Spatial terrestrial biodiversity priority areas of South Africa (Priority_areas.shp). Terrestrial biodiversity priority areas were identified using data on species of special concern, vegetation types and ecological processes. Species of special concern were endemic and threatened plants, birds,frogs, mammals, scarabs and scorpions. Vegetation types were the 441 vegetation types of the vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina & Rutherford, 2004). Ecological processes considered were water production, carbon sequestration, speciation and migration. Using the principles of systematic conservation planning, priority scores were derived for species, habitat and processes separately. These were then combined into an overall priority score. Boundaries were drawn around areas of high priority score to identify 15 spatial terrestrial biodiversity priority areas. The boundaries are approximate and should not be used for fine-scale biodiversity assessment.

National Biodiversity Assessment(NBA) pelagic habitat classifications

CAPE Lowlands Renosterveld – Ecological Processes (Soil Type Transitions). Soil type transitions are areas along which contrasting geological types meet. These areas are spatial components of important ecological and evolutionary processes such as plant diversification and pollinator movements. A 250 m buffer area was mapped on either side of where the two soil types meet (Limestone, Bokkeveld Shale, Malmesbury Shale, Cape Granite, Dolomite, Silcrete/Ferricrete, Sandstone and Sandy soils). The buffer was subdivided into smaller portions and the extent of urban, cultivated or natural vegetation falling within these portions of the process area was then determined.

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).

SKEP Expert Maps (Amphibians, Birds, Fish, Insect, Invertebrates, Mammals, Plants, Reptiles)

This layer maps the location of interventions rehabilitated within the working for wetlands programme. THE WORKING for WETLANDS PROGRAMME is a partnership approach to the rehabilitation, protection and sustainable use of wetlands. The points were collected using GPS by a team for planning and implementation of rehab. The data is captured in vector format. The attribute data was collected from rehabilitation plans document and checked and confirmed by the provincial coordinators. Note: This GIS layer codes: • Working for Wetlands rehabilitation interventions points in projects • The wetland polygons are recorded on a separate shapefile

This layer maps the location of wetlands rehabilitated within the working for wetlands programme. THE WORKING for WETLANDS PROGRAMME is a partnership approach to the rehabilitation, protection and sustainable use of wetlands. The delineations were based largely on desktop delineations prepared by the planning teams for rehab. Some of the wetlands were mapped on Google Earth and other field delineated by EAP`s and provincial coordinators. The data is captured in vector format. Wetland boundaries collated from desktop mapping done by wetland specialists using aerial imagery of various resolutions, 10m interval contour data and background knowledge from their site visits for the purpose of wetland assessments over the 4 years of planning. The attribute data was collected from rehabilitation plans document and checked and confirmed by the provincial coordinators. Note: This GIS layer codes: • Working for Wetlands rehabilitated wetlands projects • The different interventions types are recorded on a separate shapefile

Conservation Status of each vegetation type for the Gouritz Inititive area. The conservation status of each of the vegetation types within the GI Domain was calculated using the vegetation targets set within C.A.P.E. and SKEP. The method for calculating Conservtion targets developed in STEP was used. Conservation status is the classification of vegetation types into four groups, depending on how much land within the type is still untransformed, and how much of the original extent is required to meet targets. It has nothing to do with the percentage of the vegetation type that is currently protected.

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Special Habitats layer for the Cape Agulhas, De Hoop Management Area, Overstrand, Drakenstein Municipality, Swartland, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof Municipalities.