Integrated Management Plan for Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WITZANDS AQUIFER NATURE RESERVE

Owner: City of Cape Town

Prepared by: Charline Mc Kie, Area Manager, Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, Atlantis

Date: August 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART SECTION AND SUBSECTIONS PAGE NUMBER NUMBER PART A • Introduction 8 • Description of landholdings and ownership 11 Part 1 – General description property (title deed information), landscape Description context, physical and biological environment, and socio-political context • Purpose, Vision / Mission, Significance / Value 22 • Administrative and Legal Framework for the Management 26 Authority – Administration Framework/Structure focused on Management

Authority, – Legal/policy framework,

– linkages to IDPs & SDFs, – Procedures for public participation with I&APs • Protected Area Policy Framework & guiding management 33 principles – Management Objectives – Threats analysis Part 2 – Quantitative Biodiversity goals Management – Protected Area management policy framework policy – Details of any Biodiversity Management Plan framework – CBNRM – Invasive species control strategy (meet requirements of

S.76 of NEM:BA) – Development of local management capacity & knowledge

exchange – Strategic Research and Monitoring – Zonation plan (including permissible and non-permissible

activities) • Development Plan 58 • Costing Plan – Business Plan with costing, budgets, etc 58 – Development of economic activities • Monitoring & Auditing – controls and performance criteria Part 3 – Audit procedure (Monitor with indicators) Monitoring 59 – Annual Reporting & Auditing – 5-year review – Biodiversity monitoring Part 4 • Appendices – maps, species lists, supporting docs. 63 Appendices PART B • Programme of Implementation Part 5 – Management Programmes - Annual Plans of Operation Management – Annual Management Schedule Schedule – Annual Audit Procedure

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS APO – Annual Plan of Operations ASF – Atlantis Sand Fynbos BIONET – City‟s Biodiversity Network C.A.P.E. - Cape Action for People and the Environment CARA – Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 CBD – Central Business District CBNRM – Community Based Natural Resource Management CBO – Community Based Organisation CCT – City of Cape Town CDF – Conservation Development Framework CDS – City‟s Development Strategy CFDS – Cape Flats Dune Strandveld CFR – Cape Floristic Region CR - Critically Endangered CSIR – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CWAC – Coordinated Waterbird Counts EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment EMS – Environmental Management System 1996 Report EN – Endangered ESKOM – Electricity Supply Commission of South Africa ESRI – Environmental Systems Research Institute FF – Fynbos Forum GN – Government Notice GIS – Geographic Information System IAPS – Invasive Alien Plant Species IAS – Invasive Alien Species ICUN – International Union for Conservation of Nature IDP - City‟s Integrated Development Plan IMEP - City‟s Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy IRMP - Integrated Reserve Management Plan LAB – Local Action for Biodiversity LBIP – Local Biodiversity Implementation Plan LBSAP - Local Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan MEC – Minister of Executive Council METT – Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool MOU – Memorandum of Understanding

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MPA – Marine Protected Area NEMA – South African National Environmental Management Act, 1991 NEM:BA – South African National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 NGO – Non-Governmental Organisation PAR – Protected Area Review pH - Phenyl RPC – Reserve Planning Committee SAAQIS – South African Air Quality Information System SANBI – South African National Biodiversity Institute SLA – Service Level Agreements TOR – Terms of Reference WANR - Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve WfW1 – Working for Water WfW2 - Working for Wetlands WWF – World Wildlife Fund

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Alien species A species, plant or animal which has been introduced, not native to a country or area.

Aquatic Relating to water; living in or near water.

Aquifer A wet underground layer of water bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated material from which groundwater can be extracted.

Archaeological Relating to the study of Archaeology, of past human life and culture by the recovery and examination of remaining material evidence.

Baseline (surveys/data collection) A point of reference or standard by which things are measured or compared.

Biodiversity The variety of life forms within an ecosystem - it can be a measure of the health of an ecosystem (organisms living in a particular area, functioning as a unit).

Cenozoic Time span of 65 Million years ago to the Present in terms of Geology.

Critically Endangered The highest risk category assigned by the ICUN Red List for wild species, meaning that a species‟ numbers have decreased or will decrease by 80% within three generations.

Ecotone A transition area between two adjacent but different patches of landscape; transitional zone between two communities containing characteristic species of each.

Effluent The outflowing of water from a water body or sewage system.

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Endangered A population of species which is at risk of becoming extinct in the wild because of low numbers or threatened by the changes in the environment or predation.

Endemic/endemism A plant or animal that is only found in a particular location, due to factors such as isolation, or response to soil or climatic conditions.

Environmental Impact Assessment An assessment of the possible positive and negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.

Fixed Point photography A method using photographs to monitor vegetation changes over time.

Floral Kingdom There are six floral kingdoms globally of which one is the Cape floral kingdom in South Africa which is the smallest and richest in plant varieties.

Geology The study of the origin, history and structure of the earth.

Geomorphology The study of landforms and the processes that shape them.

Hectare A unit of area equal to 10 000m square metres.

Herbarium A collection of preserved plant species to be used as a reference.

Hydrogeological The occurrence, distribution and effect of ground water.

Hydrological The study of properties, distribution and effects of water on the surface, in soil, underlying rocks and the atmosphere.

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Indigenous (plants and animals) Originating and living or occurring naturally in an area or environment.

Metrological The science that deals with the atmosphere, weather and weather conditions.

Monitoring (ecological) To actively observe a system for any changes which may occur over time using a measuring device.

Nocturnal Related to being active at night and sleeping during the day.

Non-perennial River A river that dries out during the drier months and flows during periods of rain.

Paleontological The study of forms of life existing in prehistoric times such as fossils. pH The measure of acidity and alkalinity of a substance.

Pioneer species A species that is first to establish itself in an area where nothing is growing.

Recharge The action by which water is added to the aquifer, either naturally by percolation, from the groundwater surface or artificially by pumping water to the sides of the recharge area.

Topography The study of the Earth‟s surface, shape and features.

Wellfield An area comprising a series of boreholes including manholes, wellpoints and pumps for the abstraction of water as part of the Atlantis Water Scheme‟s water supply system.

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PART A

PART 1 - DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction

The strategic management planning process (which results in the development of an Integrated Reserve Management Plan), for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR begins with the definition of the vision followed by the purpose for the reserve. This purpose is then supported by Desired States for the Reserve. The Reserve objectives contribute to realising the purpose and Desired States. For each Desired State a number of management objectives are identified. These management objectives are then made operational through the identification of Outputs. Objectives for each Desired State are prioritized for the five-year time horizon of the plan. Time frames, deliverables, performance indicators and targets are then allocated for each objective, or a group of linked outputs contributing to the Desired State.

1.1 Aim of the Integrated Reserve Management Plan The aim of the Integrated Reserve Management Plan (IRMP) is to ensure that the WANR has clearly defined objectives and activities to direct the protection and sustainable use of its natural, scenic and heritage resources over a five year time period. The IRMP thus provides the medium- term operational framework for the prioritized allocation of resources and capacity in the management, use and development of the Reserve. The IRMP intends to add value and continuity by clearly stating management objectives, scheduling action and providing guidelines on the management approach.

The context of the Reserve planning process for the WANR are: (i) City‟s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) (Anon 2010); (ii) City‟s Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy (IMEP) (Anon 20031); (iii) Biodiversity Strategy (Anon 20032) and Local Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (LBSAP) (Anon 20091); and (iv) Bioregional context (Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.)). The major elements of the IRMP are: this document (overall strategy, vision and context); the detailed subsidiary plans (as required) and an annual plan of operations (APO). The IRMP for the WANR is supported by a State of Biodiversity Report (2008), Operational Guidelines, and Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure ongoing implementation and review of protected area management activities (Figure 1).

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Integrated Reserve Management Plan

Strategic Plan for reserve: vision, background, context Operational State of guidelines Biodiversity Monitoring Report and LBSAP Evaluation

Annual Subsidiary Plan of plans Operations

Figure 1: The elements of the reserve management plan

The IRMP for the WANR forms part of a tiered series of policies, legislation and related planning documents at the sectoral, institutional, agency and local levels (refer to Figure 2).

Figure 2: Legal and planning framework for the integrated management plan

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Where possible, emphasis has been placed on the following: 1.) Assigning responsibility for management interventions; 2.) Scheduling, said management interventions; and 3.) Quantifying management costs.

This approach has the specific intention of creating a mechanism whereby management intervention can be monitored and audited on an annual basis.

In context, this IRMP is a dynamic document and the detailed subsidiary plans should be updated on an annual basis or as soon as new information comes to light that may better inform decisions on responsible land management. The IRMP should be updated every five years.

The drafting of this Management Plan has been guided by a small interdisciplinary Reserve Planning Committee (RPC) comprising the Branch Manager, the Regional Manager, the Area Manager, various specialists and other interested and affected persons. Iterative drafts of the IRMP were presented to, and discussed by, the RPC before broader circulation for inputs from the public.

Pre-engagement workshops were held with community partners during March to May 2010. This afforded key community partners an opportunity to input at an early stage. The ideas and outputs from the workshops have been (where practical) incorporated into the IRMP.

1.2 Location and extent The WANR is situated 45 km from Cape Town‟s Central business district (CBD), Western Cape, South Africa. The property is managed by the City of Cape Town Municipality (CCT). The Reserve is 7 km, west of the town of Atlantis, along the R27 West Coast Road, within the northern region of the Cape Metropolitan Area and covers an area of approximately 1770 hectares in extent (33˚35‟53.63” S 18˚26‟19.84” E) (Google Earth 2010). (Figure 3)

The Reserve does not have any formal conservation status but is recognised as a water catchment area, supplying potable water to the towns of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella. The area will be formally proclaimed under the name Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, towards the protection of the underground aquifer as a water resource and the two vegetation types, namely Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and Atlantis Sand Fynbos. The Reserve is managed by the City of Cape Town‟s Bulk Water Branch, but once proclaimed will be co-managed by the City‟s Biodiversity Management Branch. . The erven numbers of the Reserve are CA33-29, CA33-30, CA3327, CA33-28, CA2-1-2, and CA2- 1-1.

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Figure 3: Location of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (Purves 2010)

2. Description of landholdings and ownership

2.1 Property details and title deed information The above information will be included once the City has verified the boundaries of the Property, thus Nature Reserve, by a land surveyor.

2.2 Landscape perspective The Reserve falls within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The CFR in South Africa is the smallest and richest of the six floral kingdoms in the world, and it is the only one to be found entirely within one country. This rich biodiversity is under serious threat for a variety of reasons including conversion of natural habitat to permanent agriculture, inappropriate fire management, rapid and

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insensitive development, overexploitation of water resources, and infestation by alien species. The region has been identified as one of the worlds "hottest" hotspots of biodiversity (Myers et al 2000).

In response to this challenge, a process of extensive consultation involving various interested parties, including local government and non governmental organisations resulted in the establishment of a strategic plan (CAPE Project Team 2000) referred to as Cape Action Plan for the Environment (C.A.P.E) which, identified the key threats and root causes of biodiversity losses that need to be addressed in order to conserve the floral kingdom. This resulted in a spatial plan identifying areas which need to be conserved and a series of broad programme activities which need to be done over a 20 year period. Based on the situation assessment and analysis of threats, three overarching themes that complement and reinforce one another were developed:

• establish an effective reserve network, enhance off-reserve conservation, and support bioregional planning;

• strengthen and enhance institutions, policies, laws, co-operative governance, and community participation; and

• develop methods to ensure sustainable yields, promote compliance with laws, integrate biodiversity concerns into catchment management, and promote sustainable eco-tourism.

The Cape Action for People and Environment (C.A.P.E.) partnership was formed that works together to implement the C.A.P.E. vision and plan by strengthening institutions, supporting conservation efforts, supporting education, developing tourism benefits, and involving people in conservation. The City of Cape Town was one of the 19 founding signatories of the C.A.P.E. memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The WANR links with Koeberg a Private Nature Reserve managed by Eskom, the City manages Blouberg Nature Reserve and Rietvlei Wetland Nature Reserve as well as providing assistance to the communally owned property of Mamre Nature Garden. WANR, Blouberg Nature Reserve, Koeberg Nature Reserve and Mamre Nature Garden forms part of the southern core of the greater Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve.

2.3 Physical environment

2.3.1 Climate The area is associated with a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall, hot dry summers and cold, wet winters. Rainfall is mainly produced by the passage of westerly wave cold frontal systems. Summers are relatively dry due to the effects of the South Atlantic Anticyclone system. (Eskom Capacity Expansion Report 2006)

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Mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures are 26.7°C and 7.5°C for February and July, respectively. Mist occurs frequently in winter, supplying additional precipitation. The Winter-rainfall regime includes precipitation peaking from May to August. The Mean Annual Rainfall is 290–660 mm (mean: 424 mm). The, mean annual evaporation rate is 1445 mm (Mabihi 2009).

This region‟s entire coastal belt is characterised by strong winds. The dominant summer winds are those of the south and south-easterly and the dominant winter wind is of a northerly direction (Mabihi 2009). Management needs to look into obtaining reliable rainfall stats for the area by means of setting up a rain gauge at the office complex and these must be systematically monitored and recorded after each rainfall to obtain updated reliable local rainfall data.

2.3.2 Topography and terrain morphology The area incorporates a number of environments, two vegetation types and the ecotone between them. Two wetlands (infiltration ponds) and an unvegetated mobile dune fields occur at the WANR. The dune area comprises a third to half of the overall area. It is a dynamic system consisting of a number of active dune fields that move through an area of naturally vegetated dunes; a small portion of the dune fields lies outside the boundaries of the Reserve (Figure 4). The source of the sand is the sandy beach at Melkbosstrand and Eskom to the south of the overall dune system (Environmental Management System [EMS] 1996). The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (2002) report further states that the granite outcrops of Dassenberg, Kanonkop and Mamre-Darling near Mamre constitutes the highest points in the area at heights of 210 and 410m above sea level.

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Figure 4: Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve boundaries (Petersen, 2011)

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2.3.3 Geology, geomorphology, soils and land types The geology of WANR as noted in the Eskom Capacity Expansion Report (2006), of the entire Atlantis coastal plain constitutes unconsolidated Cenozoic sediments associated with the Sandveld Group. Soil types are mainly quartz sand which was deposited on shale bedrock of the Malmesbury Group. The lower Varswater Formation is of a shallow marine origin and the upper Bredasdorp Formation is of an Aeolian origin. The shale bedrock outcrops occur sporadically along the coastal parts and inland towards the south and north of Atlantis. Granite intrusions of the Cape Granite Suite are not found in the Reserve but occur in the Mamre area, 14 kms to the north of the Reserve.

2.3.4 Hydrology and aquatic systems The WANR falls within the Witzand water catchment hydrogeological unit (EMS 1996).

2.3.4.1 Pans and Wetlands Within the inter-dune hollows natural, seasonal wetlands are present as described in the EMS (1996) and are scattered throughout the area. Open, man-made pans, including those referred to as Pond Seven and Pond 12 occurs in the area and the water is collected from stormwater and the treated effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Works from Atlantis. Some of the pans are seasonal such as Pond 12 and others are permanent, namely Pond Seven. The pans are an important habitat for birds and other aquatic species of plants and animals (EMS 1996) (Figure 5).

2.3.4.2 The Aquifer The aquifer covers an area of 130 km2 extending inland from the Atlantic Ocean to below the town of Atlantis (CSIR 2000). The nature of the aquifer lies in the unconsolidated sandy sediments overlying the impervious clay layer that forms the eroded upper portion of the Malmesbury Group shale bedrock. Due to the unconfined nature of the sandy aquifer, it is highly susceptible to pollution and affords rigorous protection. Clay and other salinity sources in the sediments partially contribute to the wide variations in groundwater quality occurring in the Atlantis area. It squeezes out against the Malmesbury Group shale‟s and Cape Granite outcrops to the north and east. The thin aquifer slopes steeply in a south westerly direction from a maximum elevation of approximately 160 m in the north towards the sea. A small portion of the aquifer extends below sea level in the Witzands and adjacent Silwerstroom areas (CSIR 2000).

The area lacks surface drainage features, except for the Buffels River at Silwerstroom to the west of the Reserve and the Donkergat and Sout Rivers in the south which only flows in winter. All rivers in the area and surrounds are non-perennial, drying up in summer (CSIR 2002). The unvegetated dune system is an important component of the aquifer as a whole having a higher recharge potential (EMS 1996)

The Wellfield and water abstraction

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Groundwater is abstracted from the aquifer at two wellfields which forms part of the Atlantis Water Scheme system. Some of the major components of the scheme are situated on the WANR such as a portion of the wellfield, the water softening plant, the dune fields responsible for a major portion of the infiltration, the stormwater infiltration ponds and a several wellpoints and monitoring boreholes. Atlantis requires a reliable supply of potable water in excess of 5.5 million m³ per annum of potable water, whilst the sustainable yield of the existing (1994) wellfields is estimated at 6.1 million m³ per annum (EMS 1996).

The EMS 1996 further explains the process by which the water supply is provided is by utilising the natural potential of the local coastal aquifer, supplemented with recharged urban stormwater runoff and treated waste water originating from Atlantis. Groundwater is abstracted from the aquifer at two wellfields, treated in an ion-exchange water softening plant, distributed, utilised, collected in two separate streams (from the industrial and residential areas of Atlantis) and treated in two separate treatment works. Then it is artificially recharged together with urban stormwater runoff back into the Aquifer. This method of artificially recharged water augments the natural aquifer potential which depends on recharge by rain.

The monitoring network for the system includes a meteorological station, flow gauging station, surface water level recording stations, over 100 groundwater level measuring points, stormwater monitoring sites. In addition, waste water effluent monitoring sites and groundwater quality monitoring sites. Sampling is done at regular intervals of and involves both chemical and microbiological analysis. Flow gauging and water level measurements are done on a continuous basis, from hourly, weekly and monthly and the data is loaded into a central data base. According to the EMS (1996) the water supply system as managed by the Atlantis Water Scheme (City‟s Bulk Water Branch) serves as a prototype for such a successful, sophisticated development in Southern Africa.

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Figure 5: Hydrological Sensitivity - Wetlands (Purves 2010)

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2.4 Biological environment Detailed species list for the reserve can be accessed through the South African Biodiversity Database (www.biodiversity.co.za), which contains all listed species and statistics for all City managed conservation areas as well as other areas as part of the BIONET.

2.4.1 Vegetation The natural vegetation in the WANR predominantly consists of Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (CFDS). Historically, Atlantis Sand Fynbos (ASF) covered a much greater percentage of the Reserve; however after a recent ground assessment there is only approximately 5.1% or 2.73 hectares remaining. It is restricted to the most southern extent of the Reserve, adjacent to the National Department of Public Works land (Brakkefontein) (Petersen 2011). A transition zone consisting of both Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and Atlantis Sand Fynbos is found where the two vegetation types meet (pers. comm. Dorse 2010)

A total of 143 plant species has been recorded at WANR. Two permanent vegetation monitoring plots has been established and surveyed. In 2011 three more plots will be established. A field herbarium has been established and is still in process of being updated. Fixed point photography will also be conducted at the same time as the rest of the plots in 2011. A fine scale vegetation survey will be conducted in 2011. Refer to Appendix 1 the full plant species list.

According to the national ecosystem conservation status, Cape Flats Dune Strandveld is endangered (EN) and Atlantis Sand Fynbos is critically endangered (CR). Within the City only 45% of CFDS remains, 51% has been transformed and only 13% is currently conserved, the National conservation target for this vegetation type is 24%. The National conservation target for ASF is 30% only 6% is currently conserved and 40% has been transformed. 83% of the West Coast form of CFDS remains, the Reserve is thus an important reservoir for this vegetation type (Dorse 2010)

The occurrence and distribution of the Witzands vegetation types, namely Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and Atlantis Sand Fynbos is influenced by the geology of the area. Maize et al 2002 further states that, ASF grows in deep sands of the coastal plain with a low pH and a poor nutrient availability while the CFDS is found on more recent calcareous alkaline sands containing higher nutrients.

Cape Flats Dune Strandveld Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (CFDS) differs from both Fynbos and Renosterveld in that it does not burn as frequently; the fire cycle is typically 20-100 years. It is far more prone to browsing, and many plant species have thorny defences. CFDS is endemic to Cape Town and occurs in two major segments: on the western shoreline from Cape Town to Bokbaai (including the Atlantis dune fields), and on the False Bay shoreline from Muizenberg to Gordons Bay. It is therefore confined mainly to the coastal margins, only extending inland on dune fields as in the Reserve. Historically this was a series of dunes and dune slack wetlands inhabited by Hippopotami and Rhinoceroses. For

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conservation purposes this vegetation type is considered as two separate units: north of the City Bowl is the West Coast form, which occurs in the Reserve within an altitude from sea level to 80 m. The dunes in the Reserve tend to run southwest to northeast as in the West Coast Dune Strandveld form.

This vegetation type is described as a short to tall, evergreen, hard-leaved and succulent shrubland, with abundant annual herbs and grasses in the gaps and understorey. After fire, it may have a “Fynbos” phase dominated by Fynbos elements, but most thicket species regenerate from underground stems. The West Coast form tends to have more succulent elements. There are 26 threatened Red List plant species in this veld type (Rebelo & Low 1996).

CFDS plant species found at the Reserve includes the pioneer species, namely Metalasia muricata (Blombos) which can be used in floral arrangements and Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Bitoubos) of which the berries are eaten by both birds and mammals. The succulents include Capobrotus edulis (Sour Fig) which has an edible fruit and its succulent leaves can be used to treat burns and scalds, and Euphorbia mauritania. Bulbs found in the Reserve include Lachenalia rubida (Bergnaeltjie) and the commercially harvested Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily), of which the leaves can be medicinally used to treat burns and insect bites.

Other species occurring in the Reserve are Salvia africana-lutea (Strand Salie/Sage) an aromatic plant, traditionally used as a tea for coughs and colds, Nylandtia spinosa (Skilpadbessie/Tortoise Berry) grows abundantly throughout the Reserve; its bright red berries are eaten by tortoises and birds. Pelargonium capitatum (Rose-scented Geranium/Kusmalva) and Leonotis leonurus (Wild Dagga) is commonly found in the Reserve. The climbers include Kedostris nana (Ystervarkpatats), which produces a potato like tuber and Cissampelos capensis (Davidjies) can be medicinally used.

The woody component species include Rhus glauca (Blue Kuni-bush/Bou Taaibos), Rhus lucida, (Blinktaaibos), Euclea racemosa (Sea guarri), and Olea exasperata (Coast Olive/Slanghout) which all produces berries eaten by birds. Puttelickia pyracantha (False Spike-thorn), with its prominent thorns grows predominantly in the eastern sector of the Reserve, this indigenous plant can be seen as encroaching in this area. A study is proposed to determine methods to limit the encroachment.

Atlantis Sand Fynbos The vegetation is typical Asteraceous and Proteoid Fynbos and does not differ structurally from equivalent Mountain Fynbos types, although very few species are shared. Ericaceae (Heaths) are seldom dominant, but ericoid-leaved shrubs tend to dominate with the Restionaceae (Reeds) and Proteaceae (Sugarbushes). Sand Fynbos is characterised by the presence of the Erica mammosa (Ninepin Heath), Phylica cephalantha (Starface), P. stipularis (Baboon face), and the Restiods including Thamnochortus obtusus and T. punctatus (Sandveld Thatching Reed). In the south the incidence of grass is much higher than in the north, but most of these are alien Mediterranean

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grasses. Three centers of endemism occur within this vegetation type, each characterized by their own suite of proteaceous over storey (Rebelo & Low 1996).

2.4.2 Mammals Eighteen mammal species has been recorded through a series of baseline fauna surveys and that took place from 2008 to 2010. These include Genetta genetta (Small Spotted Genet), Hystrix africaeaustralis (Porcupine) and Galerella pulverulenta (Small Grey Mongoose). Antelope species in the Reserve include Raphicerus campestris (Steenbok), Raphicerus melanotis (Cape Grysbok) and Sylvicaptra grimmia (Common Duiker). A Felis caracal (Caracal) carcass has been found along the R307 Dassenberg Drive. Small mammal species found in the Reserve include Rhabdomys pumilio (Striped Field Mice), Tatera afra (Cape Gerbil) and Otomys irroratus (Vlei Rat). Sightings of Mellivorus capensis (Honey Badger) in the Atlantis area indicate that these animals probably move through the Reserve from time to time.

The small mammal fauna survey protocol for WANR is available electronically; the Reserve is largely dominated by smaller type mammals. Many of these are nocturnal and inconspicuous. Other types of indications of their presence are middens, scat and spoor. An antelope count is envisaged to be conducted the first one taking place in early 2011 in the area adjacent to the western side of the dunes. Refer to Appendix 2 for the detailed mammal species list.

2.4.3 Birds One hundred and forty-nine bird species have been recorded since 2007 through ongoing Co- ordinated water bird counts (CWAC) and ad hoc sightings. Of special note, is the confirmed presence of raptors including the threatened Circus ranivorus (African Marsh Harrier), the globally endangered Circus maurus (Black Harrier) and a resident breeding pair of Haliaeetus vocifer (African Fish Eagles). Other raptors recorded are the Elanus caeruleus (Black Shouldered Kite) and Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus). Water birds sighted in the vicinity of Pond Seven (Wetland) include the near threatened Pelecanus onocrotalus (Great White Pelican), Phalacrocorax africanus (Reed Cormorant), Phalacrocorax ludicus (White Breasted Cormorant), Platalea alba (African Spoonbill), Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis), Threskiornis aethiopicus (African Sacred Ibis), Bostrychia hagedash (Hededa Ibis), Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron) and Alcedo cristata (Malachite Kingfisher).

A special monitoring programme is in place for monitoring the breeding success of the Black Harrier, and this is done annually during the breeding season from July to December (refer to Black Harrier protocol). CWAC counts are done once per quarter; the CWAC monitoring protocol for WANR is available. Refer to Appendix 3 for the bird species list.

2.4.4 Amphibians and reptiles Six amphibia and 28 reptile species are anticipated to occur on WANR according to a desktop study that took place through the EMS 1996.

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The following reptile species have been confirmed as present on the site, Naja nivea (Cape Cobra), Dispholidus typus, (Boomslang), frequently sited is Psammophylax rhombeatus (Rhombic Skaapsteker) Pseudaspis cana (Mole Snake) and Chersina angulata (Angulate Tortoise)

Amphibia include, Strongylopus grayii grayii (Clicking stream frog) and (Xenopus laevis) Common Platana.

Refer to Appendix 4 and 5 for current list of Reptiles and Amphibia respectively.

2.4.5 Invertebrates Currently there is no baseline or desktop information, the management of the Reserve is required to conduct baseline studies to obtain data. This study is planned for 2012. However, Phymateus morbillosus (Common Milkweed Locust) and Opistophthalmus glabrifrons (Thin-tailed scorpion) were recently recorded in the Reserve.

2.4.6 Fish Three fish species have been recorded fish within Pond Seven (wetland) of the Reserve and these have mainly been freshwater fish including alien species Oreochromis mossambicans (Mozambique Tilapia) indigenous Galaxius zabratus, (Cape Galaxias) and locally alien Clarias garipinus (Sharptooth catfish). Further studies in particular for freshwater organisms needs to be investigated.

2.5 Socio-political context

2.5.1 History In 1819 the Reserve was part of a large farm, namely the „Gouvernements Plaatsen’ along with Melk Post and Hartebeeste Kraal, managed by CM Stoffberg. Jan Nagel, a charcoal burner was resident at the farm. In the 18th and 19th Century, a group of people referred to as the‟Duinemense’ of the „Blaauwberg’ area by Mansell Upham (who did genealogical research into the Blaauwberg Municipal Area) eked out an existence on the farms then known as Brakkefontein, Laaste Stuiver, Hartebeeskraal, Wittesand (Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve) Melkpost, Blomboschfontein, Donkergat, Groot Springfontein and Duinefontein (pers. comm. Buchel 2010)

The Wittesand was later referred to as Witzand and was then owned by the prominent Duckitts' Family and then bought by the National Government (Department Human Settlement/National Housing Board). In 1976 the land was managed by City of Cape Town and the Atlantis Bulk Water Scheme was appointed as the authority to manage the area and its water extraction and supply (EMS 1996)

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The Blaauwberg Administration, along with all of the other municipalities in the Cape Town area, were grouped together to form the City of Cape Town Unicity in 2002. The Reserve is now managed by the City of Cape Town and exists to provide the people of Cape Town with a safe environment where biodiversity is maintained and visitor facilities will be provided. The abstraction and water supply management continues to be the responsibility of the CCT Water and Sanitation Department.

2.5.2 Socio-economic context Currently the Atlantis Water Scheme has 50 staff members on site and four Biodiversity Management Branch staff members. The majority of the staff member‟s employed are from the Atlantis Community. The Atlantis and Mamre Communities are the closest residential communities to the site. The WANR falls within the Sub-council 7, Koeberg jurisdiction, administered from the suburb, Durbanville, covering four Wards of which Ward 29 (Mamre and Atlantis suburbs) and 32 (including informal Witsands settlement, Koeberg and Atlantis Industrial) is relevant to the WANR.

According to Capegateway.gov.za (2007), Atlantis has a population estimate of 261, 537 with a gender composition of 50% males, 50% females. Fourteen percent of the population has a Grade 12 Certificate as the highest education level. These communities are characterised by low to medium income, with the low income bracket of 30% and the medium income bracket of 70%. The average unemployment rate for the Atlantis Community is 37% and those employed is 63%. The number of formal housing stands at 3400 Units (property owners); houses leased total 1414 Units (leased from the City of Cape Town) and informal living structures total 3767. In 2011 an estimated 2000 new formal houses will be built in four phases in the area referred to as Kanonkop (Kanonkop Housing Project). Atlantis has four sectors of Neighbourhood Watch organisations and there is one Ratepayers Association.

These communities are largely geographically isolated in relation to the CBD of Cape Town and are surrounded largely by peripheral undeveloped land. There is a small component of small scale farmers situated between the Reserve and Mamre community to the north.

3. Purpose, Vision and Significance / Value

3.1 Purpose of the Protected Area

The WANR is located in the Cape Floristic Region, an area of global biodiversity significance. The Reserve conserves a unique combination of habitats, ecosystems and species, many of which are either rare or endemic to the area.

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The primary purpose of the Reserve is then the conservation of this unique biodiversity and associated ecosystem features and functions.

In conserving this unique biodiversity, secondary objectives will include: a) As a viable water resource by means of the Atlantis Water Scheme through the Aquifer; b) The conservation of the habitat for the Black Harriers, Marsh Harriers and breeding pair of Fish Eagles; c) The protection of the mobile dunes surrounded by more stable, partially vegetated dune ridges and dune slip faces, many of the latter giving rise to seepage areas at their base; d) Develop high quality visitor infrastructure, facilities and services; e) The conservation of endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and critically endangered Atlantis Sand Fynbos; f) Promoting sound Environmental Education principles.

3.2 Vision and Mission

3.2.1 Vision

Integrated Development Plan Vision:- The vision of the City of Cape Town remains as follows: • To be a prosperous city that creates an enabling environment for shared growth and economic development • To achieve effective and equitable service delivery • To serve the citizens of Cape Town as a well-governed and effectively run administration.

To achieve this vision, the City recognises that it must: • actively contribute to the development of its environmental, human and social capital; • offer high-quality services to all who live in, do business in, or visit the city as tourists; and • be known for its efficient, effective and caring government.

C.A.P.E. Vision:- We, the people of South Africa, are proud to be the custodians of our unique Cape Floral Kingdom, and share its full ecological, social and economic benefits now and in the future.

Environmental Resource Management Department Vision:- To ensure that sustainable and equitable development is combined with sound environmental practice for a healthy local environment, which sustains people and nature, provides protection for our unique resources and results in an enhanced quality of life for all.

Biodiversity Management branch Vision: -

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To be a City that leads by example in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. A City within which biodiversity plays an important role, where the right of present and future generations to healthy, complete and vibrant biodiversity is entrenched, and to be a City that actively protects its biological wealth and prioritises long term responsibility over short-term gains.

Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Vision - A protected natural area, conserving and managing the two central features of the site as a water catchment resource and its unique surface biodiversity, towards the holistic integrity of the site, ensuring a positive balance between utilisation and conservation, the envisaged area is to provide long term sustainable environmental experiences to the surrounding communities.

3.2.2 Mission Biodiversity Management branch – Mission

Manage biodiversity proactively and effectively To ensure an integrated approach to biodiversity between CCT line functions & departments and actively pursue external partnerships To adopt a long-term approach with regards to biodiversity To ensure sustainability of our rich biodiversity To adopt a holistic and multifaceted approach to biodiversity To continually measure and monitor the CCT‟s performance in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity To continually measure and monitor the state of biodiversity in Cape Town

Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve – Mission To maintain and restore where required the natural environment and its associated ecological processes and services through the implementation of the management objectives of Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. To support the surrounding communities in fulfilling their environmental and socio-economic responsibilities.

3.3 Significance of property

The WANR accommodates Two National vegetation types, One of which is critically endangered and the other vulnerable. The Reserve forms an integral part of the City‟s biodiversity network within the area.

The Reserve has a confirmed bird species list of 149, a plant species list of 143 and a mammal list of 18 species including threatened and globally endangered species.

The site is the closest protected CCT Nature Reserve to its local communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella and endeavours to actively involve the surrounding communities in conservation, awareness and educational activities by promoting youth development through volunteerism.

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Summary of qualifying site assessment criteria:

 The Reserve hosts a mosaic of Two different vegetation types of which One vegetation type form is endemic to the West Coast and approximately Eight threatened plant species;

 The Reserve houses the Atlantis Water Scheme, providing potable water to the Three surrounding towns;

 A large portion of the Atlantis hydrogeological (aquifer) falls within the Reserve

 The Reserve is provides a habitat to 149 bird species;

 The Reserve is well connected through natural open space to extensive natural areas to the north, west and east and there is also potential to incorporate some of the high quality state land in the vicinity into the Reserve in order to further maximise conservation for the broader Cape Metropolitan Area and further opportunities for integrating viable linkages (corridors) between the Reserve and neighbouring sites.

 A number of Stewardship sites, including but not limited to Nirvana Private Conservation Area is situated within the Greater Atlantis Area and the Reserve management plays an important facilitation role with these Private landowners.

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PART 2 – MANAGEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK

4. Administrative and legal framework for the Management Authority

4.1 Legal Framework

Table 1: The Legal Framework applicable to WANR Legislation: Relevance: Amendment: Comment: Act, Ordinance, By- Description Latest Other Notes law Amendment Date Constitution of the Chapter 2: Bill of Republic of South Lists South African citizen‟s rights assigns N/A Africa Act; No 108 environmental rights. citizens with of 1996 particular rights. ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION National Legislation 5 Amendment One of the most important National Act 56 of 2002 Provides for environmental laws relating to most Environmental 6 Amended by cooperative aspects of the environment including GN. 26018 Vol. environmental Management Act, EIA‟s the roles of DWE, environmental 464 –of 2004-02- governance No 107 of 1998 information and legal standing etc. 13 The objectives of the Act are to provide for: the management and conservation of South Africa‟s biodiversity within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources the fair and equitable sharing of National benefits arising from bio- Environmental prospecting involving indigenous Management: biological resources Biodiversity Act No the establishment and functions of 10 of 2004 a South African National Biodiversity Institute

In essence, the Act was put in place to safeguard the important biodiversity attributes in the country, whilst allowing people to benefit equally from the natural resources. In order to achieve these goals, the Act made provision for the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which has been designated certain functions and has been afforded powers and duties in respect of this Act. National To provide for the protection and 7 Amendment Regulations Environmental conservation of ecologically viable Act 62 of 2008 Notice 1029 of Management: areas representative of South 8 Amendment 2009 list specific

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Protected Areas Act Africa‟s biological diversity and its Act 15 of 2009 regulations for No 57 of 2003 natural landscapes and nature reserves seascapes; proclaimed by for the establishment of a national the MEC (draft register of all national, provincial August 2009) and local protected areas; for the management of those areas in accordance with national norms and standards; for inter-governmental cooperation and public consultation in matters concerning protected areas; and for matters in connection therewith. Conservation of CARA Regulations contain a list of alien 9 Amended by Alien invasive invasive vegetation categorized GN R 2687 of plant legislation Agricultural according to there legal status. Act 1985-12-06 and to be included Resource Act, 1983 regulates sale position and use of listed GN R 280 of under NEM:BA (ACT 43 OF 1983) species 2001-03-30 in future National Veld and Relates to veld fire prevention, fire protection associations, fire danger N/A Forest Fire Act; No indexing, enforcement of fire legislation 101 of 1998 and the fighting of fires The Environment Conservation Act is 1. Environment the other law that relates specifically to Conservation the environment. Although most of this amendment Act has been replaced by NEMA there Act 98 of are still some important sections that 1991 remain in operation. These sections 2. Environment relate to: Conservation protected natural environments amendment littering Act 79 of special nature reserves 1992 waste management 3. Environment limited development areas Conservation regulations on noise, vibration and Second shock amendment environmental impact assessment Act 115 of (EIA) 1992 Environment 4. Environment Conservation Act Conservation 73 of 1989 amendment Act 94 of 1993 5. Environment Conservation Second amendment Act 52 of 1994 6. Proclamation R27 of 1995 7. Proclamation R43 of 1996 8. National Environment Act 107 of 1998 National Water Act, Relates to all use of water and the N/A 36 of 1998 management of all water resources

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within South Africa. To provide for enhancing the quality of Promulgated to ambient air for the sake of securing an give effect to environment which is not harmful to the section 24(b) of health and well-being of the people the Constitution. South African Air Quality National Information Environmental System Management: Air (SAAQIS) is a Quality Act 39 of web-based 2004 system which provides information on the quality of ambient air across the country To consolidate and amend the laws Animal Matters Animal Protection relating to the prevention of cruelty to Amendment Act Act, 71 of 1962 animals 42 of 1993 Animal Diseases Provides for control measures relating

Act 35 of 1984 to animal diseases Animal Health Act 7 Regulates animal health of 2002 Game Theft Act 105 Regulates the ownership and protection of 1991 of game Provides for catchment conservation Administered under the Mountain Western Cape Catchment Areas Nature Act 63 of 1970 Conservation Board Act 15 of 1998 National Heritage Provides for the protection of heritage Resources Act 25 of resources 1999 World Heritage Incorporates the World Heritage Conservation Act Convention into South African law 49 of 1999 Regulates problem animals Administered under the Problem Animal Western Cape Control Ordinance Nature 26 of 1957 Conservation Board Act 15 of 1998 Mineral and Provides for equitable access to and Petroleum sustainable development of mineral and Resources petroleum resources Development Act 28 of 2002 Whole repealed Atmospheric 01 April 2010 in Pollution favour of the Prevention Act 45 National of 1965 Environmental Management: Air

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Quality Act 39 of 2004

Provincial Legislation 9. Assented to 22 November 1985 Land Use Planning The purpose of the ordinance is to 10. Western Ordinance, No 15 of regulate land use and to provide for Cape Land Use 1985 incidental matters related to land use. Planning Ordinance, 1985, Amendment Act, 2004 Administered Cape Nature and under the Environmental The purpose of this ordinance is to Western Cape Publication date 1 regulate wild animals and plants and Nature Conservation September 1975 Ordinance, no 19 of the establishment of nature reserves. Conservation 1974 Board Act 15 of 1998 Western Cape Biodiversity Nature Agreements are

Conservation Board signed under this Act 15 of 1998 act Municipal Legislation City of Cape Town: To regulate the avoidance, Integrated Waste minimization, generation, collection, Approved by Management By- cleaning and disposal of waste; and for council on the: 30 law, 2009 matters related thereto. March 2009

To provide for the regulation of City Of Cape Town stormwater management in the area of By-Law Relating To the City of Cape Town, and to regulate Publication date Stormwater activities which may have a detrimental 23 September Management , LA effect on the development, operation or 2005 31420 maintenance of the stormwater system

The purpose of this by-law is: to give effect to the right contained in section 24 of the Constitution of the City of Cape Town: Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) by controlling air pollution Air Pollution Publication date 4 within the area of the Council‟s February 2003 Control By-Law; LA jurisdiction; to ensure that air pollution is 12649 avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, is minimized and remedied.

The purpose and scope of the By-law By-Law Relating to is: to promote the achievement of a fire- Community Fire Publication safe environment for the benefit of all date28 February Safety; Province of persons within the area of jurisdiction of 2002 the Western Cape; the Municipality; to provide for LA 11257 procedures, methods and practices to regulate fire safety within the area of

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jurisdiction of the Municipality.

The purpose of this By-law is: To formulate a new single by-law City of Cape Town including 10 different municipal dog by- laws and the Animal Protection Act of Draft, 2009 Draft Animal By- 1962. Law, 2009 This includes chapters on dogs, cats, poultry and working equines.

HUMAN RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION National Legislation To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery; the Occupational protection of persons other than Occupational persons at work against hazards to Health and Safety

Health and Safety health and safety arising out of or in Amendment Act , Act, 1993 connection with the activities of persons No 181 of 1993 at work; to establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety; and to provide for matters connected therewith. Basic Conditions of Provides for control measures pertaining to employment Amendment Act Employment Act 3 11 of 2002 of 1997 The labour relations act aims to Amendment promote economic development, social Labour Relations justice, labour peace and democracy in Act , 42 of 1996 the work place. Amendment Afrikaans Labour Relations Act Labour Relations 1998 Amendment Act, 66 Amendment of 1995 Labour Relations Act , 127 of 1998 Amendment Labour Relations Act 2000 Amendment Act 12 of 2002 Local Government Establishes core principles, process Municipal Systems and mechanisms relating to local Act 32 of 2000 government Promotion of Provides for the prevention of Equality/Prevention discrimination and other related matters of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 Criminals

Procedures Act Fire Arm Act Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009 Fencing Act 31 of Regulates all matters relating to fencing

1963

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Hazardous Controls substances which may cause Substances Act 15 injury or ill health to, or death of, human of 1973 beings by reason of their toxic nature Land Survey Act 8 Regulates land surveying, beacons and of 1997 other related matters Promotion of Promotes access to information Access to

Information Act 2 of 2000 Promotion of Provides for the promotion of Administrative administrative justice Amendment Act Justice Act 3 of 53 of 2002 2000 Regional Services Regulates and controls land, land Council Act 109 of usage and other related matters 1985 Skills Development Promotes the development of skills

Act 97 of 1998 State Land Disposal Regulates the disposal of state owned

Act 48 of 1961 land Subdivision of Regulates the subdivision of agricultural Agricultural Land land Act 70 of 1970 Tourism Act 72 of Provides for the promotion of tourism

1993 and regulates the tourism industry Municipal Regulates pollution and waste Ordinance 20 of management 1974 South African National Road Agency Limited

(SANRAL) and National Road Act 7 of 1998 Provides for the control, regulation and Repealed in Aviation Act 74 of encouragement of aviation activities in favour of the Civil 1962 the Republic of South Africa Aviation Act 13 of 2009 Provincial Legislation Western Cape Introduces a constitutional framework Constitution Act 1 for the province of 1998 Western Cape Land Regulates land and land usage Administration Act 6 of 1998 Western cape Regulates planning and development Planning and within the province

Development Act 7 of 1999 Municipal Legislation City of Cape Town The Purpose of the By-law is to regulate Provincial Gazette By-Law relating to and facilitate filming in the City of Cape 6277, 24 June Filming Town 2005 By-law relating to The purpose of the by-law is to regulate Promulgated 28

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Streets, Public activities in streets and public places September 2007, Places and the and prevent excessive noise nuisance PG 6469; LA prevention of noise 44559 nuisances 2007 Signage

4.2 Administrative Framework

The WANR will be managed under the direction of the Strategy and Planning Directorate, Environmental Resource Management Department and in particular, the Biodiversity Management Branch of the City of Cape Town. The WANR is located within the North Region (District B, which is one of the CCT‟s Eight (8) Districts) and falls under the oversight of the Regional Manager. The WANR is under the management responsibility of an Area Manager, assisted by three non permanent staff members. In the North Region, the Area Manager‟s area of jurisdiction covers the entire Greater Atlantis Area (Refer to Appendix 6). The operational management of the WANR is supported by various other City of Cape Town departments including but not limited to Law Enforcement, Water and Sanitation (Bulk Water), Human Resources and Finance.

Table 2: Represents the envisaged staffing complement for the Reserve according to the approved Organogram Designation Number of Workweek Supervisor Staff Area Manager 1 40 hours Monday - Regional Friday Manager Community 1 40 hours Monday - Area Manager Conservation Friday Officer Senior Field 1 40 hours Monday - Area Manager Ranger Friday Field Ranger 6 40 hours Monday - Senior Field Friday Ranger Intern Varies 40 hours Monday - Area Manager Friday Experiential Varies 40 hours Monday - Area Manager Training Student Friday

The Regional Manager and regionally based Administrative Officer operate from the Biodiversity Management Branch Head Office, located in Maitland, 40 kilometres south from the Reserve.

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5. Protected Area Management Policy Framework

5.1 Management Objectives

The following table lists the management objectives for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

5.1.1 Biodiversity and Heritage Objectives

Table 3: Biodiversity and Heritage Objectives for WANR High level objective Objective Sub-objective Initiative Low level plan

(1) Identification of under represented habitats/ecosystems. Consolidation and expansion of land (2) Consolidate Reserve boundaries. areas: Reserve expansion (3) Incorporate untransformed fynbos. Consolidation of protected areas focusing plan (to be (4) Establish corridors linking the on under representative ecosystems, developed) Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve with functional linkages and processes. Cape Nature and State through Stewardship tool.

CONSERVATION OF Representative Reintroduction of biota: Re-establishment where possible, of REPRESENTATIVE, ecosystems: (1) Re-establish indigenous herbivore Faunal locally extinct or depleted biodiversity FUNCTIONAL To incorporate a complement within constraints of Management Plan components and populations in ECOSYSTEMS: spectrum of viable Reserve size and urban setting. (to be developed) To conserve a aquatic and terrestrial accordance with IUCN principles and representative sample ecosystems guidelines. of the regions characteristic of the (1) Implement an ecological fire ecosystems in a Witzands Aquifer management plan in accordance with Fire management: Fire management linked landscape, and Nature Reserve, and objectives of conserving biodiversity Apply appropriate fire regime in fynbos plan (in process of the maintenance or to re-introduce and threatened biota. areas (frequency, season, intensity, size). being developed) restoration of missing elements (2) Monitor impact of fire management environmental where possible. regime. processes to enable Threatened biota: natural spatial and (1) Maintain viable populations of Maintain viable populations of threatened Threatened biota temporal variation in rare/threatened plant and animal species in order to meet obligations in plan (to be structural, functional species (identify, locate & monitor terms of international agreements and developed) and compositional populations of priority species) components of conventions. biodiversity. Monitoring Plan Monitoring Plan: (1) Implement and maintain a biological Implement and maintain an approved (monitoring monitoring programme for the Reserve. Monitoring Plan for the Reserve protocols has been

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completed).

Vegetation: Vegetation Re-establishment of physical, chemical Rehabilitation plan Rehabilitation: and biological processes in degraded (1) Rehabilitate all old degraded sites. (in process for Rehabilitate degraded areas, vegetation areas. ASF) including the re- establishment of natural biodiversity patterns, and the restoration of key processes which support the long term (1) Establish the distribution and density Invasive alien plant Alien plants and other alien biota: of invasive species. management plan ; persistence of biodiversity. Control and where possible eliminate alien (2) Prioritise areas for alien removal Alien biota biota to facilitate re-establishment of focusing on biodiversity restoration. management plan natural biodiversity pattern and process in (3) Implement removal programs for (in process of being invaded areas. priority species and areas. developed)

Internal developments: Minimise the impacts associated with the (1)Reserve zonation development of visitor and Reserve Reconciling biodiversity (2) Develop and implement CDF. management infrastructure, and ensure MITIGATE with other Reserve (3) Developments in accordance with that such developments do not INTERNAL and objectives: EIA process (NEMA) and corporate compromise biodiversity objectives. EXTERNAL To ensure that non- policies. CDF (in process) PRESSURES: biodiversity management (4) Establish visitor carrying capacities. To reduce threats and aspects of Reserve Internal activities: (5) Implement green standards and pressures and limit operations (revenue Minimise the impacts associated with environmental best practice based on environmental generation including visitor, visitor and Reserve management corporate policy impacts resulting from resource use, developments, activities, and ensure that such activities non-biodiversity management activities, etc.) do not compromise biodiversity objectives. management aspects are informed and constrained Extractive resource use: and operations on by biodiversity conservation (1) Quantify current extractive resource Sustainable Minimise the impacts of extractive surrounding land and objectives, and that the activities. resource use resource use, and ensure that such resource use. impacts of these activities on (2) Define opportunities and constraints management plan activities are aligned with corporate biodiversity are minimised. in line with corporate guidelines. (to be developed, a guidelines; are within management (3) Regulate resource use, according to feasibility study is capacity constraints, and do not adaptive management process required) compromise biodiversity objectives.

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(1) Engage with regional land management authorities, incl. IDP‟s and SDF‟s at local & regional level. (2) Alignment with bioregional planning, including explicitly identified areas for the maintenance of importance for (Cooperative External developments: biodiversity pattern and processes with governance and Minimise the impacts associated with appropriate land use guidelines. communication inappropriate developments outside the (3) Provide input into planning and plan) (to be Reserve decision making process for external developed) development that may compromise Reserve and Biodiversity Network objectives. (4) Negotiate to ensure that external developments are not visually obtrusive or out of character with the park.

Oil Spill (1) Negotiate to mitigate or improve the Contingency Plan Reconciling biodiversity management of external potentially (Cooperative with external threats: detrimental impacts. External activities: governance and To reduce external threats (2) Encourage eco-friendly resource Negotiate to ensure that external resource communication and pressures, and limit use and land management practices on and land use do not detrimentally affect plan) (the impacts of surrounding land & adjacent properties. ecological processes within the Reserve. responsibility of resource use on biodiversity (3) Mitigate the impacts of oil and other Water and conservation within the pollution events, through appropriate Sanitation Reserve. contingency planning Department) (1) Lobby for appropriate Catchment categorization (currently General Authorization). Hydrological and water chemistry Cooperative (2) Encourage enforcement of changes: governance and legislation applicable to the Participate in activities for the communication management and protection of aquatic maintenance of aquifer flow regimes and plan (responsibility resources. water chemistry within limits for the of Water and (4) Facilitate regular assessments of maintenance of ecosystem processes in Sanitation River Health. aquatic ecosystems within the Reserve. Department) (5) Address the issue of sewage and other point source pollution into aquatic systems Reserve Protection Illegal harvesting of resources: Plan, Security and Prevent the illegal collection, removal and (1) Public liaison Safety Programme destruction of physical and biological (2) Law enforcement (a Security audit resources. and report has been produced,

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however not specifically for harvesting of resources- feasibility study required)) WILDNESS / REMOTENESS: To maintain and Range of experiences: (1)Reserve zonation restore Provide a range of visitor (2) Develop CDF and sensitivity-value (1)CDF wildness/remoteness experiences. analysis. (2)Reserve in the Witzands expansion plan Aquifer Nature (3) Invasive alien Reserve such that the plant management spiritual and (1) Implement & update CDF plan (in process- experiential qualities Sense of place: (2) Establish and apply appropriate Sensitivity and of wildness are Maintain or restore visitor carrying capacity Zonation report has maintained, appropriate sense of place. (3) Negotiate to ensure that external been completed) enhanced, or where developments are not visually obtrusive necessary restored or out of character with the Reserve.

(1) Develop a database of all tangible and intangible cultural assets which include and inventory, maps and CULTURAL relevant documentation. HERITAGE Conserve and manage (2) Develop site Management Plans for Cultural Heritage MANAGEMENT: cultural heritage assets each Cultural Heritage site with Management Plan To investigate and monitoring systems in place for (to be developed) manage all cultural management priorities and assets prescriptions. (3) Facilitate appropriate Interpretation of cultural heritage associated with the Reserve

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5.1.2 Socio-economic objectives:

Table 4: Socio-economic objectives High level objective Objective Sub-objective (where required) Initiative Low level plan

(1) Contribute to local community development by supporting the Expanded Public Works / Poverty Relief Programmes Enhance socio- economic (2) Contribute to local skills Local socio benefits to local communities development by supporting the Skills economic Programmes and Learnership development plan programmes (to be developed- (3) Identification and facilitating the as part of the creation of business opportunities in Community association with the Reserve. Conservation (4) Support community based Social Management plan) Nurture productive Development Initiatives. and mutually Increase environmental Inspire visitors and communities towards (1) Develop and implement an beneficial awareness and encourage considering the environment as an Interpretation Plan that feeds into both partnerships that participation in conservation interrelated and interdependent system of the Education and zonation plans. result in gains in initiatives which they are an integral part. (2) Implement environmental education economic and/ or Educate learners, educators and other and youth development programmes biodiversity equity. community focus groups to be able to take suited to the needs of each focus group environmental action. (I.e. Tailor made programmes for each focus group) Education Support educators and community leaders (1) Establish and market an development plan with resource and information materials environmental resource centre and (as part of the outdoor classrooms with a range of North interpretive and information resources. Environmental Education Strategy Plan and Community Conservation plan) Support co- Maintain good (1) Identify and involve all relevant Stakeholder operative Reserve/community/stakehol stakeholders for participation in the relationship plan governance that will der relations Reserve Advisory forum. (as part of the build in (2) Develop effective communication Community custodianship mechanisms and responsibilities for Conservation plan) representatives. Effective co-operative Minimise degrading impact and (1) Establish and maintain good governance consequences of inappropriate working relationship with relevant development in and around the Reserve government departments as well as internal City departments.

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Ensure support / buy-in for management (1) Define roles and responsibilities with decisions through participatory decision stakeholder groups, partnerships, City making processes Departments and government through written agreements/ ToR's and MoU's and SLA‟s (1) Design customer satisfaction survey Visitor plan (Dune (2) Analysis of current product usage Management plan and identification of opportunity together with the existing Zonation report) To develop, manage and (1) Plan for Visitor infrastructure and Infrastructure enhance a range of facilities as identified by the CDF program (Zonation sustainable visitor products (2) Develop and implement the report) infrastructure management plan (in compliance with state of infrastructure Become the Nature report) Based Visitor (3) Compile a state of infrastructure destination of report choice in the region Conserve and manage (1) Develop a database of all tangible Cultural Heritage cultural heritage assets and intangible cultural assets which Management plan include and inventory, maps and (to be indentified relevant documentation. and developed) (2) Develop Management Plans for each Cultural Heritage site with monitoring systems in place for management priorities and prescriptions. (3) Facilitate appropriate Interpretation of cultural heritage associated with the Reserve Transform the Transform the domestic (1) Promote and manage access to the Marketing plan (to domestic Visitor Visitor Profile of the Reserve, Reserve be developed- Profile, through through growth, to be (2) Develop and support dedicated Reserve pamphlet growth, to be representative of regional access programmes. Incorporate a to be printed in representative of demographics "dedicated access" element into 2011) South African existing programmes society (3) Actively market Reserve resources and services

Enhance the City’s Enhance the Reserve‟s (1)Develop and implement a Communication Reputation reputation Communication Plan to promote program (as part of Reserve activities the Community Conservation Management plan within the parameters of the

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CCT policies)

Advance Strategic To ensure good human (1)Implement and support Learnerships Staff Capacity Human Resource resource management and Volunteer Programmes Building Program/ Management (2) Ensure all staff have access to Institutional training initiatives as per the WPSP Development and (3) Ensure all Corporate HR Policies staff capacity are adhered to building programme (Organogram exists-to be developed) Financial To ensure sound financial Manage cost spending appropriately Financial Management management practices are sustainability applied to, and under pin the program (to be Reserve developed) Achieve Good Effective management of risk N/A Do legal review Risk management Corporate profile program (to be Governance developed) Management

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5.2 SWOT Analysis Strengths: 1 Local knowledge and expertise of areas under jurisdiction 2 Two City Departments willingness to co-manage the area 3 Community involvement and participation 4 Management commitment to compiling and implementing management plans and Biodiversity Action plans 5 Legislative support- Municipal By-laws, Nature Conservation Ordinance, NEMA and various other relevant legislation. 6 Constitutional support 7 All staff and management have experience and knowledge in managing Protected areas 8 Corporate Support Services exist 9 Three Reserve entry and exit points are controlled by gates and some by Security Company 10 Staff determination and will to succeed 11 Fully functional ecosystems exist 12 Biological monitoring systems are implemented and monitored regularly 13 Atlantis Water Scheme hired Security to patrol the area 24 hours, 7 days a week

Weaknesses 1 Lack of permanent, appropriately trained staff to ensure all biodiversity objectives are met, e.g. basic field rangers and senior field ranger, law enforcement 2 Operational Budget needs review 3 Law enforcement tends to be reactive instead of proactive 4 Lack of operationally mandated staff to adequately utilise environmental legislation 5 Ignorance by public of applicable environmental legislation 6 Lack of adequate operational and administrative office space and equipment 7 Geographically far from City Administrative hubs 8 Roles and responsibilities of the two Branches managing the area not yet clearly defined 9 Haphazard network of paths and vehicles 10 Lack of co-ordination and co-operation between Reserve and National/Provincial government departments

Opportunities 1 Aesthetic beauty of the Reserve attracts bird watches, environmental education groups and recreational users. 2 To create buy-in among key stakeholders and role players

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3 Community constituency building 4 Increased community ownership 5 Job creation and career succession and planning 6 Accessing funds for Expanded Public Works Programmes / Sustainable Livelihoods programmes to assist in job creation, Reserve infrastructure maintenance and development 7 To proactively engage communities closest to the Reserve and recognising their needs. 8 Continuous liaison with Community based organisations (CBOs) and other Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 9 To link up with surrounding land owners, share knowledge, resources in order to effectively manage the Biodiversity Network 10 Promote the Reserve as a destination of choice for outdoor Environmentally sound activities 11 To build and establish a viable volunteer group to actively participate in Reserve management activities 12 To involve the Atlantis Water Scheme staff in Reserve management activities 13 To entrench and maintain strong political support from local Ward Councillors

Threats 1 Unemployment leads to rising crime levels 2 Threats and intimidation to conservation staff when applying legislation 3 Lack of commitment from stakeholders 4 Lack of appropriate training 5 Personal safety of staff 6 Growing external communities with increasing needs 7 Increased incidents of crime and other illegal activities 8 Lack of sustained funding for students and Interns 9 Lack of adequate funding to hire appropriate numbers of full-time staff 10 Lack of adequate operational funding 11 Loss of biodiversity due to inappropriate fires, invasive alien species, illegal activities and inappropriate land-use practices 12 Change in local government political structures 13 Illegal entry points not controlled i.e. off-road vehicles 14 Inappropriate development – edge effect impacts could reduce the viability of the Reserve through fragmentation of the habitat 15 Future expansion of Eskom facilities 16 Proposed Aquaculture development at Silwerstroom 17 Informal settlement spreading from the urban edge of Atlantis

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18 Contamination of the Aquifer and surface biodiversity by the Caltex pipeline running underground through a section of the Reserve

5.3 Protected Area policy framework and guiding management principles

5.3.1. Community Participation The WANR will strive to nurture productive and mutually beneficial partnerships that result in economic and/or biodiversity equity. This will be achieved through the creation of job opportunities in support of Expanded Public Works and Poverty Relief Programmes and Ward allocation funding. A contribution towards the development of local skills can be achieved through the participation in Skills Development and Learnership Programmes in working partnerships with CBOs and NGOs. Through the support of community based Social Development initiatives the Reserve can also enhance socio-economic benefits to local communities.

Through the development of an Education Plan the WANR will contribute towards raising environmental awareness and encourage participation in conservation initiatives. The main aims of the Reserve Education Plan will be:

To inspire visitors and communities towards considering the environment as an interrelated and interdependent system of which they are an integral part. The education of learners, educators and community focus groups to take environmental action will be assisted by supporting such groups with resource and information materials. The development and implementation of environmental education programmes suited to the needs of various focus groups The development and implementation of an interpretation plan which complements the Education plan.

In order to develop and maintain good, Reserve/community/stakeholder relations all relevant stakeholders need to be identified. The development of an effective communication system in order to address interested and affected parties is required. Where necessary the establishment of task teams and working groups may be established in order to assist the Reserve with key issues.

5.3.2. Security and safety A safety and security audit aimed at completing a rapid and verifiable analysis of the current security situation, security services, infrastructure, staffing and social context has been carried out on the WANR.

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The results of this audit for the Reserve confirmed the threat level for the Reserve as medium, the main threats being illegal access and trespassing and that the primary cause is a lack of adequate fencing and in particular, the eastern boundary of the Reserve. Woodcutter activity in the Reserve should be closely monitored while they are in the area harvesting and after they leave the premises.

Further, woodcutters should be restricted to a certain area on certain days only, in order to manage the risk of setting snares or illegal flower harvesting. The number of woodcutters or groups should be limited and operations can only take place during working hours, which should be clearly specified on a permit. The validity and identity numbers should also be included on the permit.

Illegal access must be addressed through specific actions particularly on weekends and public holidays. It is recommended that the Reserve have a multi-enforcement agency stakeout to combat the illegal access challenge.

Not mentioned in the security audit report is the issue relating to the activities and access to the dune area, including off road vehicles (quad bikes, motor cycles etc.) other activities include sand boarding and commercial filming. Currently there are two legal tariff access gates to the dune area. However, due to a lack of fencing there are several places where access can be gained illegally. The fencing, access and management of the recreational activities in this area must be adequately controlled in accordance with the zoning of the dunes system.

5.3.3. Cultural historical, archaeological, paleontological management In 2009, bones were discovered in the dune fields of the Reserve and according to Dr Deano Stynder, a lecturer at the University of Cape Town they are from small game including Raphicerus melanotis (Cape Grysbok) and tortoise as well as domestic farm animals such as sheep. The bones have not been formally identified and published as yet. They have also not been dated but from associated artefacts it appears that they are from the last 2000 years. Further Dr Stynder states that they are definitely from the colonial time period since a clay pipe was also found with the bones.

5.3.4. Tourism development and management Tourism potential for the Reserve as part of the Greater Atlantis/Mamre tourism route concept exists. A marked established hiking trail as part of the above concept has been discussed and

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there are already trained tour guides in Mamre. The tourism route project developers have proposed that the Reserve be part of the route.

5.3.5. Infrastructure management Minimum infrastructure exists within the WANR (refer to Figure 4). Existing infrastructure such as the office complex is maintained by the City‟s Water and Sanitation Department. In order for the Reserve to reach its full operational potential, these facilities will have to be extended to accommodate three administrative offices. The road infrastructure network also needs to be prioritised in order to avoid vehicles driving anywhere and thus causing continuous damage to the already sensitive vegetation types in the Reserve. Fencing where appropriate, should also be prioritised in order to ease the management and control of illegal access to the Reserve. Future infrastructure should be included onto a five year maintenance plan. Infrastructure with no use should be demolished and the sites rehabilitated.

5.3.6. Biodiversity Conservation Management

5.3.6.1. Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM)

Harvesting of certain natural resources within the WANR is currently allowed. Research on the amount of harvesting and the species harvested across the city is currently underway. Some investigations as to the types and the extent of harvesting in the Reserve has been started but to date, there has been no detailed or conclusive data, which determines where current harvesting is sustainable and/or what potential threats are foreseen should these activities persist. A species harvesting plan where necessary should be developed in order to ensure the sustainability of such species and the community livelihoods.

5.3.6.2. Fire Management

Fire plays an essential ecological role in the life-cycle of fynbos species. Fire management involves varying the season, frequency and intensity of fires, and reconciling ecological and practical requirements. Too frequent fires, or fires which burn out of phase of the natural burning regime, present a threat to slower-growing species, which can be eliminated. If fire is excluded from the area, the possibility of encroachment by other indigenous species exists resulting in loss of diversity of species. Conversely, if vegetation is allowed to burn too frequently, the area could become degraded and alien species, especially grasses, could start to invade. Grasses maintain a shorter fire cycle and permanently change the vegetation structure and biodiversity value.

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The Fire management programme for the WANR involves the monitoring of large wildfires as well as smaller fires natural or unnatural. Historic records of fire events in the Reserve area as well as post fire monitoring records assist in the documentation of veld ages which influence fire management. Natural fires are limited in spread within the constraints of ecological, project and public safety requirements. All possible actions are taken to prevent the spread of fire onto the adjacent properties. All unnatural fires which threaten the Reserve ecologically or pose a threat to infrastructure and or public safety are controlled.

Prescribed burning of vegetation is a management option in areas where vegetation becomes senescent and there is a risk of species loss. The use of prescribed burning practices would assist in maintaining a vegetation mosaic which promotes plant and animal diversity. Accurate fire records and post monitoring data will facilitate the necessity to initiate pre-scribed burns in the core area of the Reserve. The decision to administer prescribed burns is considered on an annual basis and if required planned and implemented accordingly.

Fire may be used to keep fuel loads low so as to reduce the risk of uncontrolled fires, particularly on the urban edge and in areas which become a potential risk to infrastructure and public safety.

Firebreaks and other fire control measures required by law will be implemented where necessary and feasible.

The nature of the area‟s terrain, property boundaries and extensive areas of natural veld increase the chances of fire spreading both into- and out of the Reserve. Reasonable pre- fire protection measures are necessary, as well as a plan of action in the event of wildfire. The interaction by various City of Cape Town department, independent stakeholders and continuous public and private landowner involvement is essential. The development of Fire Management Plan (covering the issues of Fire Protection and Reaction plans) is an important component of the Reserve‟s fire management.

Implementation with regards to fire management in the Reserve involves:

Application of guidelines on season, burning intervals and species requirements acquired from relevant documentation and Biophysical Specialists.

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Accurate record keeping of all fires, including details and maps. Use of fire data and Geographic Information System (GIS) for recording and mapping. Application of post-fire monitoring programmes. Application of fire data to determine prescribed burning needs Development and Implementation of a Fire Protection and Reaction plan which includes affected stakeholders, which includes additional City of Cape Town department and private landowners neighbouring the nature reserve.

5.3.6.3. Catchment management

This is managed by the Atlantis Water Scheme (refer to the Environmental Management System 1996) document for detailed information on the management of the water extraction and supply.

5.3.6.4. Soil erosion and control

Within the WANR, a soil erosion assessment is required. If there is human-induced erosion taking place within natural areas, appropriate management action must take place.

Potential human impacts should be avoided through correct planning and maintenance of infrastructure. Areas previously degraded by human activities and that are no longer in use will be restored as close as possible to their natural state. Disturbed areas and areas affected by unnatural accelerated erosion will be controlled using appropriate methods. The source of problem erosion sites and the management thereof will also be considered.

Implementation with regards to soil management in the Reserve includes:

Identification and recording of all soil erosion sited including the assessment and development of restoration plans where required. Use of soil erosion data and GIS for recording and mapping. Application of fixed-point monitoring programmes at identified soil erosion sites. Accurate documentation of management actions applied to restoration sites including results from areas responding to these actions

5.4.6.5. Alien species management

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The management of invasive and alien species is a priority within the Reserve. The control and where possible elimination of alien biota in order to facilitate the re- establishment of natural biodiversity and processes in invaded areas is necessary.

Invasive and alien species management within the Reserve is applied in accordance with the City‟s Invasive Alien Species Strategy and in co-ordination with various government funded initiatives, including Work for Water (WfW1) and Work for Wetlands (WfW2). The potential does exist for invasive alien plant species to spread rapidly should management fail to continue implementing a properly planned and co-ordinated programme.

Until recently, the emphasis of invasive species management was placed on woody alien plant species, such as Port Jackson-Willow (Acacia saligna) and Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops). Herbaceous weeds were largely ignored. Recently recorded herbaceous weed and grass species for the Reserve has shown that some herbaceous species are already a risk to biodiversity in the area, while others have the potential to become a risk.

Within the Reserve a number of alien herbaceous weeds species have been identified within the area. The occurrence of such species is generally as a result of planting and or unintentional seed dispersal from the surrounding areas when maintenance is undertaken. Horticultural strains of indigenous species also present a risk to naturally occurring specimens. Some species are known to hybridize with endemic species in the area and pose a potential threat to the genetic diversity of such populations.

In order to achieve these objectives the following is required: Prioritization of areas for alien removal focussing on biodiversity restoration The implementation of removal programmes for priority species and areas. The development and implementation of an Invasive and alien plan management plan as well as a management plan for alien biota.

The eradication of invasive alien faunal species is also carried out in the Reserve. Formal plans outlining the monitoring of removal of identified species is required.

5.3.6.6. Species introductions

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The potential to reintroduce species, historically indigenous to the Reserve and for which suitable habitat and eco-niches are available, does exist. Several fauna species, which previously occurred in the Reserve, are no longer present or their numbers are low.

Prior to the re-introduction of any species a full proposal is required and it must be subm it t ed t o t he fauna m anagem ent com m it t ee for considerat ion and endorsement before implementation. The committee will therefore ensure that investigations into the availability of suitable habitat for the species with reference to public utilization of areas are required. A full investigation into the historical occurrence and status of the species is required. The affect of re-introducing species to the area must also be researched. Reintroduction of potential dangerous species as well as species which have the potential to become a problem may also include a public participation process. An investigation of suit able sources is also necessary.

All proposed re-introductions need to be approved before implementation. Recom m endat ions and approvals are required from t he Fauna Managem ent Committee as well as from Provincial authorities. The implementation of any re- introduction programmes must be specified in plan of action and documented accurat ely.

5.3.6.7. Strategic research

Research subjects beneficial to the management of the Reserve require identification. These subjects can then be prioritized and requirements for implementation sought.

Research does currently take place on the Reserve and is supported by management, however, many of the projects are conducted by outside student researchers and organisations and are not initiated by the Reserve‟s needs. Only recently, have the research topics been formulated by the Branch in line with the Fynbos Forum (FF) research priorities and these will be used by both internal researchers as well as outside through reputable institutions.

An effort needs to be made to obtain copies of data and results from projects conducted within the Reserve‟s boundaries.

5.4 Sensitivity Analysis of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

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The Reserve is a significant asset to the City and it makes significant contributions to the national vegetation targets of threatened vegetation types as listed in the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (Driver et al. 2005) as well as providing a service and facilities to local residents and schools.

The development of the Sensitivity and Zonation plan is one of the steps required in compiling a Conservation Development Framework (CDF) for the Reserve. A CDF is a tool to reconcile the various land-use needs and to delineate visitor user zones and the positioning and nature of new infrastructure, access points, roads and facilities.

The CDF process has grown in response to the requirements of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, Act 10 of 2004, hereby referred to as the NEM:BA (2004) and is a strategy to comply with the spatial planning requirements of these Acts. The CDF will ensure that best practice and sustainable development principles are integrated into spatial planning within protected areas.

The Sensitivity-Value analysis is the landscape analysis portion of the broader Conservation Development Framework. It is a multi-criteria decision-support tool for spatial planning that is designed to integrate the best available information into a format that allows for defensible and transparent decisions to be made. The Sensitivity-Value process is based on the principle that the acceptability of a development (or placement of a structure) at a site is based on the site‟s value (either from biodiversity, heritage, aesthetic or a combination of values) and its sensitivity or vulnerability to a variety of types of disturbance (Holness et al. 2005).

1 The Sensitivity-Value analysis, the CDF and the associated zonation plan should form part of an adaptive management system. They will grow and change over time as the understanding of the landscapes and ecosystems improve; and 2 It does not replace the need for detailed site and precinct planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance at site level.

The size of the Reserve may require an extensive analysis, with the subsequent zonation process being fairly straight forward. The methodology used for both the Sensitivity-Value analysis and the zonation process was adapted from Holness (2008) and SRK Consulting (2008).

All geographical information work was carried out in ESRI‟s ArcMap version 9.3.1 GIS using the ArcInfo license level with Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions. Figure 6, depicts the balanced summary of the Sensitivity Analysis for WANR.

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Figure 6: Sensitivity Analysis: Balanced Summary (Purves 2010)

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5.4.1 Zonation of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

5.4.1.1 Zoning Informants This section briefly outlines the values underlying the identification of broad tourism use zones. It is important to remember that the landscape/biodiversity analysis is just one of the informants in the zonation process. Although the biodiversity analysis is intrinsically a relatively objective scientific process, other informants to the zoning process are not.

Although every attempt is made to place high sensitivity-value sites into more protected zones where possible, the zoning process is in its essence a compromise between environment and development. In particular, often the identified high value sites are the key biodiversity assets that need to be made available in an appropriate manner to the ecotourism market. Direct links between the biodiversity layers and the spatial management of the Reserve are made during the identification of special management areas (Where applicable). Even within broad high tourist use zones, there are likely to be areas subject to very tight conservation controls (potentially including complete exclusion of human impacts from an area).

Underlying decision making rules used in the zonation process:

1 The zonation process is aimed a striking a balance between environmental protection and the development required to meet the broader economic and social objectives of the Reserve. 2 The zoning process takes into account existing development footprints and tourism access routes. 3 This is based on the underlying principle that all else being equal, an existing transformed site is preferable to a greenfields site from a biodiversity perspective. 4 Infrastructure costs are dramatically increased when developments take place away from existing infrastructure. 5 Existing tourism nodes and access routes are a reality of the economic landscape, and it is would not be possible to shut down existing tourism sites compromising the development objectives of the Reserve. 6 Where existing development nodes, tourist sites and access routes occur in areas with high sensitivity-value, then the broad use zoning aims to keep the development footprint as small as is realistically possible, preferably within the existing transformed site.

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7 Where possible, sites with high biodiversity sensitivity-value are put into stronger protection zones. 8 Peripheral development is favoured and where possible should be located outside of the conservation area. 9 Two key points need to be emphasized: 10 The designation of a broad use zone does not imply that all sites within that zone would be suitable for all the development types anticipated within that use zone. Detailed site level planning is still required, and many sites may prove to be unsuitable at a site/precinct/EIA level of planning. 11 Special Management Areas/Overlays need to be formalised and the links made to the management plans.

(Adapted from Holness, 2008)

5.4.1.2 Zoning Definitions and Descriptions The zonation definitions and descriptions were work shopped with Regional and Area managers. Four categories were decided on, namely; Primary Conservation zone, Conservation zone, Low Intensity leisure zone and High Intensity leisure zone. Refer to Figure 7 for the Witzands Aquifer Zonation map. Table 5 outlines the proposed zonation and zone descriptions. The link is still made to the Zonation used for the CapeNature Reserves (Holness 2008) as there should be general alignment of the broader use zones for ease of comparison and integration if required in Provincial documents.

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Figure 7: Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Zonation Map

Table 5 : City of Cape Town Nature Reserves and Conservation Areas: Visitor Use Zoning - Desired State* & Experiential Qualities Primary user Interaction Sophistication Conservation Secondary Experiential Frequency movement Roads & Equivalent Experience Zone Desired State* Activities between Group size and type of objectives objective Qualities of use within the footpaths Provincial zone users facilities zone Natural or near- Natural areas Managed to Relative sense Controlled None or None -Very Small No new Pedestrian Absolutely natural areas (or should be kept provide visitor of isolation access** very low low facilities. access in essential areas that can intact in order experiences in Research and Existing accompanied management be rehabilitated to protect a way that monitoring. structures small groups tracks and to this state) habitat does not Accompanied should be footpaths in that are required to impact on the small groups. phased out Motorised for accordance managed meet biodiversity The size and where essential with the foot primarily for biodiversity objective. frequency of appropriate. management path and road biodiversity targets for groups to be only. management conservation. various Where specified for Heritage assets plan The experience vegetation appropriate each reserve. are managed Ongoing is one of relative types and to heritage values where restoration of solitude and provide are managed appropriate old wildness. The undisturbed as required paths/roads nature of the habitat for a to be experience is range of prioritized dependant on species. and the quality of Where monitored. the natural possible Close To environment. degraded Nature The main areas should accent of be Primary management is rehabilitated. Activities Quiet tend to be conservation biodiversity at conservation landscape and "Pack it in level Pack it out" principles are applied to all activities including management. There may be some signs of infrastructure mainly of a heritage nature. In the longer term, unused utility infrastructure (e.g. reservoirs) should be phased out and the site rehabilitated.

Natural or near- Natural areas Managed to Relaxation Self guided Moderate Moderate Small Low impact, Pedestrian Management natural areas (or should be kept provide visitor hiking, non- eco-friendly Non tracks/roads areas that can intact in order experiences in motorised facilities that motorised and be rehabilitated to protect a way that access ***, bird facilitate footpaths. to this state) habitat does not watching, etc. ecologically Motorised Minimal that are required to impact on the In reserves sustainable access for footpath managed for meet biodiversity where access activities and management construction biodiversity biodiversity objective. to water visitor only. to prevent conservation. targets for bodies is experiences ecological This zone various allowed, this may be damage. provides vegetation area is limited permitted under Boardwalks experiences of a types and to to non- certain may be relative sense of provide motorized circumstances. permitted relaxation in an undisturbed vessels only These are where environment habitat for a in accordance strictly for appropriate to that is openly range of with the Vlei achieving the protect exposed to the species. By-Laws. social and sensitive sights and Where development areas. The Conservation sounds of the possible objectives of the footpath city. Although it degraded reserve where system is a place of areas should appropriate and should be quietness and be are subject to a designed so naturalness, rehabilitated. stringent as to control there will be internal access into more interaction approval the Primary between users process and Conservation than in the must be inline zone. Primary with an Off road Conservation approved wheelchair Zone. The reserve access may quality of the management be provided experience is plan. where less dependant appropriate. on the quality of the natural environment. Natural, near- Although some Recreation and Socialisation Walking, non- Frequent Moderate - Small- Low-Medium Pedestrian Appropriate natural or areas will be education motorised high moderate impact, eco- Non foot paths managed impacted by a Managed to access, bird friendly facilities motorised with landscapes range of provide a watching. In that facilitate directional which are activities and largely natural reserves ecologically Motorised signage primarily limited outdoor area to where access sustainable access for Boardwalks managed to infrastructure, support the to water activities and management should promote most areas recreational bodies is visitor only facilitate Outdoor recreational and should be kept and education allowed, experiences. access and Natural educational largely intact objectives of motorized E.g. Benches, protect Experience objectives. The and ecological the reserve. vessels are bird hides, sensitive Low main accent is processes only allowed informative areas. Intensity Low intensity leisure Activities on recreational should remain under strict signage, Normal leisure tend to be activities which functioning. control (e.g. lookouts. wheelchair at precinct are more reliant Where no access where level on the quality of possible waterskiing, Parking for appropriate the facilities degraded low speed access to this provided than in areas should limits and and other Parking with a Conservation be wake-free zones. no facilities Zone. By their rehabilitated. zones) in for access to nature these accordance this and other zones are with the Vlei zones placed in more By-Laws. transformed 55

landscapes. Interaction and socialisation are an integral part of the experience. High use The activities Facilities are Entertainment Events, self Very Very high Small - Picnic areas, Motorised Access roads landscapes, and managed to guided walks, frequent Large parking areas, Access and which are often infrastructure facilitate and wheelchair restaurants, People associated largely in these areas promote accessible information movers & parking. transformed, should be appropriate trails, parking, centers, Pedestrian Footpaths which are managed to visitor activities picnicking. In ablutions, access constructed managed minimize and reserves environmental to a higher largely to impacts on educational where access education standard for support visitor biodiversity use of the to water facilities, the comfort of activities more and visitor reserve. bodies is nurseries etc. the user. dependent on experience in Administration; allowed, this Provides Design facilities, other zones. provides area is parking from standards to education and Where appropriate appropriate which be set in the administrative feasible, non- management for high pedestrian footpath and functions of crucial infrastructure to intensity uses access is road reserves. High infrastructure facilitate other such as gained to other management intensity visitor should over objectives of power boating zones. plan facilities with time be the reserve. and Wheelchair modern removed from waterskiing in access commercialised the reserve accordance encouraged amenities with and the sites with the Vlei in this zone. very rehabilitated. By-Laws. concentrated, activities. The quality of the visitor High experience is High Intensity Leisure Intensity Use heavily dependant of the quality of the facilities which enable the visitor to experience the environment with a minimum of effort. Due to the high impacts these are concentrated at specific nodes. These nodes are generally situated at existing facilities including historic buildings and precincts. The main focus of management is to ensure a high quality visitor experience 56

whilst ensuring that the activities have a minimal impact on the surrounding environment and that heritage resources are respected and celebrated. Area used for The activities Administration Utility Determined at Determined Determined Determined Determined at Determined at Access roads utility functions and Conservation site at site at site at site site site level and such as bulk infrastructure where associated water provision, in these areas appropriate parking as landfill sites should be required by within the managed to the Utility protected minimize Function /conservation impacts on areas etc. biodiversity and visitor Site experience in Specific Utility zone other zones. Level Where feasible, non- crucial infrastructure should over time be removed from the reserve and the sites rehabilitated. * Note. The "Desired State" is the long term objective of the zone and these desired conditions may not actually exist at the time of zoning. Achieving the" Desired State" will be informed by many factors and may only be reached after many years. ** Accompanied access refers to controlled access. The level and type of control is determined at reserve level. *** Non-motorised access refers to mountain bikes, horses, paragliding etc. These activities are reserve specific and reference must be made to the reserve management plan for a list of acceptable activities per reserve.

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6. Development plan The future expansion development plan will inform the following envisaged plans: Office complex extension plan Visitor Facilities plan Roads and access plan Witzands Aquifer and Brakkefontein extension plan

7. Costing Plan (Business Plan)

Table 6: Costing plan for WANR 2013- 2014- 2015- Item Funding Source 2011-2012 2012-2013 2014 2015 2016

R956 R1,07 R1,1 R1,2 Invasive Alien Plant Grant 975.66 R1,01 4394 5257 39773 08159 Fire Management Operating R70 000 R77 000 R84 700 R93 170 R102 487 R2,0 R2,2 R2,4 Road and Trail Maintenance Operating R1,7 00000 R1,8 70000 57000 62700 88970 R1,28 R1,38 R1,49 Human Resources Operating R1,10 0000 R1,18 8000 3040 5683 6537 R2,77 R2,99 R3,2 Infrastructure Development Capex / Grant R1,2 00000 R1,32 0000 2000 3760 93136 R4,5 R5,0 R5,5 Fencing Operating / Capex R3,5 15000 R3,8 66500 60000 16000 17600 General Expenses Operating R15 000 R15 750 R17 325 R18 191 R19 100 Special Projects Grant / Capex

HR is escallated at 8% Operating expenditure 5% Invasive Alien as per MUCP (6%)

PART 3 – MONITORING AND AUDITING

8. Monitoring & Auditing

8.1 Annual audit procedure

8.1.1 METT - Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool The METT-SA is a rapid, site-level assessment tool adapted from the World Bank & WWF‟s system (second edition 2007). The system is based on the idea that good protected area management follows a process that has six distinct stages or elements:

It begins with understanding the context (where are we now?) of existing values and threats, progress through planning (where do we want to be?), and allocation of resources (inputs) (what do we need?) and and as a result of management actions (processes) (how do we go about it?), eventually produces products and services (outputs) (what were the results?), that result in impacts or outcomes (what did we achieve?).

This version has been compiled so that it can be applied to the full range of protected areas managed by all C.A.P.E. Partners. It is also applicable to protected areas in other regions and with minor adaptations could be applied outside of South Africa. It may also be applied to MPA‟s and islands, but in the long run it may be necessary to amend the system to be more specific to these areas. It may be necessary to develop a system for “off reserve” conservation areas such as conservancies or stewardships.

When applying METT-SA it is important that the following be kept in mind:

The METT-SA is intended to report on progress of the Reserve. Thus the score is the baseline against which future assessments are made to see if there has been an improvement. It is site specific and must thus not be used to compare scores between different protected areas. It is a useful tool to give indications of trends in management. In this version the six groups of elements of the management process as defined in the original version are scored as subsets of the total. This gives an indication of where improvement in management needs to focus. It is not intended to replace more detailed assessments as part of adaptive management systems. The METT has limitations in the quantitative measurement of Outcomes and these should be measured by more objective and quantitative systems.

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This version adjusts the total score where questions are not relevant. Often low scores in some questions can be a reflection on the organization and are out of the control of the protected area manager. Thus under no circumstances should the performance of managers be measured against the results of the METT-SA.

Frequency of application: Tracking the trends of management effectiveness is a long term process and instant improvements are unlikely to be obtained. Generally the METT is applied at 3 year intervals, but an annual application is acceptable if it is understood that changes may only be slight.

WANR has not undergone a METT-SA audit as yet.

8.1.2 PAR – Protected Area Review The PA Review is an internal review conducted annually to assist managers in reviewing their sites and to allow for adaptive management actions to take place where required (and within the managers control).

See Appendix 7 for the last 3 years PA Review‟s Final Scoresheet

8.2 Management Plan review

On a Five yearly basis, this Management Plan should be reviewed and adjusted where necessary. To achieve this, the following questions (and others as needed) should be addressed:

1 Did this Management Plan make a meaningful contribution to management of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve? 2 Were individual management “prescriptions” realistic and achievable? Were they written unambiguously or was there room for misunderstanding? 3 Were budgets for each management activity realistic? Were the allocated budgets too much or too little? 4 Were sufficient staff members of the right qualifications allocated to each management activity?

There will be some overlap between the review and the audit and they should therefore be done on the same day, by the same team.

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8.3 Biodiversity Monitoring

Table 7: Operational plan for Biodiversity Monitoring

Action Responsible Means of Frequency Party Verification Vegetation Monitoring Reserve staff Weekly Weekly IAPS Vegetation Area Manager, Inspections Once off – completion of Actions to be Student and Intern Final Inspections contract monitored include; Field Verification Annually - to determine the effectiveness Sheets Management Unit Clearing of the operation, Plan the effectiveness of the follow–up, methods used, compliance with the alien clearing schedule and environmental damage such as herbicide spillage Fire mapping Reserve staff Veld age map, fire Post fire The accurate Area Manager, map mapping and Student and Intern recording of all veld fires must be done to build up a useful record that will assist with veld interpretation. These records will take the guesswork out of the effects of fire when it occurs on the property. A simple map indicating the extent of the burn with the date of the fire is the minimum requirement. Post Fire Reserve staff Stratified Post fire Recruitment Area Manager, Sampling plots 6 months Students and 12 months Interns Annually for 3 years Abundance, Reserve staff Fixed point Annually Density & Structure Area Manager, photography Every 3 years-permanent Students and Presence, vegetation plots Interns abundance, 2010-2011 density Fine scale Reserve staff, Surveying of land Once off - 2011 vegetation Area Manager, use of area and community Biophysical neighbouring mapping Specialist, Intern properties, in field and Student density assessments of plant communities

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Atlantis Sand Intern and Student Species Once off - 2011 Fynbos identification, abundance Aquatic weeds Intern and Student Water bodies, Once every 3 years- March- survey species April 2010 identification Faunal Monitoring

Small antelope Reserve staff Game Drive Count February 2011 sample survey Area Manager, Students and Interns, Community Conservation Officer, 150 individuals Small mammal Student and Intern Trap cages, 2009-2010 Sherman traps Black Harrier Area Manager, Visit to Once per annum-Sept to Student, Intern nesting/activity November site Bird Diversity Reserve staff Field Observations Monthly Area Manager, Students, Interns Co-ordinated Reserve staff, Bird count at water Quarterly Water Bird Count Student, Intern body (Pond 7) (CWAC) Reptile survey Student, Intern, Traps used to 2011 Reserve staff, capture, identify Area Manager and release Amphibian Survey Student, Intern, Audio and visual 2011 Reserve staff, observation Area Manager Geological Mobile dune fields Vehicular and foot Before and after winter features visual observations Water Monitoring Water quality Student, Intern, Field collection Bi-monthly Reserve staff equipment- samples

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PART 4 - APPENDICES

9. Appendices

A. Maps - a. Appendix 6 : Area of Jurisdiction Map: Greater Atlantis

B. Legal agreements: none

C. Species checklists: Appendix 1-5

D. Other documents as required : a. Appendix 7: PA Review Scoresheet for WANR

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APPENDIX 1: PLANT SPECIES LIST

Species Name Common Name Alien Acacia cyclops Rooikrans Yes Acacia saligna Port Jackson Yes Agathosma capensis No Agathosma serpyllacea No Albuca cooperi No Albuca maxima No Androcymbium capense No Anthospermum aethiopicum No Anthospermum prostratum No Anthospermum spathulatum~ No Arctotheca calendula No Arctotis stoechadifolia No Aspalathus hispida~ No Aspalathus ternata No Asparagus aethiopicus No Asparagus capensis No Avena barbata Yes Babiana nana~ No Babiana tubiflora No Brunsvigia orientalis Candelabera Flower No Carpobrotus acinaciformis No Carpobrotus edulis No Chironia baccifera No Chrysanthemoides incana No Chrysanthemoides monilifera Bitoubos No Cineraria geifolia No Cissampelos capensis No Cliffortia strobilifera No Clutia alaternoides~ No Coleonema album No Conicosia pugioniformis~ No Conyza scabrida No Corycium crispum No Cotula turbinata No Cotyledon orbiculata~ No Crassula tetragona tetragona No Crassula vaillantii No Cullumia squarrosa No Cynanchum africanum No Cynodon dactylon couch grass; kweekgras; kweek No Cyphia digitata~ No Cysticapnos vesicaria No Dasispermum suffruticosum No Dimorphotheca pluvialis No Dimorphotheca sinuata No Dischisma arenarium No Dorotheanthus bellidiformis bellidiformis No Ehrharta calycina No

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Ehrharta villosa var. villosa No Eucalyptus sp.1 Yes Euclea racemosa No Euphorbia mauritanica~ No Exomis microphylla~ No Ferraria crispa No Ferraria crispa~ No Ficinia dunensis No Galium tomentosum No Gazania pectinata No Geranium incanum~ No Gethyllis ciliaris~ No Gladiolus carinatus Blou Afrikaner No Gladiolus sp.1 No Gladiolus sp.2 No Grielum grandiflorum No Gymnodiscus capillaris No Haemanthus coccineus No Haemanthus pubescens~ No Helichrysum cochleariforme No Helichrysum revolutum No Heliophila africana No Heliophila sp.1 No Hellmuthia membranacea No Hemimeris sabulosa No Hermannia pinnata No Holothrix villosa~ No Hyobanche sanguinea No Indigofera psoraloides No Ischyrolepis eleocharis No Jordaaniella dubia No Kedrostis nana~ No Lachenalia rubida No Lampranthus explanatus No Lapeirousia anceps No Leonotis leonurus No Lessertia argentea No Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron canaliculatum No Leucospermum tomentosum No Lycium afrum No Malva parviflora~ No Massonia sp.1 No Melasphaerula ramosa No Metalasia muricata No Microloma sagittatum No Monoculus monstrosus No Moraea miniata No Morella cordifolia No Morella quercifolia No Nemesia affinis No Skilpadbessie Bos, Tortoise Berry Nylandtia spinosa Bush No

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Olea exasperata No Ornithoglossum viride No Orphium frutescens No Osyris compressa No Otholobium fruticans No Othonna filicaulis No Oxalis hirta~ No Oxalis luteola No Oxalis obtusa No Oxalis pes-caprae~ No Oxalis versicolor~ No Passerina corymbosa No Passerina paleacea No Pelargonium betulinum No Pelargonium capitatum No Pelargonium gibbosum No Pelargonium myrrhifolium var. myrrhifolium No Pelargonium senecioides No Pelargonium triste No Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu grass Yes Pentaschistis pallida No Pharnaceum lanatum No Phylica cephalantha No Phylica ericoides~ No Putterlickia pyracantha No Rhus glauca Blou Taaibos No Rhus lucida~ No Ruschia macowanii No Salvia africana-lutea No Thamnochortus erectus No Thamnochortus punctatus No Thamnochortus spicigerus No Trachyandra ciliata No Typha capensis Bulrush, Papkuil No Viscum capense No Zantedeschia aethiopica No

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APPENDIX 2: MAMMAL SPECIES LIST

Species Name Common Name Red Book Status Alien Bathyergus suillus Cape Dune Molerat Least Concern (LC) No Felis caracal Caracal Least Concern (LC) No Galerella pulverulenta Small Grey Mongoose Least Concern (LC) No Genetta genetta Smallspotted Genet Least Concern (LC) No Gerbillurus paeba Hairyfooted Gerbil Least Concern (LC) No Hystrix africaeaustralis Porcupine Least Concern (LC) No Myosorex varius Forest Shrew Data Deficient (DDD) No Otocyon megalotis Bateared Fox Least Concern (LC) No Otomys irroratus Vlei Rat Least Concern (LC) No Raphicerus campestris Steenbok Least Concern (LC) No Raphicerus melanotis Cape Grysbok Least Concern (LC) No Striped Mouse, Striped Field Rhabdomys pumilio Mouse Least Concern (LC) No Steatomys krebsii Kreb's Fat Mouse Least Concern (LC) No Suncus varilla Lesser Dwarf Shrew Data Deficient (DDD) No Sylvicapra grimmia Common Duiker Least Concern (LC) No Tatera afra Cape Gerbil Least Concern (LC) No Vulpes chama Cape Fox Least Concern (LC) No

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APPENDIX 3: BIRD SPECIES LIST

Species Name Common Name Red Book Status Alien Acrocephalus gracilirostris Lesser Swamp-Warbler No Alcedo cristata Malachite Kingfisher No Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose, Kolgans No Anas capensis Cape Teal No Anas erythrorhyncha Red-billed Teal No Anas smithii Cape Shoveler No Anas sparsa African Black Duck No Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck No Anhinga rufa African Darter No Anthoscopus minutus Cape Penduline-Tit No Anthus cinnamomeus African Pipit No Apalis thoracica Bar-throated Apalis No Apus affinis Little Swift No Apus apus Common Swift No Apus barbatus African Black Swift No Apus caffer White-rumped Swift No Ardea cinerea Grey Heron No Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron No Ardea purpurea Purple Heron No Batis capensis Cape Batis No Bostrychia hagedash Hadeda Ibis No Bradypterus baboecala Little Rush-Warbler No Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle-Owl No Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret No Burhinus capensis Spotted Thick-knee, Spotted Dikkop No Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thick-knee, Water Dikkop No Buteo rufofuscus Jackal Buzzard No Calandrella cinerea Red-capped Lark No Calidris alba Sanderling No Calidris bairdii Baird's Sandpiper No Calidris canutus Red Knot No Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper No Calidris minuta Little Stint No Caprimulgus pectoralis Fiery-necked Nightjar No Centropus burchellii Burchell's Coucal No Cercomela familiaris Familiar Chat No Cercomela sinuata Sickle-winged Chat No Charadrius hiaticula Common Ringed Plover No Charadrius marginatus White-fronted Plover No Charadrius pecuarius Kittlitz's Plover No Charadrius tricollaris Three-banded Plover No Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas's Cuckoo No Near Threatened Circus maurus Black Harrier (NT) No Circus ranivorus African Marsh-Harrier Vulnerable (VU) No Cisticola tinniens Levaillant's Cisticola No

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Colius colius White-backed Mousebird No Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird No Columba guinea Speckled Pigeon No Corvus albus Pied Crow No Corvus splendens Indian House Crow No Cossypha caffra Cape Robin-Chat No Creatophora cinerea Wattled Starling No Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker No Egretta alba Great Egret No Egretta garzetta Little Egret No Egretta intermedia Yellow-billed Egret No Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite No Emberiza capensis Cape Bunting No Emberiza impetuani Lark-like Bunting No Eremopterix verticalis Grey-backed Sparrowlark No Estrilda astrild Common Waxbill No Euplectes capensis Yellow Bishop No Euplectes orix Southern Red Bishop No Near Threatened Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon (NT) No Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel Vulnerable (VU) No Near Threatened Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon (NT) No Fulica cristata Red-knobbed Coot No Galerida magnirostris Large-billed Lark No Gallinago nigripennis African Snipe, Ethiopian Snipe No Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen No Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish-Eagle No Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt No Hirundo albigularis White-throated Swallow No Hirundo cucullata Greater Striped Swallow No Hirundo dimidiata Pearl-breasted Swallow No Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow No Laniarius ferrugineus Southern Boubou No Lanius collaris Common Fiscal, Fiscal Shrike No Larus cirrocephalus Grey-headed Gull No Larus dominicanus Kelp Gull No Larus hartlaubii Hartlaub's Gull No Macronyx capensis Cape Longclaw No Merops apiaster European Bee-eater No Mirafra apiata Cape Clapper Lark No Motacilla capensis Cape Wagtail No Muscicapa adusta African Dusky Flycatcher No Nectarinia famosa Malachite Sunbird No Netta erythrophthalma Southern Pochard No Numenius phaeopus Common Whimbrel No Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl Yes Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-Heron No Oena capensis Namaqua Dove No Oenanthe pileata Capped Wheatear No Ortygospiza atricollis African Quailfinch No Pandion haliaetus Osprey No Parisoma subcaeruleum Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler No

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Parus afer Grey Tit No Passer domesticus House Sparrow Yes Passer melanurus Cape Sparrow No Near Threatened Pelecanus onocrotalus Great White Pelican, Wit Pelikan (NT) No Phalacrocorax africanus Reed Cormorant No Phalacrocorax lucidus White-breasted Cormorant No Philomachus pugnax Ruff No Platalea alba African Spoonbill No Plectropterus gambensis Spur-winged Goose No Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis No Ploceus capensis Cape Weaver No Ploceus velatus Southern Masked-Weaver No Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover No Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe No Prinia maculosa Karoo Prinia No Promerops cafer Cape Sugarbird No Pycnonotus capensis Cape Bulbul No Riparia paludicola Brown-throated Martin No Serinus canicollis Cape Canary No Sigelus silens Fiscal Flycatcher No Sphenoeacus afer Cape Grassbird No Spreo bicolor Pied Starling No Sterna bergii Swift Tern No Near Threatened Sterna caspia Caspian Tern (NT) No Sterna hirundo Common Tern No Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern No Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern No Streptopelia capicola Cape Turtle-Dove No Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove No Streptopelia senegalensis Lag Duifie, Laughing Dove No Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling, European Starling Yes Sylvietta rufescens Long-billed Crombec No Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe No Tachymarptis melba Alpine Swift No Tadorna cana South African Shelduck No Telophorus zeylonus Bokmakierie No Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck No Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis No Tricholaema leucomelas Acacia Pied Barbet No Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank No Turdus olivaceus Olive Thrush No Tyto alba Barn Owl No Upupa africana African Hoopoe No Urocolius indicus Red-faced Mousebird No Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Lapwing, Blacksmith Plover No Vanellus coronatus Crowned Lapwing No Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah No Zosterops pallidus Orange River White-eye No Zosterops virens Cape White-eye No

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APPENDIX 4: REPTILE SPECIES LIST

Species Name Common Name Alien Acontias meleagris Cape Legless Skink No Afrogecko porphyreus Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko, Marbled Leaftoed Gecko No Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus Coral Snake No Bradypodion pumilum Cape Dwarf Chameleon No Chersina angulata Angulate Tortoise No Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia Herald Snake No Dasypeltis scabra Common Eggeater No Dispholidus typus Boomslang No Duberria lutrix Common Slug Eater No Striped Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko, Striped Dwarf Leaftoed Goggia lineata Gecko No Homoroselaps lacteus Spotted Harlequin Snake No Lamprophis aurora Aurora House Snake No Lamprophis capensis Brown House Snake No Lamprophis inornatus Olive House Snake No Leptotyphlops nigricans Black Thread Snake No Meroles knoxii Knox's Desert Lizard No Naja nivea Cape Cobra No Pachydactylus austeni Austen's Thick-toed Gecko, Austen's Thicktoed Gecko No Pachydactylus geitje Ocellated Thick-toed Gecko, Ocellated Thicktoed Gecko No Psammophis crucifer Cross-marked Grass Snake, Crossmarked Grass Snake No Psammophis leightoni Cape Sand Snake No Psammophis notostictus Karoo Sand Snake No Psammophylax rhombeatus Rhombic Skaapsteker No Pseudaspis cana Mole Snake No Scelotes bipes Silvery Dwarf Burrowing Skink No Tetradactylus tetradactylus Common Long-tailed Seps, Common Longtailed Seps No Typhlosaurus caecus Cuvier's Blind Legless Skink No

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APPENDIX 5: AMPHIBIAN SPECIES LIST

Species Name Common Name Alien Breviceps namaquensis Namaqua Rain Frog No Breviceps rosei Sand Rain Frog No Cacosternum platys Caco sp., Flat Caco No Strongylopus grayii grayii Clicking Stream Frog No Tomopterna delalandii Cape Sand Frog No Xenopus laevis Common Platanna No

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APPENDIX 6: MAP OF GREATER ATLANTIS AREA

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APPENDIX 7: PA REVIEW SCORESHEET: 2008-2010

6 SCORE SHEET: 2008 PREVIOUS SUMMARY CURRENT REVIEW REVIEW ASPECT SCORE % SCORE VALUE % 1: Planning 27 57 47% 2: Baseline (Research & Monitoring 41 90 46% 3: Operations 56.5 109 52% 4: Management 26.2 78 34% 5: Outputs 3.5 25 14% Conservation rating score (cover page) 19 30 63% Total score 0 173.2 389 45%

EXTERNAL EVALUATOR' S COMMENT

6 SCORE SHEET: 2009 PREVIOUS CURRENT REVIEW SUMMARY REVIEW (2009) (2008) ASPECT SCORE % SCORE VALUE % 1: Planning 15 38% 13 39 33% 2: Baseline (Research & Monitoring 41 42% 24 97 25% 3: Operations 49 40% 55 124 44% 4: Management 25 26% 26 98 27% 5: Outputs 4 11% 5 38 13% Conservation rating score (cover page) 18 60% 18 30 60% Total score 152 36% 141 426 33% 123 396 31% EXTERNAL EVALUATOR' S COMMENT Site manager of two years left prior to this review being conducted and therefore input may be skewed to what is known by current staff

6 SCORE SHEET: 2010 PREVIOUS CURRENT REVIEW SUMMARY REVIEW (2010) (2009) ASPECT SCORE % SCORE VALUE % 1: Planning 13 33% 16 39 41% 2: Baseline (Research & Monitoring 24 25% 33 90 37% 3: Operations 55 44% 49 109 45% 4: Management 26 27% 36 78 46% 5: Outputs 5 13% 11 25 44% Conservation rating score (cover page) 18 60% 18 30 60% Total score 141 33% 163 371 44% 145 341 43% EVALUATOR' S COMMENT EXTERNAL EVALUATOR' S COMMENT

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