Photo: Gavin Maneveldt
Maintaining effective ecosystem services (such as
pollination) is essential for conserving biodiversity.
bilisation of financial resources.
In a recent Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
specialist report to the national Department of Environmental Affairs, the following three risks were identified
as the top climate change risks for the Western Cape
Province by 2050.
An increased intensity and frequency of fires and
more ‘out-of-season’ fires.
An increased threat by invasive alien species, facilitated by nutrient effluxes from agriculture and by air
pollution.
Increased habitat transformation and fragmentation
through agriculture and urbanisation with water for
Photo: Gavin Maneveldt
Only 2% of the 1930 population of the endangered
African Jackass Penguin still remain.
irrigation being seen as a major constraint.
To mitigate these threats, the provincial government,
through its public entity, the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, trading as CapeNature, and its partners, have formulated the following operational responses.
Keeping water catchments, rivers and estuaries
clean, healthy and functional.
Restoring ecological infrastructure and keeping it
healthy.
Planning for, responding to and managing fires effectively
Planning for, responding to and managing alien and
Stewardship Sites and Conservancies (particularly in agriculture dominated landscapes) are proving increasingly important for expanding the conservation estate.
Photo: Andreas Elepfandt