GRASSLAND

WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL?

  • One of the most threatened vegetation types in KwaZulu- Natal
  • Endemic to KwaZulu-Natal (found nowhere else!)
  • Species-rich, estimated to have over a 1000 species
  • High levels of habitat loss and degradation
  • Only 14.7% remaining in Durban and 11% remaining in KZN
  • Only 2.3% adequately protected in the eThekwini Municipal Area
  • The eThekwini Municipality is urgently seeking opportunities for conservation action where this precious ecosystem will be soon lost to urban development

BUILDING ALLIANCES

The Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) of the eThekwini Municipality (EM) and the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN) formed a partnership in 2011, known as the Durban Research Action Partnership (D’RAP). Through this partnership the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) Research Programme was initiated. Staff and students across disciplines and institutions are working together to improve the conservation and management of the KZNSS.
KWAZULU-NATAL SANDSTONE SOURVELD
Highly endemic and species-rich yet critically endangered

IDENTIFYING KZNSS

What’s the difference? Four types of grasslands have been identified in the Durban area (these are shown in the table below). This can be really confusing if you are trying to identify the KZNSS as there is no clear cut delineation between the four different types. You can find patches of one grassland in another and ecotones (transition zones) between them. They also contain many of the same species. Scientists are now trying to understand the variations in species composition across the different grassland sites by studying the floristics and the key determinants that affect this variation. For example altitude, aspect, rainfall and temperature have been found to affect species composition while accessibility into the grassland, reserve size to perimeter ratio, and removal of species for traditional medicine have been found to affect species diversity. This knowledge is crucial for conservation planning and management of the last remaining KZNSS patches.

What is protected? Of the 9805 ha (or 14.7%) of KZNSS remaining in the eThekwini Municipal Area, 17% is conserved (under various conservation categories), and only 2.3% is really adequately protected (in proclaimed nature reserves). The national conservation target for the KZNSS is 25% of its original extent. The biggest challenge in reaching this target is that much of the KZNSS is privately and communally owned, with each having their own management approach. The eThekwini Municipality has developed a Stewardship task team that looks at balancing the needs of all role players.

LOSS & FRAGMENTATION

As a result of rapid urbanisation over the last 100 years, the KZNSS now consists of fragmented and isolated patches, which are often disconnected from one other. The remaining patches are small and the natural processes that sustain the biodiversity and ecosystem function have been disturbed and degraded. Fires that once swept across large areas and maintained the grasslands are now blocked by roads and buildings. Plants and animals are restricted to their patches and dispersal becomes increasingly difficult. Alien plants also invade the disturbed areas.

One of the workshops Monteseel Conservancy was part of in 2012.