Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department Development Planning, Environment and Management Unit P.O. Box 680, 4000, South +27 31 311 7875 www.durban.gov.za/durban/services/development-planning-and-management/epcpd Durban: State of Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Biodiversity is the term used to describe the variety of life on Earth and all natural processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity, and the connections between these and all species, including humans. Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by healthy biodiversity to all living things. There is growing recognition of the value of ecosystem services to human well-being in terms of health, social, cultural and economic needs. Read more about ecosystem services on pages 6 and 7 of this report.

We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. E. O. Wilson Table of Contents

Key statistics describing Durban in 2013/2014 6

Ecosystems services 7

Durban’s natural environment 8

Indicators 9 State of • Total area of D’MOSS 9 Biodiversity • Percentage of D’MOSS protected 9 reporting • Percentage of D’MOSS managed 11 The intention of State of Biodiversity reporting is to present qualitative • Species abundance 12 and quantitative data which describe • Threats to Durban’s biodiversity 15 the status of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Durban, to highlight key • Responses to threats 20 threats to this biodiversity and to Acknowledgements 27 record actions aimed at protecting and managing biodiversity. These reports are Please note that the key statistics for the 2013/2014 produced annually and this is the eThekwini State of Biodiversity report can be found in the Municipality’s sixth State of Biodiversity A3 fold-out at the back of this report. report. This report collates data relevant to the 2013/2014 municipal financial year[1] and focuses on some of the work done Written and compiled by: Natasha Govender, Specialist Ecologist, Biodiversity Planning, Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department. by the . Reviewed by: Richard Boon, Manager, Biodiversity Planning, Environmental FOOTNOTE 1: A municipal year starts Planning and Climate Protection Department. on 1 July and ends on 30 June. Copyright: eThekwini Municipality, 2014.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 3 Africa’s oldest surviving Botanic Gardens2 The Durban Botanic Gardens (DBG) was established as early as 1849 when Durban was still a small village composed of a few sandy tracks and thatched cottages. The original location of the DBG was the south bank of the Umgeni River and was later moved to the lower slopes of the Berea forest because of the river’s hippo and crocodile populations. At the time, this area was still isolated from the main village of Durban and was largely a wilderness area that was still often visited by a roaming lion. The DBG originally served as a botanic station for the trial of agricultural crops and today has evolved into a space that focuses on core areas of biodiversity, education, heritage, research, horticultural excellence and green innovation. The Gardens covers an area of approximately 15 ha and contains both indigenous and exotic species’ collections including a number of significant and threatened plant collections, e.g. cycads, palms, bromeliads and orchids. In addition, the garden plays host to about 80 heritage trees, the majority of which are over 100 years old. This report will focus in on some of the interesting and exciting work undertaken by the Durban Botanic Gardens. For more information please visit: www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za Learners exploring the Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) at the Durban Botanic Gardens. FOOTNOTE 2: Adapted from The Durban Botanic Gardens Trust (2013). “Africa’s Oldest Surviving Botanic Gardens.”

4 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 eThekwini Parks Department promotes biodiversity and human well-being What counts in life is not

Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated on the 18th July with in the younger generation the mere fact that we have the message for all humankind to act in “building a global movement an appreciation for food lived. It is what difference for good.” To this end, eThekwini Parks Recreation and Culture gardening. Following the Department (PLCD) launched a food gardening programme on this Mandela Day programme, we have made to the day at the LIV Village in Durban, a non-profit organisation that aims the Durban Botanic Gardens lives of others that will to rescue orphaned and vulnerable children, restore lives, and raise Education Section stationed leaders. a researcher at the Village determine the significance While is considered as being a ‘food secure’ to explore the hypothesis of the life we lead. country, many estimates suggest that high unemployment rates, that permaculture food inadequate social welfare systems and the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS gardening promotes a better Nelson Mandela contributes to the approximately 43% of households that currently appreciation for biodiversity experience food poverty. With the predicted changes in rainfall and and proper nutrition. temperature patterns due to climate change, food insecurity is a Interestingly, it was found that children of LIV Village started to serious concern for all South Africans. create their own food gardens unprompted by officials or researchers, On Mandela Day 2013, officials from the PLCD constructed a positive sign of the sustainability of the culture of food gardening. more than seventeen food gardens at the LIV Village to promote the Empowering people to grow their own food in their own gardens could important link between biodiversity and human well-being, and to instil satisfy a household’s nutritional and economic needs.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 5 1. Profile of Durban

Table 1: Key statistics describing Durban in 2013/2014[3] Municipal area 2297 km2 (1.4 % of KZN) ulation eg r Population 3, 55 million e t a

Population growth (2012 – 2013) 0.9 % m e.g. Control i l of temperatures Percentage of people in poverty 38.7 % C and wind reduction. ation Rate of urbanisation 92 % ul eg r r Total exports R 60.2 billion e t Control of water a flow, e.g. capture

Total imports R 127.4 billion W and release of water gulatio by vegetated ntrol re n co Manufacturing, tourism, e landscapes for al Largest sectors c c finance and transport n urban use. i a g b o l

r Control of

[4] e.g. Flood o

GVA R 195.3 billion u i

t pests, e.g. spiders

control, B

s

i controlling D drought GDP[4] R 217.7 billion mosquito recovery. n latio populations. Electricity backlog 290 393 consumer units gu e r

s Water backlog 71 494 consumer units a Control of

G the chemical composition of Housing backlog 404 192 units ro ont l the atmosphere. c n io s

FOOTNOTE 3: Denny Thaver, Global Insight/Economic Development o & Investment Promotion Unit/Procurement & Infrastructure: r Storage of Development Engineering, eThekwini Municipality. E soil within an ecosystem FOOTNOTE 4: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of all goods e.g. wetlands. and services produced within the economy in a given period. Gross Value Added (GVA) is the value of all goods and services produced in an area or sector of an economy and is used in the estimation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

6 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 The ecosystem services provided by Durban’s 2. Ecosystem Services provided by Durban’s Natural Environment natural environment was valued at ~R4 billion per annum (2006), excluding the tourism industry.

uction ycling d t c ro n e p i r d t

o u Capture, storage

o N F e.g. Fish, and processing crops and of nutrients, fruit. e.g. nitrogen pply ion tment su at ea fixation. r n r e li t t l e a o t e.g. Removal and P s

a breakdown of excess W Movement of Supply and nutrients in wetlands,

pollen by certain W storage of water, detoxification of ources species (e.g. bees) ation e.g. by rivers. es to enable plant air pollution by m r r c vegetation. fo i reproduction. t l i e o n Unique biological S e materials and e.g. Weathering G products, e.g. of rock by water. plant and animal ials l a ter medicines. ra gi a tu fu l e m u C R w a e.g. Fuel, Aesthetic Habitat for R craft work educational, resident or migrant and building spiritual and ion populations, e.g. materials. scientific use. at nurseries re c for fish. e R e.g. Eco-tourism, sports, fishing and swimming.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 7 CREW profiles a Critically Endangered parasitic plant found on Durban coast[5] 3. The natural environment

South Africans are passionate about nature South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the and its diversity and scattered amongst world[6], and Durban contains: our vast rainbow nation are hundreds Three of the country’s eight terrestrial , of individuals who care deeply about • conserving our unique diversity of plant namely , forest and ; species. These individuals have been united • Eight broad nationally recognised vegetation types. in their efforts to conserve plants through These include: Eastern Valley , KwaZulu- the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Natal Coastal Belt, KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Wildflowers (CREW) programme, which Thornveld, KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld, involves volunteers who monitor and help to Ngongoni Veld, Scarp Forest, Northern Coastal conserve plants threatened with extinction. An example of one such species is Forest and, ; Hyobanche fulleri (commonly known as • Over 2 200 plant species, ~ 520 species of birds, cat nails), a striking parasitic plant growing 37 species of amphibians, 69 species of reptiles, up to 13 cm high with pale to bright pink ~ 80 terrestrial mammal species, and 25 flowers. It attaches itself to roots of host invertebrate species endemic to KZN[7]; plants entirely depending on the host for water, mineral nutrients and photosynthetic • 97 kilometres of coastline with a diversity products. This species flowers from August of beach types and productive rocky shores; to September and is only known in three • 17 river catchments and 16 estuaries; localities along the KZN south coast’s dune scrub. It is listed as Critically Endangered • 4 000 kilometres of rivers; and because plant populations have been • An open space system of approximately decreasing due to coastal developments and 74 500 ha (approved 2010/2011), representing associated dune stabilization. The sighting almost 1/3 of Durban’s total municipal area. of H. fulleri within Durban’s boundaries is further evidence of Durban as a global FOOTNOTE 5: Information compiled by Suvarna Parbhoo and Mbali Mkhize. . FOOTNOTE 6: The biodiversity of South Africa, 2002. Indicators, trends and human impacts. Endangered Wildlife Trust, Struik Publishers, Cape Town. For more information or to join CREW, FOOTNOTE 7: Many species’ records predate the 1990’s and, as such, are not please contact [email protected]. an accurate representation of current diversity. This highlights the need for more comprehensive studies of Durban’s fauna and flora.

8 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Protecting cycads at the DBG 4. Indicators offers a glimpse of Earth’s past

4.1. Total area of D’MOSS The DBG is home to over 80 heritage trees, many The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System of which are over 100 years old. These include South Africa’s oldest Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) (D’MOSS) is a system of green open spaces planted in 1885 and the Lychee (Litchi chinensis) which incorporating areas of high biodiversity value was transported to South Africa from Mauritius. Both (private and public owned), linked together in these trees speak to the country’s early botanical an ecologically viable network of open spaces cultivated history. and is composed of a variety of habitat types. Most interesting perhaps is the Wood’s Cycad In 2013/2014 D’MOSS comprised ~74 500 ha (), which is protected at the DBG of open spaces, representing approximately and which some records suggest is the rarest plant in 33 % of the eThekwini Municipal area (Figure the world. Cycads have engendered an intrinsic interest as they are an ancient plant group with the earliest cycad fossils A in foldout). The latest, still to be adopted, version of D’MOSS is dating back over 250 million years. As a survivor from an era long a sector plan and a spatial layer, based on a systematic conservation past, cycads act as a window to life in ancient times and are critical planning approach, which identifies key areas which are selected to improving our understanding of the evolution of all modern to ensure representation and persistence of biodiversity and the plants. The Wood’s Cycad has been at the DBG for over 100 years. supply of ecosystem services. D’MOSS is incorporated into the city’s Integrated Development Table 2: Area of D’MOSS with some protection Plan, associated Strategic Development Framework, regional Spatial and categories of protection Development Plans and into the municipal Town Planning Schemes Protected area type Area (ha) % of D’MOSS as a controlled development layer. Proclaimed Nature Reserve 1131 1.52 4.2. Percentage of D’MOSS that is protected State Nature Reserve 2181 2.93 Only ~ 10% of the area of D’MOSS enjoys some form of protection Private Nature Reserve 304 0.41 (Table 2). This includes various categories of protection: proclaimed and Special Rating Area (SRA) 323 0.43 unproclaimed private or public nature reserves; properties that have Non User Conservation Servitudes 1007 1.35 been bought through the eThekwini Municipality’s (EM) environmental Municipal Nature Reserve 1950 2.62 land acquisition programme; sites where sensitive portions have been protected by non-user conservation servitudes during the development Acquired Land 518 0.70 approval process; and sites that have been rezoned to conservation. Totals 7414 9.95

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 9 Biodiversity is keeping up 4.2.1. Land Acquisition with the technological times In some restricted instances, threatened or important areas are protected through acquisition. This is achieved by either a) purchasing the property from the owner at an agreed upon value or b) property owners donating During a typical visit to any school their land to the eThekwini Municipality. In 2013/2014, 95.1 ha of land yard, nature reserve or park one is bound to encounter toddlers were acquired by the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection and teenagers masterfully tackling Department (EPCPD) for environmental conservation. the digital world of smartphones, tablets, and laptops. More time spent in the digital world and less 4.2.2. Nature Reserve Proclamation in the natural one is often viewed by the environmentally-minded eThekwini Municipality is currently collaborating with Ezemvelo KZN as a threatening prospect. But what if technology is used to ignite Wildlife (EKZNW) to proclaim ten municipal nature reserves in terms interest in biodiversity instead of deterring from it? of the National Environmental Management: The Durban Botanic Gardens (DBG) is using Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003). The smartphone technology to bridge the biodiversity- digital gap and bringing today’s youth closer to the areas to be proclaimed have varying levels of legal natural world. Quick Response (QR) barcoding protection, ranging from none to zoned Public technology marks the beginning of a project that will Open Space, whilst there are a small number bring the information age into the common experience of sites ‘zoned’ Environmental Conservation of visitors to the gardens assisting with knowledge Reserve. The formal protection afforded by the sharing and enhancing communication. QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can contain any kind of proclamation of these reserves will ensure the data. When placed on trees or other existing botanical conservation of the sites, will allow their areas to gardens signage, these codes can provide in-depth be included in calculating national and provincial plant or any other information directly to iPhones, statistics for the conservation status of vegetation Blackberrys, Androids and other smartphones, types, and should assist with attracting more e.g. common and Latin names of plants, species’ distributions, links to a variety of online resources resources for the management of the protected such as videos or newspapers, etc. areas. In 2013/2014, significant progress was made The first stage of the project at the DBG involves labelling in the proclamation of the 211 ha Roosfontein Nature Reserve. The indigenous trees with QR codes, providing an alternative to “Intention to Declare” the Proclamation of Roosfontein was advertised traditional tree labels. “We at the Durban Botanic Gardens want for public comment by the MEC for Environmental Affairs and following to bring today’s youth closer (about 30 cm closer) to our trees,” says Jody Fuchs, Horticulturalist at the DBG. The project is being the completion of the public process, the documents have been headed up by the Education Centre of the DBG with voluntary submitted for signature and gazetting. The proclamation of a further consultation of private individuals. two areas, the Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct and the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, will be initiated in 2014/2015.

10 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Table 3: Progress made with the proclamation of ten Municipal Nature Reserves Approval by Approval of Proclamation Proclamation Puplic Survey Management EM Heads proclamation Approval by approved documents participation Reserve Hand plans Survey diagrams and and the by EM EKZNW’s by the submitted to process Proclamation Nature boundaries requested required complete Zonation Municipal Executive Executive EKZNW’s MEC (COGTA)* approved and / Gazette reserve finalised (yes/no) (yes/no) (yes/no) plan Manager Committee Committee Board & MEC (EDTEA)* commenced Declaration Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No No No No 1st draft Empisini Yes No No N/A complete Yes No No No No No No 1st draft Marian Wood Yes Yes No N/A complete Yes No No No No No No

New Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No No No No

Paradise Yes Yes No N/A 2nd draft Yes No No No No No No Valley complete 1st draft Yes Yes No N/A complete Yes No No No No No No Roosfontein Yes Yes Yes Yes Complete Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Silverglen Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No No No No 1st draft Springside Yes Yes No N/A complete Yes No No No No No No Virginia Bush Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No No

4.3. Percentage of D’MOSS that is managed 7% Rapid urbanisation of cities increases the fragmentation of landscapes, making management interventions in natural areas even more important. This management may take the form of the removal of Private invasive alien species, periodic burning of grassland habitats, removal 93% EPCPD of litter from streams, or prevention of illegal harvesting of species, Formally managed Giba SRA etc. The management of D’MOSS in the eThekwini Municipal area No formal management PLCD-NRD is undertaken by various departments and agencies and, overall, just under 7 % of D’MOSS is formally managed (Figure 2 and 3). Figure 2. Managed versus Unmanaged D’MOSS Figure 3. Management entities** *COGTA – Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. *EDTEA – Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs. **Excluding the contribution by other State agencies, e.g. EKZNW. Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 11 4.4. Species abundance In terms of representing urban biodiversity, three taxonomic organisms are difficult to obtain because of the lack of long term groups are commonly surveyed, i.e. plants, birds and butterflies. monitoring initiatives. For the purposes of this report, only data In Durban, reliable, quantitative data sets for most groups of that are collected consistently and quantitatively are utilised.

4.4.1 Bird diversity at the Durban Botanic Gardens

Statistics gathered during the past 15 years around the Lake at the the extensive cutting back of foliage at the DBG which removes all Durban Botanic Gardens show an alarming drop in the diversity and secluded places for the more secretive bird species. abundance of bird species at the Durban Botanic Gardens. In order to ensure that the Lake at the DBG continues to • In October 2000, when the first figures were being collated, support bird species, it is critical that an effort is made by the Park a total of 1796 birds were counted during a three-hour sampling authorities to protect the remaining pockets of habitat through period. This count includes; Herons (Grey and Black-headed), Sacred appropriate management, e.g. invasive alien plant removal and Ibis and Cattle Egrets. Other species were not counted at the time. planting of appropriate indigenous species, etc. • In October 2013, a total of 25 birds comprising the same three species were counted with the decrease in numbers most obvious in the Cattle Egrets. Sightings of several common species such as Common Moorhen and Black Crake, and the less common Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron have also decreased significantly. • The southernmost recorded colony of Pink-backed Pelicans continue to breed at the DBG from December to February, with between nine and 15 chicks being raised every year. It has been suggested that the decline in bird diversity and abundance at the DBG Lake can be attributed to a variety of factors including: decreased rainfall over the past couple of years; silting up of the Lake resulting in lower water levels; anoxia and hypoxia of the Lake due to high levels of invasive plant infestation (water lettuce); bird kills due to the high occurrence of feral cats that are allowed to be fed at the DBG; the proliferation of vervet monkeys which have been observed to be more aggressive as their natural food sources disappear; and

12 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Figure 4a

Figure 4b

4.4.1 Waterbirds of Durban Bay In a special edition of the journal Novitates[8], David Allan, Curator Figure 4c of Birds at the Durban Natural Science Museum, compiled an account of the past 13 years of waterbird monitoring at Durban Bay – perhaps the most comprehensive, long term biodiversity dataset for Durban. In last year’s State of Biodiversity report (2012/2013), we began profiling this synthesis, starting with total waterbird population trends. In this report, we are focusing on trends relating to waders (both migratory and resident species). Waders comprise Figure 4. Long-term population trends for migratory waders (a), scolopacid waders, oystercatchers, thick-knees, plovers and stilts. resident waders (b) and all waders (c) in Durban Bay. The migratory waders at Durban Bay show a clear and decreasing overall trend (Fig. 4a), however, the data for the resident FOOTNOTE 8: Allan, D.G. (2012). The waterbirds of Durban Bay – Current and waders suggest a slight decrease over the long term (Fig. 4 b), but historical population trends. Durban Natural Science Museum Novitates 35: 1 – 74 http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/museums/ an increasing trend over the short term. Combining the data for nsm/Natural Science Museum Novitates/Novitates 35.pdf both the migratory and the resident waders shows a decreasing

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 13 trend over both the long and short term (Fig. 4c). The Centre the following are required: Bank of Durban Bay, composed of an expansive intertidal area, is 1. At least three viable sub-populations of 7 000 adults particularly important for migratory waders despite comprising each conserved across the range of the coastal population. only 8 % of the total area of the Bay. The results from the long 2. A viable sub-population conserved at Chameleon Park term monitoring of the waterbirds of Durban Bay provide and connected D’MOSS areas. important insights into the need to protect this key estuarine 3. A total of 100 adults conserved at Chameleon Park and habitat in Durban. the D’MOSS area adjacent to Edwin Swales Business Park. 4.4.2. Black-headed Summary [9] Dwarf Chameleon 1. Status – the number of viable sub-populations and the sub- Bradypodion melanocephalum population sizes at the Chameleon Park and D’MOSS monitoring is a regionally endemic sites are below the desired target levels – therefore targets for chameleon and its range this species have not been achieved. is restricted to the coastal 2. Trend – the number of potential habitat areas that might belt of KZN. The two hold viable subpopulations appears to be decreasing as only vegetation types inhabited a few remain of large enough contiguous size, and the estimated by this chameleon are North Coast Grassland and South 180 Coast Grassland, both of which are classified as 160 D’MOSS Critically Endangered. These vegetation types have been largely 140 Chameleon Park transformed by cultivation, urbanisation and timber 120 farming. The population of the Black-headed Dwarf Chameleon 100 80 is therefore threatened with extinction, although its IUCN Red stimate E List status has not yet been finalised. In 2002, Ezemvelo KZN 60 Wildlife initiated the monitoring of this species at two localities in 40 Durban, i.e. Chameleon Park and a plot of land within D’MOSS 20 next to the Edwin Swales Business Park on Bellair Road. 0

Biodiversity Targets Year 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 To conserve three viable free-living sub-populations of the Figure 5. Estimated number of Black-headed Dwarf Chameleons population of the KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon in perpetuity,

FOOTNOTE 9: Also called KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon. 14 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 number of adults (73) and total number of Black-headed Dwarf 4.5 Threats to biodiversity in Durban Chameleons at the Chameleon Park is lower than the target. Some of the major threats to biodiversity include: The trend for this species is thus declining (Figure 5). • Transformation of natural areas (habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation); Key management actions for 2014/15 include: • Introductions of invasive alien species; 1. It is critical that Chameleon Park is appropriately managed • Over-exploitation (e.g. harvesting and sandmining); consistently and appropriately to increase the amount of suitable • Pollution and diseases; and habitat for the Black-headed Dwarf Chameleon. Management • Human-induced climate change. actions required include: regular, frequent and light alien plant Due to the lack of quantitative data relating to many of these control; mosaic defoliation of moribund grass and removal of threats, this report will only focus on transformation, invasive moribund material off the site; securely fencing or hedging of the alien species and climate change. As more information becomes area with an impenetrable barrier plant (e.g. Acacia ataxacantha); available, these will be included. and fitment of litter traps at storm water pipe outflows. 2. Increase the protection status (zonation) of Chameleon Park from Public Open Space to Environmental Conservation Reservation.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 15 4.5.1. How much land has been transformed? Transformed areas are those areas that have been altered dramatically from their natural state 0 2,8005,600 11,200 16,800 22,400 Metres by human activities. This is one of the single greatest threats to biodiversity as it implies habitat loss, habitat degradation and fragmentation of natural areas. Transformation reduces the ability of ecosystems to deliver goods and services. In Durban, scientifically-derived conservation targets for ten of the city’s vegetation types indicate that six of these are in all likelihood beyond the natural threshold required for long-term survival (Table A in foldout), because they have been irrevocably altered from their natural state. Table 4: Categories of transformation in the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA) Categories ha Extractive (e.g. quarries) 968 Field crops 21675 Recreational 2238 Settlement 96009 Utility 1796 TOTAL 122686

Utility Extractive Field crops Settlement Recreational Unicity boundary

Figure 6. In 2013/2014 53% (122685 ha) of the EMA was classified as transformed.

16 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 4.5.2. Invasive alien species (IAS) New invasive plant detected in Hillcrest Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens – Rubus ellipticus, a weedy relative and other organisms that are not indigenous to an of the American bramble[10] ecosystem, and which are capable of spreading naturally (often rapidly) into natural or semi-natural habitats. They can cause economic or environmental harm or can The South African National Biodiversity Institute’s Invasive Species Programme (SANBI ISP) targets alien adversely affect human health. In particular, they impact invasive species that have not yet reached their full adversely upon biodiversity, causing the decline or invasive potential, i.e. populations that are relatively elimination of indigenous species through competition, small/localized compared with established invaders. predation, or transmission of pathogens, and the The benefit of this “nip-it-in-the-bud” approach is disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions. to aim for eradication and reduce the long-term management costs of invasive alien species. The KZN unit of the SANBI ISP was recently advised of the first record of naturalized populations of Rubus ellipticus, a cousin of the notorious well- established American bramble (R. cuneifolius). Native to southern Asia, R. ellipticus is a shrub with scrambling arching branches which can attain greater heights than other Rubus species, due to its stout robust stems. Plants can grow up to 7 m, and stems and branches are densely covered with red thorny bristles. This species is listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. It has the capacity to regenerate from stem segments as well as from plentiful seeds dispersed by birds and other animals, and outcompetes indigenous plants by forming dense thickets. In SA, this species is listed as a Category 1a alien invasive plant under NEM:BA and requires compulsory control. For more information or should you see this plant, please report your sighting to [email protected]

FOOTNOTE 10: Article compiled by: Reshnee Lalla, KZN regional coordinator of the SANBI ISP with acknowledgements to Geoff Nichols, Lesley Henderson and Wally Menne. Image showing R. ellipticus growth form.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 17 4.5.3 Climate change In Durban, the following changes have been projected to occur: • Increases in temperature of 1.5-2.5oC by 2045-2065 and 3-5oC by 2081-2100. Rainfall in Durban is projected to increase in the future (up to an additional 500 mm by 2081-2100). The Bridging the Science-Policy interface[11] distribution and variability of this rainfall will change; with rainfall events becoming more erratic. The KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) Research • t he sea level along the Durban Programme is a research partnership between the eThekwini coastline is rising at present Municipality (EM) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), which was officially initiated in May 2011. The partnership was by 2.7 cm every decade. developed to advance knowledge in biodiversity conservation and Projections indicate that this management within the context of global environmental change. It rate is likely to accelerate in the is facilitated by the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection future. Department (EPCPD) in the municipality and by Land Use Planning and Management research staff at UKZN, along with researchers • Due to these changes in from various other disciplines at UKZN. The programme not only temperature and rainfall, aims to generate much-needed knowledge to assist managers in the bio-climatic envelopes the municipality in making biodiversity and conservation decisions, (distributions of plants and but also to build capacity by employing interns and supporting animals based on climatic student research activities at the university. Such novel institutional variables), in which the partnerships are important for generating knowledge and learning fauna and flora of Durban to address the gap between scientific research, policy development and management within a local government setting. exist could shift. This places Research on the KZNSS ecosystem (a Critically Endangered additional pressure on Durban’s ecosystem in South Africa according to provincial figures) is biodiversity. conducted by researchers and students from various disciplines at UKZN, and the core programme co-ordination team aims to integrate results across these disciplines to generate decision-

18 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 making products for the municipality. The disciplines include: land use planning and management, remote sensing and GIS, agricultural economics, biodiversity and ecology. Research is currently biased towards the environmental and biological sciences, but the programme aims to expand in its second phase (from mid-2014) to incorporate relevant research expertise in social science, governance and economics. There are currently 21 research projects (11 completed and 10 underway) made up of 11 Masters students (four completed), nine Honours students (seven completed), and one PhD. Some of the topics include: • A biogeographic study of the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld patches within the eThekwini Municipal Area. • The utilisation of D’MOSS as habitat by Crowned Eagles. • Examination of community engagement and responsiveness to conservation practices: A case study of Buffelsdraai. • Utility of DNA barcoding on the spiders of eThekwini. • The utility of DNA barcoding on the Diptera (flies) and Apoidae (bees and certain wasps) of eThekwini. • an investigation into whether rodent species diversity is higher in forest patches than grassland patches within an urban landscape. • b iodiversity utilization and conservation conceptualization in peri-urban areas in eThekwini Municipality: A case study of Inanda Mountain. FOOTNOTE 11: Rouget, M., Cockburn, J., Mhlungu, N. (2014). KZNSS Research Programme Close-out Report.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 19 4.6. Responses to threats: 4.6.2. Invasive alien plant control [12] 4.6.1. Greenhouse Gas inventory In the 2013/2014 municipal financial year, the EPCPD had a budget A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory for the eThekwini of R15 426 552 allocated to invasive alien plant control. The Municipality had been compiled for the 2012 calendar year and management of natural areas allows for a unique opportunity to was made available in the 2013/2014 municipal financial year. address one of the biggest threats to biodiversity, i.e. poverty. The inventory identifies the sources of GHG emissions from both Two teams, Working on Fire (WoF) and Working for Ecosystems the government and community sectors within the eThekwini (WfE), have been appointed to tackle the problem of invasive Municipal Area. The eThekwini Municipality has compiled the alien species in Durban. Both WoF and WfE are sustainable Emissions Inventory to help plan climate change mitigation development programmes that aim to alleviate poverty and strategies within the Municipality. develop skills by employing people to manage aspects of the The total greenhouse emissions recorded for the entire environment, such as burning of and invasive alien eThekwini Municipal Area was 29, 360, 395 tCO2 for 2012. The species. Both programmes also have a strong education and largest contribution to this footprint was transportation (37% training component. of the total GHGs) followed closely by industry emissions (32%) 35 Figure 7). Local government emissions accounted for 5% of the total Community Emissions emissions for the eThekwini Municipal Area (Figure 8). 30 There is an upward trend of emissions from 2010 to 2012 Government Emissions and it has been noted that this may be due to improved data 25 collection systems.

e 20 2

Residential Commercial 15

13% 11% MtC O

10 Industrial Transportation 32% 37% 5

Yr 2002 Yr2003/2004 Yr 2005/2006 Yr 2010 Yr 2011 Yr2012 Municipality Other 5% 2% Figure 8. Total emissions separated into community and government contributions from 2002 to 2012. Figure 7. Carbon emissions per sector for 2012. FOOTNOTE 12: eThekwini Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 2012. Technical Report. Energy Office, eThekwini Municipality. 20 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 IAPs threaten important grazing land in the Ngonweni Area

Ngonweni, which is situated within Ingonyama Trust Board land, under the AmaQadi Traditional Council, recently experienced first-hand the negative impacts of invasive alien plants (IAPs) and needed the help of Working for Ecosystems. The heavy infestation at Ngonweni resulted in a decline in livestock grazing potential due to the unpalatability of the IAP’s. This was of serious concern to cattle herders who had to take their livestock to areas further afield to find suitable grazing grounds. In addition, the infestation of IAP’s caused the closure of a number of footpaths used by children returning from school or people accessing public transport. Two years after persistent IAP clearing by WfE, many footpaths have been re-established, thus improving access for residents. More importantly, grazing areas for livestock have became readily available. In September 2014, eThekwini Municipality and Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa held a meeting with traditional leadership to discuss the WfE programme at Ngonweni and project expansion proposals. The local iNduna suggested that the WfE managed land be set aside for grazing, thus conserving the land and preventing misuse.

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 21 Table 5: Breakdown of EPCPD invasive alien plant control for the 2013/2014 municipal financial year Working for Programme Working on Fire Ecosystems

Total area of IAP control 1248 ha 1868 ha

- Initial 23 ha 215 ha Creating - Follow-up 103 ha 1653 ha environmental - Maintenance 984 ha n/a champions - Burning 138 ha n/a

Emmarencia Khumalo (40) currently holds a position at the Training courses 20 39 Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Reforestation Project as the ‘Lead Nursery Caretaker’ for Wildlands Conservation Trust. She Training person days 308 1230 began working for the project in 2009 as a ‘General Worker’ 298 (60% youth; of the Green Team, planting trees and undertaking IAP Total jobs created 42 (36% women) 38 % women) control. She worked in this position for approximately five and half years, but Emmarencia was determined to progress. With Total person days 12838 25053 Wildlands providing an array of training programmes, such as leadership, basic business skills, and first aid, Emmarencia Budget R 7 278 685 R 7 799 552 was able to develop herself within the project. She was promoted to the position of nursery caretaker in 2014 due to her excellent leadership and reporting skills, coupled with her passion for the environment. Her current job entails managing the upkeep of the nursery, e.g. ensuring that trees under her There are currently 11 SMME’s supervision are watered, potted when necessary and receive the correct amount of sunlight. Additionally, she leads a team developed and contracted to of five to ten people who assist her with tasks such as the Working on Fire, demonstrating monitoring and recording of tree collection statistics and carbon sequestration. She continues to receive supplementary how biodiversity conservation and training to assist with her new tasks. Emmarencia is an inspiration to her community and to conservationists as management can contribute positively a whole for her dedication and accomplishments. to socio-economic upliftment.

22 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Table 6: Natural Resourses Division (NRD) spend on alien invasive control and the corresponding area Municipal Area of IAS Some examples of IAS that were Zone Comprising the following areas budget cleared (ha) targeted for clearing in 2013/2014 Empisini, Ilanda Wilds, Amanzimtoti Bird Park, Umgababa, Ilovu picnic site 55.5 (and 4.9 km All invasives within the management areas were A and the open space, and the Isipingo R 22,000.00 along rivers) targeted, e.g. Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes. and Amanzimtoti rivers. Tithonia diversifolia, Solanum mauritianum, Melia Silverglen Nature Reserve B R 44,710.00 8.2 azedarach, Sesbania punicea, Cardiospermum grandiflorum, and Silverglen Nursery. Ageratum conyzoides, and Wedelia trilobata. Piegon Valley, Chameleon Park, Arundo donax, Ricinus communis, Schinus terebinthifolius, Umbilo D’MOSS, Coedmore Park, C R 178,560.00 91 Melia azedarach, Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Ipomoea Paradise Valley, Caversham, Motala Heights, indica, Litsea glutinosa. and Westmead D’MOSS. and Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Senna didymobotrya, Solanum Burman Bush, Springside, Iphiti, Palmiet, mauritianum, Ricinus communis, Tithonia diversifolia, Ageratum D Roosfontein,Westville Trail, Hopson, R 56,000.00 38.92 conyzoides, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Mirabilis jalapa, Lantana Centurion, Carlton,Turnbridge, and Tyburn. camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Tradescantia zebrina.

Virginia Bush, Danville, Collard, and 28.5 (and 3 km Solanum mauritianum, Melia azedarach, Montanoa hibiscifolia, E Seaton Park, sewer line, R 75,000.00 Arundo donax, Tradescantia zebrina, Lisea glutinosa. and Umfula Park. along a sewer line) and 222.12 TOTALS R 376,270.00 (and 7.9 km along rivers/sewer lines)

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 23 4.6.3. Reforestation The EPCPD has partnered with the Wildlands homesteads, through the Indigenous Trees for Life Conservation Trust in order to restore selected Programme developed by Wildlands Conservation indigenous forest areas in the EMA . The Trust. Treepreneurs then trade their trees for reforestation programme has adopted the basic food items, clothes, building materials and Community Ecosystem Based Adaption (CEBA) even school fees. Ninety percent of people who model, which demonstrates the strong and now benefit from this project were earning wages vital link between socio-economic upliftment below the poverty line, and are therefore some of and biodiversity conservation, enhanced the most vulnerable communities in the country. ecosystem functioning and carbon sequestration. Many of these Treepreneurs are women and ‘Treepreneurs’ propagate trees at their children, unemployed adults, and pensioners.

Table 7: Reforestation projects for the 2013/2014 municipal financial year Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Inanda Mountain Paradise Valley Total permanent jobs 40 58 18 Total temporary jobs 17 60 0 Total part-time jobs 4 0 52 Total contractor jobs 5 21 0 Active Treepreneurs 305 190 28 Area planted 25.28 ha 44 ha 6 ha Trees planted 78 585 60 200 8845 Total area of IAP control 187.87 ha 586 ha 6 ha - Initial 69.58 ha 206 ha 2 ha - Follow-up 118.29 ha 380 ha 4 ha Training persons days 553 831 0 Total jobs created 66 139 70 Total persons days 10 166 19 190 Budget R5 981 761.72 R6 215 149.85 *not municipally funded

24 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Table 8: Tree planting by eThekwini 2013/2014 Parks, Leisure Total Number of Number and Cemeteries number indigenous of non- Department of trees indigenous planted trees trees

Zone A (iSipingo to Clansthal) 15 15 0

Zone B (uMlaas catchment) 445 445 0

Zone C (Umbilo and 33 28 5* Umhlatazana catchments)

Zone D (Umgeni catchment) 32 32 0

Zone E (Umgeni river to Tongaat) 500 500 0

Total no. of trees planted 1025 1020 5

* The non-indigenous trees that were planted were fruit trees

Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 | 25 4.6.4. Education and outreach Table 9: Outreach programmes or educational visits

Type of visit Examples of Number Nature Reserve e.g. school, conservancy activities of people

Umbilo D`MOSS Trail Walkers - Nature trail walk 26

Burman Bush Tertiary institution (Research) - Data collection 3

Ningizimu Special School, Damerosa Special School, Kwa-vulindlebe, - Nature trail walk ilanda Wilds 90 Vaugh Home, Nduduzweni Place of - Presentation Safety

van Riebeeck Damerosa Special School, Ningizimu - Nature trail walk 50 Park Special School, Kwa-vulindlebe and presentation

Beacon Ridge, Nomzamo Mandela, - Presentation Silverglen Olwasini Primary, Ndongeni 51 Primary, ABH Old Age Home - Earth Hour - Nature trail walk Ekujabuleni Primary, Primary, - Research Ekuphumuleni Primary, Simba information (Alien 568 Paradise Valley Group, UKZN students, Verulam Plants) Primary - Nature trail walk, meeting Senzokuhle, Conservancy Springside Committee, Botha’s Hill 76 Environmental Group

Ramblers’ Group, Palmiet Management Committee/Westville Conservancy, Thandukwazi Senior Palmiet Primary School, Bechet High - Nature trail walk 920 School, Mohammed Abraham Islamic school, Ashley Mary Primary

26 | Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 Acknowledgements The Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department would like to extend sincere thanks to the following people for their time, cooperation and commitment in compiling the information published in the State of Biodiversity Report 2013/2014 for eThekwini Municipality. The following individuals have supplied either information, photos, or comment on the publication, and all contributions have made this report possible.

Adrian Armstrong Debra Roberts Khulile Mavundla Nolunthando Mhlungu Bheka Memela Derek Morgan Lyle Ground Reshnee Lalla Bheka Nxele Errol Douwes Margaret Cooke Richard Boon Cameron McLean Jessica Cockburn Martin Clement Suvarna Parbhoo David Allan Jody Fuchs Mathieu Rouget Kenneth Mabila Natasha Govender

This is the eThekwini Municipality’s sixth State of Biodiversity report. The next report will be for the 2014/2015 municipal financial year and will be produced in December 2015. Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department Development Planning, Environment and Management Unit P.O. Box 680, Durban 4000, South Africa +27 31 311 7875 www.durban.gov.za/durban/services/development-planning-and-management/epcpd

The cover graphic depicts the iconic Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) at the Durban Botanic Gardens. Ficus produces prop roots which grow downwards as arial roots and then grow into woody trunks. Durban: State of Biodiversity KEY STATISTICS FOR 2013/2014

180 160 D’MOSS 140 Chameleon Park D’MOSS (Durban Metropolitan Figure B (left) and C 120 Open Space System) comprises (below). Management 100 80 stimate

of D’MOSS according to E 60 management entity (B) ha 40 ~ 74 500 and area managed (C). 20 of open spaces, representing one- 0 third of the eThekwini Municipal Area. Formally managed Year 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 No formal management Figure D. Dwarf Chameleon abundance since 2002. 7% ONLY Private Estimated number of Chameleons EPCPD at Chameleon Park and the adjacent 10 % Giba SRA ~of the area of D’MOSS 73 D’MOSS strip – alarmingly below is formally protected. PLCD-NRD 93% biodiversity targets for this species.

Figure A. Green areas on the map denote eThekwini Total number of birds Muncipality’s open space (Grey and Black-headed system (D’MOSS). 25 Herons; Sacret Ibis and Cattle Egret) at the Lake at the Durban In 2013/2014 Botanic Gardens – a significant drop from initial count of 1796 done * just 13 years previously. ~53% (122 685 ha) of the 2013/14 eThekwini Municipal Area R15 426 552 was spent Table A. Targets and deficits for ten eThekwini vegetation types was classified as transformed. on the management of Original Area Area required to Shortfall/ invasive alien species. eThekwini vegetation type distribution (ha) remaining (ha) meet target (ha) surplus (ha) 2 896 ha were managed. Dune Forest 2683 704 1857 -1153 Eastern Scarp Forest a 1449 2756 893 1863 138 ha of grasslands Eastern Scarp Forest b 3126 8800 1926 6874 were burned. Eastern Valley Bushveld 51818 26086 12955 13132 KZN Sandstone Sourveld 147 630 indigenous Grassland a 33170 7352 8293 -941 trees were planted. KZN Sandstone Sourveld a. Refers to vegetation occurring b 36602 3010 9151 -6141 Grassland 450 m above mean sea level. 615 green jobs a Grassland (other geology) 9736 2094 2434 -340 b. Refers to vegetation occurring were created. Utility Grassland (other geology) b 57144 1439 14286 -12847 450 m below mean sea level. Extractive *Figures excluding contribution made by Northern Coastal Forest 16440 1192 11786 -10594 Rows highlighted in darker orange indicate eThekwini Parks Department (PLCD). vegetation types for which conservation targets Field crops Wetland 12439 4791 2985 1806 can no longer be met due to loss of habitat. Settlement Recreational Biodiversity... Unicity boundary “This is the assembly of life that took a billion years to evolve. It has eaten the storms - folded them Figure E. Irrevocably transformed areas in Durban. into its genes - and created the world that created us. It holds the world steady.” – Edward O. Wilson