Loss of Biodiversity – the Cape Town example High School Workshop 25 May 2013 Patricia Holmes Biodiversity Management Branch Environmental Resource Management Department

What is biodiversity? Convention on Biodiversity: The abundance and distributions of and interactions between genotypes, species, communities, ecosystems and biomes. Natural capital (=goods & services) Ecological infrastructure Natural heritage

What is Biodiversity? Hierarchy of scales: Biomes Biomes Landscapes – vegetation types/ ecosystems Landscapes – vegetation types/ ecosystems Habitats – communities of plants, animals & microbes Habitats – communities of plants, animals & microbes Populations - genes Populations - genes

Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has half of SA’s plant biodiversity in only 4% of area Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has half of SA’s plant biodiversity in only 4% of area Cape Town has one third of the CFR’s biodiversity (Over 3000 plant species) in under 3% of the CFR area Cape Town has one third of the CFR’s biodiversity (Over 3000 plant species) in under 3% of the CFR area We are a global biodiversity hotspot without parallel !! Biodiversity in Cape Town

NEM:BA THREATENED ECOSYSTEMS: Vegetation types - 19 in city 21 are Critically Endangered - 11 in city - 6 endemic vegetation types (3 CR)! - 13 extinct plant species threatened with extinction 2011 NEM:BA

Historical Vegetation2013 vegetation Transformation: 2/3 agriculture 1/3 urbanization

City Land Use Proclaimed reserves

Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos - CR 7% remains 3% conserved TARGET: 30%

Peninsula Shale Renosterveld - CR 11% remains 10% conserved TARGET: 26%

Cape Flats Sand Fynbos - CR 14% remains 1% conserved TARGET: 30%

Restoration essential to save species

OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE EXTINCT SPECIES Erica verticillata EW Erica turgida EW

FIRE IS ESSENTIAL FOR RESTORATION

Major threat in Urban areas to Conservation Fire legislation FYNBOS MUST BURN! Mowing eradicates Fynbos

Cape Flats Dune Strandveld – EN 45% remains 13% conserved TARGET: 24%

Peninsula Granite Fynbos CR N S 68% 34% remains 58% 30% conserved** TARGET: 30%

Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos – EN 97% remains 94% conserved TARGET: 30%

Importance of Cape Town’s biodiversity? Legal responsibility to conserve biodiversity for future generations CBD; NEMA; NEM:BA; NEM:PAA; Countdown 2010; City strategies etc

Importance of Cape Town’s biodiversity Economic value: goods & services; ecological infrastructure E.g. clean water; coastal & soil stabilization Replacement value = R2 - R6 billion / year! Underpins tourism industry Direct job creation (e.g. Zeekoevlei = 8200 pdpa) Intrinsic value through its mere existence Consumptive use value (e.g. harvesting)

Importance of Cape Town’s biodiversity Educational value – potential outdoor EE opportunity within walking distance of every school. (over 24,000 learners partook in City EE programmes in 2012) Social value through recreation and open space (integral to health and well being) Aesthetic value through beauty and scenic drives Spiritual value Bequest value – the value of retaining biodiversity for future generations Option value – value of retaining biodiversity for future use Climate change – mitigation and adaptation

Threats to biodiversity in Cape Town Habitat loss & fragmentation Urban development Agriculture Invasive species Inappropriate fires Mowing Over-exploitation Pollution (N-deposition) Hydrological change Crime All need to be addressed for Smart Living!

Khayelitsha

Acacia saligna invading Sand Fynbos

Biodiversity Network Conservation Planning

Sound Spatial Planning: ensuring that the BioNet is a key informant in the SDF as well as district SDPs and EMFs

NATURE RESERVE CONSERVATION PROTECTION:  Many of the conservation areas have no real conservation protection  Reserves will be proclaimed under the Protected Areas Act (NEM:PAA)  Secondary sites of conservation importance will be protected as Biodiversity Agreements under the Western Cape Nature Conservation Ordinance Benefits of conservation protection: - Shows the intent of the Municipality - Excellent publicity opportunities - Expertise from CapeNature - Friends groups rally around proclaimed sites - Funders are more keen to invest in “safe” sites - The holistic management of fire and aliens is far more cost effective.