RESEARCH

Base Line Data Collection

Area of intervention: Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve and surrounding areas

Date: 2017 – ongoing

Background

The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) is a member in the Upper Breede Collaborative Extension Group (UBCEG). UBCEG is an initiative in the Cape Winelands that brings together agriculture, practitioners, scientists and decision-making partners along the Breede River catchment.

With the following working groups currently: Currently consisting of the following working groups 1. Alien clearing and restoration 2. Land use planning 3. Fire management 4. Maintenance and Management Plans 5. Stewardship Programmes 6. Water Quality Monitoring 7. Environmental Education 

To foster collective visions and common goals between government departments, rural communities and landowners living in the Upper Breede River Valley.

About the project

In 2017, in collaboration with UBCEG, the CWBR explored the added value of contribution of baseline data gathered, toward existing landscape initiatives. Utilizing drone technology to provide up-to-date open source baseline data (drone footage) for research and conservation efforts that contribute to monitoring, environmental maintenance and protection, sustainable development, and innovative solutions.

Following this, in 2019, the CWBR was chosen as the site for research by African Climate and Development Initiative which has resulted in further partnerships and establishment of the Baseline Data Collection project.

Objective

·       Through a network of research partners and conservation initiatives, collaboratively provide open source baseline data free of charge.

·       The information gathered can be shared with universities, municipalities, conservation, and development organizations, and the public.

·       Foster landowners, stakeholders, and conservation entities partnership to drone area where initiative takes place.

Project Activities

2019 Socio-Economic Benefits of Ecological Infrastructure - African Climate Development Initiative.

Further reading: Socio-Economic Benefits of Ecological Infrastructure (SEBEI)

The Conversation: Clearing alien trees can help reduce climate change impact on Cape Town’s water supply. Published: March 14th, 2022

The hydrological benefits of restoration: A modelling study of alien tree clearing in four mountain catchments in South Africa. Published February 3rd, 2022

Delving more into the research done - ScienceDirect: Mapping invasive alien trees in water towers: A combined approach using satellite data fusion, drone technology and expert engagement By Petra B. Holden , Alanna J. Rebelo, Mark G. New.

2020 Papenkuils Wetland Story Map - Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

Further reading: Ecosystem Services of the Papenkuils Wetland, Breede River Catchment

2021 Kluitjieskraal Wetland - Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning