NEWS
Figure 5 : Moraea debilis
This helps to conserve and improve habitat for threatened birds such as the
Black Harrier , Secretarybird and Southern Black Korhaan , as well as the many other endemic species found here , such as Cape Spurfowl , Greywinged Francolin , Agulhas Longbilled Lark , Agulhas Clapper Lark and others .
One of the key restoration interventions of the project has been to significantly reduce the footprint of and impact on Overberg Renosterveld of invasive alien Acacias such as Port Jackson ( Acacia saligna ). This has been achieved through mapping priority infestation sites and then implementing alien clearing work .
Figure 6 : Black Harrier
One of the main threats facing Overberg Renosterveld vegetation is
overgrazing by domestic livestock . Overgrazing causes long term decreases in species richness and diversity in these ecosystems , and optimal grazing management is key to avoid further degradation of Renosterveld vegetation that may be irreversible .
Figure 7 : One of the main threats facing Overberg Renosterveld vegetation is overgrazing by domestic livestock .
with the land from one landowner to the next one .
Landowners on a property with a signed
conservation easement can access additional support for conservation of the Renosterveld over which they are custodians . Support available can include assistance with fire management , control burns and post fire monitoring , alien clearing and regular monitoring of flora and faunal biodiversity .
This project , primarily funded by WWF South Africa has provided additional support in signing up additional Renosterveld under conservation easements and thus growing the percentage of Overberg Renosterveld that can be conserved in perpetuity .
Furthermore , it has provided additional funding for ongoing management needs of existing
conservation easement sites . This ensures that landowners who have joined the programme continue to engage with conservation action and restoration activities on their land .
Those considering signing conservation easements have also been encouraged to join the programme by following in the footsteps of conservation success of those who have already done so .
One of the main solutions to this project has been through supporting passive restoration of overgrazed veld and reducing the likelihood of overgrazing taking place by providing financial support to farmers to put up fencing at key conservation easement sites to facilitate best practice livestock grazing management .
In some cases , such interventions are combined with implementing an ecological burn , which also restores old , degraded vegetation to its former glory , if undertaken correctly and protected from livestock post-burning .
Over the last three years , through the support of
WWF South Africa we have been able to significantly expand the conservation footprint in Renosterveld in the Overberg , conserving more hectares of Renosterveld in perpetuity .
We have also been able to support willing and passionate landowners in their efforts to conserve and manage their veld in reaching their conservation goals .
We would like to acknowledge the WWF-SA Table Mountain Fund and
WWF South Africa for supporting the ORCT ’ s conservation easement project as well as the amazing farmers we are lucky enough to work with to conserve their Renosterveld . Please consider
supporting the vital work of the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust to help us manage and conserve more Renosterveld in perpetuity .
Grassroots Vol 21 No 3 November 2021 22