RESEARCH 

UNESCO Be Resilient

Area of intervention: Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve is one of four partners in the Be Resilient Project

Local Partners: SAEON, Stellenbosch University, Department of Water and Sanitation, Freshwater Research Center, Quartex, and Ground Truth.

International Partners: University of Cincinnati, Deltares.

Funding partners: UNESCO, Government Flanders.

Date: 2021- 2024

Methodology: CRIDA (UNESCO Digital Library: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389036)

Project Background: “Day Zero” in the Western Cape highlighted the severe impact of drought and vulnerability to water scarcity, a condition which is expected to worsen extensively due to climate change. There is, therefore, a need to include climate change impacts in medium- and long-term water planning, and to adopt ecosystem-based approaches that are gender responsive to adaptation that ensure long-term sustainability. This project introduces a novel, bottom-up participatory approach to climate change adaptation, providing an adequate planning pathway for decision-making at the local, regional, and national level.

Overall Objective:

The general objective of this project is to enable the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve to develop effective ecosystem-based and gender responsive adaptation option pathways to climate change using a bottom-up, participatory approach, and by implementing effective monitoring and early warning tools to proactively manage increased climate risks. 

ACHIEVEMENTS

 1. Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis: 

Climate Risk Analysis and Hydrological Modelling

  • Climate stress test modelling completed along Eerste River (tools and isotope model development), and outcomes shared with communities and decision-makers

Hydro-Economic Modelling Methodologies

  • Current hydro-economic methodologies within the Cape Winelands Biosphere documented

  • Adaptation options hydro modelling under discussion to address interests and gaps within the Biosphere (will include economic costings later)

  • Adaptation options pathways under development

Innovative Financing Mechanisms

  • Long term innovative financing partnerships mapping and engagement ongoing

Local Community involvement in Be Resilient Project

  • Engagement of seven informal communities, agricultural and tourism sectors along the Eerste River in Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA)

  • Engagement with the Upper Breede Collaborative Extension Group (UBCEG) which brings together multiple decision-makers from local, district, provincial, and national levels

2. Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction: 

"Internet of Things" Monitoring

  • Initial scoping for implementing effective monitoring and early warning tools to proactively manage increased climate risks (this will be taken forward in the next stage of the project)

3. Capacity Building and Citizen Sciences 

Citizen Science Data Collection and Analysis Solution training

  • Training on data collection procedures utilizing smartphone data collection and capacity development of 12 citizen scientists

  • Citizen scientists trained in MiniSASS and SASS5 – physical, chemical, nutrient, hydrological, biological

  • Water quality analysis data contributed to the Citizen Science State of Rivers Report 2024

Empowering Communities for Climate Resilience through Citizen Science and Climate Action  

  • A river health monitoring exercise in the Eerste River was conducted to gain a better understanding of the river's health. The training equipped 12 citizen scientists with knowledge and skills transfer.

  • Citizen scientists trained in National (DWS) Water Resource Quality Objectives

ICTP-IAEA-UNESCO: Open Hardware & Open Software Solutions for Sustainable Development

  • Participated in the International Center for Theoretical Physics, International Atomic Energy Agency and UNESCO workshop on Open Hardware and Software Solutions for Sustainable Development

Catchment Indaba 

  • Participated in the Annual Catchment-Based Indaba on Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security in 2022 and 2024

Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA): A UNESCO flagship project https://www.unesco.org/en/crida

Additional Reading

- click image for external link

Related Articles

Featured
Empowering Citizen Scientists
Empowering Citizen Scientists

In the heart of Kommetjie, Cape Town, the Freshwater Research Centre (FRC) became our classroom for an in-depth training course in Aquatic Biomonitoring using the South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5). Alongside fellow participants from all corners of the country and a dedicated Citizen Scientist, Sinazo Fatyi, we delved into a structured program that explained the complexities of assessing river health.

Read More →
Expose at Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve
Expose at Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve

On the 17th of April 2024, Audrey Azoulay the UNESCO Director General, was hosted at the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) head office in Franschhoek for an afternoon showcase of the current CWBR activities and projects, as part of her official visit to South Africa.

Read More →
December Wrap Up
December Wrap Up

As 2022 draws to a close, the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) team could not have asked for a better way to finish the year. A BIG thank you to all our supporters, partners, old and new CWBR team members, current and previous interns and volunteers: the extended Cape Winelands Biosphere reserve family near and far. All of what we do would not be possible without you. 

Read More →
Community launch of the Be Resilient Project
Community launch of the Be Resilient Project

Meet our Be Resilient Citizen Scientists! The team, from different communities along the Eerste River, are currently being trained in water monitoring methods as part of an exciting research project. UNESCO Be Resilient South Africa in partnership with Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) is implementing Citizen Science and Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) engagements involving communities in the Eerste River catchment.

Read More →