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GCBC Ecological Processes – Wetlands

CAPE Lowlands Renosterveld – Ecological Processes (Upland Lowland Transitions). Transitions from upland (high-lying) areas to lowland habitat through natural vegetation. In order to spatially depict ecological processes associated with upland-lowland transitions in the Cape Lowlands Renosterveld region, areas following the interface between lowland and montane habitats were identified. Only those areas where natural vegetation still remains were included. Upland-lowland habitats were identified using: • Vegetation patterns (where their boundaries reflect the transition from low- to high-lying areas, e.g. between coastal renosterveld and mountain fynbos); or • Topography (especially where transitional habitats are extensive).

CAPE Lowlands Renosterveld – Ecological Processes (Coastal Interior Gradient). Gradients linking the coast to inland regions through natural vegetation/river corridors. Such gradients capture ecological processes operating at a larger scale such as biota migration and adaptation to climate change. Coast-interior gradients were identified where coastal habitats could be linked to habitats located in the Cape’s interior along corridors of connected vegetation (patches of natural vegetation that are within 500 m of each other were considered to be connected).

Sand movement corridors within the SKEP planning domain

CAPE Lowlands Renosterveld – Ecological Processes (Upland Lowland Gradients). Gradients linking upland (high-lying) areas to lowland habitat through natural vegetation. Such gradients capture ecological processes operating at a larger scale such as biota migration and adaptation to climate change. Upland-lowland gradients were identified using: • remaining areas of natural vegetation, together with • topography A gradient was then mapped linking lowland (<300 m elevation) to upland (=300 m elevation) habitats. Upland-lowland gradients were only mapped where natural vegetation remains and where the corridor length is no less than 2 km from lowest to highest elevation.

Gouritz Initiative - Processes – Coastal Corridor. Sensitive coastal corridor in the Gouritz Initiative, in which there is a high threat of development in highly threatened vegetation types.

GCBC Ecological Processes – Vegetation Type Transition Areas

CAPE Lowlands Renosterveld – Ecological Processes (River Corridors). Riverine corridors along all perennial rivers. These are spatial components of ecological and evolutionary processes such as seed dispersal, pollinator movement along strips of riparian habitat. Other ecological and hydrological processes are dependent on the water course. All perennial rivers were identified. A 100 m buffer was mapped on each side of the river. The buffer was divided into sections, which were identified according to the land use - ‘natural vegetation’, ‘cultivated land’ or ‘urban area’.

GCBC Geographic Priorities - To identify areas of importance for ecological processes within the GCBC domain.