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Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA [email protected] ; [email protected]

Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

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Page 1: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight

Department of Biodiversity & Conservation BiologyUniversity of the Western CapeP. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, [email protected] ; [email protected]

Page 2: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Conference on Biodiversity, Science and GovernanceConference on Biodiversity, Science and Governance

… part of the ongoing global effort to curb the loss of biodiversity by 2010

… ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of our biological diversity.

… to sensitize public opinion about scientific and social issues connected to biodiversity.

The greatest concern expressed was …we are still loosing species at an unprecedented rate

… estimated at 100 to 1000 times the ‘natural’ extinction rate.

Page 3: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Millennium Ecosystem AssessmentMillennium Ecosystem Assessment(core report – Mar. 2005; foundation report – Jan. 2006)

… human actions are depleting Earth’s natural capital, putting such strain on the environment that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted …

… the assessment shows that with appropriate actions it is possible to reverse the degradation of many ecosystem services over the next 50 years …

… BUT, the changes in policy and practice required are substantial and not currently underway.

(Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005)

Page 4: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

3rd most biologically diverse country (after Indonesia & Brazil)

occupies ~ 2% of the world’s land area but is home to

~ 10% of the world’s plants

~ 5% of the world’s reptiles

~ 8% of the world’s birds

~ 6% of the world’s mammals

3 biodiversity hotspots (Cape Floristic Region, Succulent Karoo, Maputaland-Pondoland)

our seas straddle 3 oceans (Atlantic, Indian & Southern Oceans)

~ 16% of known coastal marine species

What is Special about South Africa’s Biodiversity?What is Special about South Africa’s Biodiversity?

(Endangered Wildlife Trust, 2002)

Page 5: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

HistoryHistoryPre-1994 Democratic election

> 16 local and regional bodies …

A plethora of apartheid legislation that has clearly had disastrous ecological and social consequences … indirectly responsible for large scale loss of, and denied access to biodiversity.

Wangari Maathai (Nobel Peace Prize - 2004) Assistant Minister for Environment & Natural Resources in Kenya – “… without direct intervention, third world countries may be unable to meet the millennium goals …”

Page 6: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

With just over ten years of democracy it is difficult to effect significant change, …

HistoryHistory

yet South Africa has accom-plished significant strides in both its political and bio-diversity arenas.

Page 7: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

1994 to present

Dept. of Environmental affairs & Tourism (DEAT).

South African National Parks (SANParks) + Provincial parks

Marine & Coastal Management

Dept. of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF).

Dept. of Science & Technology (DST).

Dept. of Arts & Culture (DAC).

Post-ApartheidPost-Apartheid

Page 8: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

A.A. Research and Development Policy Context Research and Development Policy Context (relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)(relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)

Conventions and AgreementsInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), 2000

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 2000

The Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance), 2000

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 2000

World Heritage Convention (Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage), 2000

Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), 2000

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought, 2003

The Kyoto Accord, 16 February 2005

Intent to designate Makuleke Wetlands and Prince Edward Islands as Wetlands Of International Importance, March 2006

Page 9: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

A.A. Research and Development Policy Context Research and Development Policy Context (relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)(relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)

Policy & Legislation 1996 – present (197 policy, legislations, national assessment docs, etc.)

• National Environment Management Bill, 1998• Marine Living Resources Act, 1998• World Heritage Convention Act, 1999• National Parks Amendment Bill, 2001• Environment Conservation Act, 2002• SoE Report (State of the Environment Report), 2002• National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2004• National Environmental Management: Air Quality Bill, 2004• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill, 2004• SABI (South African Bio-systematics Initiative),2004• NSBA (National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment), 2004• Various Fisheries legislation, March 2005• Regulations For The Proper Administration Of Special Nature Reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites, March 2005• White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa, Sept. 2005• Marine Living Resources Amendment Bill, May 2005

Page 10: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

A.A. Research and Development Policy Context Research and Development Policy Context (relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)(relevant Acts, research frameworks etc)

National Environmental Management:Biodiversity Bill (31 May 2004) provides for …

management and conservation of SA’s biodiversity (incl.

ambiguous groups);

the protection of threatened ecosystems & species;

the control of alien & invasive species;

the regulation of bioprospecting;

fair & equitable benefit-sharing;

the regulation of permits; and

the establishment of

the SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

Page 11: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism)• Global Climate Change: web pages providing information and documents on climate change• Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity Roster of Experts• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan• South African National Waste Management Strategy Implementation Project + The Cleanest Town

Competition• Wild Coast Spatial Development Initiative Pilot Programme• Socio-Economic Impact of Poverty Relief Funded Projects• World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) + World Parks Congress (WPC)• SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme• National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP)• Transfrontier Conservation Areas• Poverty Relief Programme• Waste Management Programme• National Environmental Indicators Project

NRF (National Research Foundation)• SABI (South African Bio-Systematics Initiative)• SAIAB (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity)• SANAP (South African National Antarctic Programme)• SAEON (South African Environmental Observation Network)• SEAChange (Society, Ecosystems and Change)

SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute)Working for Water Programme - DWAF (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry)CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)MCM (Marine and Coastal Management - South African fisheries authority - directorate of DEAT)MISA (Mariculture Institute of South Africa) – unit within MCMA million bicycles over 10 yrs.

B.B. Current National Research Activities/ProgrammesCurrent National Research Activities/Programmes

Page 12: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

C.C. International Programmes where SA InvolvedInternational Programmes where SA InvolvedInternational Conventions and Agreements:

• Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC)• Bonn Convention on Migratory Species• RAMSAR Wetlands Convention • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)• Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD)• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (and GMOs), September 2003; Roster of Experts 2005/6 • The Kyoto Accord/Protocol, February 2005

Global biodiversity inventory initiatives: All Species Project, GBIF, GISP, Tree of Life, Species 2000.

Global bio-systematics imperatives: BioNET-International, British Government Systematics Initiative, Diversitas, GTI, Systematics Agenda 2000.

Ongoing global assessments: 2010 Biodiversity Target; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

International conservation agencies: Conservation International, IUCN, WWF

Aquatic ecosystem programmes: GIWA (Global International Waters Assessment), SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research), BCLME (Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem), BENEFIT (The Benguela Fisheries Interaction Training Programme).

Museums across the world that hold South African material and bio-systematists across the world who have expertise not represented in South Africa.

Page 13: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

TARGETS

•Terrestrial ecosystems - 10% of land surface

• Marine ecosystems - 20% of coastline

The Convention on Biological DiversityThe Convention on Biological Diversityand Protected Areasand Protected Areas

Page 14: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Terrestrial EnvironmentTerrestrial Environment

Figure 1. Type 1, 2 and 3 protected areas in South Africa (NSBA, 2004).

Western Cape

19% (~ 11 + 8)

TYPE 1 – 479 (77%)

TYPE 2 - 471~ 6% of land in SA~ 6% of land in SA

TYPE 3 - 66

BiomeBiome % in Western % in Western CapeCape

% in Type 1 & % in Type 1 & 2 TPA2 TPA

% in Type 3 % in Type 3 TPATPA

FynbosFynbos 7878 ~ 20~ 20 ~ 9~ 9Succulent Succulent KarooKaroo

3737 ~ 2~ 2 ~ 5~ 5

ThicketThicket 1313 ~ 9~ 9 ~ 31~ 31

Mountain Fynbos ~ 50%*Mountain Fynbos ~ 50%*

Coastal Fynbos ~ 3%*Coastal Fynbos ~ 3%***Cowling & Hilton Taylor 1994Cowling & Hilton Taylor 1994

Page 15: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Figure 2. Species richness for known endemic and threatened plant species (NBSA, 2004).

Endemic Plant Species Threatened Plant Species

Terrestrial Environment – Terrestrial Environment – Species richnessSpecies richness

Page 16: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Need to provide some form of conservation action for

the remaining 90%

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Least threatened

Figure 3. Spatial distribution of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and least threatened vegetation types (NSBA, 2004).

Terrestrial Environment – Terrestrial Environment – endangeredendangered

Page 17: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Marine Environment Marine Environment

Figure 4. The inshore bioregions defined for the Southern African coast (NSBA, 2004).

Page 18: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Marine Environment Marine Environment

.....

.....

Figure 4. Oceanography and biogeographic provinces of South Africa (Adapted from Bolton & Anderson, 1997).

Page 19: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

.

Marine Environment Marine Environment

Figure 5. South African Marine Protected Aeas (NSBA, 2004; Colin Attwood, pers. comm.).

1964 - June 2004 … 18 MPA’s (incl. 3 islands) ~ 11% of the SA coastline

June 2004 … + 4 MPA’s (incl. 1 island) ~ 18% of the SA coastline

Immediate future … + Namaqualand MPA ~ 19% of the SA coastline

Page 20: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Dilemma !Dilemma !

How do we:

… conserve, or provide conservation status to the remaining 90% & 80% of our terrestrial surfaces and coastlines respectively?

… continue to obtain and understand our biodiversity issues?

… convey their importance to society?

Page 21: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Agenda 21 Agenda 21 (Rio Declaration on Environment and Development)

Explains that population, consumption and technology are the primary driving forces of environmental change.

It lays out what needs to be done to reduce wasteful and inefficient consumption pattern

It offers policies and programmes to achieve a sustainable balance between consumption, population and the Earth’s life-supporting capacity.

It describes some of technologies and techniques that need to be developed to provide for human needs while carefully managing natural resources.

Page 22: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

One Solution !One Solution !Biodiversity Web Map Services

… provide for the distribution of current biodiversity information;

… have the ability to integrate local or desktop information;

…have the ability to make your own information

… have the ability to distribute combinations of these information layers to third parties through map views; and

… because they are web-based, they are accessible to just about anyone.

Page 23: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Raising awareness of the IAS problem;

Creating linkages among governments and the private sector and across disciplines;

Networking databases and providing a gateway for information on IAS issues and expertise;

Designing and co-hosting workshops;

Summarizing scientific and technical information in order to make it readily available to policy makers, scientists, educators, and other audiences; and

Supporting Partners in the design of projects and programmes to minimize the spread and impact of IAS.

GISPThe Global Invasive Species Programme aims to address global threats caused by Invasive Alien Species (IAS) providing support to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).It does this by:

Page 24: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Screen Shot GISP portal

Page 25: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Seaweed AfricaSeaweedAfrica is a multi-national project to expand AlgaeBase, a biodiversity database of seaweed information, to include additional information for the seaweeds of the whole of Africa. The additional information includes:

Ecological information Present and potential useful information Harvesting information Aquiculture information Legal information

The project involves scientists from 8 European and African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ireland, Portugal and Sweden and is funded by the European Union. We scripted the web database together with the Irish team at the Martin Ryan Marine Science institute.

Page 26: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

SACIC The South Africa Coastal Information Centre (SACIC) is a project

funded by the Coastal Management Office of the Department of Enviromental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT).

SACIC aims to

Create public awareness about environmental issues along our coast

Help decision makers at local governmental level make better informed decisions for coastal management.

The web portal developed by IOISA and BCB contains databases of coastal projects, educational material, and online GIS maps of the South African coast.

The project has entered a second phase of funding during which greater emphasis will be placed on the needs of decision makers.

Page 27: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

SA Coast Examining Examiningd data SA Coast Examining Examiningd data layers and adding mark upslayers and adding mark ups

Page 28: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Ukuvuka – Fire stop Ukuvuka aims to educate the public about the dangers

of wild fires on the Cape Peninsula mountain chain and in informal settlements. There is particular emphasis on the dangers of large stands of invasive alien trees which were responsible for the intensity of the 2000 fires.

We have been responsible for the development of the Ukuvuka website which contains educational material for the public including up-to-date news, information on identifying and eradicating alien invasives trees and interactive games.

The experiences and lessons learnt during the campaign is available as a knowledge asset.

Page 29: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

CPU mapsThe CPU was a core C.A.P.E project aimed at

1. Generating and distributing environmental sensitivity maps

2. Guide sustainable development and planning

3. Highlight important areas for the conservation of biodiversity.

The CPU was established to ensure that high quality, up-to-date biodiversity maps based on data from a variety of reputable institutions are easily accessible are freely available via a portal for viewing and downloading. The CPU has been taken over by SANBI and become the Biodiversity GIS (BGIS) portal.

Page 30: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Screen Shot SANBI Biodiversity GIS portal

Page 31: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Integrating Algorithm ApproachesIntegrating Algorithm Approaches

Biodiversity Web Map Services

… use genetic algorithms to optimise conservation solutions

… integrate conservation planning into other land use.

On Conservation Areas….

“… they have not drawn us into a more thoughtful relationship with our habitat, They have not taught us that land is to be used frugally and with good sense. They have encouraged us to believe that conservation is merely a system of trading environmental write-offs against large protected areas. They more than failed; in fact they have become a symptom of the problem

(Van Tighem 1986).…”

Page 32: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Selection…..usually a randomly selected pair

Parent A Parent B

Mutation

For Reserve Selection a group of sites will represent a chromosome

Crossover

What is a Genetic Algorithm?What is a Genetic Algorithm?

Page 33: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

GAs are far faster to process

`

Candidate Sites Forward Direction

Forward and Reverse Direction

Genetic Algorithms GAs allow both forward and backward processing whereas iterative technique is a forward only process

More on Genetic AlgorithmsMore on Genetic Algorithms

Page 34: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Web-based Conservation Planning & Decision Making: City of Cape Town

To identify the minimum number of remnant sites that conserve a group of plant species within the City of Cape Town

Includes Genetic Algorithms and user defined targets

From insular protected areas to prioritised From insular protected areas to prioritised biodiversity networks at a landscape levelbiodiversity networks at a landscape level

From insular protected areas to prioritised From insular protected areas to prioritised biodiversity networks at a landscape levelbiodiversity networks at a landscape level

Page 35: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Integrate to form a network (connection & climate change)

45 land uses identified and ranked on compatibility to maintain biodiversity

Arbitrary scores attached to each landuse with most biodiversity compatible areas have the lowest scores.

Once Candidate sites are selected…

Friction Surface of biodiversity compatibility developed

Corridors of lowest friction (highest biodiversity value) iteratively identified

BiodiversityNetwork

Page 36: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

National Information Society Learnership Ecological Informatics

Purpose

The Level 7 certificate in Ecological Informatics Practice has, as its purpose statement:

’A learner who has achieved this qualification will have achieved a basic competence in gathering data, mining databases, organising, analysing and assessing data and using information to produce useful reports in support of decision-making within the field of Biological Resource Management.’

Designed in the WorkplaceDesigned in the Workplace for the Workplacefor the Workplace

Designed in the WorkplaceDesigned in the Workplace for the Workplacefor the Workplace

Page 37: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

What is NISL-EI?Its an Honours-level Learnership delivered using distance-based resources and through a cooperation of University and public sector organizations. CSIR is the managing agent and UWC does curriculum certification..

Information Systems Management

Information Systems Management

Environmental Management

Practice

Environmental Management

Practice

Societal IssuesSocietal Issues

GIS Remote Sensing Open-Source tools

IEM & Tools for Sust. Dev. Conservation Planning Env. Resource Economics Policy Development

Conservation Biology Climate Change Sustainable Livelihoods Invasion Biology

IntegratedCoastal

AreaManagement

Arid Ecosystems

Management

River/wetland Ecosystems

Management

Page 38: Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight Department of Biodiversity & Conservation Biology University of the Western Cape P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, RSA

Gavin W. Maneveldt & Richard S. Knight

Department of Biodiversity & Conservation BiologyUniversity of the Western CapeP. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, [email protected] ; [email protected]