Subcouncil resolution details

Subcouncil 11

Agenda item no

11SUB 8/9/2020

Subject

BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

Meeting date

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Resolution

Noted

Date closed

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Resolution detail

BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

Ms Luzann Isaacs presented the report.

Capetown most biodiverse city in the world (United Nations, Thomas Elmqvist)
The Protected Area network helps make our city sustainable and resilient, through the ecosystem services provided by nature. People need biodiversity, not only for survival as we rely on essential ecosystem services, but also for recreation, stress reduction, general health and well-being, employment, income-generating opportunities and education. Cape Town’s natural beauty and biodiversity are part of what makes this city a unique and desirable place to live and work.

1 of 35 global biodiversity hotspots
21 vegetation types in Cape Town
10 Critically Endangered national vegetation types
7 vegetation types endemic to Cape Town (3 CR)
Over 3 000 plant species
6^th of South Africa’s plants in <0,1% of the surface area
190 plant species locally endemic to Cape Town
Of 660 Red List plant taxa, 405 threatened with extinction
Already lost 49 plant species; 14 plants globally extinct
Rich small mammal, frog, reptile, insect & invertebrate faunas

Lockdown activities
Red Zone Nature Reserves: False Bay (Slangetjiebos), Table Bay NR (Rivergate), Macassar NR (Monwabisi), Upper Steenbras (Grabouw), Symphony Way NR & Driftsands

Seven days turn around
5 weeks: over 55000 structures demolished, over 7000 land lost
105 land invasions 104 protests
46 injured City Staff
32 damaged vehicles
82 arrests
Other City facilities are also targeted: halls and sport fields
SAPS pulled out at the beginning of the mass ULO

Job Creation
All together BMB facilitated over 2 000 job opportunities
Highlights -8th Annual World Conference on ecological restoration (SER)
On the 24th September 2019, Biodiversity Management organised and hosted two of the three field trips linked to the SER. Make a Difference Day which also formed part of the SER Conference and delegates were afforded the opportunity to physically contribute towards restoration efforts by controlling invasive plants in Blaauwberg Conservation area and revegetating the banks of the Black River.
Highlight -Invasive Species
The Unit was nominated 1st runner up for the Best Project category at the City Awards Ceremony for 2019. The Invasive Species Unit received this award for the second year consecutively. In addition to this, The Kader Asmal Programme and the Skill Development Programme was highlighted throughout the nomination. Ald. Antonio van der Rheede raised a concern that Edith Stephens Nature Reserve do not feature in development yet it is surrounded by the second highest rental stock and lands grabs rob our community. The members welcomed the report.

RESOLVED

The Subcouncil NOTED the information.

Action: L Isaacs