Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Plan Handbook - bgis-sanbi

Land-use and administrative options for positive biodiversity outcomes include:
CHAPTER 6 - LAND-USE GUIDELINES
Where this category of land occurs close to areas of high biodiversity value, and is located to potentially serve useful
ecological connectivity functions, such as in ecological corridors, encourage restoration and re-vegetation
options;
For individual parcels of land identified as having specific biodiversity values, actual or potential, develop incentives to
restore lost biodiversity and connectivity;
Consider the negative impacts of land uses on these areas which have off-site impacts, e.g. controlling use of pesticides,
on neighbouring areas of natural habitat, especially if they are of high biodiversity value;
Encourage landowners and developers to use indigenous plants, especially trees, where aesthetic or functional options
exist.
TYPE OF LAND USE
BIODIVERSITY FRIENDLY LAND USE
1. Conservation Management
2. Extensive Game Farming
3. Extensive Livestock Production
4. Rural Recreational Development
HIGH IMPACT RURAL LAND USES
5. Rural (Communal) Settlement
6. Dryland Crop Cultivation
7. Intensive Animal Farming (incl. dairy)
8. Irrigated Crop Cultivation
10. Urban & Business Development
11. Major Development Projects
12. Linear Engineering Structures
13. Water Projects & Transfers
TABLE 6.2: Types of Land-Use suited to each biodiversity conservation category
9. Timber Production N
URBAN INDUSTRIAL LAND USES
14. Underground Mining
15. Surface Mining, Dumping & Dredging
LEGEND: Y = YES, permitted and actively encouraged activity.
N = NO, not permitted, actively discouraged activity.
R = RESTRICTED, by site-specific conditions and controls when unavoidable; not usually permitted.
NOTE: – These guidelines apply only to untransformed land with natural vegetation cover.
This table summarises the broad Land-Use Types best suited to each of the biodiversity conservation categories. Application of these
guidelines will result in the most ecologically efficient and sustainable pattern of land use throughout the Province.
PAs
Y
Y
R
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
IRREPLACEABLE
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
R
N
N
HIGHLY
SIGNIFICANT
N N N N
Y
Y
Y
R
R
N
N
N
N
N
N
R
R
R
IMPORTANT &
NECESSARY
Y
Y
Y
R
R
N
N
N
N
N
R
R
R
R
ECOLOGICAL
CORRIDORS
Y
Y
Y
R
R
R
R
R
N
N
R
R
R
R
R
LEAST
CONCERN
Y
Y
Y
Y
R
Y
Y
Y
R
Y
R
R
R
Y
R
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LAND-USE GUIDEINES