Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve | Witzands Aquifer Natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Witzands Aquifer Quarterly Report - 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019 SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT BRANCH Jacques Küyler Biodiversity Area Coordinator: Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Tel: 021 400 6300 Email: [email protected] WITZANDS AQUIFER NATURE RESERVE QUARTERLY REPORT 1 JULY 2019 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES 3. CONSERVATION PLANNING 4. FLORA 5. FAUNA 6. SOIL 7. WATER 8. FIRE 9. PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION 10. STAFF MATTERS 11. LAW ENFORCEMENT 12. INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve | Witzands Aquifer Natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Witzands Aquifer Quarterly Report - 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 WITZANDS AQUIFER NATURE RESERVE The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve covering over 3000 hectares consists of two vegetation types including Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (endangered) and Atlantis Sand Fynbos (critically endangered). Generally, both these vegetation types are poorly conserved. Mr. Anton Bredell, Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, under section 23(1)(a)(i) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003), declared Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve in the Province of the Western Cape: Provincial Gazette 7859 on 12 January 2018. The Atlantis Aquifer spans the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve and Brakkefontein Biodiversity Agreement site. Water is extracted and converted into potable (drinking) water for the surrounding communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella. Atlantis, with a significant residential population and many industries, requires a steady freshwater supply. This is met by the area’s natural coastal aquifer, recharged urban storm water runoff and treated wastewater. Pond 7, Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve’s largest man-made water body, is a recharge pond managed by the City of Cape Town Atlantis Water Scheme. The scheme works closely with Biodiversity Management staff in the area to protect and enhance the unique biodiversity found here. To date, 350 ha have been cleared of alien vegetation. In collaboration with the Cape Town Water Fund, Pond 7 and Pond 6 have been prioritised for invasive plant clearing and rehabilitation to optimise water infiltration and improve water quality. The non-vegetated mobile dunes and rocky outcrops are two outstanding features of the nature reserve. The mobile dunes cover an area of approximately 440 hectares. Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is part of the southern core of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, which is unique in terms of its diverse landscape, fauna and flora. Vision of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve To conserve and manage the two central features of the site, namely being a water catchment resource and having unique surface biodiversity, ensuring a positive balance between utilisation and conservation, and providing long-term sustainable environmental experiences to the surrounding communities. Mission of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve To maintain and, where required, restore the natural environment and its associated ecological processes and services through the implementation of the management objectives of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, and to support the surrounding communities in fulfilling their environmental and socio-economic responsibilities 1.2 THE DASSENBERG COASTAL CATCHMENT PARTNERSHIP An important part of the Biodiversity Network (BioNet) is to create a viable ecological link between the Dassenberg Hills and the coast. The Dassenberg Coastal Catchment Partnership (DCCP) spans approximately 34 500 ha as a landscape-scale conservation initiative and multiple stakeholder partnership. The area is unique for its unmatched levels of threatened biodiversity, water security, climate change adaptation corridors, natural and cultural heritage, and associated socio-economic opportunities. Landownership within this area is a melting pot of State (national, provincial and local authority), private and communal. Mechanisms to protect and manage the land include a range of different Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements with the private and communal landowners, the conservation of State-owned land, land acquisition and development offsets as part of the Environmental Authorisation process. 2 Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve | Witzands Aquifer Natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Witzands Aquifer Quarterly Report - 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019 2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES 2.1 HIGHLIGHTS Two Visitor Control Officers (VCO) positions were advertised, shortlisted and appointed for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve where one of them was previously employed on the Expanded Public Works Programme. The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) commenced with follow-up invasive alien clearing at the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: Klein Dassenberg Conservation Area. The CWCBR has finally after three years of waiting for funding from Working for Water continued with their invasive alien clearing programme at the nature reserve. Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve hosted 40 learners from the Atlantis School of Skills for the annual Mandela Day event. Learners were exposed to the magnificent dunes of the nature reserve and taught about conservation. 2.2 CHALLENGES The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve remains without a permanent People and Conservation Officer (PCO) since 2009. This is a huge disadvantage to both the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve and communities, as the relationships, programmes and opportunities conducted with the schools/groups/events are affected through the lack of an assigned People and Conservation Officer for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve have been plagued by issues related to conservation compliance and law enforcement. Non-compliance by visitors are being addressed by demarcation of the nature reserve boundaries, appropriate signage and by conducting daily foot and vehicle patrols. Staff conducting daily conservation compliance and law enforcement foot and vehicle patrols . Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve | Witzands Aquifer Natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo Witzands Aquifer Quarterly Report - 1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019 3. CONSERVATION PLANNING 3.1 Mr. Anton Bredell, Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, under section 23(1)(a)(i) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003), declared Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve in the Province of the Western Cape: Provincial Gazette 7859 on 12 January 2018. 3.2 The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Protected Area Advisory Committee had its meeting on 2 August 2019. The meeting was attended by 18 representatives from 10 organisations. The objective of the Advisory Committees is to facilitate interaction, communication, engagement and the development of partnerships with stakeholders and surrounding communities to promote the objectives of the nature reserves and natural areas. Committees are mandated to give advice and input on strategies, management plans and reports, as well as monitor progress of implementation, promote involvement in decision-making and facilitate linkages and integration of nature reserves with surrounding communities. 3.3 The Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool South Africa version 3 (METT-SA 3) review of Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve was conducted during this quarter by the Biodiversity Area Co-ordinator and Coordinator: Monitoring and Evaluation. The METT-SA 3 is a rapid, site-level assessment tool adapted from the World Bank and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) system. The system is based on the idea that good protected area management follows a process comprising six distinct stages or elements. It begins with understanding the context of existing values and threats (where are we now?), then progress through planning (where do we want to be?), followed by allocation of resources (inputs) (what do we need?). As a result of management actions (processes) (how do we go about it?), it eventually produces products and services (outputs) (what were the results?), which result in impacts or outcomes (what did we achieve?). 4. FLORA 4.1 Invasive Flora Management Invasive alien vegetation monitoring, control and eradication were conducted by the following organisations: Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve: The clearing operations, funded through The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for the Greater Cape Town Water Care fund project (GCTWC) continued during this reporting period. The Greater Cape Town Water Fund contracted teams have completed initial clearing at WA008, WA010, WA013 and Pond 7. The contracted teams have continued with invasive alien clearing at WA001, WA002, WA006, WA018A and WA018B. The clearing is set to continue until the end of October 2019. Brakkefontein/Public Works: During the month of September 2018, an agreement was reached that the Invasive Species (IS) unit will clear BRAK08, BRAK012 and BRAK013 and afterwards all invasive clearing through the Biodiversity Management Branch will no longer take place at Brakkefontein. Klein Dassenberg Conservation Area: The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) has received funding from the Working for Water programme to continue with invasive alien clearing at Klein Dassenberg. Three