwall

erosion, which results in the creation of channelled systems, and the loss of many of the

associated wetland functions.

41


Seepage wetlands, which may occur on farm lands within the CWDMA, are often hillslope

seeps, which are wetlands on a relatively steep slope, characterised by diffuse, often shallow

subsurface flow. They are characteristically vegetated by dense stands of sea-rush Juncus

kraussii and usually indicate the start of a seasonal lowland drainage line. The characteristic

diffuse subsurface flow through seepage wetlands gives them a high potential for nitrogen and

especially nitrate removal. They also contribute to extending the period of flow in downstream

systems, by slowing down the rate of surface and subsurface water movement down the slope.

3.6.3 The importance of wetlands

The National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (SANBI 2004) identified rivers in the Western

Cape as among the most severely threatened rivers in the country, with 95 % of them assessed

as critically endangered (that is, with less than 10% of their length intact). With increasing levels

of impact, rivers become less and less resilient to additional impacts, while their ability to

provide the kinds of services and resources to human users and natural ecosystems diminishes.

These services include (Job and Driver 2006):

Drainage at a catchment level.

Provision of habitat to aquatic and semi-aquatic plants and animals, and in highly

developed catchments, even terrestrial fauna may shelter within riparian fringes.

Self-cleansing. Natural rivers are able to process low levels of organic inputs by cycling

nutrients through the system with the aid of microbiological and biological activities if

sufficiently oxygenated.

Provision of longitudinal corridors, connecting upland and lowland terrestrial and aquatic

areas.

Provision of organic carbons and nutrients to floodplains, ensuring their sustainability

and productivity.

Provision of fish, plant and other natural resources used by people.

Provision of water for agricultural, domestic and industrial use.

Provision of areas for tourism, recreational and cultural uses.

Potential enhancement of the property values of adjacent land owners.

Other wetlands too are recognised as critically threatened ecosystems, with seasonal wetlands

being among the most threatened habitats nationally. Wetlands as a whole are internationally

recognised as important natural ecosystems (e.g. Cowan 1995) which, depending on the

characteristics of each wetland type, may perform a number of the following valuable ecological

and other functions, including (Davies and Day 1998):

Provision of habitat to wetland-associated animals and plants, many of which rely

exclusively on these areas for breeding, feeding or nursery areas (Cowan 1995).

Provision of corridors for movement between terrestrial natural areas, or along river

systems.

42


Contribution to the perennial stream flow, through retention and slow release of waters

during low flow periods.

Flood attenuation effected by retention of flood waters in wetland soils, and reduction of

flood velocities through dissipation of flows through wide, vegetated areas.

Improving water quality, through uptake and absorption of nutrients and other

contaminants often found in surface runoff.

Trapping sediment and reducing erosion of stream channels.

Contribution to groundwater recharge.

South Africa is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention (1971), an international treaty aimed at

the conservation of wetland habitats (Cowan 1995). This convention binds members to a set of

criteria aimed at the conservation of wetland ecosystems. These criteria include stemming the

loss of wetlands, promoting the wise use of all wetland areas and promoting the special

protection of listed wetlands. Despite the acknowledged ecological, economic and educational

value of wetlands, it has been estimated that over half of South Africa‟s wetlands have already

been destroyed and lost, while those that remain are among South Africa‟s most threatened

natural areas.

3.7 GEOLOGY AND SOIL

The CWDMA comprises a sequence of rocks from the Malmesbury Group, the Cape Granite

Suite (3 %), the Table Mountain Group (TMG) and younger Cenozoic sediments.

The Table Mountain Group consists predominantly of erosion resistant quartzitic sandstones

(arenite – 39%) which result in the formation of steep rugged topography and is found

throughout the CWDA. In many of the lower lying areas the TMG erodes down to underlying

Phyllite and Greywacke shales from the Malmesbury group (Shale – 38%), which dominates the

DMA as well as the Breed Valley and Breed River geology. These shales are interspersed with

lenses of quartzite schist as well as limestone.

Essentially, the Malmesbury group comprises soft, highly erodible rocks surrounded mostly by

shales that form undulating plains in low lying areas. Large outcrops of erosion resistant granite

from the Cape Granite Suite are present within the southern reaches of the municipality, in the

form of Paarl Mountain, Perdeberg and an area extending from the Klein Drakenstein Mountains

to Groenberg. Fine to medium and coarse grained alluvial deposits are present in river

channels extending throughout the municipality. The implications of these formations in terms

of water quality and agricultural potential are described in below.

Implications of major geological formations for water chemistry

Soils derived from different geological formations contribute different quantities and proportions

of ions and nutrients to water bodies with which they are associated (Davies and Day 1998).

Rock formations associated with the Table Mountain Group (TMG) sandstones are old and

well-weathered, typically leaching very few salts and nutrients into water as is found in the

Witzenberg and many parts of the Drakenstein Municipal Areas. Water associated with this

43


geological group, is generally of good quality, with low Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total

Dissolved Solids (TDS) values. Table Mountain Sandstones typically yield low quantities of

sediment, as they are relatively erosion resistant and associated with thin soils (Beck et al.

2006) Formations associated with the TMG group include: Cedarberg, Goudini, Graafwater,

Piekenierskloof, and Skuweberge.

Igneous rocks such as granites from the Cape Granite Suite e.g. Paarl Rock in the Drakenstein

Municipal Area tend to leach only slightly higher amounts of ions (both cations and anions) into

water in comparison to rocks from the TMG. This results in relatively higher TDS levels, in

conjunction with nominal effects on pH and buffering.

By contrast the shale-dominated geology associated with the Malmesbury Group, common in

the DMA and Breed River and Breede Valley Municipal Areas is associated with relatively large

amounts of salts (with low nutrient levels), which leach into water. Waters associated with this

geology type, generally exhibit relatively high EC and TDS values. Sediment yields are usually

higher from this group than in the case of Table Mountain Sandstones, as the shales are more

erodible and associated with deeper soils. Formations associated with the Malmesbury group

include: Morreesburg, Norree, and Porterville while two commonly occurring types of shales are

Greywacke and Phyllite.

Soil, which largely determines the characteristic of the land on which it occurs, provides a

number of ecological services for development, most notably a medium within which to grow

crops. It is important to note, however, that this service in particular is provided in combination

with climate and water availability and thus cannot been seen in isolation.

44

Figure 3.8: Geology of the Cape Winelands District Municipal Area

45

With reference to the Area Based Land Sector Plan of the CDWM (2008), the soil capability of

the Cape Winelands (Figure 3.9) is measured on a scale of 1 to 8 where 1 (green) indicates the

best agricultural capability and 8 the lowest. It is generally considered that a capability below 5

renders soil unusable for agricultural purposes. The orange-brown areas on map has ranking of

6. It is however acknowledged that certain unique farmland that is suitable for vineyards for

instance is given a low ranking in this classification.

Figure 3.4 illustrates actual areas under cultivation, thus indicating the limitations placed by

water availability on the ability to cultivate land in the Cape Winelands. Only eight percent of

land in the Cape Winelands is under irrigation.

The Cape Winelands District Municipality has generally very poor soil conditions, but unique

farmland opportunities, make certain land agriculturally valuable for specific uses such as wine,

olives and deciduous fruit. The area of land suitable for cultivation in the Cape Winelands

District Municipality is thus severely limited. The suitable land is concentrated in the more

developed western parts of the municipality.

The report also notes the threats such as the loss of productive land due to land use change

and the severe pressure for development of agricultural land experienced in this area, salination

(lower Breede Valley area), erosion as a result of fires, impacts of climate change, and poor

rehabilitation of soils after mining.

Figure 3.9: Soil potential of the Cape Winelands

(Source: CWDM 2008)

46


3.8 CLIMATE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The CWDMA falls within the Western Cape which can be described as a winter rainfall region

with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The topography, however results in significant

changes in the micro-climate, particularly mean annual precipitation (MAP) in different areas.

MAP ranges from 3 000 mm in the high-lying mountains to less than 100 mm in the north and

north eastern parts of the CWDMA (

Figure 3.10). The rain predominantly falls from May to August and the summers are dry, but not

necessarily without rain.

Climate Change studies suggest that the future climate of the Western Cape is likely to be

warmer and drier than at present. Projections for the Western Cape are for a drying trend from

west to east, with a weakening of winter rainfall, possibly slightly more summer rainfall (mainly

in the east of the province), a shift to more irregular rainfall of possibly greater intensity, and

rising mean, minimum and maximum temperatures everywhere (D:EA&DP 2007).

Impact on water resources

The water from Berg River Catchment is fully utilised and has no spare capacity. The Breede

River Catchment and the Olifants Catchment has capacity for further development, though

limited. The raising of the Clanwilliam Dam wall would further increase the capacity in the

Olifants River. There is furthermore water resources in the aquifer in the Breede River

Catchment area and limited resources in the Olifants and Berg River catchment areas.

There is thus limited scope further development in the CWDMA. In some catchments, such as

the Berg River Catchment a water deficit exists, when the ecological reserve is factored into the

water allocation, meaning too much water is already being abstracted from the system in a way

that threatens the integrity of the ecosystems that depend on this water. This is reflected in the

current poor state of the Berg River. However, demand continues to grow from agriculture, the

Cape Town Metropolitan Area and the coastal towns. The pressure of limited water supply

remain vulnerable, especially during periodic.

Because water is already a limiting factor for economic growth in many parts of the WCDMA,

the projected Climate Change has serious implications for the competing interests of

environmental integrity and socio-economic development. Adaptations that will be required are

much greater efficiency in use, especially in agriculture and industry, which implies investment

in technology. Investment in exploring alternative sources and importation of supplies from

further afield are indicated, which may raise costs. In a warmer and drier future, the competition

for fresh water will increase sharply. The equitable sharing of the water resource will demand

considerable skill. Under current rates of urbanization and population growth, new sources will

almost certainly need to be developed.

A more detailed synthesis of the expected climate change and the associated impacts on the

Socio-Economic aspects of the Cape Winelands are included in Annexure 7 of the Cape

Winelands Spatial Development Framework.

47

Figure 3.10: Mean Annual Precipitation

48

Impacts on wetlands and estuaries

Many of the wetlands in the CWDMA are destroyed by cultivation and urban encroachment and

lack of water due to artificial draining. This scenario is further exacerbated by the drying

tendency expected for many parts of the CWDMA due to Climate Change. Wetlands have thus

capacity to adapt to Climate Change when disturbed by human interference. South Africa has

an international obligation to protect its wetlands, particularly those registered under the Ramsar

Convention, which implies allocating enough water to them for their continued existence.

There are no estuaries that fall within the CWDMA. The impacts on rivers and water quality

within the CWDMA will however impact estuaries downstream. Estuaries are important

breeding grounds for certain commercially harvested fish species and provide important habitat

for local and migratory wading birds. The vulnerability of estuaries to warming and drying is

particularly acute because these features are located at the end of the river systems and are

therefore the final receivers of increasingly scarce water. They have particular requirements for

fresh water to maintain salinity profiles and for flushing sediment.

Impacts on biodiversity

The impact of climate change manifested by a warmer and drier climate is likely to be a

progressive impoverishment in species richness in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo Biomes.

According to climate models within 50 to 100 years the extant biomes will have been reduced to

35 to 55 % of current extent (Midgley et al. 2008). High altitude marshes that host some highly

endemic and isolated species (e.g. ghost frog) are particularly vulnerable to desiccation.

Of critical concern are CBAs or hotspots that have high biodiversity and endemicity. The

endemicity coupled with the fact that many of the CBAs have become isolated biogeographic

islands put these CBAs at risk of extinction as species are unable to migrate to more suitable

habitats. It is predicted that the Succulent Karoo would be the most threatened. The Succulent

Karoo is expected to reduce to small remnants along the west coast and the higher altitudes of

the south-eastern part of the CWDMA and the western part of the Central Karoo District

Municipality (Figure 3.11).

Figure 3.11: Predicted impact of Climate Change on the Succulent Karoo Biome

a) Original, b) ~2050, c) ~2090 (Source: Midgley et al. 2008)

49


Impacts associated with alien invasive species

Many of the invasive alien plant species are adapted to Mediterranean climates that include

summer droughts. They able to out compete our indigenous vegetation for scarce resources

such as water, particularly in disturbed areas but also in undisturbed areas. As the climate

becomes hotter and drier and the indigenous vegetation is stressed, the alien vegetation may

increase their competitive advantage and proliferate further. This is of particular relevance to of

the MCA in the WCDMA that are infested with invasive alien vegetation as they are not

managed as well as the other conservation areas.

The hotter and drier conditions coupled with increase in alien vegetation biomass would result in

increase fire frequency and intensity, threatening, remnant livelihoods, development and

remnant natural vegetation.

50


4 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Ownership and responsibility for implementation of the outcomes of the ESA as part of the

CWSDF reside with the District Municipality. It is the intention of the District Municipality to

interact widely with other planning initiatives in its area, to ensure alignment, rationalise

resources and maximise synergies for the protection and maintenance of ecosystem services in

the district.

Through informed cooperative governance natural resources can be better managed for present

and future generations to live sustainably from the environment. This can be achieved by

preventing pollution and ecological degradation, promoting conservation and ensuring

ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable

economic and social development.

Natural resources include water, air soil, vegetation, fauna, micro-organisms, landscapes and

the interactions between these and other elements. Humans have impacted on each of these

elements and unless they are properly managed the system will break down to varying extents

depending on the impact and will limit development potential and sustainability.

4.1 SPATIAL PLANNING CATEGORIES AND GUIDELINES

The Spatial Planning Categories are constituted of:

Core Areas

Buffer Areas

Intensive Agricultural Areas

Human Settlements

The relative area of each of these categories are depicted in the pie chart below

34%

2%62%

2%

Core

Buffer

Intensive Agriculture

Human Settlement

Figure 4.1: Relative area of Spatial Planning Categories in Cape Winelands District Municipality

51


4.1.1 Category A: Core Areas

The Core Areas (Category A) are constituted of:

Wilderness Areas

Other Statutory Conservation Areas

Critical biodiversity areas (CBA)

CBA ecological support areas

Rivers and ecological corridors

It is imperative that these Core Areas (Figure 4.2) are considered as a whole. The main hub or

source of species would be large core areas, which would make up the bulk of these core

areas. Many of the mobile plant (seed and pollen transfer) and animal species would be

sourced from the core areas and dispersed to conservation areas in the vicinity. There would

also be transfer of organisms towards the biosphere reserve but to a lesser extent. Species

such as many of the bird species, and insects to a lesser degree, do not necessarily require

corridors to transfer between conservation areas. The further the conservation area is away

from the core areas the less chance there is for species transfer and thus fewer species will

transfer. There is furthermore less chance for species to transfer into smaller conservation

areas due to the lower chance of locating the smaller areas. Small conservation areas that are

far away from the core area will thus have less chance of sourcing species from core areas.

Conservation areas between such areas and the core areas could however be used as stepping

stones for some species. Animals that transfer in this way are however more vulnerable to

predation, which further decreases the chances of species migration into small distance

conservation areas.

There is well documented research regarding the size of a conservation area versus the number

of species that can be maintained in the area for the fynbos biome. This relationship is provided

in species area curves (Woodward & Kelly 2008, Cowling & Desmet 2004). The smaller the

area is, the less species it can maintain due to fewer niches available and less available space

per niche, recognizing that a number of different species may compete for the same niche.

Core areas should thus be as large as possible, considering that there is limited untransformed

land left.

The main purpose of core areas is for conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning,

especially of the Cape Floral Kingdom, non-destructive recreational usage, research and

education.

52

Figure 4.2: Category A – Core Areas

53

Critical Biodiversity Areas

Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) (Figure 4.2) are terrestrial and aquatic features in the

landscape that are critical for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functioning.

Ideally they should be conserved within core areas (see Table 1.3 for definition of Core Area),

but there are instances where the CBA is situated within a confined area and cannot practically

be included in a Core Area. In these circumstances CBAs should be identified, mapped and

managed as special management units that would ensure the survival and spread in the spatial

extent of the characteristic features that characterise each CBA. Ideally CBAs should be

managed so that eventually they could become Core Areas with a suitable buffer to ensure the

long term protection of the CBAs.

The CBAs in the CWDMA are predominantly constituted of river channels, other wetlands as

well as Fynbos and Renosterveld biodiversity hotspots. Rivers are threatened to an alarming

extent due to pollution and the introduction of invasive fauna and flora species and urban

expansion. The biodiversity has dropped substantially and the natural ecosystem functioning

has virtually collapsed in many reaches of the main river systems.

Renosterveld and many of the fynbos subtypes are threatened by invasive alien vegetation and

development, especially agriculture. The remaining vegetation is furthermore threatened by

unnatural fire frequency and intensity. Fire frequency is a result of people starting fires that they

cannot control on farms and in rural settlements as well as arson. Fire intensity is heightened

by the increased biomass and flammable chemicals associated with certain invasive alien

species.

These impacts on CBAs could be reduced by educating people on the effects of pollution and

uncontrolled fires and encourage farms to protect the remnant CBA on their farms. A

programme based on cooperative governance by all stakeholders could be developed that

identifies CBAs and attempts to create buffers around them as well as corridors linking them.

Where possible adjacent areas could be rehabilitated to its natural state to allow CBAs to

expand.

Corridors

It is imperative that conservation areas in Buffer Areas that are isolated from the Core Area and

each other, as well as isolated Core Areas, are linked via corridors. These corridors need to be

wide enough, of the same vegetation structure as the conservation nodes and undisturbed to

allow for species migration though them. Considering vegetation succession, the outer edges of

corridor would have difference plant species and vegetation structure than towards the centre of

the corridor and should not be included in the width determination of the corridor as it would not

be available to many species adapted to core areas. Furthermore should there be disturbance

of the corridor, it needs to be wide enough to maintain continuity between the nodes and be

able to recover in as short a time as possible.

Conservation areas and corridors should be planned and orientated to mitigate and adapt to

impacts of climate change. There is a natural gradient towards more productive growth in terms

of biomass and species towards the equator. Species are adapted to specific niches affected

by non-living factors e.g. temperature and moisture. Climate change would impact on these

54


parameters and change the distribution of these niches predominantly in a North-South direction

superimposed over an altitude effect. Should the area become drier, the tendency would be for

species to move to higher altitudes and further north, where it is expected to be moister. This

does however depend on site specific parameters. It is thus preferable to have larger areas

conserved over wider area to allow species impacted by climate change to migrate into more

suitable areas.

Ideally there should be a conservation body with representatives from each conservation

authority and private reserve owner. This body would be better placed to provide an integrated

management plan to facilitate optimal conservation for each conservation area and allow for

effective transfer of species between conservation areas.

Ecological Support Areas

Ecological support areas (ESA) provide ecological services that support Core Areas and Critic

cal Biodiversity Areas (CBA). If the ESA are compromised through for example pollution or

destruction they may not be able to sustain the Core Areas and CBAs resulting in the demise of

these areas.

4.1.2 Category B: Buffer Areas

Buffer areas (Category B) are constituted of:

Non-statutory Conservation Areas

Remnant vegetation areas not part of Core Areas

Rehabilitation Areas

Extensive agricultural areas

Buffer Areas (Figure 4.4) occur adjacent to Core Areas. This is regarded as a soft boundary,

suggesting that it does not have official cadastral boundaries. The Buffer Areas include private

reserves and other forms of private land and conservation areas. Excluding the vacant /

unspecified areas, which accounts for 85% of the buffer area the relative areas for each of the

land uses (relative to the remaining area) within the buffer Area of the CWDMA, are presented

in Figure 4.3. The actual areas all inclusive are presented in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1: Extent of land use within the Buffer Area

Land Use in Buffer Area Area (ha) Relative area

Conservation 92,990 5.0%

Cultivated land 179,008 9.0%

Forestry 16,157 1.0%

Vacant/ Unspecified 1,704,489 85.0%

Residential 6,778 0.3%

55


Land Use in Buffer Area Area (ha) Relative area

Commercial/ Industrial 216 0%

Mining 22 0%

32%

61%

5% 2%0%

0%

Conservation

Culativated land

Forestry

Residential

Commercial/ Industrial

Mining

Figure 4.3: Relative areas of the various land uses within the Buffer Areas excluding unspecified

areas

The buffer area is intended to reduce the impact of Human Settlement and Intensive Agriculture

on the Core Areas and link isolated core areas by creating corridors. Certain human activities

can occur such as extensive farming or small localised developments keeping the conservation

importance of the land in mind.

What do ecological buffers do?

Buffers can reduce the impacts of poor water quality, particularly non-point source runoff

from farmlands in the CWDMA, depending on the type of vegetation in the buffer, as well

as other factors such as soil type, slope and the nature of water quality impacts.

Buffers can lessen the hydrological impacts often associated with hardened catchments

from large Human Settlements in the CWDMA by improving soil infiltration upstream of

river channels and other wetlands. This means that impacts such as erosion and rapid

fluctuations in water level as a result of high runoff rates are controlled

Buffers, if adequately vegetated, provide protection from erosion associated with

floodwaters. Appropriate vegetation along river banks and floodplains reduces flood

velocities and retains topsoil – and the setback area itself indirectly protects adjacent

landowners from the loss of crops or other assets which, if grown immediately adjacent

to river channels, would otherwise be damaged or lost in flood events. This is of

particular relevance to farmlands in the CWDMA

56


Setback areas also protect (“buffer”) rivers / wetlands from disturbance as a result of

activities taking place alongside them e.g. private property or holiday resorts, which may

result in increased levels of noise or light; increased physical disturbance, including

compaction, dumping of rubble and waste and allowing the spread of alien seeds from

nearby sources.

Buffers provide space for future restoration activities, even if it is not feasible at the time

Buffers allow conservation of longitudinal and lateral connectivity with the catchment,

thus contributing to the maintenance of key ecological processes particularly between

conservation areas (Category A) that are separated by developed areas (Categories C &

D)

Buffers provide habitat for species that move, during part or all of their life cycle,

between aquatic, semi-aquatic and adjacent terrestrial areas, particularly in conservation

areas (Categories A & B).

Some buffer areas may also provide additional functions, such as recreational facilities

e.g. footpaths along rivers that run through Human Settlements, provided that these are

not in conflict with the purpose for which the buffer area has been designed.

57

Figure 4.4: Category B – Buffer Areas

58

Conservation Areas

Other conservation areas in the vicinity should be as large as possible to increase the available

land to maintain a larger number of species. These areas could then act as a source of species

should there be a temporary disturbance in the core area such as a fire. They would also

diversify the available niches and provide a pool of genetic material to reduce genetic

bottlenecks and maintain healthy populations.

Remnant vegetation areas

Remnant vegetation areas are often found in agricultural areas. These areas together with

conservation areas retain landscape scale biodiversity and assist with maintaining ecological

processes and services. These vegetation areas may also form part of buffers to further protect

Core Areas.

Extensive agricultural and rehabilitation areas

There may a matrix of Intensive and extensive agricultural practices within the extensive

agricultural area. The area is however dominated by extensive agriculture where the natural

environment is not heavily impacted on. Ecological processes and services can be maintained

to a limited extent as long as the natural vegetation has not been severely impacted. These

areas may contribute large tracts of land that are available for ecological processes to be

maintained and should be managed accordingly.

Areas that have been transformed but still resemble that natural state could be rehabilitated to

its natural state. Certain areas that have been subjected to intensive agriculture that benefit

from a higher precipitation and surrounded by natural vegetation may also be rehabilitated to its

natural state.

4.1.3 Category C: Intensive Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture areas (Category C) are constituted of:

Irrigated crop cultivation

Dry land crop cultivation

Timber plantation

High density livestock husbandry

The relative areas of land uses within the transitional area, excluding the unspecified area,

which accounts for 79 % of the area is shown in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2: Extent of land use within the Transitional Area

Land use in Agricultural areas Area (ha) Relative Area

Conservation 96,640 5%

Cultivate land 328,658 15%

Forestry 19,485 1%

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Land use in Agricultural areas Area (ha) Relative Area

Residential 2,200 0%

Vacant/ unspecified 1,677,613 79%

22%

74%

4% 0%

Conservatin

Cultivate land

Forestry

Residential

Figure 4.5: Relative area of land uses excluding unspecified areas within the Transitional Area

Intensive agricultural areas (Figure 4.6) transform the landscape substantially. There are

usually minimal ecological processes evident and the agricultural practices tend to impact

heavily on natural adjacent or in close proximity to these agricultural areas, especially if not

properly managed. These impacts are discussed in more detail in Chapter 5. Land owners and

managers must make a concerted effort to maintain ecological corridors and buffers through

these areas if ecological functioning is to be maintained and if they are not to unduly impact on

resource users down stream.

60

Figure 4.6: Category C – Intensive agriculture

61

4.1.4 Category D: Human Settlement

Human Settlements (Category D) are constituted of:

Metropolitan Towns / District town

Main local town

Local town

Rural settlements

Institutional settlements

On-farm settlements

Farmsteads

Resorts & tourism-related areas

Other urban-related areas

Industrialised areas

o Light industry

o Heavy industry

o Extractive industry

Infrastructure

Human Settlements are purposed to be densified and has minimal resemblance to the natural

environment. It has minimal biodiversity and natural processes and together with the Intensive

Agricultural areas is very consumptive. The management aim in Human Settlements is to use

natural resources sustainably and sparingly and to minimise the impact on the Intensive

Agricultural and Buffer areas. As Human Settlements are usually surrounded by Intensive

Agricultural areas that rely heavily on natural processes, it is imperative that the Human

Settlements do not disrupt the natural processes or pollute the natural resources to the extent

that it cannot be safely utilised by human practices or natural systems in the Intensive

Agricultural areas. A typical example is the impact of Human Settlements on rivers which are

required downstream for irrigation of cash crops.

62

Figure 4.7: Category D – Human Settlements

63

Industrialised Areas

Industrialised Areas (Figure 4.8) occur within Human Settlements, on the outer edge or within

the Intensive Agricultural areas, where the required resources occur. They are either used for

processing of raw materials or the extraction of raw materials and produce substantial amounts

of waste and pollution. Where activities such as mining occur in areas beyond the Human

Settlements it is imperative that waste and pollution is minimised and the areas are rehabilitated

to the natural state or in the case of agricultural areas rehabilitated to a state that is suitable for

agriculture.

Hazardous substances that have a residual effect should be strictly controlled and not permitted

to enter the environment, making rehabilitation costly and often ineffectual for conservation

areas. Areas that will be rehabilitated should also not have any soil contaminants that will

prevent future generations from being able to utilise the area to its maximum benefit.

Industrial areas are mostly limited to the Stellenbosch and Drakenstein Municipal Areas. The

total area occupied is very small, but effluent waste from the facilities could result in wide scale

damage if it enters rivers or underground water. Atmospheric pollution furthermore has wide

scale cumulative impacts that drive Climate Change and more local impact on air quality.

64

Figure 4.8: Industrialised Areas

65

Infrastructure

Infrastructure is constituted of:

National roads

Trunk roads

Main roads

Divisional roads

Minor roads

4X4 trails

Railway lines

Power lines

Communication structures

Dams & reservoirs

Other buildings & infrastructure

Infrastructure (Figure 4.9) can occur in any of the management categories depending on the

impact it has on the environment. It should however be minimised in Core Areas as

infrastructure is usually disruptive. This can be achieved by not passing infrastructure through

Core Areas and if it is absolutely necessary by reducing the footprint of the infrastructure. Ideally

infrastructure should be limited to Intensive Agricultural and Buffer areas and Human

Settlements. The infrastructure should be sensitive to the natural and human environment. In

Buffer Areas for example roads should be minimised to avoid the impact on fauna crossing

through the area. Culverts could be used to allow for the migration of fauna under the road,

especially busy roads. Powerlines and pipelines should be concentrated more in the Intensive

Agricultural areas in close proximity to existing roads, where they can be easily erected,

accessed and maintained without disrupting natural processes.

It is imperative that the requisite Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out for the

construction or erection of infrastructure in order to determine and minimise the impact of the

construction and operation of the infrastructure.

66

Figure 4.9: Infrastructure

67

4.1.5 Biosphere Reserve

The biosphere Reserve is a unique opportunity for human development to coexist sustainably

with the natural environment and for the biosphere to support the development of the Cape

Winelands District Municipality as an ‘area of excellence and good practice for people, culture

and nature’. The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve strives to be a site of excellence that

explores and demonstrates approaches to conservation and sustainable development on a

regional scale.

The Biosphere Reserve has Core Areas (Category A) with a total area of 99 459 Ha, where the

natural processes need to be conserved in its natural state to maintain biodiversity and

ecosystem functioning as discussed in Section 4.1.1. The core area is continuous with the

Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. This link allows for the movement of fauna and flora between

the two areas making both Biosphere Reserves more resilient to temporary impacts and

increases genetic diversity.

The core areas are surrounded by a Buffer Zone (Category B) and has a total extent of

133 844 Ha. This is regarded as a soft boundary, suggesting that it does not have official

cadastral boundaries. The Buffer Zone includes private reserves and farms and can support

activities such as extensive farming.

The Intensive Agricultural areas (Category C) with a total area of 88 727 ha is intensively

farmed with vineyards and orchards, which form the economic back bone for the CWDMA.

These activities rely on natural processes emanating from the Core Areas and the Buffer Area

for their sustainability including rivers, other wetlands, pollinators etc. Some of the farms,

particularly those bordering on the major rivers such as the Berg Rivers and Breede River are

however disadvantaged by Human Settlements upstream that pollute the rivers causing them to

be unfit for consumption. Large portions of the Intensive Agricultural areas fall within areas that

should classically have been defined as Buffer Areas. The farms within these areas should be

particularly mindful of their role in conserving biodiversity and creating corridors for the

movement of fauna and flora across the landscape e.g. farms to the north and east of

Stellenbosch.

Human Settlements (Category D) are dotted throughout the Biosphere Reserve and some fall

within, what should be Buffer and Intensive Agricultural areas due to their proximity to the Core

Areas e.g. Franschoek and Kylemore. It is imperative that these Human Settlements are

particularly sensitive to the natural environment. Due to the densification and intensive nature

of Human Settlements, they have potential of polluting the environment and creating

unnecessary waste and consuming vast amounts of resources. This would be in direct

competition with the activities such as intensive farming in the Intensive Agricultural areas and

natural processes such as river ecology. With regard to river ecology it is important that the

ecological reserve for the rivers are determined and maintained to prevent the breakdown of

ecosystem functions and the services they provide for human development.

The majority of the industrialised areas fall within the urban edge of the larger towns in the

CWDMA and thus have less of an impact on the environment than if it were within the Intensive

Agricultural or Buffer Areas. There are however mines, quarries and industrial sites dotted in

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various areas particularly within the south-western part of the CWDMA, predominantly in the

Stellenbosch and Drakenstein Municipal Areas, that have the potential to substantially disrupt

natural processes within the immediate vicinity as well as further afield, particularly if they are

contaminating rivers or ground water and are not adequately rehabilitated once operations are

completed.

There are extensive infrastructural networks within the Biosphere Reserve to service

developments and encourage growth within these developments. The infrastructure should

however not be developed at the cost of environmental processes. The laying of power lines,

roads and canals can impede the natural migration of fauna and flora across the landscape and

increase the rate of mortality to the extent that certain systems eventually breakdown.

The principles outlined in this section apply to the CWDMA as a whole. The underlying principle

is to maintain ecosystem functioning and minimise the impact of development on the

environment. This can be achieved by maintaining and connecting core areas and effectively

buffering the core areas from intensive developments.

4.2 DISTRICT LEVEL AREAS OF GENERAL CONCERN

The figures to follow provide spatial guidance for consideration that specifically addresses areas

prone to:

Fire Hazards;

Environmental Degradation;

Flooding

It is a general misconception that a lack of rainfall or very little rainfall points to a drought

stricken area. Drought, a natural hazard, is not merely low rainfall, but a relative concept based

on the expected, or average, rainfall of an area, whether desert of tropical, for any given time of

year (Van Zyl, 2003). It therefore implies a deviation from the norm and not an absolute figure.

Drought means different things to different sectors, and is experienced in different ways.

Definitions of drought have therefore been developed to meet these diverse requirements. A

drought index is a useful tool to quantify the severity of a drought, and its rainfall measured at a

specific location, for a specific season, expressed as a percentage of the normal (average or

median).

Meteorological drought is defined on the basis of the degree of dryness/lack of

precipitation in comparison to an average amount, and the duration;

Hydrological drought is associated with the impact of drier periods on surface and

subsurface water;

Agricultural drought links characteristics of meteorological and hydrological drought to

agricultural impacts such as the variable susceptibility of crops during growth stages, soil

properties.

Socio-economic definitions of drought incorporate the supply and demand of economic goods

dependant on weather-related water-supply, in association with the other three definitions. As

such, a map depicting drought prone areas within the Cape Winelands District Municipality has

not been included in this report.

69

Figure 4.10: Areas prone to Fire Hazard

70


Figure 4.11: Areas prone to Environmental Degradation

71


Figure 4.12: Areas prone to Flooding

72

4.3 COMPOSITE OVERVIEW

This section makes provision for the depiction of Spatial Planning Categories (section 1.5.3),

Critical Biodiversity Areas and the Biosphere Reserve in one holistic composite map. The

composite map is based on the Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework

Rural Land-use Planning and Management Guidelines (May 2009).

73

Figure 4.13: Composite Map depicting Spatial Planning Categories

74

5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Anthropogenic activities on terrestrial areas and in wetlands have a profound effect on

ecological “health” and its ability to provide ecosystem services. These effects can either result

from direct use of natural resources or from indirect impacts such as runoff from agricultural

areas. Certain activities are thus constrained in intensity and/or extent depending on its

proximity to natural systems and the sensitivity of these systems. The same systems however

also provide an opportunity if conserved.

5.1 ACTIVITIES COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH AGRICULTURE

Agricultural activities occupy large portions of the Drakenstein Municipal Area. Both channelled

rivers and numerous hillside seeps and valley bottom wetlands traverse the agricultural areas,

and are directly and indirectly impacted by land-use in their catchments. Some of these impacts

are common to most agricultural land-use while others are associated with particular agricultural

activities or types of land-uses.

This section focuses on impacts that occur throughout areas occupied by agricultural land-use,

and do not appear to be specific to any particular agricultural sector or activity. They comprise:

Encroachment into riparian and wetland areas.

Wetland drainage and diversion of flows.

Runoff of pesticides and herbicides.

Loss of habitat and fragmentation

Encroachment is one of the most pervasive impacts associated with agricultural land-use.

Along rivers, arable or grazeable land extends in places right to the edge of the river bank,

leaving at best only a narrow fringe of riparian or other vegetation along the river bank e.g. Berg

River within the Drakenstein Municipal Area (Figure 5.1). Orchards, vineyards, trees and crops

are protected from flooding by the creation of berms, levees and cut-off channels, which prevent

overtopping of floodwaters and even allow the placement of farm labourers‟ cottages and other

structures in the close proximity of river banks. However, since such berms and levees confine

flows within a narrow channel, they increase the likelihood of erosion of the river bed and banks

during high flows. Preventing overtopping of the river banks during floods effectively destroys

floodplain function, preventing natural fertilisation of floodplain soils from alluvial material, as

well as preventing water quality improvements (e.g. decreases in nutrient loading through

deposition of sediment-bound phosphorus as well as nutrient uptake and sorbtion by plants).

Lack of flood attenuation capacity increases the risks of downstream flooding. Encroachment

also reduces the value of the river as a longitudinal ecological corridor through the landscape.

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Figure 5.1: Agricultural activities extending to the edges of river banks

Along unchannelled valley bottoms and hillslope seeps, agricultural activities also frequently

encroach right into the wetland, reducing its extent and concentrating flows through smaller

areas. Activities that reduce wetland extent lead to concentration of flows through remnant

areas. This often results in downcutting and erosion, leading to the formation of headcut

erosion and deep, unstable erosion channels e.g. Drakenstein Municipal Area (Figure 5.2).

Downcutting exacerbates wetland shrinkage, by draining the local water table. Runoff through

the wetland is faster, shortening the length of flow period in downstream streams and increasing

discharge during flood events. Other wetland functions such as water quality improvement

through filtration and infiltration are severely reduced.

Figure 5.2: Encroachment of agricultural activities into valley bottom wetlands

Diversion of flows from flood channels into mainstream rivers, and drainage of wetlands

through agricultural drains and trenches to dry out land and make it cultivable, results in

concentration of flows into downstream areas. This increases erosion potential; prevents

filtration of polluted water through wetland vegetation and percolation through soils, resulting in

discharge of point source runoff, potentially contaminated by pesticides, herbicides and

nutrients from fertilisers and manure.

Activities occurring within the close proximity of rivers and other wetlands have been shown to

have negative impacts on downstream riverine macro-invertebrate communities. This is

primarily as a result of agricultural runoff entering the river, leading to insecticide pollution and

increased turbidity levels.

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Agriculture transforms large tracts of land from the original natural vegetation to exotic

monoculture species. This results in the loss of natural ecosystems and ecosystem functioning

and fragments and degrades the remaining natural ecosystems.

Transformed land should thus be constrained to allow for a reasonable natural buffer around

river channels and wetlands to protect these aquatic ecosystems from degradation. The buffers

would allow for natural processes to continue, though to a limited extent. The opportunities

afforded by buffers include:

Protection from bank erosion and thus loss of land and soil

Limited protection from flooding depending on vegetation type

Fauna availability for pest control and pollination

Improves the aesthetic value of the farm

Provides recreational facilities such as walking trails or picnic areas

Reduces loss of soil to the river due to surface runoff and thus also reduces siltation of

rivers and maintains water quality

Reduce the amount of herbicides and pesticides entering the aquatic system

Maintain natural flow patterns

5.2 ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CULTIVATED LANDS

A number of impacts are associated specifically with activities taking place in or alongside

wheat-lands. Two of these, namely sedimentation of rivers and wetlands and burning of

wetlands, are discussed below.

Ploughed wheat-lands, particularly those on steep slopes, are vulnerable to erosion of soils

during early winter rains before new wheat germinates. Sedimentation results in gradual infilling

of wetland areas; the choking of channels, increases the perceived need for destructive

dredging of sediment from channels and provides areas of coarse sediment in rivers and other

channels that often favour the establishment of alien vegetation. Once established, such

vegetation stabilises sediment bars, changing river hydraulics and patterns of erosion

downstream.

Ploughing in certain soil types has been shown to degenerate the soil structure into finer

particles and create hard pans just below the plough depth and turns top soil over pushing it

deeper down the soil profile. The finer soil particles results in lower soil porosity thus reducing

water holding capacity and more surface runoff, further exacerbating soil erosion and

productivity. Top soil contains most of the organic material needed for plant growth. If pushed

to far down the nutrients are not available for plant growth, especially at the critical seedling

stage. Hard pans make it difficult for plant roots to penetrate, reducing growth rates.

The practice of burning in the Drakenstein Municipal Area (Figure 5.3) results in drying out of

terrestrial and wetland soils and the loss of organic matter and nutrients. The loss of wetland

vegetation furthermore reduces their capacity to perform wetland functions such as slowing

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down runoff and filtration. Burned wetland areas are also more prone to erosion, particularly if

burning affects soil organic content. This practice furthermore destroys biodiversity and

sheltered corridors that provide habitat and movement corridors for small fauna.

Figure 5.3: Burning of a valley bottom wetland in the Doring River subcatchment

Some farms tend to plough downhill on steep slopes or plant vineyards and orchards in a

downhill orientation. This results in concentrated sheet flow in the furrows exacerbating soil

erosion, resulting in soil loss and sedimentation of rivers.

The storage of rotting fruit waste or grape skins from wine-making in the close proximity of river

channels or other wetlands results in runoff of acidic, nutrient enriched runoff into these

systems, impacting on water quality e.g. Van Wyks River in the Drakenstein Municipal Area

(Figure 5.4).

Figure 5.4: Disposal of grape skins in close proximity to the Van Wyks River

The environmental constraints regarding crop farming as is currently practiced on certain farms

is thus the limitations to soil cultivation, burning of vegetation and crop residue, orchard and

vineyard orientation and disposal of grape skins and rotting fruit.

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The opportunities of environmentally friendly cultivation are:

More water available for plant growth

Better retention of soil i.e. less erosion, thus better water quality in rivers and better

agricultural productivity

More organic material and nutrients and micro-organisms available to promote plant

growth

Maintained buffer zone and corridors along rivers and wetlands

Improved biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

Improved water quality

5.3 ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH LIVESTOCK FARMING

Runoff from nutrient enriched areas

Live stock farming results in a buildup of nutrients from feedlots and the accumulated faeces on

the farm lands. Water runoff from these lands may result in the runoff of dissolved nutrients into

nearby aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The increase in nutrient concentration in

ecosystems would result in eutrophic and even hypertrophic conditions. These unnatural

conditions result in change in the ecological balances and often favour invasive alien plant

species. This is of particular concern in aquatic systems as it may have far reaching

consequences.

Grazing and trampling of vegetation

Where livestock have access to wetland and natural terrestrial vegetation, it is often grazed,

thus reducing its quality as a sheltered habitat/ biodiversity corridor. Wetland functions such as

sorbtion of nutrients is however unlikely to be affected by grazing and may even be encouraged

by re-growth of grazed shoots. Trampling associated with the passage of livestock through and

within the natural areas can however result in any of the following impacts, depending on when

it occurs:

Compaction of soil reducing wet season infiltration.

Destruction of natural vegetation.

Disturbance to soil structures through excessive wet season trampling.

Creation of erosion nickpoints in river banks where vegetation has been lost as a

result of access routes.

Creation of paths that result in concentration of runoff along trampled pathways leading

to headcut erosion over time along the river banks and gulley erosion.

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Box 4: Impacts of alien fish on

natural systems

Alien fish impact on indigenous fish species

by preying on them directly, competing with

them for food (e.g. Mozambique tilapia

Oreochromis mossambicus) and/or degrading

their habitat - in the case of carp Cyprinus

carpio, they stir up bottom sediments and

creating turbid water (RHP 2004).

The constraints are thus limited access of livestock to natural areas, the position of feeding

stations relative to natural areas and access to natural water bodies for watering of livestock.

The opportunities area as follows:

Appropriate and well managed buffer areas reduce the amount of nutrients entering

natural ecosystems, thus maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

By keeping livestock out of natural water bodies, the water is kept clean for downstream

users

Unimpacted aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems require less maintenance and costs to

control invasive alien species

5.4 ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH AQUACULTURE

Aquaculture in the CWDMA involves mainly trout farming, which can have the following impacts

on freshwater ecosystems:

Increase nutrient loading into downstream systems

as a result of discharges from aquaculture ponds

and pools (see Box 4 for impacts).

Increase loading of organic and inorganic sediments

into downstream reaches from flushing of ponds and

pools into downstream systems.

Facilitate invasion of natural rivers by alien fish

species (e.g. rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The constraints are thus the amount of fish that can be farmed with, the areas where fish can be

farmed, the type of feed used and the management of the farms. Better husbandry (fish

management) results in less wastage and thus less pollution.

The opportunities are:

The water available for aquaculture

The cleansing of outflow water, though to a limited extent, by wetlands

Natural food availability to fish, even though limited.

Warm conditions available in summer to promote fish growth.

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5.5 IMPLICATIONS OF INVASIVE ALIEN VEGETATION

Terrestrial invasive aliens

Eucalypts Eucalyptus camaldulensis, black wattle Acacia mearnsii and long-leafed wattle

Acacia longifolia are the main woody alien invaders along river courses in the CWDMA (RHP

2004) (Figure 5.5). Other terrestrial invasive plants include bug weed Solanum mauritianum

and, in many Human Settlements areas, kikuyu grass Pennisetum clandestinum.

Woody aliens impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems primarily in terms of water uptake,

reducing water flow and in some cases drying up seasonal wetland altogether. They can also

impact on river channels by constricting channels, leading to downcutting of channels and the

creation of steep, unstable banks; some species readily invade coarse in-channel sediment

depositions, creating permanent, vegetated islands, rather than temporary sand bars that would

under natural conditions be scoured in large floods.

In addition to excessive uptake of water, dense stands of alien trees also shade river banks,

further preventing the establishment of other plant species with better habitat value and making

access by all but very small fauna (including humans) difficult. Dense stands of alien trees

furthermore create an increased fire threat as they result in intense fires that spread quicker and

are more devastating to both the natural and the developed environments. Natural areas can

be sterilized due to the heat, resulting in a protracted revegetation process. Some species also

alter soil physical and chemical qualities, making later establishment of indigenous vegetation

difficult.

Large-scale removal of alien vegetation is also associated with problems, often resulting in

bank destabilisation and erosion, sedimentation of downstream areas and encouraging,

through disturbance, the germination of numerous alien seedlings.

Figure 5.5: Invasion of alien vegetation into the Sand and Klein Berg Rivers respectively

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Aquatic invasive aliens

Aquatic invasive aliens could include hyacinth Eicchornia crassipes, although stands of invasive

duckweed Lemna gibba (not considered locally indigenous). Water hyacinth Eicchornia

crassipes grows very fast, particularly in nutrient-enriched, warm, slow flowing to standing water

e.g. parts of the lower reaches of the berg River in the Drakenstein Municipal Area, where it

forms dense stands, sometimes covering whole sections of a river. It has the following

implications for the use and ecological conditions of rivers:

It blocks the river channel, potentially leading to flooding as well as preventing access

(e.g. during the Berg River canoe marathon).

By lining the channel, alien vegetation confines flow, leading to the creation of erosion

nick points.

It results in the loss of relatively large volumes of water by evapotranspiration.

Impacts on instream habitat quality by smothering indigenous vegetation and blocking

open water habitat.

Removal by machine can exacerbate steep, unstable banks and channel deepening.

The constraints of invasive vegetation are thus the costs associated with the control of invasive

alien vegetation and the limitations it imposes on water use and natural ecosystems. The

opportunities associated with certain invasive alien vegetation are:

Job creation in the removal of invasive alien vegetation

Supply of fuel wood

Some aquatic invasive aliens take up heavy metals from water, which could then be

removed by mechanical harvesting

5.6 IMPLICATIONS OF AFFORESTATION

In the CWDMA, afforestation comprises mainly pine and gum plantations of approximately

19 500 ha found predominantly in the Witzenberg, Stellenbosch and Drakenstein Municipal

Areas and (see Figure 4.6). Usually located on steep mountain slopes, this land-use is often

associated with the following implications for rivers and other wetlands:

Encroachment of plantation trees into and sometimes across riparian zones, changing

stream flow and leading to the creation of nick points as a result of concentration of flow.

Accumulation of logging debris in river channels, resulting (especially in smaller streams)

in the formation of debris dams, in turn resulting in the undercutting of river beds and

banks and, in some cases, the creation of such deep subsurface cuts, overlain by in-

channel boulders.

Downcutting of stream banks as a result of erosion and channel constriction, both

associated with afforestation, results in vertical separation of remnant indigenous

riparian areas from their water source.

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Box 5: What is wrong with canals?

Concrete walls separate the river from its floodplain, destroying wetlands that once depended on floodwaters.

Separate river channels from lateral seepage lines that might have contributed sustaining flows, particularly during the dry season.

Smooth sides and base of a canal offer little protection to riverine fauna and flora from fast flows, and dramatically reduce habitat diversity when compared to natural conditions.

Self-cleansing services of rivers such as infiltration and filtration are greatly reduced.

Sedimentation of downstream areas as a result of erosion in plantation areas. This

affects both water and habitat quality.

The spread of invasive alien vegetation into natural areas as seeds are spread by birds

and other animals

Increased surface runoff due to less vegetation at ground level intercepting the runoff,

resulting in increased erosion and sedimentation of rivers

Less infiltration of water into ground water due to increase evapotranspiration of the

commercial species.

Losses of biodiversity as the natural areas are transformed into monocultures that

preclude indigenous vegetation.

Fragmentation of habitats

The constraints of afforestation are the limited locations where conditions are favourable for tree

growth and not impact on water security as well as the costs associated with preventing the

spread of fires and invasive alien vegetation control and keeping wetlands and river channels

clear of debris. The opportunities associated with afforestation are:

Timber production which contributes to the economy

Suitable conditions available for timber production

Afforestation, if managed appropriately is a renewable resource

5.7 IMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Rivers and wetlands in Human Settlements are often subject to the following impacts (Figure

5.6):

Channelisation and canalisation (see Box 5),

usually to reduce floodlines and allow

development encroachment; sometimes in

response to erosion as a result of

encroachment elsewhere.

Infilling and drainage of wetlands to allow

development.

Diversion of natural streams and other flow

pathways to accommodate more efficient

town planning.

Removal of wetland riparian fringes and

buffers which results in no protective

mechanism between development edges and

freshwater systems, and the full impact of changes in flow, water quality and disturbance

is passed on to the aquatic system. Loss of natural vegetation from riparian fringes is

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often to allow development encroachment and for safety and security for aesthetic

reasons.

Increased Runoff of urban stormwater due to increase in hard surfaces reducing

infiltration. This can result in aseasonal flow in naturally seasonal rivers which receive

too much water. It is also often associated with runoff directly into river from point

source stormwater pipes and channels, with no opportunities for addressing issues such

as velocity and water quality upstream of the receiving water body.

Receipt of poor water quality. Sources of poor water quality runoff into urban rivers

include:

Stormwater runoff from roads and parking areas. This water often contains hydrocarbon

waste from fuels and oils, fine sediments and heavy metals, as well as phosphates from

car wash areas etc.

Nutrient enriched organic material from runoff from areas with stores of organic material

(e.g. waste fruit and vegetable stores outside shops) or from fertilised suburban and

urban gardens and landscaped areas; runoff from poorly serviced formal and informal

settlements where high densities allow little infiltration and stormwater and includes all

domestic waste water (cooking, washing, laundry water) as well as runoff from faecal

deposits by humans and animals (dogs etc) in the catchment.

Treated sewage effluent from WWTWs.

Sewage pipeline capacity malfunctions.

Untreated sewage effluent from WWTWs following pump failure.

Point source discharges from industrial stormwater. This may include industrial waste,

with potential heavy metal, hydrocarbon, nutrient, other salt and/or other contaminants.

Stormwater often conveys litter into water courses. This may not affect water quality but

it does clog water channels and contribute to an air of degradation, which is instrumental

in encouraging poor management (e.g. dumping of other materials into channels and

their being perceived as degraded environments of little value).

Dumping of rubble and other waste in river corridors and wetlands. This can result in

infilling of wetlands, water quality impacts and diversion of flows, with possible

implications for erosion and bank stability.

Spread of alien vegetation from suburban gardens and landscaped areas. Rivers

provide longitudinal corridors that promote the rapid spread of invasive garden escapees

and other alien plants (e.g. nasturtium Tropaeolum majus, morning glory Ipomoea

purpurea and canna Canna indica).

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Figure 5.6: Degradation of rivers & associated wetlands in human settlements

The figure, clockwise from top, shows: canalisation and encroachment of houses onto edge of

Krom River in Wellington in the Drakenstein Municipal Area; dumping, litter and alien invasion

along the Palmiet River, channelisation and loss of wetland vegetation; turbid waters resulting

from upstream erosion, as well as channel encroachment and impoundment for garden features

in Wellington.

The constraints with the development of Human Settlements are the size, shape, densification

and location of the settlements as well as the technology and costs required to minimize the

impact on the environment. The opportunities of urban developments however are:

Provision of accommodation and resources required for living

Employment opportunities

Reduction in transformed areas through densification and confinement

More effective and efficient management of waste, thus less pollution

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5.8 IMPLICATIONS OF RESORT DEVELOPMENT AND GOLF COURSES

Resort development, including vineyard housing estates, and golf courses can have profound

impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This is because resort developments often

occur in more natural areas, where ecosystems may be less impacted and thus not only more

sensitive to disturbance but also often last remnants of relatively unimpacted systems. Impacts

associated with resort development include:

Encroachment of development units onto the edge of river banks and wetlands, reducing

value of riparian corridors between mountains and low lying areas and sometimes

threatening banks and bed stability

Hard stabilising of river banks to protect resort units from natural processes such as

flooding, which are natural mechanisms to reset channel shape and form

Clearing of natural vegetation to open up access, views and walkways

Localised erosion as a result of an increased concentration of resort users in one area

Runoff from septic tanks, swimming pools and soakaways into natural ecosystems

Spread of alien plants into relatively unimpacted areas, as a result of resort landscaping.

Abstraction of groundwater or river water for resort use, sometimes affecting stream flow

and thus habitat quality

Increase in litter

Increase in indirect impacts associated with infrastructure, such as roads.

Runoff of nutrient enriched irrigation water from golf courses or landscaped areas. Golf

courses in particular are sometimes associated with over-irrigation, to maintain grass

condition, resulting in increased subsurface runoff of nutrient enriched water leading into

nearby rivers and/or wetlands. This may have implications for seasonal wetlands where

increased subsurface or groundwater flows are sufficient to alter wetland seasonality.

The constrains of resort developments and golf courses are the location of these developments

and the mitigation measures employed and associated costs to reduce the environmental

impacts. The opportunities however are:

Increase in tourist facilities of a potentially high standard

Increased tourism to the area as people are attracted to the scenic natural beauty and

facilities such accommodation and golf courses

Increase in recreational facilities

Wetlands can be developed to improve water quality from effluent water once treated

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5.9 IMPLICATIONS OF ROADS

Roads in the CWDMA range from major national roads (the N1) through to small farm roads and

tracks. Common aspects of road design that have implications for natural ecosystems include:

Ecosystems are fragmented by roads limiting the movement of organisms across the

landscape due to disturbance, increase in road kills or creating an unnatural barrier.

Introduction of alien vegetation species as seed in the imported road material.

The destruction of large swathes of vegetation to make way for the road and its

servitude.

Degeneration of ecosystems as a result of increased fire frequency from people using

the road.

Increased pollution by people who use the road and litter.

Concentration of flows beneath roads into pipes or culverts at road crossings, which can

result in (Figure 5.7):

o Erosion of river and other wetland banks, as a result of runoff from roads,

particularly in areas where the road is on high fill platforms.

o Shrinkage of valley bottom wetlands, resulting from inadequate numbers of pipes

or culverts to ensure downstream spread of flow.

o Channelisation of naturally unchannelled valley bottom wetlands as a result of

concentration of flow – this leads to permanent shrinkage of wetlands, which

drain into the downcutting area.

o Diversion of drainage lines into side channels, to reduce the number of culvert /

pipes, resulting in loss of downstream systems.

Figure 5.7: River channels upstream (left) and downstream (right) of a road crossing

The constraints of roads are the routes, width of servitude and design to minimize the impact on

the natural ecosystems. Regarding design, culverts can for example be built under the road at

intervals to allow for safe animal migration across the road.

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The opportunities of roads however are:

Increased mobility of people

Increased trade and thus development

Increased opportunity for recreation

More effective use of land

5.10 IMPLICATIONS OF DAMS, WEIRS AND GABIONS IN RIVER CHANNELS

Gabions and weirs

Gabion weirs across river channels are sometimes used to control erosion by managing vertical

stream gradients, to provide points at which stream flow can be measured using gauging weirs

e.g. in the tributaries to the Berg River in the Drakenstein Municipal Area, and to facilitate

diversion of flows for irrigation or other demands. Gabions and weirs however have the

following impacts:

Disrupt migration routes upstream.

Result in loss of aquatic habitat types (e.g. riffles) and its replacement with expanses of

standing open water pools, in which potentially non-indigenous fauna or flora can

survive, such as alien fish, floating aquatic plants and invasive reeds such as

Phragmites australis that would not normally invade across a fast flowing channel but

invade successfully across a sediment-laden impoundment upstream of a weir (Figure

5.8).

Result in river straightening and habitat simplification, reducing habitat availability for

aquatic communities that would naturally occur in fast flowing streams.

Can trigger erosion nick points if inappropriately designed.

Figure 5.8: Impacts of gabions and weirs constructed along rivers

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The constraints of gabions and weirs are where they are constructed and the design of the

construction to minimise the impact on the natural environment. The opportunities associated

with gabions and weirs are:

Gabions provide erosion control where important infrastructures such as bridges or river

crossings are required.

Weirs can be used for measuring flow rates that help with improved river and catchment

management

Weirs can be used to abstract water for nearby developments

Farm dams

Farm dams proliferate in the CWDMA, particularly where there is more intensive agriculture as

in the Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Breede River and Breede Valley Municipal Areas. They can

be associated with the following negative implications for freshwater systems (Figure 5.9):

They trap runoff, cumulatively reducing runoff into downstream rivers and sometimes

capturing the entire flow through a catchment area.

They alter flow patterns, and if located in close succession along small systems can

change channelled river systems habitats to wetland seeps.

They trap sediment thereby reducing phosphate loading of downstream aquatic

systems, since phosphorus is often bound to sediment particles.

They provide wetland habitat, albeit of an unnatural kind; some farm dams provide

seasonal wetland habitat that may have local importance to wetland fauna.

Figure 5.9: A farm dam altering the flow of the Dal River in its upper reaches

The constraints of farms dams are the location, size and number of farm dams on a river

channel to minimize their cumulative impact on the river ecosystem functioning. The

opportunities associated with farm dams however are:

Improved water security for crop and livestock farming during the dry periods

Diversified recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing

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Large dams

This is a complex issue and the implications are dependent on the operating rules of each dam

and the nature of the downstream environments. In general large dams e.g. Berg River,

Wemmershoek, Brandvlei, Kwaggaskloof and Voelvlei Dams have the following effects:

Alter downstream erosion processes, by releasing sediment-free water with high erosion

potential.

May result in unseasonal downstream flows and other alterations that affect the cues for

natural aquatic lifecycles (e.g. temperature, water level).

Result in reduced flows.

Limit the effects of floods in terms of channel shaping and flushing. Natural floods are

important for sediment and algal scour, which may not occur in the case of managed

flood releases.

Alter water chemistry in downstream systems by changing the proportion of downstream

river water sourced in the dam‟s catchment, versus other catchment areas feeding the

river downstream. In the case of the Berg River Dam, the salinity of tributaries

downstream is somewhat increased.

The constraints of large dams are the location, size, number and design of dams and outlet

systems on a river channel to minimize their cumulative impact on the river ecosystem

functioning. The opportunities associated with farm dams however are:

Improved water security for Human Settlements and maintenance

Improved water security for crop and livestock farming during the dry periods

Diversified recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing

Implications of irrigation releases

Water releases from large dams into rivers are usually timed for the dry season to allow for

irrigation and may result in an effective reversal of seasonal cues for riverine ecosystems, as

was the case in the upper Berg River, when it received inter basin transfers from the

Theewaterskloof Dam during summer. Common ecological problems associated with irrigation

releases include:

Timing of releases is geared around agricultural and not ecological needs. Irrigation

water in some areas is released to follow a working week, with irrigation water being

turned off during the weekend. This means that aquatic ecosystems have to survive

sudden (unseasonal and uncued) spates when water is released on Monday mornings

and sudden drought when water is turned off on Fridays, resulting in rapid drawdown of

river levels, and with a high potential of stranding aquatic fauna such as fish in isolated

pools or dried out channels. Flowering, breeding and hatching or germinating cues can

be hugely interfered with under these conditions.

Irrigation releases may however augment river flows in upstream areas subject to large-

scale riverine abstraction.

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Irrigation releases may further improve water quality by diluting poor river water quality.

The constraints of irrigation releases are when to release water, how much to release and which

part of the dam (vertical distribution of outlets) to release water from to minimise the impacts on

the river ecology and ecosystem functioning below the dam. The opportunities associated with

a well managed flow control are:

Maintaining the natural river ecology by maintaining the ecological reserve

Ensuring water supply for crop and livestock farming

5.11 GENERIC OPPORTUNITIES

More generic opportunities pertaining to the CWDMA include:

Conservation areas

Research

Eco-tourism

River systems

Ecological importance of Fynbos

Stewardship options

Conservation areas

The areas of high biodiversity will create opportunities for conservation by establishing nature

reserves and areas of natural beauty, which in turn could lead to eco-tourism. Management and

control of the spread of alien vegetation in areas of high biodiversity will be easier facilitated if

these areas are placed within conservation regions.

The National Environmental: Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004) determines that a National

Biodiversity Framework must be established by roughly the end of 2007. The framework must

provide for an integrated, coordinated and uniform approach to biodiversity management and

identify priority areas for conservation and the establishment of protected areas. As such, the

proposed biodiversity corridors in this study, should be highlighted as priority areas for

conservation and should submit this as an input into the bioregional plans to be determined by

the MEC for Environmental Affairs as part of Bioregion and the Bioregional Plan. In order to

ensure the management of these biodiversity corridors, a detailed assessment thereof, in order

to determine what species could be protected, would be required. In addition thereto and

depending on the species composition of the corridors, a Biodiversity Management Plan must

be prepared and presented to the MEC in keeping with the requirements of the Act. In general,

the intension is to prevent further anthropogenic modification of the environment and to allow for

incentives for the corridors to be re-established as natural habitats. The British Farmland

Conservation Project is a good example of how it could be achieved, by attaching incentives for

land owners and farmers to contribute by biodiversity conservation as an activity for which they

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are compensated, rather than by continued agricultural practices in order to generate an

income.

Protecting biodiversity does not merely involve setting aside land as reserves or conservation

areas. The ecosystem functioning including non-living and living interactions must be

maintained from regional to micro-habitat level and must include genetic conservation to avoid

inbreeding.

This would only be possible if the proclaimed nature reserves and conservation areas are large

enough and linked via corridors.

This consolidation of reserves will form a natural corridor which will maintain connectivity of the

natural habitat both within the respective vegetation types as well as between the vegetation

types. This would encourage many ecological processes that act across vegetation boundaries.

These corridors are important for maintaining natural systems which include species and

ecological processes that support ecosystem functioning. Plant-pollinator interactions, genetic

exchange, plant – herbivore processes, predator – prey relationships, etc. are examples of

ecological processes. (NBI – Cape Lowlands Renosterveld Project). Movement or migration of

plants and animals either seasonally or in response to climate change are also allowed through

habitat connectivity (Cape Action Plan for the Environment – September 2000).

Research

Primary research and education opportunities could exist in the expanding conservation areas

thereby assisting in future / long-term preservation of species. Research could help to determine

sustainability of an area and increase eco-tourism to an area by introducing volunteer-based

research projects. Local community involvement and active participation in the conservation of

the region will enhance the understanding for the need for preservation.

Eco-tourism

Eco-tourism or nature-based tourism attracts visitors to a region and in turn provide sustainable

benefits to communities, increased incentives for ongoing conservation, a contribution to the

costs of managing the natural resource area, motivation to the regional economy and a world-

class experience for tourists. It furthermore educates people on the value of nature.

Major Rivers

The three major rivers viz. Berg, Breed and Olifants River as well as the other rivers within the

CWDMA are considered to be important in maintaining environmental health as rivers and their

associated ecosystems are diverse and provide numerous ecological services.

Exchange between inland and coastal biota along river corridors is an important ecological

process. Not only does the Berg River have an important conservation role but a recreational

role as well. Increased eco-friendly recreational activities in and around the river will promote

conservation of the rivers.

Economic importance of Fynbos

Fynbos flowers stay fresh for a long period of time and this quality makes them excellent for

export. The dried flowers as well as restios are used for flower arrangements which are also

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marketed and exported. Restios are also used for thatching of roofs. Buchu brandy is used as

a home remedy for various ailments. Honeybush tea, a popular refreshment internationally and

nationally has high economic value and is indigenous to the Fynbos Biome.

Stewardship options

Contractual agreements between land owners and the Western Cape Nature Conservation

Board secure areas for long-term protection. There are three levels of cooperation or options,

ranging from the joint management and control of land with a formal long-term lease agreement

(25 years and longer) to the advisory service for the management of private land where the

owners wishes to conserve some natural features.

5.12 GENERIC CONSTRAINTS

Some of the more generic constraints pertaining to the CWDMA include:

Loss of natural habitat

Fragmentation

Population growth

Loss of natural habitat

Losses occur as a result of urban and industrial development, agriculture, forestry plantations

and mining and ultimately irreversible loss of natural habitat in may cases. These activities

furthermore degrade adjacent natural ecosystems due to pollution and disturbance.

Many areas with high biodiversity also have good agricultural potential, resulting in the loss of

the natural systems to agriculture. Generally only areas that cannot be cultivated are left

uncultivated.

Fragmentation

The different local authority, public and provincial conservation areas are divided by roads,

power lines, developments (housing and industrial), forest plantations, etc. This fragmentation

increases the development potential of the area since it does not function and / or protected as

a whole. Specie richness of ecosystems is related to the unbroken / continuity of the surface

area. Continued land transformation reduces species numbers (Sustainability of Terrestrial

Ecosystems – State of the Environment Report).

Population growth

With rapid population growth is an ever increase in demand for resources such as food, water,

energy, etc. This ever-growing population places a demand on transformation of large areas of

land to either agriculture or urban and industrial developments and wastes (Sustainability of

Terrestrial Ecosystems – State of the Environment Report).

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6 SPATIAL GUIDELINES

6.1 FORMULATION OF OVERARCHING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

The objectives detailed below form the framework that underpins all of the management and

rehabilitation recommendations outlined in this document. They can be condensed into four

principal objectives viz. Objectives A to D.

6.2 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE A

This Management Objective requires that the CWDM redress the inadequate levels of

protection currently afforded to freshwater ecosystems, Core Areas and CBAs in the municipal

area, and protect the remaining biodiversity assets.

Rationale

Many of the freshwater ecosystems in the CWDMA and priority conservation areas are on a

trajectory of increasing degradation as a result of ever-expanding levels of impact. Few

freshwater ecosystems have protected status, particularly in low lying areas, and many of the

vegetation types are subject to intense development pressure. Thus any remnant, relatively

unimpacted systems are not only important from a biodiversity perspective, but in terms of

ensuring sustainable ecosystem processes in the long term, it is also essential that measures

are instated that allow for active rehabilitation of impacted systems.

Targets to achieve objective A

The following strategies are viewed as the cornerstones of achieving this management

objective, and need to be espoused at a catchment level:

No further loss of wetlands and endangered vegetation types, particularly CBAs. The

protection of wetlands is supported by DWAF‟s national policy statement on wetlands,

which includes the intention to “take all reasonable measures to prevent the degradation

and promote the improved management and rehabilitation of the water resource

[including wetlands]”. The protection of vulnerable vegetation types is supported by the

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004)

Maintenance of existing buffers between wetlands and Core Areas (Category A) and the

surrounding land-use activities, where these are already in place and such that adequate

levels of protection are provided.

Progressive re-instatement of buffers / ecological setbacks to prevent ongoing

degradation of wetland systems and conservation areas.

Prevention of the continuous cycles of erosion that affect many naturally unchannelled

valley bottom wetlands and river channels, and lead to loss of wetland ecosystem

services at a catchment level.

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A focus of rehabilitation efforts on identified, special focus sub-catchments and

conservation areas, where vegetation, and/or geomorphological characteristics and/or

fauna (fish, birds, invertebrates or mammals) are recognised as being of particular

importance.

6.3 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE B

The second key Management Objective is that the CWDMA brings about a measurable

improvement in water quality in the Berg River and the Breede River, specifically with regard to

salinity, bacterial contamination and nutrients.

Rationale

These water quality constituents have been identified as the most critical contributors to poor

water quality in the Berg River system, particularly within the Drakenstein Municipal area.

Water quality impacts in the Berg River have social, recreational, human health, ecological and

economic impacts, and are thus seen as a critical issue that needs to be addressed as a matter

of urgency.

Targets for the achievement of Management Objective B

Meeting the objective of improving water quality significantly in the Berg and Breede Rivers will

rely on the implementation of remedial measures at a catchment level. However, it is also

recognised that certain portions of the catchment may contribute a larger proportion of water

quality impacts to the Berg and Breede River systems as a whole.

The following targets are requirements that need to be met in order to achieve this Management

Objective B:

Implement pollution remediation practices that result in a measurable year on year

reduction in water quality pollutants in the target rivers – a reduction in nutrient loading,

particular in the vicinity of large human settlements where there are inadequate Waste

Water Treatment Works. The water quality should fall within the mesotrophic to

eutrophic range for phosphorus and nitrogen loading, as specified by DWAF (2002 and

1996a respectively), and such that it achieves DWAF (1996b)‟s target water quality

criteria for at least intermediate contact recreation (<1000 faecal coliform counts per

100ml) should be achieved by 2020.

Ensure that upstream users supply the required water quality and water quantity

Reserve for the Berg and Breede River.

Ensure adequate protection of all wetlands, particularly on privately owned land, and

ensure that there are adequate buffers around the wetlands to reduce degradation.

Ensure that all residential areas are fully serviced with respect to sewage and

stormwater disposal and that all WWTWs in the municipal area are fully compliant with

their DWAF licence standards by 2020.

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6.4 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE C

The third key Management Objective is that the CWDMA provides adequate protection for the

natural vegetation in the buffer areas surrounding Core Areas and rehabilitate inadequate buffer

areas.

Rationale

Many of the Core Areas and larger conservation areas and CBAs do not have adequate buffer

areas to protect them from degradation emanating from the surrounding land use. In many

instances farming operation encroach against Core Areas and CBAs.

Targets for the achievement of Management Objective C

The targets to achieve Management Objective C are concerned mainly with encouraging land

owners within areas that should be managed as buffer zones to practice environmentally

friendly activities to protect the adjacent Core Areas from environmental degradation

The following targets are requirements that need to be met in order to achieve this Management

Objective C:

Farms where there is intensive and extensive agricultural practices could develop buffer

zones on their border with the Core Areas

Encourage the conservation of remaining natural vegetation on the farm and

rehabilitating unproductive areas.

Improve and maintain ecological corridors across the farm to allow for fauna and flora

migration.

Discourage the introduction of exotic species as outlined in the Biodiversity Act.

Farms could use environmentally friendly practices, particularly with regard to crop

spraying, excessive and untimely irrigation, invasive alien control, animal husbandry,

ploughing, burning and waste management.

Encourage the planting drought tolerant crop species that do not rely on irrigation as

opposed to irrigation intensive crops that require a lot of water.

6.5 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE D

Management Objective is that the CWDM ensures that no rivers in the municipal area have

water of a quality that would be rated below Class D in terms of DWAF‟s Resource Directed

Measures criteria.

Rationale

Class D has been determined by DWAF as the minimum level of water quality that is acceptable

in any system. Management of a system to levels below Class D therefore contravenes this

basic national principle. Implementation of this objective has a strong spatial element, and

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draws on the results of the situation assessment in determining areas in which rehabilitation and

management efforts should be focused.

Targets for the achievement of Management Objective D

Meeting this management objective revolves around implementation of Best Practice measures

across the CWDMA, particularly with regard to the management of point source runoff, the

provision of protective setback areas for rivers and other wetlands from developed portions of

the catchment and the actual land-use activities taking place within the catchments of individual

river systems.

The following targets are milestones that need to be met in order to achieve Management

Objective D:

Reduce pollution levels measurably in all rivers that have a Class D or lower index for

water quality.

Identify / develop sub-catchments that can be improved to act as reference models for

water quality management, that is all rivers with a Class A – C condition.

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7 INDICATORS TO MEASURE IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES

7.1 TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

Identify Core Areas that require better Buffer Area protection and identify land that would

provide potential adequate buffer protection. Monitor the increase in the buffer area and

integrity of the buffer area with regard to the identified potential buffer areas.

Monitor the increase in ecological corridors that link Core Areas and other large

conservation areas. This could be monitored in terms of the increase in the number of

corridors as well as the increase in area and improved integrity of existing corridors.

Monitor the increase in Private Conservation Areas and conservation initiatives on

private land, particularly those that fall within the Buffer Areas.

Map the extent of alien vegetation and monitor the reduction in area of the invaded land

as well as the quality of alien removal, particularly in Core Areas, CBAs, Buffer Areas

and Transitional Areas.

Monitor the increase in natural areas that are being developed, particularly in Core

Areas, CBAs and Buffer Areas.

Identify and monitor indicator fauna and flora species that are sensitive to environmental

change, particularly threatened and vulnerable species as they are often on the

threshold of their tolerable environmental limits.

Encourage the collection of litter and monitor the amount of litter collected.

7.2 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Rivers meet the DWAF standards for water quality as a minimum, particularly

downstream of areas that are intensively farmed and where there human settlements

that could impact on the water quality

Identify and map buffer areas along river channels that require improvement. Monitor

the increase in area of these buffer areas as well as the integrity of the buffer areas

Map the wetlands and monitor the state of these wetlands, particularly those on private

land with regard to land use.

Identify and map the extent and density of aquatic invasive aliens in river courses and

other wetlands and monitor the decrease in the extent and density of these invasive

aliens.

Map and monitor the number and size of water impoundments along a river course.

Monitor the river biodiversity using Habitat Integrity Indicators (as adopted by the River

Health Programme) of the main rivers and tributaries to start with.

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Identify and monitor indicator fauna species that area sensitive to environmental change.

Encourage the collection of litter and monitor the amount of litter collected.

7.3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to acknowledge Anneke de Kok from Anekke de Kok Environmental Consultancy

for her contribution to the legislative and programme section amongst other sections of this

report.

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8 REFERENCES

Beck, J.S., S.C. van der Walt and G. R. Basson. 2006. Berg River Baseline Monitoring Project. Hydraulics and fluvial morphology of the Berg River. Draft Final Report on the Berg River Baseline Monitoring Programme. Report to Anchor Environmental.

Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM). 2008. Area Based Land Sector Plan:

Cape Winelands District.

Cowan GI. 1995 (ed.) Wetlands of South Africa. SA Wetlands Conservation Programme Series.

Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism. Pretoria.

D:EA&DP. 2007. Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the Western Cape

Davies BR & Day JA. 1998. Vanishing Waters. University of Cape Town Press. Cape Town.

Davies, B.R. and Day, J.A. 1998. Vanishing Waters. University of Cape Town Press. Cape Town.

Desmet P. and R Cowling. 2004. Using the species–area relationship to set baseline targets for

conservation. Ecology and Society 9(2): 11

Job N & Driver M. 2006. Biodiversity priority areas in Swartland Municipality. South African

National Biodiversity Institute. Pretoria.

Matthews et al, 2003 in I Kotze, G. Forsyth and P.J. O‟Farrel, 2007: Specialist Report, Cape

Winelands District Municipality SEA: Biodiversity.

Midgley GF, Rutherford MC, Bond WJ & Barnard P. 2008. The heat is on: Impacts of climate

change on plant diversity in South Africa. SANBI, Cape Town

River Health Programme (RHP). 2005. State of the Rivers Report. Department of Water Affairs

and Forestry. Pretoria

Woodward FI & Kelly CK. 2008. Responses of global plant diversity capacity to changes in

carbon dioxide concentration and climate. Ecology Letters 11: 1-9.

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Annexure A: List of Conservation areas and their size

NATIONAL PARKS

The Tankwa Karoo National Park is the only national park situated within the CWDMA. It

consists of two separate cadastral units in total covering 39 022 ha and is situated at the north-

eastern boundary of the CWDM. This park is situated in an extremely dry area where annual

rainfall differs between 40 and 111 mm depending on the topography. Vegetation can be

described as sparse and of a succulent nature.

PROVINCIAL NATURE RESERVES

(Note: Some of these cover a total area larger than indicated, but only the size of the portion

falling within the CWDM is given in brackets.)

Anysberg Nature Reserve (24143 ha)

Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve (198 ha)

Ben-Etive Nature Reserve (5095 ha)

Bokkeriviere Nature Reserve (11951 ha)

Boosmansbos Wilderness Area (10977 ha)

Brandvlei Nature Reserve (2531 ha)

Cederberg Wilderness Area (30 ha)

Fonteintjiesberg Nature Reserve (3997 ha)

Groenberg Nature Reserve (129 ha)

Grootwinterhoek Nature Reserves (11305 ha)

Haweqwa Nature Reserve (42155 ha)

Helderberg Nature Reserve (116 ha)

Hexberg Nature Reserve (0 ha)

Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve (1305 ha)

JN Briers Louw Nature Reserve (29 ha)

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (13843 ha)

Marloth Nature Reserve (2244 ha)

Riviersonderend Nature Reserve (9459 ha)

Simonsberg Nature Reserve (463 ha)

Theewaters Nature Reserve (4198 ha)

Twistniet Nature Reserve (1183 ha)

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Voëlvlei Nature Reserve (877 ha)

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve (1963 ha)

Warmwaterberg Nature Reserve (6 ha)

Waterval Nature Reserve (6834 ha)

Witbosrivier Nature Reserve (503 ha)

Wittebrug Nature Reserve (1601 ha)

Witzenberg Nature Reserve (1635 ha)

LOCAL NATURE RESERVES

Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve (6840 ha)

Dassieshoek Local Nature Reserve (753 ha)

Greyton Local Nature Reserve (0 ha)

Jan Marais Local Nature Reserve (24 ha)

Mont Rochelle (1681 ha)

Montagu Eeufees Nature Reserve (15 ha)

Montagu Mountain Local Nature Reserve (1188 ha)

Paardenberg (0 ha)

Paarl Mountain Local Nature Reserve (2038 ha)

Touw Local Authority Nature Reserve (1713 ha)

Tulbagh Local Nature Reserve (76 ha)

PRIVATE NATURE RESERVES

Bergwater Private Nature Reserve (305 ha)

Boontjiesrivier Private Nature Reserve (74 ha)

Doornkloof Private Nature Reserve (564 ha)

Farm 32 (north of Montagu and south of Touwsrivier) (2440 ha)

Farm 33/1 (north of Montagu and south of Touwsrivier) (1066 ha)

Drooge Riviers Berg Private Nature Reserve (956 ha)

Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve (2767 ha)

Elim Private Nature Reserve (1842 ha)

Eyerpoort No 4 (3602 ha)

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Groenfontein Private Nature Reserve (1646 ha)

Buitendagskraal 235/0 (2292 ha)

Fonteinkop 236/1 (318 ha)

Klipgat 233/1 (4282 ha)

Zwartkop 267 (1988 ha)

Fonteinkop 263/2 (111 ha)

Joostenberg (60 ha)

Farm 350 (1368 ha)

Karindal Private Nature Reserve (5 ha)

Klein Cedarberg Private Nature Reserve (989 ha)

Koopmanskloof Private Nature Reserve (120 ha)

Langerug 173/6 (115 ha)

Mooiplaas Private Nature Reserve (33 ha)

Patrys Kloof (1638 ha)

Quaggas Berg Private Nature Reserve (580 ha)

Uintjieskraal No 21 (1807 ha)

Rooikrans Private Nature Reserve (3455 ha)

Sangebethu Private Nature Reserve (1880 ha)

Skuilkrans Private Nature Reserve (1853 ha)

Tankwa Private Nature Reserve (1477 ha)

Vaalkloof Private Nature Reserve (5480 ha)

Wakkerstroom Private Nature Reserve (1637 ha)

Whispering Hills Private Nature Reserve (260 ha)

Natte Valleij (175 ha)

Zwartbosch Private Nature Reserve (62 ha)

Zwartbosch Farm 36 (5060 ha)

Opdrag Private Nature Reserve (11 ha)

Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve (1148 ha)

Gannaleegte 137/0 (remaining extent) (1638 ha)

Driefontein 136/0 (remaining extent) (2467 ha)

Driefontein 136/1 (remaining extent) (256 ha)

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Die Eiland Private Nature Reserve (0 ha)

CONSERVANCIES

Badsberg Conservancy (6329 ha)

Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (564 ha)

Cederberg Conservancy (17931 ha)

Donkerhoek Conservancy (1034 ha)

Grootvadersbosch Conservancy (4 ha)

Jonkershoek Conservancy (1645 ha)

Klapmutskop Renosterveld (166 ha)

Paardenberg Conservancy (1405 ha)

Sneeuberg Conservancy (2 ha)

Swartruggens Conservancy (70384 ha)

Voelvlei Conservancy (26544 ha)

Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (261 ha)

Donkerhoek Conservancy (4451 ha)

Theewaters Conservancy (8167 ha)

PROCLAIMED MOUNTAIN CATCHMENT AREAS

Anysberg (216 ha)

Cederberg (23807 ha)

Hawequas (46412 ha)

Hottentots-Holland (3011 ha)

Koue Bokkeveld (96751 ha)

Langeberg – East (11614 ha)

Langeberg –West (52447 ha)

Matroosberg (82251 ha)

Riviersonderend (27457 ha)

Winterhoek (9737 ha)

HERITAGE SITES

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Bo-Boschkloof (A) (141 ha)

Bo-Boschkloof (B) (129 ha)

Duthie Reservaat (30 ha)

Elandsberg (2772 ha)

Groenfontein PNR (1646 ha)

MuldersvleiI (24 ha)

Paardenberg Bewarea (1722 ha)

Perdefontein (59 ha)

Purgatory Outspan Gedeelte 1 (120 ha)

Visgat Natural Heritage Site (2159 ha)

Documents

Environmental Situation Analysis · Report No 104860/5065 Environmental Situation Analysis Cape Winelands District Municipal Area of the Western Cape Final Report August 2010 EIA