Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment

MIDLAND & MOUNTAIN
What are the critical things to maintain in terms of managing these
systems for biodiversity, and ensuring its persistence
Manage fires correctly and, in Grassy Fynbos, maintain appropriate grazing regimes to retain
maximum species richness in communities.
The natural fire season is during the hot dry season (i.e. summer or early autumn).
In Granite Fynbos, Ferricrete, Conglomerate and Silcrete Fynbos, hot burns are required to prevent
over-dominance of weedy elements such as renosterbos Elytropappus rhinocerotis and Cliffortia spp.
Hot-burning fires also allow recovery of large-seeded, early seral species which are very prominent in
these communities.
Sandstone Fynbos is inadequately mapped and comprises many sub-units which need to be
considered - and preferably maintained - when assessing development. Habitats that require specific
attention include high altitude and perched seeps and marshes) and sandy flats and perched sandy
valleys (especially the lower reaches) which often contain significant wetland habitats.
The maximum viable distance between patches of Alluvial Fynbos is unknown. Where possible,
patches should be linked upslope to Mountain Fynbos along drainage lines; these corridors should be
at least 100 m wide. Such linkages help prevent groundwater being polluted by fertilizers and pesticides.
Subterranean and surface water movement is often altered by agricultural drainage, water
abstraction, canalisation and dams. This can result in the drying up of seasonally wet areas, even if
they have not been directly transformed.
Maintain buffer zones between drainage ditches and habitat remnants.
Breede Shale Fynbos abutting higher-lying Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos
ANTON WOLFAARDT
48 : MIDLAND & MOUNTAIN FYNBOS ECOSYSTEMS