A Land Degradation Assessment of the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE)

Location:
The Protected Environment is centred on the escarpment between Graaff-Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, Cradock and Pearston, South Africa

Year:
2018

Summary:

The persistence of biodiversity is one of the key high-level objectives within the MZCPE management plan. This objective aims to ensure the persistence of biodiversity by conserving and restoring ecological patterns and processes and populations of key species which are representative of the region.

Addressing degradation and associated rehabilitation, as well as controlling or eliminating alien and invasive species, are crucial to ensuring the persistence of biodiversity in the MZCPE. The aim of our project was to undertake a Field Resource Inventory Assessment (FRIA) to determine the spatial extent of degradation across the MZCPE. The FRIA consisted of three components: (1) Alien plant inventory and the collection of relevant data, (2) Soil erosion mapping and the collection of relevant data, and (3) Alien fauna listing and collection of relevant data. 

Due to the extensive nature of the study area, rugged terrain, time limitations and limited resources allocated to the project, a unique assessment methodology was developed by Apex. It included a rapid degradation survey, broad scale GIS mapping, on-the-ground- field verification of points highlighted during mapping, and engagement with landowners prior to the assessment. There are seven spatial clusters represented within the MZCPE of which an estimated 268 000 hectares were assessed as part of phase 1 of the Land Degradation Assessment.

The valuable field data and associated spatial layers produced by Apex provided the MZCPE management greater insights into the land degradation status within the Protected Environment. This has assisted with the zonation of the Protected Environment, identification of priority areas for restoration activity and the establishment and implementation of restoration projects.  This work has also allowed for the establishment of a early detection rapid response strategy that aims to focus available resources on emerging Invasive Alien Plant control reducing their overall threat across the landscape.

This was the first collection of land degradation data within the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Area, 

producing vital data for future sustainable management of the area.