the western cape’s biodiversity (and ecological...

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The Western Cape’s Biodiversity(and Ecological Infrastructure)Spatial Plan 2017

Genevieve Pence

June 2017

Biodiversity Planning Forum, Skukuza

CONSERVATION PLANNER

Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs)

= Map

Land use guidelines= Handbook

Biodiversity sector’s input into… SDFs

…Multi‐sectoral planning & decision‐making

SEAs

EMFsIDPsRSIFs

EIAs

SoE Reporting

NBA

NPAES

OffsetsZoning

Provincial SystematicBiodiversityPlan

Ensure smart & sustainable growth:

• Positive planning & land assembly

• Disaster risk reduction

• Water security & ecological resilience

Meet legislative imperatives:

• Account for protection needs of ecosystems

• Avoid conflict with national framework

Give effect to constitutional rights & 

international obligations

2017 Biodiversity Spatial Plan

• 1st singular, province-wide analysis

• Best available data– 2013-14 Land cover– Updated ecosystem & ecological infrastructure mapping

• World class methodology – ‘Coarse-filter / fine-filter’ approach to representation– Ecological infrastructure underpins CBA design– Conflict avoidance, focused on urban areas– Spatial optimisation

• Updated land use guidelines and Handbook

• Demonstrable utility and defensibility

Systematic biodiversity planningBiodiversityPattern(representation)WHAT?Ecological Processes(persistence)

HOW MUCH?

WHERE?

Product Package: Maps of priority areas

(served per local municipality)

Product Package: Maps of priority areas

(available on BGIS and CapeFarmMapper)

http://bgis.sanbi.org/Projects/Detail/194

Ecosystem Threat Status & 

Ecosystem Protection Level

National List of Threatened 

Ecosystems (2011)vs.  Western Cape Province (2014)

= +9

WCP 2014 vs. 2016= +5

Product Package: Handbook

Contents of BSP Handbook

Map Category Area (ha) % Protected Area (PA) 1 843 029 15Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) 2 859 785 22Ecological Support Area (ESA) 1 644 503 16Other Natural Area (ONA) 4 137 042 28No Natural (NN) 2 445 206 19TOTAL : 12 944 115 100

Contents of BSP Handbook

Contents of BSP Handbook

Contents of BSP Handbook

Map Category

Consv. Agric. Tour-ism

Rural Accom. Urban Business

& Industry Infrastructure

Desired Management Objective RestrictedYes No

Land Use Sub-categories

LAND USE CATEGORIES

Contents of BSP Handbook

FAQ

Implementation Strategy

Compliance & Enforcement

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision-Making

Monitoring & Evaluation

Compliance & Enforcement

Implementation Strategy

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision‐Making 

Monitoring & Evaluation

Compliance & Enforcement

Capacity & resources

Legislation

Interventions• Biodiversity 

Bill to enhance 

legal status

Compliance & Enforcement

Implementation Strategy

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision‐Making 

Monitoring & Evaluation

Capacity & resources

Legislation

Communication strategy

Interventions• Accessibility

• Launch event

• Media campaign

• Written materials

Compliance & Enforcement

Implementation Strategy

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision‐Making 

Monitoring & Evaluation

Compliance & Enforcement

Capacity & resources

Legislation

Communication strategy

Competency building

Positive planning

Interventions• Targeted workshops (e.g., case officers, EAPs, 

specialists)

• Improve SDF review process

• LGMTEC• Collaborate 

with Land Assembly

Implementation Strategy

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision‐Making 

Monitoring & Evaluation

Capacity & resources

Legislation

Communication strategy

Competency building

Positive planning

Tracking forward planning

Tracking decisions

Tracking habitat loss

Interventions• CBA 

Verification protocol & change log

Compliance & Enforcement

Implementation Strategy

Enabling Environment

Awareness & Support

Planning & Decision‐Making 

Monitoring & Evaluation

Compliance & Enforcement

Capacity & resources

Legislation

Communication strategy

Competency building

Positive planning

Tracking forward planning

Tracking decisions

Tracking habitat loss

Interventions• GEF5 Work 

Plan for combatting 

illegal clearing

Thank you.

For data:http://bgis.sanbi.org/Projects/Detail/194

For queries:cba@capenature.co.za