The KwaZulu-Natal 2012 Critical Biodiversity Areas Map Boyd Escott GIS Analyst (Terrestrial) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
KZN Systematic Conservation Plan (i) Marine, (ii) Estuarine (iii) Freshwater, and (iv) Terrestrial PGDS PSEDS IDPs SDFs Protected Area Expansion Stewardship Programme KZN Provincial Conservation Plan (CBAs and ESAs) 11 District Bioregional Plans EMFs EIPs & EMPs SEAs SEZs? Coastal Management Programmes EIAs Figure 1: Guideline Regarding the Determination of Bioregions and the Preparation of Bioregional Plans (based on SANBI 2009)
Definitions The KZN Provincial Conservation Assessment allows for the development of four three defined categories necessary for the development of a CBA map: CBA Mandatory are areas required to meet biodiversity targets for both biodiversity pattern and ecological process features, and no other options are available to meet this target. CBA Optimal are areas that are the most optimal to meet the biodiversity conservation targets while avoiding high cost areas as much as possible. ESAs are areas not essential for directly meeting biodiversity targets but play an important role in supporting and sustaining the ecological functioning of the critical biodiversity areas. EGSAs deliver important ecosystem goods and services to the KZN province and the people living therein.
Challenge: How does one: spatially define these categories? incorporate national products? ensure consistency in site prioritisation between SCP software? ensure consistency with other provinces? (lead to credibility in the process) CATEGORY C PLAN MARXAN BIODIVERSITY SECTOR AND REGIONAL PLANS CBA 1 Mandatory (BPA 1) Irreplaceability = 1 No equivalent CBA Mandatory CBA 2 Mandatory (BPA 2) CBA 3 Optimal (BPA 3) Irreplaceability Score >= 0.8 and <1.0 Irreplaceability Score > 0 and < 0.8 Selection frequency value = 80% 100% Best solution from MARXAN runs less the identified CBA 2 areas CBA Mandatory CBA Optimal
Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA) Ecological Support Areas (ESA) Ecosystem Goods & Service Areas (EGSA) TERRESTRIAL (TSCP)* The CBA 1 and CBA 2 Mandatory Sub -categories are combined to form CBA Mandatory CBA 3 Optimal forms CBA Optimal KZN Threatened Ecosystems National Threatened Ecosystems (CR and EN) KZN PAES # National PAES Forests Macro-ecological corridors (only identified localities under greatest pressure) Macro-Ecological Corridors All remaining natural/near natural terrestrial land**. Classified as High, Medium, Low Ecological Service provision areas AQUATIC SCP (FSCP) The CBA 1 and CBA 2 Mandatory Sub-categories are combined to form CBA Mandatory CBA 3 Optimal forms CBA Optimal All wetlands within FSCP areas (excluding Azonal forests forests) All priority wetlands outside FSCP areas Perennial Rivers in FSCP areas 20m Buffer on identified CBA rivers All priority NFEPA wetlands All NFEPA Fish Sanctuary areas All wetlands within FSCP areas 100m Buffer on CBA wetlands 500m Buffer on NFEPA priority wetland clusters Non-perennial rivers in FSCP areas 80m Buffer on 20m CBA buffers on Perennial rivers 50m Buffer on non-perennial rivers in FSCP areas Top 10 Free-Flowing Rivers All remaining wetlands Water production areas All remaining Perennial and Non-perennial rivers outside FSCP and NFEPA areas ESTUARINE SCP (ESCP) The CBA 1 and CBA 2 Mandatory Sub-categories are combined to form CBA Mandatory CBA 3 Optimal forms CBA Optimal All estuaries not in ESCP but identified as important by EKZNW The FSCP planning unit areas associated with CBA ESCP All remaining estuaries MARINE SCP (SeaPLAN) The CBA 1 and CBA 2 Mandatory Sub-categories are combined to form CBA Mandatory CBA 3 Optimal forms CBA Optimal All other areas not defined as a CBA * SCP = Systematic Conservation Plan # PAES = Protected Area Expansion Strategy ** Whilst Ecosystem Goods and Services can be derived from non-natural land-use practices, in this context only naturally derived ecosystem service areas are reflected
Dissemination Products
Biodiversity Sector Plans Complete Being Finalised In process To be initiated (MOA) To be initiated