Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment

SUCCULENT KAROO
Quarrying for granite ("dimension stone") is an increasing problem in the granite areas of Garies,
Bitterfontein, Springbok and Pofadder, as is quarrying for gravel in the Saldanha Bay area. Climate
change may have a substantial negative effect on many of the localised endemics.
Certain succulent species are threatened by illegal collection.
A proliferation of game fences in some areas may threaten faunal migration.
What are the “bottom lines” and non-negotiables
Physical disturbance of the vegetation should be limited to the minimum as most Succulent Karoo
plant communities recover very slowly, if at all, after heavy grazing or other pressures.
Grazing by domestic stock and game species should follow recommendations of the Department of
Agriculture and CapeNature.
Abstraction of ground and surface water should be controlled and carefully monitored.
All concentrations of rare and endemic plant species should be considered as "no go" areas for
development. No viable populations of such species should be lost to development.
What broad spatial guidelines can be given with respect to
the best approach to development and disturbance
Avoid all rocky outcrops, especially by mining or quarrying.
Avoid quartz patches and ridges, particularly those regarded as being acidic.
Avoid impacting on any wetland areas or riverine fringes.
Limit development to disturbed environments such as old lands and heavily overgrazed sites.
What are the critical things to maintain in terms of managing these
systems for biodiversity, and ensuring its persistence
Avoid disturbance to the biogenic crust and special habitats such as quartz patches. Generally
minimise disturbance to natural vegetation.
Prevent soil erosion as windblown sediments can smother sensitive areas such as quartz patches
and small rocky outcrops. Retain indigenous fauna and their migration corridors.
Retain natural vegetation in floodplains.
The presence of rare and endemic species that are reproducing.
(left) Avoid disturbing special habitats such as quartz patches and ridges as they cannot be rehabilitated once disturbed.
(right) Rare species are often associated with specific habitats, such as the quartz patches of the Knersvlakte
– a Succulent Karoo “hotspot”.
ANTON WOLFAARDT
ANTON WOLFAARDT
60 : SUCCULENT KAROO ECOSYSTEMS