Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment

NICK HELME
LOWLAND FYNBOS
Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos, and Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos dominating the higher ground.
What are the critical things to maintain in terms of managing these
systems for biodiversity, and ensuring its persistence
Manage these systems to maintain the appropriate fire regime and to prevent overgrazing, invasion
by alien plant species and over abstraction of groundwater.
Development should be avoided and strongly discouraged in habitat associated with Critically
Endangered and Endangered ecosystems or species, particularly in corridors and vegetation boundaries.
Maintain ecotones that bracket edaphic boundaries, e.g. the interfaces between limestone-sandstone
or limestone-shale.
What, if any, reliable indicators could be used in monitoring ecosystem
health, as related to key vulnerabilities
The density of alien invasives, i.e. there are no dense stands, isolated plants are being controlled,
and biocontrols are present.
The type, age and condition of indigenous plant cover, species richness and the presence of key guilds
(serotiny, woody shrubs, winter annuals). Adherence to appropriate fire regimes can be reflected in
senescence of indigenous vegetation in strip-ploughed lands (burns are too infrequent) or invasion by
grasses and weedy species such as slangbos Stoebe spp. and Aspalathus spp. (burns that are too
frequent, or unseasonal).
The abundance and distribution of populations of Red and Orange List species.
The maintenance of natural water tables, especially adequate winter recovery, should be monitored
(ideally by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in vulnerable areas such as the Sandveld).
42 : LOWLAND FYNBOS ECOSYSTEMS