Sand movement corridors within the SKEP planning domain

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

GCBC Ecological Processes – Mammal Movement Corridors

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).

GCBC Ecological Processes – Wetlands

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.

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).

GCBC Ecological Processes – Vegetation Type Transition Areas

Soil transition areas

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