Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting
Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting
Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>SRK</strong> <strong>Consulting</strong> in association with BKS<br />
<strong>Pixley</strong> <strong>Ka</strong> <strong>Seme</strong> Local Municipality EMF – <strong>Draft</strong> <strong>Status</strong> <strong>Quo</strong> <strong>Report</strong> Page 56<br />
Table 4-3: Assets, opportunities and constraints/threats associated with terrestrial ecology<br />
Asset Opportunity Constraint / Threat<br />
Western and Eastern Plains<br />
Grassland, Central Plains<br />
Grassland and Wakkerstroom<br />
Plains Grassland<br />
Escarpment Grassland<br />
Mountain Grassland<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Mountain Grassland<br />
Sour Bushveld<br />
Wetlands<br />
Forests in conserved area<br />
Serpentine Vegetation<br />
Fauna<br />
These areas have a high conservation<br />
status.<br />
This area is known to contain high plant<br />
species diversity and special endemic<br />
fauna species; thus <strong>the</strong> conservation value<br />
is high.<br />
As this area is well protected, it is important<br />
<strong>for</strong> local biodiversity conservation.<br />
This area is situated in low mountains and<br />
is mostly pristine, with a high conservation<br />
status.<br />
This area is mostly pristine and has a<br />
medium conservation status.<br />
The wetlands in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn parts of <strong>the</strong><br />
PKSLM are very important biological areas.<br />
The areas have very high biodiversity and<br />
are <strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>e of particular interest <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
eco-tourism industry.<br />
Forests in <strong>the</strong> protected areas are<br />
important <strong>for</strong> local biodiversity<br />
conservation.<br />
This vegetation contains endemic flora and<br />
thus is an important area <strong>for</strong> conservation<br />
of biodiversity.<br />
Many red data species are found with high<br />
conservation status – this adds to <strong>the</strong><br />
ecological value of <strong>the</strong> study area.<br />
Important agricultural and mining areas.<br />
Within <strong>the</strong> PKSLM <strong>the</strong> South-western and<br />
Central grasslands are trans<strong>for</strong>med by<br />
agriculture and mining and is under<br />
extreme pressure. These vegetation<br />
types/ecosystems need to be conserved,<br />
which will restrict agricultural and mining<br />
development.<br />
Forestry and rural residential areas threaten<br />
this grassland. The eastern portion is a<br />
major <strong>for</strong>estry area and has contributed to<br />
<strong>the</strong> trans<strong>for</strong>mation of large areas of <strong>the</strong><br />
Eastern Undulating Grassland.<br />
The far north-eastern mountain area has<br />
very high plant and fauna diversity, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>se are well protected in statutory<br />
conservation areas. This area includes <strong>the</strong><br />
very limited natural Forests and also <strong>the</strong><br />
very limited Serpentine Vegetation with its<br />
endemic plant species. There may<br />
<strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>e be building and development<br />
constraints.<br />
Development may impact on <strong>the</strong> aes<strong>the</strong>tic<br />
value of <strong>the</strong> study area, thus development<br />
should be controlled.<br />
Development may impact on <strong>the</strong> aes<strong>the</strong>tic<br />
value of <strong>the</strong> study area, thus rural<br />
residential areas and development should<br />
be restricted to low density and limited<br />
tourism facilities.<br />
Contradictory interests between mining,<br />
agriculture and conservation are of major<br />
concern.<br />
These are found in conserved areas where<br />
development restricted; thus this could<br />
place constraints on development.<br />
Rural residential areas and development<br />
should be restricted to low density and<br />
limited tourism facilities.<br />
To protect fauna, especially red data<br />
species, <strong>the</strong> habitat in which it occurs<br />
needs to be protected. Thus <strong>the</strong> mountain<br />
areas and grasslands need to be protected<br />
from new agricultural and mining<br />
development. Special attention needs to be<br />
given to aquatic fauna due to pressures on<br />
water quality.<br />
Source: Adapted from Bredenkamp (2010)<br />
Table 4-4: Assets, opportunities and constraints/threats associated with land use<br />
Asset Opportunity Constraint / Threat<br />
Political support<br />
Ensures <strong>the</strong> continued and enhanced<br />
protection of sensitive environments.<br />
Low income and high level of poverty.<br />
State pushed to prioritise short term<br />
political gains.<br />
KILI/BEAT G:\404946_PIXLEY EMF\7REPORTS\<strong>Status</strong> <strong>Quo</strong> report\<strong>Draft</strong> report\<strong>Draft</strong> status quo report, July 2010.docx July 2010