FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT MAY 2020 FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN 2020 – 2025 Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa Final Draft May 2020 www.fernkloof.org.za FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT MAY 2020 FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE VISION STATEMENT “The FNR is a showcase of the unique indigenous biodiversity of the Kleinriviersberg and the associated coastal lowlands for present and future generations.’’ Image: Leucospermum species ©Hermanus Botanical Society MISSION STATEMENT “’To sustainably manage and protect the natural assets and cultural heritage resources of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, in partnership with relevant community organisations in order to conserve and ensure the continued existence of its rich biodiversity, and its associated ecological processes and services”. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES To implement an effective management framework through legislative compliance, corporative governance and the implementation of measurable strategies, policies and procedures; To ensure the conservation of ecological processes, ecosystems and species within the FNR are improved and maintained; To effectively conserve the cultural heritage of the FNR; To maintain and develop meaningful co-management and partnership agreements that benefits the FNR; To ensure any development that is required is undertaken in a sustainable manner ii FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT MAY 2020 Authorisation Page Main Contributors The Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP) for the Fernkloof Nature Reserve (FNR) was adapted from the 2014/2017 Fernkloof Nature Reserve Integrated Management Plan compiled by Mr Charl Cilliers and Mr Aubrey Withers of Withers Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd., in association with Messrs Urban Dynamics Western Cape. The revised PAMP was compiled by Ms Liezl De Villiers and Ms Tamzyn Zweig (Overstrand Municipality, Environmental Management Services) with contributions from, but not limited to, the following parties: Ms P. Aplon (Overstrand Municipality) Mr D. Beattie (Cliff Path Management Group) Mr N. Green (Overstrand Municipality) Mr T. Dry (Overstrand Municipality) Mr A. Marais (CapeNature) Mr D. Heard (Chairperson: FNR Advisory Board) Ms L. Burman (Hermanus Botanical Society) Dr. D. Marais (Chairperson: Hermanus Botanical Society) Recommended By: Designation Name Signature Date Chairperson of the Advisory Board: Mr Duncan Heard 14 May 2020 Fernkloof Nature Reserve Senior Environmental Manager: Ms Liezl de Villiers 14 May 2020 Overstrand Municipality Director - Infrastructure and Planning: Mr Stephen Muller 14 May 2020 Overstrand Municipality Deputy Mayor: Overstrand Municipality Executive Mayor: Overstrand Municipality Chief Executive Officer: Western Cape Nature Conservation Board Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Approved By: Designation Name Signature Date Minister: Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Western Cape Provincial Government iii FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT MAY 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Definitions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....................1 Abbreviations & Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. 9 The following abbreviations and acronyms are referred to in this document: .................................................. 9 1. The Declaration Status of the FNR ................................................................................................................. 12 2. The Management Framework of the FNR ..................................................................................................... 14 2.1. The Overstrand Municipality ...................................................................................................................... 14 2.2. The Fernkloof Advisory Board (FAB) ........................................................................................................... 14 2.3. CapeNature ................................................................................................................................................. 15 2.4. The South African Institute for Biodiversity (SANBI) .................................................................................. 15 2.5. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Biodiversity and Conservation ....................... 15 2.7. Co-Management Agreements .................................................................................................................... 16 3. Legislation Guiding the Administration of the FNR ....................................................................................... 18 4. The FNR Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP)..................................................................................... 19 4.1. Legislation guiding the FNR PAMP ........................................................................................................ 19 4.2. The Primary Functions of the FNR PAMP ............................................................................................. 19 4.3. Procedures for the approval of the FNR PAMP ..................................................................................... 20 4.4. The PAMP Stakeholder Participation Process ....................................................................................... 20 4.5. Monitoring and Review of the FNR PAMP ............................................................................................. 20 4.5.1. Review and Amendment Procedures for the FNR PAMP ................................................................... 21 5. Strategic Management Framework of the FNR ............................................................................................. 22 5.1. The Purpose of the FNR ........................................................................................................................ 22 5.2. The Vision of the FNR ........................................................................................................................... 23 5.3. Mission Statement of FNR ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.4. Sustainable Development within the FNR .............................................................................................. 24 5.5. The Values of the FNR .......................................................................................................................... 24 5.6. The Objectives of the Management of the FNR ..................................................................................... 25 6. The Description and Context of the FNR ....................................................................................................... 26 6.1. Location and Extent of the FNR ............................................................................................................. 26 6.2. Conservation History of the FNR ........................................................................................................... 27 6.3. FNR Context: Ecological........................................................................................................................ 28 6.4. FNR Context: Climate ............................................................................................................................ 29 6.5. FNR Context: Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................... 29 6.6. FNR Context: Hydrology ........................................................................................................................ 30 6.6.1. Groundwater ....................................................................................................................................... 31 6.6.2. River and Catchment Areas ................................................................................................................ 32 6.6.3. Coastal and Estuary Zones ................................................................................................................ 32 6.7. FNR Context: Vegetation ....................................................................................................................... 32 6.7.1. Overberg Sandstone Fynbos .............................................................................................................. 34 6.7.2. Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation ............................................................................................ 36 iv FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL DRAFT MAY 2020 6.3. Hangklip Sand Fynbos ........................................................................................................................... 37 6.7.4. Agulhas Limestone Fynbos ................................................................................................................. 38 6.7.5. Cape Lowlands Freshwater Wetlands ................................................................................................. 38 6.7.6. Southern Cape Afrotemperate Forest ................................................................................................. 39 6.7.7. Overberg Dune Strandveld (and Western Cape Milkwood Forest) ...................................................... 40