linda harris1 ronel nel1 and david schoeman2biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/wp-content/uploads/... ·...
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Linda Harris1, Ronel Nel1 and David Schoeman2
1Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa2University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
Economic Social Environmental Supporting
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R. Ward (EKZNW)
1. Diversity and intact processes e.g. Palumbi et al 2009
2. Beach diversity is hardly recognised• Unique fauna & flora• Most are endemic
3. Beach processes are underappreciated• Cycle C faster than
rainforests Coupland et al 2007
Aw areness of vulnerability
!
1. Linear, narrow ecosystems
2. Fragmented alongshore3. Legacy of poor coastal
management4. Multiple threats5. Climate change
• sea‐level rise• storms
DAEA
• Commitments to international conventions
– Coast is sufficiently intact– International best practice– ICM Act (2008)
• Current “challenges”– Management is local– No national plan
Status of coastal conservation and m anagem ent in SA
Ecosystem -based spatial conservation planning (Harris PhD in prep)
A framework to maximize use of the coast, whilst ensuring the ecosystem (sandy beach) persists in perpetuity and continues to provide
goods and services
Ecosystem -based spatial conservation planning (Harris PhD in prep)
Biodiversity features and processes
Cumulative threat assessment
Marine Spatial Planning
Sink et al. 2012Cumulative threat assessment in collaboration with Dr Stephen Holness
cumulative threats
Harris et al. 2011. Mapping beach morphodynamics remotely: A novel application tested on South African sandy shores. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 92, 78‐89.Harris et al (in review). Intertidal habitat composition and regional‐scale shoreline morphology along the Benguela coast.
habitats
1980s‐2008Harris PhDbeachnot beach
Phytoplankton and microphytobenthos biodiversity layer in collaboration with Prof. Eileen Campbell, NMMU
biodiversity
importantrecreational beaches
water filtration & nutrient recycling
nesting grounds for threatened vertebrates
storm‐wave buffering &sand storage
CO2 efflux / gas regulation photosynthesis & productivity
processes &
services
Sandy beach population connectivity: Karien Bezuidenhout PhD in prep
Systematic conservation planning in collaboration with Prof. Hugh Possingham and Dr Matt Watts, University of Queensland (Australia)
SCP
www.sandybeach2012.com
Future for the SA coast
• Local management, but a national plan• Beaches don’t need MPAs• Next step – include all coastal ecosystems
– MPAs will be required
R. Ward (EKZNW)
Linda Harris1, Ronel Nel1 and David Schoeman2
[email protected] Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa
2University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
www.sandybeach2012.com