Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Plan Handbook - bgis-sanbi

MPUMALANGA BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PLAN HANDBOOK
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Roan
Hippotragus equinus
Antelope form the basis
of a major tourism
industry. Not only do
tourists pay substantial
sums to see antelope but
they also visit to see the
predators of antelope.
Roan antelope are rare or
endangered over most of
their range because they
have very specific habitat
requirements
DATA USE AND LIMITATIONS
The data used to compile this plan and the scientific knowledge that underpins the
biodiversity targets are currently the best available. The MBCP database has been collected
over many years and from diverse sources. Although data and sources have been checked
and verified, gaps and errors may exist. Satellite data, such as the land transformation
coverage, are derived from images taken in 1995 and 2000. This means that six years of
ongoing transformation is not recorded in the MBCP.
All data and the information on the MBCP map, especially in contentious situations, should
be verified on the ground, preferably by an ecologist with local experience, before a
.
decision about land-use is taken. Data from the verification process, especially corrections,
must be captured and archived to update and add to the information on which future
biodiversity planning will be based
The MBCP has created six biodiversity conservation categories for terrestrial ecosystems using
systematic biodiversity planning methods (Table 6.1). This chapter sets out broad land-use
guidelines applicable to each category and all ecosystems.
The MBCP has also identified the most important water catchments in the Province which are
critical for meeting aquatic biodiversity targets (see Figure 4.2). Land-use guidelines for these
catchments are provided to safeguard their current good ecosystem status. All land
uses involving physical development will have significant impacts on these catchments. It is
critical that inappropriate development does not compromise their integrity. Both aquatic
biodiversity and water supplies will be jeopardised if this is allowed to happen.
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TABLE 6.1: Summary of terrestrial biodiversity conservation categories
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION CATEGORY % OF PROVINCE COMMENT ON
LAND USE
1. PAs currently under formal biodiversity protection PAs - 14.8%
2. Irreplaceable, in urgent need of protection and PA status Irrp - 2.4%
3. Highly Significant, protection needed - limited choice for H-S - 12.3%
meeting targets
4. Important and Necessary, protection needed - I&N - 9.5%
more choices for meeting targets
5. Areas of Least Concern, providing options for development L-C - 25.2%
6. Areas with No Natural Habitat remaining, providing NN - 35.8%
preferred sites for all forms of development.
(Ecological corridors (6.7%) are not included as they are not part of the spatial analysis.)
The higher conservation
categories (1 to 4)
need to be managed
for the conservation of
biodiversity.
61% of Province
available for development
via EIA planning
procedures.