Schonenberg Seep Wetland Conservation Management Plan Presented by - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Schonenberg Seep Wetland Conservation Management Plan

Presented by Christine Rabie of Ecosense

Introduction

• The speaker
• The project
• The presentation…

Introduction

• The presentation

 The project site location and description  What is wrong with the area anyway?  The challenge  What are we trying to achieve?  The plan  What happens next?  Q&A

What is a seep?

• A wetland
• Associated with geological formations and topography

that cause groundwater to discharge to the land surface

• r rain-derived water that ‘seeps’ down-slope as

subsurface interflow.

SANBI Biodiversity Series 22 (2013)

Project Site Location

Seep Conservation Area

Site Description

What's wrong with the area anyway?

• Exotic plant infestation
• Derelict landscape

elements

What's wrong with the area anyway?

• Stormwater management

challenges

• Lack of a clear landscape

and management vision WE NEED A PLAN!

The Challenge

• Differing opinions and approaches and

visions - landscaped, natural, how natural, access no access?

• Confusion on what is permitted
• Site conditions e.g. weed infestation, lack of

irrigation

• Work load vs resources

So what informs the chosen approach?

What informs the chosen approach

• Legislation e.g. NWA; NEMA
• Brainstorm a vision
• Opportunities and constraints
• Approval conditions
• OEMP and audit results
• Contravention Notices

What informs the chosen approach

• Resources available

financial, labour, skills

• Site conditions: the

transformed nature and resulting practicalities

• Workshop with landscape

maintenance contractor

• Input of freshwater ecologist

Dean Ollis and vegetation restoration specialist Deon van Eeden

All things considered: What are we trying to achieve?

• Protect and increase the conservation

value on site in terms of the wetland and dryland elements on and the habitat it may provide for animal species e.g. frogs and birdlife.

• Increased aesthetic value to residents of

the area—increasing property values

• A desirable park area/recreation asset
• Maximizing path network opportunities –

balance no –go areas with access

• pportunities

All things considered: What are we trying to achieve?

• Avoid creating undue/expensive

maintenance burdens

• Ongoing removal of weed species and

replacement with suitable indigenous species that will eventually outcompete the weeds and reduce required weeding interventions

• Hand weeding is favored over potentially

harmful herbicides in this sensitive conservation area

All things considered: What are we trying to achieve?

• Ensure the effectiveness of the

stormwater system

• Fire management/risk considerations

— reduce fire damage risks to properties and provide an access plan for fire fighting vehicles and teams

• Environmental awareness for

residents; get kids excited about conservation

The Approach

• A phased systematic approach
• a common vision
• Good design is a simple solution
• Divide area into management zones

and year on year priorities

• Eat the elephant one spoon at a time -

implementation not a quick fix

THE PLAN

Management areas and order of priority

• 1. Fire Wise Buffer Zone
• 2. Re-instate/Clean up/New Pathways
• 3. Upgrade Access Nodes
• 4. Upgrade Underutilized/Unloved “Park zones”
• 5. Indigenous Pioneer Species into Wetland

Transition Zones

• 6. Manmade Stormwater Channel & Pond System
• 7. Core Natural Seep and Pan

• 1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone

• 1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone

• 1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone

 Approx 5 m wide strip along plot boundaries  Succulent, mostly indigenous and low, water-wise fire resistant plants  Pleasing aesthetic  Year 1 priority – outside in approach

• 2. Upgrade Pathway Network

• 2. Upgrade Pathway Network

• 2. Upgrade Pathway Network

 Reinstate access to “lost opportunity areas” for residents enjoyment  Facilitate fire fighting access  Stay out of sensitive “no-go” areas  Neaten up path network  Natural grass mown pathways where practical

• 3. Upgrade Access Nodes

• 3. Upgrade Access Nodes

• 3. Upgrade Access Nodes

 Beautiful landscaping at ”gateway areas”  Irrigated and neatly maintained  Year 1 priority

• 4. Park Zones

• 4. Park Zones

 Upgrade under-utilized identified “park” landscaping areas in the buffer zone  improve the aesthetics and enjoyment of the area for those accessing the path network – planting, seating areas etc.  Upgrade and supplement remnants

• f the original development

landscaping that have become derelict in these areas and unkempt and create a poor impression

• 4. Park Zones

• 5. Wetland Transition Zone

• 5. Wetland Transition Zone

• 5. Wetland Transition Zone

 Sowing of pioneer indigenous plant seed to increase biodiversity and cover  Natural transition zone between the seep and the more structured landscaped access nodes, fire wise buffer and “park” zones.

• 6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds

• 6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds

• 6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds

 Manmade and separate from seep wetland  Polishing system  Ensure flow and stability, minimize erosion and sedimentation  Rock packing and stabilizing planting  Sediment removal  Habitat for aquatic species

• 7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone

• 7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone

• 7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone

 Disturb as little as possible  Retain habitat integrity  No planting nearby that is potentially invasive or disturbs the hydrological attributes  Weed control  No-go area  Introduce new species only under supervision of fresh water ecologist

What happens next?

• Phased implementation over 5 years

minimum

• Order of priority – inside out approach
• Acknowledge challenges, setbacks
• Monitor and adapt

Thank You!

Questions?