Landscape Scale Thicket Restoration in the Klein Karoo
Nature-based solutions
Client:
Nature for Justice
Shell New Energies
Consultants:
Apex Conservation Services
Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Ecosystemiq
Klein Karoo, South Africa
Year: 2022
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Summary:
Apex Conservation Services was part of a multi-skilled international team of professional consultants (Ecosystemiq and Sustainable Landscape Solution) which undertook a feasibility assessment to gauge the feasibility of a large-scale landscape level spekboomveld restoration project in the little Karoo.
The focus of the assessment was to assess the practicality and financial feasibility of a large-scale carbon sequestration and carbon credit trading restoration project within the identified area. The project aims to (1) Use carbon financing to unlock large scale benefits across the identified project domain; (2) Restore previously degraded areas;(3) Improve the biodiversity of the receiving environment; (4) Improve the rangeland productivity and (5) Generate social upliftment opportunities for local communities within the identified area.
Based on the spatial assessment of severely degraded spekboomveld within the identified project area (Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve domain and adjacent region) there is an estimated 123 000 hectares of restoration opportunity. A variety of different project scales, restoration approaches, techniques, carbon curves, potential gains, costs, and risks were assessed. Landowner and stakeholder engagement was undertaken within the identified restoration area to test for receptiveness.
Our assessment demonstrated that there are substantial large scale restoration opportunities across the Klein Karoo of South Africa which would allow for carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and human capital upliftment. Landowners and other stakeholders were found to be extremely receptive to the opportunities a restoration project of this scale may deliver.