the brochure

BETTER TOGETHER.
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PHOTO CREDIT | ALAIN PROUST
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DEFINITIONS
PHOTO CREDIT | AMIDA JOHNS
BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity refers not only to species of plants, animals and micro-organisms, but also
their range of genetic diversity, and the landscapes, ecological and evolutionary processes that allow the
diversity of life to persist over time. Biodiversity therefore includes the diversity of all living organisms, the
diversity within species and of the ecosystems that contain them.
BIOSPHERE RESERVE: Biosphere reserves are “areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems or
a combination thereof, which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Programme
on Man and the Biosphere (MAB)”.
CORRIDOR: A biodiversity corridor links large habitat parcels through landscape gradients. A corridor
contains key elements of ecological infrastructure that forms a network of interconnected structural
landscape elements including natural ecosystems that deliver tangible services to people and underpins
sustainable socio-economic development.
MAB PROGRAMME: The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation) promotes the establishment of biosphere reserves throughout all
biogeographical provinces of the world. Biosphere reserves are designated by UNESCO and form part of
the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, presently consisting of 621 biosphere reserves in 117 countries.
PROTECTED AREA (PA) EXPANSION STRATEGY: The PA Expansion Strategy provides a
broad national framework for PA expansion in South Africa, identifies areas of importance to be targeted
for this expansion in the country, and the mechanisms to achieve this.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Sustainable development refers to development that meets the
needs of the current generation without threatening the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs and choose their own lifestyle. This requires environmental protection, economic growth and social
justice to be reconciled with one another.
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COVER PHOTO CREDITS | SCOTT N RAMSAY
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOTT N RAMSAY
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOTT N RAMSAY
COMPOSITION OF
THE K BR
VISION OF THE
KOGELBERG BIOSPHERE RESERVE
“Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve: the Cape Floral Kingdom’s model sustainable living environment for all.”
BACKGROUND
& HISTORY
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) is Africa’s
southernmost biosphere reserve and is located in
the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The KBR
was designated by UNESCO in December 1998.
The biosphere reserve comprises approximately
100 000 hectares, including terrestrial and marine
components, covering terrain from below sea level to
the highest peak of 1270 metres and stretches along
the coast from Gordon’s Bay in the west to the Bot
River Vlei in the east, and inland to the Groenlandberg.
It also includes the marine zone up to two nautical
miles along its 70 kilometre coastline. Included are
vast tracts of natural vegetation, important marine
habitats, major wetland systems, five towns and
various settlements, agricultural lands, commercial
plantations and recreational resorts.
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The concept of a biosphere reserve is an international
designation in accordance with the Man and the
Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO. The
essence of the biosphere reserve concept is about
the combination of three complementary functions:
conservation (of landscapes, ecosystems, species and
genetic variation); sustainable development (fostering
economic development which is ecologically
and culturally sustainable); and logistical support
(promoting research, monitoring, education and
training). These functions need to be implemented
within a defined landscape according to a threetiered zonation system of core areas, buffer zones
and transition zones.
With the inception of the KBR, a process was
followed to delineate the three biosphere reserve
zones. Core areas predominantly include pristine
state land; buffer zones include areas of biodiversity
importance and are either in public or private
ownership; and transition zones mainly include
converted lands. As far as possible, the boundaries of
the KBR coincide with ecological boundaries such as
watersheds, rather than regional planning boundaries.
The primary core area of the KBR, the Kogelberg
Nature Reserve, is a declared state forest and is
managed by the Western Cape Nature Conservation
Board (CapeNature). The biosphere reserve core
also includes the Betty’s Bay Marine Protected
Area (MPA) of 1 629 hectares, also managed by
CapeNature, and other smaller tracts of state land.
primarily for biodiversity conservation and also yield
high quantities of quality water. In its lower reaches,
the Palmiet River flows through the Kogelberg
Nature Reserve and within this region the river
receives flows from pristine sub-catchments.
The upper and middle sections of the Palmiet
catchment fall within the buffer and transition zones
of the KBR and are intensively cultivated for fruit
farming and plantation forestry. The majority of the
land within the buffer zones is privately owned, most
of it being smallholdings in a natural or near-natural
state. Some areas are also state-owned by national
government or local authorities. The marine area up
to two nautical miles from the coast, excluding the
Betty’s Bay MPA, forms part of the buffer zone. The
terrestrial buffer zone comprises 17 000 hectares
and the marine buffer zone 23 000 hectares.
At the heart of the KBR are mountainous areas and
the Palmiet River catchment which are managed
MANAGEMENT ENTITY
& PARTNER S
The management entity of the Kogelberg Biosphere
Reserve is the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
Company (KBRC), a registered non-profit company
in terms of the South African Companies Act (No.
71 of 2008). The KBRC consists of an elected Board
of Directors, which is supported by a Management
Committee. All major stakeholders are represented
on the Management Committee. CapeNature, being
the land manager of the primary core areas of the
KBR, is a permanent member of the Management
Committee. Other members include government
departments, local authorities, non-profit organisations
and community groupings.
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SALIENT BIOPHYSICAL
& BIODIVERSITY FE ATUR ES
The KBR lies within the Cape Floristic Region
(CFR), the smallest and most diverse of the six floral
kingdoms of the World. The CFR is regarded as a
hot-spot for biodiversity conservation worldwide.
In addition, the Kogelberg area is widely regarded as
a botanical hot-spot and a centre of endemism. The
CFR includes all the vegetation types within the area
known as the Fynbos Biome or commonly referred to
as Fynbos.The Kogelberg area comprises of a number
of different vegetation types including Sandstone
Fynbos, Shale Fynbos, Shale Band Vegetation, Western
Strandveld and Seashore Vegetation.
The KBR, in particular the Kogelberg Sandstone
Fynbos, is floristically regarded as “the heart of the
Cape flora”. It has an exceptional floral diversity
of more than 1 880 plant species occurring in only
240 square kilometres. Of the 178 known rare and
noteworthy species, 150 are locally endemic.
The Kogelberg region is known for its special plant
species, which among others include the Marsh Rose
(Orothamnus zeyheri) that is depicted in the logo
of the KBR. Other special plants include Mimetes
hottentoticus, Agapanthus walshii, Nivenia stokoei, Erica
pillansii and Haemanthus canaliculatus. The diversity
is attributed to rapid change in species composition
along habitat gradients.
An array of smaller animals can also be found in the
Kogelberg area, e.g. water mongoose, porcupine,
red rock rabbit, honey badger, bat eared fox and
the Cape fox. Antelope are represented by grysbok,
klipspringer, common duiker and grey rhebuck. Top
predators of the area include the leopard and Black
Eagle.
Numerous reptiles and amphibians are represented
within the KBR, e.g. the rare micro frog (Microbatrachella
capensis). The Bot River Vlei is an important habitat for
a wide variety of water birds. Stony Point in Betty’s Bay
provides habitat for one of only two land-based breeding
colonies of the African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus).
The marine area hosts a wide variety of marine life of
which the shellfish species, abalone (Haliotis midae or
locally known as perlemoen) is rapidly being depleted
due to overexploitation for commercial purposes.
The ecological functioning of the natural environment
is sustained by an array of interactions between plants
and animals. Insects are by far the most significant
pollinators in Fynbos. Many of the Kogelberg’s
endemics rely on seed dispersal by ant species, a
mutualistic relationship called myrmecochory. The
Palmiet River and its tributaries is a mega hot-spot
for dragonflies (Odonata), and as a result the KBR has
been referred to as an ‘irreplaceable area’ due to 53%
of dragonflies being listed as national endemics.
Marsh Rose (Orothamnus zeyheri)
PHOTO CREDIT | AMIDA JOHNS
Nivenia stokoei
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOTT N RAMSAY
PHOTO CREDIT | DONOVAN KIRKWOOD
AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)
PHOTO CREDIT | ALAIN PROUST
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOTT N RAMSAY
KOGELBERG NATURE
RESERVE
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve comprises a large
area of 18 000 hectares and several smaller fragments,
totaling approximately 24 000 hectares. The Nature
Reserve forms part of the Cape Floral Region
Protected Areas World Heritage Site. CapeNature
manages the protected area as an integral part of the
core area of the KBR.
The purpose of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve is to
fulfil the Organisation’s mandate through conserving
the unique biodiversity of the area through integrated
catchment management and effective partnerships; to
ensure sustained water yield; to allow the opportunity
to access the reserve and to be proactive in fostering
relationships with surrounding communities.
The Kogelberg is recognised as a critically important
catchment area, and is managed to ensure the optimal
sustained flow of high quality water, providing water
to surrounding towns and deciduous agriculture. High
peaks and rugged mountainous terrain dominate the
landscape while the area enjoys a Mediterranean
type climate with warm dry summers and cool wet
winters.
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PHOTO CREDIT | ALAIN PROUST
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOTT N RAMSAY
Too frequent fires and uncontrolled alien plant
infestations threaten the fire driven Fynbos
ecosystem.
Accommodation on the Nature Reserve is provided
in the form of five eco-cabins. These light-weight
stilted cabins, adorned with roof gardens and
largely constructed of locally sourced alien timber
and stones, were intentionally designed to blend in
with the pristine surroundings. Boardwalks weave
through the indigenous landscaping to link the
PHOTO CREDIT | ALAIN PROUST
separate buildings. Surrounded by vibrant Fynbos
and soaring mountain peaks, the self-catering cabins
set a new benchmark in sustainable development.
The development has already received international
recognition in the form of the prestigious Holcim
Award for Sustainable Construction.
Only activities compatible with the Nature Reserve’s
zonation and that do not adversely affect natural
processes and wildlife, such as hiking, mountain
biking, kayaking and bird watching, are allowed.
THE NURSERY PROJECT, located in Grabouw,
will have three main focal points; firstly, to propagate and
grow seedlings for the local community farmers as well as
a nursery retail store; secondly to propagate trees, shrubs,
perennials and annuals for planting in open public spaces
(for the greening effect) and also for sale via local nursery
outlets; thirdly, the nursery will focus on the propagation
of not only indigenous flora/ trees that could be replanted
in the areas along the river that have been cleared of
alien vegetation, but also trees that would be used to
reforest areas of concern, especially where deforestation
has already become a huge concern to members of the
local community.
THE ALTERNATIVE BUILDING WITH ECOBRICKS PROJECT, which cooperates closely with
the Recycling Swop-shop, will endeavour to use recycled
materials in the form of eco-bricks for building utility
buildings and even informal settlement housing. This
will be done as part of a consultative process with local
municipal officials to ensure that no safety and legal
issues are overlooked.
PROJECTS
The KBR is implementing a small grants facility in collaboration with the Table Mountain Fund. This facility aims
to establish and resource a number of small, locally based projects, coordinated by the KBRC and in support of
the KBR’s ‘Catchment to Coast’ initiative.The facility will assist local organisations and entrepreneurs in building
income generative activities providing ecosystem services within the KBR region. It will also aim to identify and
implement economically viable uses for alien vegetation, such as innovative craft products, packaging materials
and raw materials for building components. The ‘Catchment to Coast’ initiative aims to achieve three objectives
of conservation, sustainable livelihoods and innovative products. It is currently working with eight individual
projects, namely:
A RECYCLING SWOP-SHOP, known as the RSS
Project, where all non-recyclable plastic material collected
by the youth from the surrounding areas will be stuffed
into 2 litre bottles and turned into ‘eco-bricks’, which in
turn will be used to build low-cost housing and supporting
structures. The youth who bring in their recycled material
will receive an item, for example clothing, toys, stationery,
educational games and even food items in return.
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PHOTO CREDIT | AMIDA JOHNS
FIRE LIGHTERS made from locally harvested pine
cones was the brainchild of a local entrepreneur, Anthony
Appel, who has seen the need and opportunity to harvest
large volumes of pine cones in the local forest, bag them
and sell them to a growing number of retail outlets. This
business not only has access to thousands of hectares of
free ‘natural resources’, but also provides self-employment
to a number of sub-contractors that help Anthony harvest
and bag the pine cones.
THE SUSTAINABLE VEGGIE GARDEN
PROJECT focuses on addressing the issue of food
shortage as its primary purpose. Depending on the
demand, this project could be expanded to other
members of the community provided that they have
access to sufficient water and security measures are
available to protect their crops. The owners of Peregrine
Farm Stall have already agreed to buy all their excess
vegetables as a contribution to a local soup kitchen in
the community.
THE ELGIN RABBITS ENTERPRISE (ERE)
is a young start-up company with their main operations
depot based in Grabouw.They are the pioneers in a niche
market providing rabbit meat to the elite/cuisine market,
as well as the growing number of consumers who are
not able to afford red meat. Once they have built up a
strong/large enough stock of breeding rabbits they aim to
expand their supply-chain by empowering other emerging
entrepreneurs from the surrounding towns to start and
operate licensed ERE depots in their respective towns.
THE CLEAN-GREEN BOT RIVER PROJECT
involves not only the cleaning of Bot River by means of
waste reduction, but also involves the greening of the
Bot River open public spaces which will be turned into
gardens using some of the plants generated from one of
the other nursery projects.
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THE ELGIN WOOD CRAFTS PROJECT
focuses on manufacturing children’s educational toys
and hand-made novelty and/or utility items mainly from
recyclable products obtained essentially from up-cycled
apple bins, pallets, off-cuts from local saw mills and the
removal of alien vegetation obtained from cleaning up
processes.
These projects have been provisionally selected as
they already have momentum and show definite signs
of potential success. They all cover some aspect of
concern that is in line with the ethos of what the
KBR is all about.
HOW PEOPLE CAN
PARTICIPATE & BENEFIT
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The biosphere reserve promotes sustainable
living practices such as recycling, indigenous
gardening and efficient use and re-use of natural
resources
Environmentally-friendly living spaces are
encouraged, thereby creating a sound and
healthy environment for residents
Sign up as a member of the KBRC on their
website and indicate your interests
RAM
SAY
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TN
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Conserving the plants, animals and natural
features within the biosphere reserve ensures
that the environment is healthy, safe and
pleasant for people and future generations
The biosphere reserve enhances opportunities
for employment, recreation, education, tourism
and sustainable utilisation which directly benefit
local communities
People living in the region are involved in
shaping the future of the biosphere reserve
and their living space through collaborative
decision-making
The biosphere reserve forms part of the World
Network of Biosphere Reserves and draws
value from the international affiliation with
UNESCO
All new developments occur within the
approved Biosphere Reserve Framework Plan,
and to the advantage of both people and nature
Local schools, colleges and universities use the
biosphere reserve for environmental education
and research
PHOTO CREDIT | SCOT
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UNESCO MAB Programme:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/
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Department of Environmental Affairs MAB Programme:
https://www.environment.gov.za/projectsprogrammes#manandbiosphere
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Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning:
http://eadp.westerncape.gov.za/home
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Overstrand Municipality: http://www.overstrand.gov.za/
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Theewaterskloof Municipality: http://www.twk.org.za/
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Table Mountain Fund: http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/tablemountainfund/
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Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau: http://www.kleinmondtourism.co.za/
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Cape Country Meander: http://www.thecapecountrymeander.co.za/
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Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve: http://www.capewinelandsbiosphere.co.za/
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Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve: http://www.capebiosphere.co.za/
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Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve: http://www.gouritz.com/
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Waterberg Biosphere Reserve: http://www.waterbergbiosphere.org/
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Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region: http://www.kruger2canyons.org/
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Vhembe Biosphere Reserve: http://www.vhembebiosphere.org/
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Elgin Valley Tourism Bureau: http://www.elginvalley.co.za