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This layer represents sites identified for the Critical Biodiversity Area Map through the systematic assessment conducted by the Garden Route Initiative as part of the C.A.P.E. Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning (FSP) project. The layer comprises: Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs). As much of the Garden Route is already transformed, most remaining areas are of high conservation value, thus Other Natural Areas (ONAs) comprise a relatively small area of the Planning Domain, and are relegated to their own shapefile (GR_Other_Natural_Areas.shp) with its associated metadata (GR_Other_Natural_Areas_Metadata.doc).

The CBA map aims to guide sustainable development by providing a synthesis of biodiversity information to decision makers. It serves as the common reference for all multi-sectoral planning procedures, advising which areas can be developed, and which areas of critical biodiversity value and their support zones should be protected against any impacts. The broad objective is to ensure appropriate land-use and planning for the best possible long-term benefits and to promote integrated management of natural resources.

The CBA map indicates areas of land as well as aquatic features which must be safeguarded in their natural state if biodiversity pattern and process are to persist and ecosystems are to continue functioning. Land in this category is referred to as Critical Biodiversity Areas. CBAs incorporate (i) areas that need to be safeguarded in order to meet national biodiversity thresholds; (ii) areas required to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services; and/or (iii) important locations for biodiversity features or rare species.

Capture Source:

Attribute data: FSBP, Stephen Holness & Peter Bradshaw (SANParks)

Spatial data: FSBP, Stephen Holness & Peter Bradshaw (SANParks)

Copyright Holder: C.A.P.E.

Notes:

1. Critical areas indicate criteria which were important enough to identify an area as a Critical Biodiversity Area in their own right.

2. Important supporting areas indicate criteria which were significant enough to identify an area as an Ecological Support Area.

3. Specific sites may have a number of different underlying reasons why they were designated as CBA or ESA. All the applicable criteria need to be assessed.

4. Generally, an area will have a final classification based on the highest CBA or ESA classification. However, in some cases (such as very small areas) an area may be classified as ESA rather than CBA even if it contains limited CBA elements. Conversely, numerous overlapping ESA elements could result in an area being classified as CBA.

5. These criteria provide a quick summary of the core reasons why an area is classified. For more comprehensive reasoning, the underlying data needs to be interrogated.

Available documentation:

Holness, S. D., Bradshaw, P. L., & Brown, A. E. (2010). Critical Biodiversity Areas of the Garden Route: Conservation Planning Technical Report, Garden Route Initiative. SANParks, Port Elizabeth.

Vromans, D.C., Maree, K.S., Holness, S.D., Job, N. and Brown, A.E. (2010). The Garden Route Biodiversity Sector Plan for the George, Knysna and Bitou Municipalities. Supporting land-use planning and decision-making in Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Support Areas for sustainable development. Garden Route Initiative. South African National Parks. Knysna.

Vromans, D.C., Maree, K.S., Holness, S. D., Job, N. and Brown, A.E. (2010). The Garden Route Biodiversity Sector Plan for the southern regions of the Kouga and Koukamma Municipalities.

Supporting land-use planning and decision-making in Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Support Areas for sustainable development. Garden Route Initiative. South African National Parks. Knysna.

Project Name:

Garden Route Initiative Fine-Scale Biodiversity Planning project, as part of Component 5.1 of Cape Action Plan for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.).

Creator Organisation:

SANParks

SANS 1878

FGDC-STD-001-1998