MISGUND ORCHARDS ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT 2014 Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus Prepared for Mr Wayne Baldie By Language of the Wilderness Foundation Trust In March 2002 a baseline environmental audit was completed by Conservation Management Services. This foundational document has served its purpose. The two (2) recommendations have been addressed namely; a ‘black wattle control plan’ in conjunction with Working for Water Alien Eradication Programme and a survey of the fish within the rivers was also addressed. Furthermore updated species lists have resulted (based on observations and studies undertaken within the region). The results of these efforts have highlighted the significance of the farm Misgund Orchards and the surrounds, within the context of very special and important biodiversity. Misgund Orchards prides itself with a long history of fruit farming excellence, and has strived to ensure a healthy balance between agricultural priorities and our environment. Misgund Orchards recognises the need for a more holistic and co-operative regional approach towards our environment and needs to adapt and design a more sustainable approach. The context of Misgund Orchards is significant, straddling the protected areas Formosa Forest Reserve (Niekerksberg) and the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve. A formidable mountain wilderness with World Heritage Status and a Global Biodiversity Hotspot (See Map 1 overleaf). Rhombic egg eater Dasypeltis scabra MISGUND ORCHARDS Langkloof Catchment MAP 1 The regional context of Misgund Orchards becomes very apparent, where the obvious strategic opportunity exists towards creating a bridge of corridors linking the two mountain ranges Tsitsikamma and Kouga (south to north). The environmental significance of this cannot be overstated – essentially creating a protected area from the ocean into the desert of the Klein-karoo, a traverse of 8 biomes, a veritable ‘garden of Eden’. This large mountain catchment region (Kouga, Baviaanskloof and Groot rivers) services all the local water needs agricultural and household. The Gamtoos catchment has one large impoundment in the form of the Kouga Dam and this services 60%+ of the Nelson Mandela Metropoles water requirements via pipeline. TKNP/FFR BMR 750mm 650mm 250mm 1000mm 550mm <200mm Langkloof Klein Karoo Kouga Baviaanskloof OCEAN Tsitsikamma KR BR GR The Gamtoos quaternary catchment is fed by three main arteries, the Kouga River (KR), the Baviaanskloof River (BR) and the Groot River (GR). The diagram above illustrates this clearly while highlighting the Protected Area footprint (Tsitsikamma National Park TNP, Formosa Forest Reserve FFR and Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve BMR). Furthermore showing the steep rainfall gradient from 1000mm p/a South facing slopes of the Tsitsikamma Mountains to <200mm p/a within the semi-desert regions of the Klein Karoo. Most importantly the highlighted upper Langkloof Catchment which drains the north slopes of the Tsitsikammas from Vyekraal in the west to the Heights in the east and the southern slopes of the Kouga mountains from De Hoop near Uniondale in the west to Riverside north of Kareedouw to the east, is noted. It ought be abundantly clear that the majority of water that ends up in the Kouga dam (>60%) comes from the Langkloof. It is this crucial resource that drives the ecosystems both Natural and Agricultural throughout the region. The importance of the Langkloof and its role regarding the sustainable management of the Greater Baviaanskloof region is poorly recognised and understood. J. Baldie & Sons will endeavour where possible to conserve the wildlife and landscape of the farm by implementing the following: Adhering to the farm's Integrated Environment Management PIan (IEMP). Monitoring of bird life, at present there are 112 different species of birds in evidence on this farm. There are Blue Crane, Secretary birds and Fish eagle breeding pairs. A nesting site has been established for the Secretary birds. Monitoring wildlife at present our antelope species are under pressure due to increased predator activity. This problem is being addressed in conjunction with the Department of Nature Conservation. Vegetation, at present we are removing alien vegetation in conjunction with the government's Work for Water project. Firebreaks have been upgraded and improved on the farm. Erosion, continuous efforts are being made to repair flood damage. The policy statement is to be reviewed annually. WE THE MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES OF MISGUIND ORCHARDS ARE AWARE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT AS CUSTODIANS OF OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BIODIVERSITY IN AND AROUND OUR ORCHARDS AND TO THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES SUCH AS SOIL, WATER AND ENERGY. FURTHER ENSURE RESPONSIBLE HANDLING OF WASTE AND MINIMISING THE RISK OF POLLUTION OF THE ENVIROMENT. THESE ACTIYITIES SHOULD ENHANCE PRODUCTION AND PRODUCT CONFIDENCE. TOWARDS THESE ENDS; WE PLAN OUR PRODUCTION ACTTVITIES TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND SUPPORT THE ENHANCEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY BY REMOVING ALIEN PLANTS AND LEAVING MARGINAL LANDS UNDISTURBED. * REGULARLY AND THOROUGHLY REMOVE WASTE FROM IN AND AROUND THE WORK PLACE AS TO MAINTAIN AESTHETICALLY SOUND SURROUNDINGS; * ENDEAVOUR TO R-E-USE ORGANIC MATTER BY APPLYING ALL COMPOSTABLE WASTE AS SOIL SUPPLEMENTS; *IDENTIFY TIIE RISK AREAS FOR POLLUTION BY AGRO.CHEMICALS, PETRO-CHEMICALS AND NOISE AND AVOID CONTAMINATION OF THE ENVIROMENT WITH THESE PRODUCTS; * IMPLEMENT IPM; * ADHERE TO WORKER HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE REGULATIONS. POLICY GUIDELINES INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT Maintain natural mountain and unworked veld for indigenous Flora and Fauna. Marginal ground must be left unused. Avoid soil erosion by erecting run off ditches and contours and planting dam walls with grass. Protect objects of archaeological, historical or cultural value i.e. Bushman paintings at Waterfall Old wall at Big house. Rondavel at top house. Use only designated roads or tracks. Assess impact of any new development on environment. Implement IPM and use to determine chemical spray program. Ensure that fertilising is done correctly in accordance with farms fertilising protocol. Co-operate with neighbors. Remove alien vegetation - ongoing and with WFW. Firewood can only be cut in designated areas i.e. cleared alien vegetation in Schoemans Hoek. No hunting shall take place except for problem animals within the laws of South African Legislation. Hamerkop Locality: Misgund Orchards is located in the eastern part of the Langkloof Valley within the surrounds of the village of Misgund - +-37kms east of Joubertina. Although the majority of land lies with the Eastern Cape Province, the eastern most section lies within the Western Cape Province. The property is split by the R62 main tar road. Property acquisition since 2002 Audit (Coetzee) has seen the property grow from 2000Ha to present 3035 Ha. The new property is dominantly ‘marginal land’, however some prime agricultural land has been developed into orchards and pasturage with the additional water supply from the Rooikrantz River catchment draining the Northern Tsitsikamma slopes. Further the Northern section bridges the Kouga River at its source just beyond the confluence of the Groot and Fountain Rivers. The Groot drains the northern Tsitsikamma’s and the Fountain southern Kouga’s. Topography: The property is watered by two prominent perennial tributaries namely Rooikrantz River and the Misgund River East. The mainstream Kouga River traverses the Northern portion of the farm, in a deeply incised gorge and lowest point of the property +- 250m asl. The highest point is a beacon on the ridge of intermediary range on the Northern boundary +- 1100m asl. Beyond the foothills of the Tsitsikamma in a northerly direction three sandstone ridges or intermediary hills – with corresponding shallow valleys summarises the topography. A sharply deteriorating rainfall gradient is applicable with the lower altitude sandstone ridges attracting less precipitation on the southern slopes. The northern slope aridity is exacerbated with clear distinction between vegetation. Kouga River NE corner of property Geology: As per Coetzee Report, 2002. Soils: As per Gorra Water Map, 2009. Weathered TM Sandstone Vegetation: Erica newdigateae (Endemic) KSN Misgund Orchards vegetation and its dynamics, is part of the poorly understood and understudied intermediary region between the Tsitsikamma and Kouga Mountain ranges. As this report is aimed at a layman friendly rather than purely scientific approach I have categorised the natural vegetation in a more simplistic manner. This translates into breaking the property into four vegetation zones corresponding to the Vegetation Map overleaf (Map1), from south to north, namely: Tsitsikamma North Slope (TS) Intermediary South North Slope (ISN) Kouga South North Slope (KSN) Kouga South Slope (KS) These zones are dominantly affected by aspect South and North facing which would be wetter/fynbossie (S) and dryer succulent/grassy transitional veld. East and West facing slopes would also show subtle species changes and differences in composition. As importantly altitude is relevant – the higher lying areas more consistent in composition and lower areas more transitional and patchy. The presence of the narrow gauge railway line – previously a steam train would have had a significant patchy impact in the 60’s and 70’s when its fire set veld alight either side quite regularly. The impact of agricultural modifications for pasture