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Home , Drakensberg, Kruger National Park, Soutpansberg, Waterberg Biosphere

STRATEGICPRESENTATION WATER TITLE SOURCE AREAS Freshwater Ecosystem Network Presented by: November 2020 Name Surname Directorate Presented by: Name: DateMr 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 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, & 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 ’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 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, 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 ; 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 landscape through the four main rivers that form the Waterberg catchment. 18. The Kogelberg BR is a major water source for the increasing population of the greater 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. ’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 . 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 species have been observed on the tidal flats of the Lower Berg River; • such as 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 with the help of the Waterberg which drains into a considerable catchment area for the basin; • The ’s wooded support 5,500 species of which nearly half are endemic to ; • The Reserve also includes one of the most important areas in the country for San ; • The Nylsvley 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 through to the Canyon Nature Reserve; • This vast area encompasses three of South Africa’s (savannah, and forest); • Characterised by the , 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 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 and its valleys which form part of the Cape’s renowned Winelands; • Main types of across its 322,030 hectares are fynbos, succulent and the dusky dark ; • Habitat to the endangered geometric tortoise to which it is endemic; • A rich diversity of species including to frogs and mammals and ; • , caracal and as well as the striped polecat occur here. vi. Vhembe • In the north-eastern parts of the country, bordering Botswana, and ; • Its over 3-million hectares include the northern part of , , as well as a number of provincial nature reserves, the and and the Makgabeng ; • The Makgabeng Plateau, which contains more than 1,000 rock art sites; • This reserve includes World Heritage sites, recognised centres for biodiversity and 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, 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 . viii. • 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 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 , 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 and ; • 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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