This layer represents is an integration of the fine-scale vegetation map of the Saldanha Peninsula, North West Sandveld, Bokkeveld and Upper Breede River Valley mapping domain in the Western Cape; fine-scale mapped wetland vegetation types for Saldanha and Sandveld; the South African Vegetation map (NSBA 2004 updated to 2006 where name and spatial changes were found), Nieuwoudtville Conservation Farming Project Vegetation Map and extracts from Barry Low’s Dune Ecosystem Layer. Fine-scale vegetation categories were based on the South African vegetation types of Mucina & Rutherford (2006), but it was necessary to describe a several new, previously unrecognised vegetation types in the FineScale Planning Domains. Certain vegetation boundaries were substantially redrawn from those presented in Mucina & Rutherford (2006)

Western Cape Wetlands Directory.

Biodiversity Spatial Plan - Ecosystem Threat Status 2016. The Western Cape’s 2016 Ecosystem Threat Status layer was developed to more accurately reflect the current threat status of ecosystems in the Western Cape Province, especially in terms of habitat loss (criterion A1). Ecosystems are based on the SA Vegetation Map (2012 version) and relevant indigenous forest types (DAFF, 2010), as per the national approach to assessing ecosystem threat. Threat status is provided for each ecosystem according to three assessments: (1) the national assessment in 2011 (note: threatened ecosystems identified in the NBA 2011 are the same as those listed in the gazette in December 2011); (2) CapeNature’s 2014 assessment of criterion A1 (habitat loss); and (3) the highest status achieved in either the national assessment or CapeNature’s 2016 assessment of criterion A1 (habitat loss). This latter category is considered the best available status for the Western Cape Province (see field "WC_ETS2016" in this shapefile).

This dataset represents the 2014 land cover for the Western Cape Province. It is a combination of the “wcape_lcov_2013-14_gti_utm35n_vs23f” land-cover product delivered by GeoTerraImage (30m resolution) and additional features identified to increase the detail in the final product; especially its representation of the built environment. The original product was derived from multi-seasonal Landsat 8. The model derived landcover data is representative of the basic landscape characteristics, namely tree and bush cover, grassland (or low non-woody vegetation), barren areas (i.e. natural and man-made non-vegetated surfaces) and water. These spectrally-dependent classes were augmented by various geographic masks to derive a final thematic set of classes. The additional spatial data added to the GTI land-cover product were as follows: - Roads - Railways - Electrified Structures - Dams - Agricultural Fields The final revised land-cover product consists of 122 different classes.

The Western Cape’s 2016 Ecosystem Threat Status layer was developed to more accurately reflect the current threat status of ecosystems in the Western Cape Province, especially in terms of habitat loss (criterion A1). Ecosystems are based on the SA Vegetation Map (2012 version) and relevant indigenous forest types (DAFF, 2010), as per the national approach to assessing ecosystem threat. Threat status is provided for each ecosystem according to three assessments: (1) the national assessment in 2011 (note: threatened ecosystems identified in the NBA 2011 are the same as those listed in the gazette in December 2011); (2) CapeNature’s 2014 assessment of criterion A1 (habitat loss); and (3) the highest status achieved in either the national assessment or CapeNature’s 2016 assessment of criterion A1 (habitat loss). This latter category is considered the best available status for the Western Cape Province (see field "WC_ETS2016" in this shapefile).

Protected areas for the Witzenberg Municipality

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The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.

The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.

Protected areas for the Mossel Bay Municipality