O.R TAMBO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN Draft .

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANLIST OF TABLESTable 1: Prioritisation Guide for OECMs (Ngubeni, et al., 2017) . 23Table 2:Contribution of N2WCTH biodiversity offset areas to the protection of ThreatenedEcosystems in the District . 31Table 3: 2019 ECBCP CBA Map Category Management Objectives (Eastern Cape Department:Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2020) . 40LIST OF APPENDICESAPPENDIX A: LIST OF MAPSLIST OF MAPSMap 1: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA LayersMap 2: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA Layers- Ingquza Hill LMMap 3: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA Layers- Port St Johns LMMap 4: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA Layers- Nyandeni LMMap 5: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA Layers- Mhlontlo LMMap 6: Refinement of the 2019 ECBCP CBA Layers- KSD LMMap 7: CBA 1 Transformation in ORTDMMap 8: CBA 1 Transformation in Ngquza Hill LMMap 9: CBA 1 Transformation in PSJ LMMap 10: CBA 1 Transformation in Nyandeni LMMap 11: CBA 1 Transformation in Mhlontlo LMMap 12: CBA 1 Transformation in KSD LMMap 13: Ecological Degradation HotspotsMap 14: Comparison of Gully Erosion in 2011 vs Eroded Lands Land Cover (2020) in MhlontloLocal Municipality3 November 2021x Page

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN1INTRODUCTIONThe OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) has identified the need for a Biodiversity Sector Plan (BSP), asprovided for in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEM: BA).In addition to climate change and a multitude of other growing anthropogenic threats to biodiversity, the COVIDpandemic has had significant consequences for biodiversity conservation, including financing for environmentalprojects and the viability and focus of conservation agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGO)s. Morethan ever, biodiversity interventions in the District need to be targeted to achieve the highest gains withoptimal use of resources.The BSP provides for the mapping of biodiversity priorities areas with accompanying interventions and landuse guidelines, to inform land-use planning, environmental assessment and authorisations, and natural resourcemanagement by a range of sectors whose policies and decisions impact biodiversity. Several legislative toolswere introduced under NEM: BA relating to the conservation and management of biodiversity, including thedeclaration of "bioregions" and the publication of bioregional plans (SANBI, n.d.). The ORTDM BSP was compiledin line with the guidelines for the development of bioregional plans published on 16 March 2009 (DEAT, 2009).Importantly, the focus of a bioregional plan is on biodiversity priorities; it is not regarded as a multi-sectoralplanning or assessment tool (SANBI, 2017).A BSP is a plan that is considered in essence the same as a bioregional plan that has not been through a fullconsultation process with municipalities and has not yet been published in the Gazette (SANBI, n.d.). The BSPis thus a precursor to a bioregional plan, which would be published in terms of NEM: BA and used to alignIntegrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs).The BSP allows for the identification and protection of high priority biodiversity assets within the District,which include the Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs), vulnerable and endangered ecosystems, and the systemof protected areas. The BSP forms part of a hierarchy of biodiversity strategies and plans and is intended tofeed into multi-sectoral planning and assessment processes such as Environmental Management Frameworks(EMFs), SDFs, IDPs, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)(Department of Environment, Forestry and FIsheries, n.d.).BSPs allow for the determination of the biodiversity conservation status of land which is under application fordevelopment or land-use change, to inform sustainable development. The land-use guidelines are provided toinform compatible and appropriate land uses and land management types based on the biodiversity status ofthe land. Importantly, protected Areas and areas identified as critical for biodiversity or ecosystemmaintenance, by the BSP, must be appropriately buffered from development and land-use change impacts.The BSP includes refinement of the 2019 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) CBAs (EasternCape Department: Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2020). These are defined asnatural or near-natural features, habitats or landscapes that include terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas thatare considered critical for (i) meeting national and provincial biodiversity targets and thresholds (ii)safeguarding areas required to ensure the persistence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including thedelivery of ecosystem services; and/or (iii) conserving important locations for biodiversity features or rarespecies (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 2015). Conservation of CBAs is crucial, in that if these areas are not maintained3 November 202111 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANin a natural or near-natural state, biodiversity conservation targets cannot be met (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife,2015).In addition, Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) are identified and mapped. These areas are defined as functional,but not necessarily entirely natural, and include areas that are required to ensure the persistence andmaintenance of biodiversity patterns and ecological processes within the CBAs (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 2015).BSPs also must take cognisance of ecosystem services, which are direct and indirect benefits derived from thenatural environment (ecological infrastructure), and include production services, such as food and oxygen,regulatory services, such as flood attenuation and pollination, spiritual and knowledge services and spaceservices, such as settlement areas and farmland (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 2015).Biodiversity protection and management are linked to climate resilience, which refers to the capacity of social,economic and environmental systems to cope with hazardous events, trends or disturbances associated withclimate change, "responding or reorganizing in ways that maintain their essential function, identity andstructure, while also maintaining the capacity for adaptation, learning and transformation" (IPCC 2014).The BSP must also consider the National Threatened Ecosystems as provided for in the NEM: BA. These areasrepresent threatened and protected ecosystems categorised according to one of four categories (CriticallyEndangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Protected Ecosystems). In line with NEM: BA, both CriticallyEndangered and Endangered Ecosystems must be considered as part of CBAs (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 2015).The CBA maps have legal status in terms of the EIA Regulations published in terms of the National EnvironmentalManagement Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA). Listing Notice 3 of the EIA Regulations specifies geographicareas that trigger environmental authorisation processes, including CBAs identified in a bioregional plan or aspatial biodiversity plan (SANBI, n.d.).1.1PHASING OF PROJECTThe BSP project is divided into phases. This Situational Analysis Report forms part of Phase 2. The phases are: Phase 1 – Inception Phase, which culminated in a Final Inception Report; Phase 2 - Situational Analysis, Biodiversity Profile & CBA Mapping, which will culminate in a FinalSituational Analysis Report; and 2Phase 3 -: BSP Reporting, which will culminate in the Final BSP report.INTRODUCTIONThe natural landscape in the District has been classified in the recently gazetted Eastern Cape BiodiversityConservation Plan (2019 ECBCP ) (Eastern Cape Department: Economic Development, Environmental Affairsand Tourism, 2020), which included detailed mapping of CBAs, ESAs, Other Natural Areas and No NaturalRemaining. This information was synthesized into a map of CBAs and ESAs for the Eastern Cape Province. SeeMaps 1 to 6 in Appendix A.3 November 202112 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANIn the Final OR Tambo BSP Situational Analysis Report (August 2021), the 2019 ECBCP CBA layers were refinedwhich inform the series of biodiversity-compatible land uses and biodiversity protection and managementinterventions in this BSP. These refined CBA areas represent the highest biodiversity value sites that remain ingood condition and contribute to ecosystem goods and services in the District and should be protected in spatialplanning and decision-making.2.1Linking Biodiversity Protection and Management with Sustainable Development GoalsIn 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Figure 1), also known as theGlobal Goals, as a global commitment to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all peopleenjoy peace and prosperity. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts globally on the ability ofparticipating nation-states to achieve these SDGs, with a reported reversal in progress worldwide on the SDGs,as reported in “Sustainable Development Report: The Decade of Action for the SDGs” (Sachs, Kroll, Lafortune,Fuller, & Woelm, 2021). Healthy ecosystems are recognised to underpin the 17 SDGs, by preventing climatecatastrophe and mass extinction.South Africa is ranked 107 out of 165 countries and has seen a decline nationally in progress towards achievingGoal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 4 (Quality Education). There has been improvement towards achieving Goal 5(Gender Equality), and positive progress in Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 6 (Clean Water andSanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), Goal 11(Sustainable Cities and Communities).Figure 1: 17 Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations Development Programme, 2021)As shown in Figure 2, there is recognition that the biosphere component of the SDGs supports the remaininggoals. There are extensive wetland systems and watercourses in the District supporting aquatic ecosystems andproviding a range of ecosystem goods and services. The 2019 ECBCP identified a set of aquatic CBA 1 and 2areas (Figure 3). The meandering river systems culminate at the coast, connecting the land and sea resources.Wetlands provide a range of ecosystem services. Given that wetlands sequester some of the largest carbon3 November 202113 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANstores globally, protection of wetland systems is key to mitigating climate change and limiting the globaltemperature increase below 2 ºC.Figure 2: Clustering of the SDGs showing reliance on biosphere goals (Illustration Azote for StockholmResilience Centre, Stockholm University)Aquatic CBA1Aquatic CBA2 Main stem rivers of high irreplaceabilityplus a 32 m buffer (fish sanctuaries andfree flowing /flagship rivers) Umzimvubu Wetland Complex,Karst/Limestone wetlands, additionaloxbow wetlands, dune and dune bypasswetlands Estuaries with a National BiodiversityAssessment (2011) ranking field "core 1" plus Regionally important estuaries Main stem river lines plus 32 m buffer fish corridors and other selectedcatchments (wetland clusters) to achieveconnectivity, best design sites All remaining wetlands CBA 1 estuary buffer 100 m Estuaries that are regionally important orare linked to CBA 1 rivers, or areassociated with Protected AreasFigure 3: Aquatic CBA Categories as per 2019 ECBCP (Eastern Cape Department: Economic Development,Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2020)3 November 202114 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANSDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationSafeguarding wetland systems in the District through the aquatic CBAs ensures protection ofimportant ecosystem services, such as the removal of contaminants and pollutants from surfacewater and sediment trapping that preserve the quality of water.The focus of this BSP is on the terrestrial CBAs and ESAs identified in the 2019ECBCP and refined within thescope of this project. The main inland biomes in the District are the grassland and savanna biomes, with acoastal belt along the coastal areas. Under climate change scenarios, the savanna biome is anticipated toexpand into the grassland biome.The terrestrial CBA 1 areas in the 2019 ECBCP, the highest priority biodiversity features in the District, areindicated in Figure 4. Note that within the scope of the ORTDM BSP, the terrestrial CBA 1areas were refined based on the 2018 SANLC and the 2019 ArcGISonline world imagery to create a new dataset, the refined CBA 1 layer:(2019ECBCP Terrestrial CBA ORTDM Refinement 16 03 2021.shp).CBA 2 sites in the 2019 ECBCP, the second-highest priority biodiversity features in the District include: All other forests; Best Design Sites (selection frequency 80%) - Planning Units selected to meet targets for: (1) vegetationtypes, (2) species points, (3) expert areas; and Selected cliffs buffered by 100 m.ESA 1 sites in the 2019 ECBCP include: CBA1 forest patch 500 m buffer; Cliff buffers 500 m; Other sites required to complete the ecological corridor network; Best Design Corridor Sites - Planning units selected to meet 60% targets for vegetation types; Nodes used for corridor network analysis; Climate change refugia; Coastal functional zone; and3 November 202115 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN Climate change resilience.Critically EndangeredEcosystems (SA VEGMAP2012)- mangrove foest atPort St JohnsNational Forest Inventoryincluding criticallyendangered/high priorityforest patches and priorityforest clustersIrreplaceable Sites (selectionfrequency 80%) – planningunits were selected to meettargets for: (1) vegetationtypes, (2) species points and(3) expert areasBat roost sites and 500 mradiusCape Vulture breedingcolonies and roost sites (500m buffer)Bearded Vulture nests (500 mbuffer)Figure 4: CBA1 features in the District (Eastern Cape Department: Economic Development, EnvironmentalAffairs and Tourism, 2020)ESA 2 sites in the 2019 ECBCP include areas here there is no natural habitat remaining that would have beendesignated as a CBA 1, CBA 2 or ESA1, it is designated as an ESA 2.ONA indicates Other Natural Areas in the 2019 ECBCP, which are all remaining natural areas not included inthe above CBA or ESA categories.NNA denotes areas that are considered to have been irreversibly modified or impacted and which do notcontribute to maintaining biodiversity or ecological processes. These include settlement areas, croplands,mining areas, forestry plantations, derived from the Eastern Cape 2017 Integrated Land Cover Map.3 November 202116 P a g e

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLANSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesMaintenance of green infrastructure in towns and settlements ensures the provision of floodattenuation, water and air filtration, and microclimate regulation, which can support traditionalinfrastructure (Bobbins and Culwick 2015). Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) aimsto manage the environment (through sustainable management, conservation and restoration ofecosystems) in such a way that risk to communities is reduced (Estrella and Saalismaa 2013).Examples include the protection of the wetland and watercourse buffers through protection of the2019 ECBCP aquatic CBA 1 and 2 areas, which offers flood protection, reducing the potenti

OR TAMBO BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN- DRAFT BIODIVERSITY SECTOR PLAN 3 November 2021 11 P a g e 1 INTRODUCTION The OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) has identified the need for a Biodiversity Sector Plan (BSP), as provided for in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEM: BA).