Freshwater Ecosystem Network November 2020 - Presented by: Name Surname Directorate Name: Mr Yakeen Atwaru - Biodiversity Advisor

STRATEGIC WATER
       PRESENTATION TITLESOURCE AREAS
               Freshwater Ecosystem Network
        Presented by:
        Name Surname
                      November 2020
        Directorate
Presented by:
Name: Date
        Mr Yakeen Atwaru
Chief Directorate: Water Ecosystems.
Date: 12 November 2020

Content of presentation

1. Background and Update on SWSAs.

2. DWS initiatives on SWSAs.

3. Biosphere Reserves

4. Summary / Conclusions

1. BACKGROUND
SWSA definition:
Strategic Water Source Areas
(SWSAs) are areas of land that
either:
(a) supply a disproportionate
    quantity of mean annual
    surface water runoff in
    relation to their size and
    are considered nationally
    important;
Or
 (b) have high groundwater
recharge and where the
groundwater         forms    a
nationally important resource;
or
(c) areas that meet both
criteria (a) and (b).
                                 Strategic (surface water derived) water source areas defined in 2013
                                 (Nel et al., 2013a)

SWSA update:
•   22 SWSA’s in SA;
•   ~ 10% surface area of SA, delivers 50% of
    water;
•   Interdepartmental Task Team (SANBI, DWS,
    DEFF, WWF);
•   Fine scale delineation methodology
    finalised: piloted in three catchments (KZN,
    Mpumalanga & W Cape);
•   Legal Opinion: CSLA;
•   NEMA        S24     (2)(a)    (restrictions &
    prohibitions;
•   NWA (S26(1)(g) –make regulations;
•   Legal definition: NW&S Bill;
•   Project funding: Green Climate Fund;
•   Spatial Task Team set up to explore
    prioritisation criteria for securing SWSAs;
•   DEFF: MTSF target (5 years) to secure 11
    SWSAs, all by 2024;
•   DWS Masterplan target: Declare SWSAs and
    critical GW recharge areas which are
    threatened / sensitive as protected areas
    (2021).
                                                    The new national and transboundary Strategic Water Source Areas

2. DWS initiatives on SWSAs
•   Legislative Review (NWA, WSA)
•   Water Ecosystems is represented in an internal Departmental NWA Task team.
•   Proposal to amend Chapter 3 of NWA (protection of water resources)
     – Introduce a definition of SWSA
     “water source areas” means all land and aquifers which form the original collection
     point of and provide above average amounts of water to the rest of South Africa’s
     water resources, and/or which meet significant social, economic and environmental
     water requirements.
     -Introduce provisions by adding Chapter 3A: Protection of Water Source Areas
•    Part 1: Geographical location of water source areas
     –   Identification of water source areas
     –   Empower Minister to make regulations on management of activities around SWSAs;
•   Part 2: General prohibitions and restrictions within water source areas
     –   Open cast and underground mining
     –   Forestry plantations;
     –   Agriculture;
     –   Other prohibitions and/or restrictions
•   Ministers Summit

DWS Initiatives cont..
• Anti-Pollution Task Team (APTT) and National WQM Strategy Steering
  Committee (NWQMS Steercom) launched by the Deputy Minister;

• Fora to rollout the DWS WQM Strategy;

• Action Plan drafted following intensive workshops;

• 8 key focus areas of work developed;

• Focus Area 6: Implementation of key projects that will have a direct link to
  improving WQ in SA;
    – Activity 4: Development of regulations for protecting SWSAs.

3. Biosphere Reserves
• The Biosphere Reserve Programme is a UNESCO Programme that
  attempts to demonstrate the reconciliation of environmental
  protection with sustainable development.
• It has human developmental needs at the forefront and balances
  these with ecological infrastructure, biodiversity, heritage and
  indigenous knowledge through learning, science and other
  functions.
• Biosphere Reserves are instruments through which relationships
  are fostered and coordinated to ensure sustainable development.
• All relevant stakeholders are represented in the Biosphere Reserve
  management entity and therefore shared decision-making
  responsibilities.

Spatial depiction of
    Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere Reserves are spatially defined
according to a specific zonation system.
Biosphere Reserves integrate the management
of pristine biodiversity with active communities
by strategically dividing land and operations into
three zones:
Core Areas
It comprises a strictly protected zone that
contributes to the conservation of landscapes,
ecosystems, species and genetic variation
Buffer Zones
It surrounds or adjoins the core area(s), and is
used for activities compatible with sound
ecological practices that can reinforce scientific
research, monitoring, training and education.
Transition Zone
The transition area is where communities foster
socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable
economic and human activities.

Benefits of Biosphere Reserves
1.  Take a multi-stakeholder approach to solution development;
2.  Offer a solution for collaborative landscape management and decision-making;
3.  Foster dialogue for conflict resolution of sustainable natural resource utilisation;
4.  Integrate culture and biological diversity;
5.  Demonstrate sound sustainable development practices;
6.  Provide sites of excellence for education, training and Research;
7.  All are members of the South African Biosphere Reserve Company that facilitate
    collaborated fundraising towards fulfilling the three Biosphere Reserve functions;
8. Securing a large percentage of the sources of major rivers, providing water to
    residents, agriculture and business;
9. Assisting national government in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
    and 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets;
10. Playing a crucial role in securing biodiversity corridors towards mitigating the
    effects of climate change;
11. Supporting networks of stakeholders in collaborating towards achieving an
    internationally, nationally and locally approved Biosphere Reserve vision for the
    relevant region;

Benefits cont..
12.   Collectively covering 115 732 km , approximately 9.5% of the country's land area;
13.   Contributing considerably towards job creation and increased livelihoods;
14.   International destination for tourists;
15.   Facilitating donor funding of millions of Rands towards Biosphere Reserve
      projects;
16.   The quantity and quality of water is the most signifiant ecosystem service
      provided by Biosphere Reserves as these vast areas include major sources of
      water in the country. The Cape Winelands BR which is the source of seven rivers
      serves as an example.
17.   The Waterberg BR serves as a very important water resource for the surrounding
      rural Limpopo landscape through the four main rivers that form the Waterberg
      mountain catchment.
18.   The Kogelberg BR is a major water source for the increasing population of the
      greater Cape Town region.
19.   Water management is crucial if considered against the demand for downstream
      irrigation schemes and the threats posed by developments, contamination and
      acid mine drainage.

South Africa’s Biosphere Reserves

Spatial comparison of SWSAs &BRs

i. Kogelberg
• Oldest biosphere reserve, and was first designated in 1998;
• 103,629 hectares is comprised of mountainous landscapes including high peals
  and deep valleys;
• Also includes coastal plains and 1,629 hectares of marine area;
• Considered the ‘floristic heart’ of the Cape floral kingdom due to unique fynbos.

ii. Cape West Coast
•   Includes ecosystems such as coastal plains and marine areas and diverse, fynbos-rich
    areas ;
•   Wetlands, such as the Langebaan Lagoon which is a Ramsar site;
•   More than 240 bird species have been observed on the tidal flats of the Lower Berg River;
•   Mammals such as steenbok or the Cape grey mongoose;
•   Even black rhino were known to occur in these parts once upon a time.

iii. Waterberg
•   This region helps irrigate the dry Limpopo bushveld with the help of the Waterberg Mountain
    Range which drains into a considerable catchment area for the Limpopo river basin;
•   The savanna biome’s wooded grasslands support 5,500 species of which nearly half are
    endemic to Southern Africa;
•   The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve also includes one of the most important areas in the
    country for San rock art;
•   The Nylsvley Nature Reserve in south-eastern section of the 654,033-hectare reserve is
    another Ramsar wetland site.

iv. Kruger to Canyons
•   Includes in its expansive 2,608,000 hectares parts of the Kruger National Park through to
    the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve;
•   This vast area encompasses three of South Africa’s biomes (savannah, grassland and
    forest);
•   Characterised by the Transvaal Drakensberg Escarpment, which result in diverse
    landscapes from foothills to valleys and plains;
•   Of great cultural value to a number of South African tribes;
•   Inhabitants can be traced back to the Stone Age with numerous protected archaeological
    sites where tools, engravings and indigenous art have been found.

v. Cape Winelands
•   Extends northwards from Kogelberg and follows the Cape Fold Mountains and its valleys
    which form part of the Cape’s renowned Winelands;
•   Main types of vegetation across its 322,030 hectares are fynbos, succulent Karoo and the
    dusky dark renosterveld;
•   Habitat to the endangered geometric tortoise to which it is endemic;
•   A rich diversity of species including birds to frogs and mammals and reptiles;
•   Leopard, caracal and klipspringer as well as the striped polecat occur here.

vi. Vhembe
•   In the north-eastern parts of the country, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique;
•   Its over 3-million hectares include the northern part of Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe
    National Park, as well as a number of provincial nature reserves, the Soutpansberg and
    Blouberg and the Makgabeng Plateau;
•   The Makgabeng Plateau, which contains more than 1,000 rock art sites;
•   This reserve includes World Heritage sites, recognised centres for biodiversity and endemism
    as well as wetlands.

vii. Gouritz Cluster
    •   Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve includes mountain ranges,
        and coastal lagoons;
    •   It is the only area in the world where three recognised
        biodiversity hotspots converge, i.e. fynbos, succulent Karoo and
        Maputoland-Tongoland-Albany;
    •   Includes parts of the Swartberg, Langeberg and Garden Route
        as is divided into the Towerkop, Kammanassie, Langeberg and
        St. Blaize sectors;
    •   The reserve is key to helping conserve threatened species like
        bontebok and the Cape mountain zebra.

viii. Magaliesberg
•   Includes landscapes ranging from slopes, cliffs, crests, kloofs, rivers, wetlands and valleys
    over 357,870 hectares;
•   90 mammals are indigenous to the Magaliesberg region;
•   46.6% of the bird species recorded in this southern African sub-region are found here;
•   90 mammals are indigenous to the Magaliesberg region;
•   46.6% of the bird species recorded in this southern African sub-region are found;
•   The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site is also part of this reserve.

ix. Garden Route
•   The Knysna basin is a key topographical feature of the area because it is responsible for the
    Knysna Estuary, ranked first in the country for its conservation importance;
•   Also an integral area for the conservation of large mammals, and is the natural habitat for the
    likes of elephant, the Cape buffalo and black rhino;
•   Spans 698,363 hectares;
•   Includes the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area, Wilderness Lake Ramsar site, Garden
    Route National Park and two World Heritage sites, the Nelson Bay Cave and the Langkloof
    Valley.

x. Marico
•   Characterised by wetlands but the real drivers are the dolomitic aquifers, which feed into
    three river systems, again into the Marico River and eventually the Limpopo;
•   The Marico River is thought to be one of the cleanest and healthiest rivers in South Africa;
•   The savanna and grasslands also support vulnerable plant species and endemic fauna such
    as lion and elephants;
•   This unique reserve in the country’s northern reaches is the most recently designated among
    the 10 sites (2018) and comprises 447,268 hectares.

4. Summary / Conclusions
• Work done thus far;
• DWS initiatives;
• Biosphere Reserve methodology to complement
  and enhance initiatives to protect and sustain
  SWSAs;
• Comments, thoughts, suggestions, questions.

THANK YOU!

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