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Basic Project INFO

  • FOCAL AREA:
    Biodiversity
  • PROJECT TITLE:
    Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI)
  • PROJECT NUMBER:
      SAF/03/G31 and SAF/01/G44
  • COUNTRY:
      South Africa
  • PROJECT STATUS:
    On-going (commenced 2004)

      GEF Grant: US$ 3.226m
      Co-finance: US$ 8.559m
      Project Cost: US$ 11.785m
  • PROJECT DOWNLOAD (WORD)

Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI)

Facts and figures

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) in South Africa - which includes the Agulhas Plain - is the smallest and richest of the six floral kingdoms in the world, and it is the only one to be found entirely within one country. The CFR has been identified as one of the world's "hottest" hotspots of biodiversity and was in 2004 was declared a World Heritage Site - the sixth site in South Africa.

In an area of just 90 000 km 2 there are an estimated 9000 species of plants. Of these an amazing 69% are found nowhere else on earth. To put this into perspective, the British Isles, three and a half times larger, have only 1500 plants, fewer than 20 of which are endemic. More than 1400 species are listed as being critically rare, endangered or vulnerable, and at least 29 species have already become extinct.

The rich biodiversity of the CFR is under serious threat for a variety of reasons including conversion of natural habitat to permanent agriculture and rangelands for cattle, sheep and ostriches, inappropriate fire management, rapid and insensitive development, overexploitation of water resources, marine resources and wild flowers, and infestation by alien species.

Project description

The Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) is designed to address the main threats to the globally significant lowland fynbos biodiversity of the Agulhas Plain and to improve the livelihoods of local communities through inter-linked conservation, development and socio-economic activities. ABI, a joint partnership between South African National Parks and Fauna & Flora International is the first pilot project to be implemented under CAPE (Cape Action for People and Environment).

The four main components of ABI are:

  • Conservation management in the productive landscape of the Agulhas Plain including controlling alien invasion; fire management and wetlands rehabilitation
  • Development and implementation of models for sustainable harvesting of wild fynbos. (Afrikaans for "fine bush") including certification, marketing programmes and monitoring.
  • Development and implementation of nature-based tourism activities, including building local support though heritage centres and education programmes.
  • Building build local support for biodiversity conservation on the Agulhas Plain through public awareness activities

The objective is to convince landowners, private businesses and local communities that biodiversity, if managed and harvested sustainably, will provide significantly better economic benefits in the long-run, compared with alternative agricultural land-uses.

The Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) is one of three complementary GEF initiatives in support of CAPE which are aimed at strengthening systemic, institutional and individual capacities and establishing the know-how needed for conservation in different ecological and socio-economic conditions. The model will be replicated in other areas where decentralised conservation approaches are urgently needed.


SELECTED PROJECT ACTIVITIES/RESULTS

  • The plants of Agulhas Plain are among the highest priorities for conservation in South Africa and globally. Seven key areas are being targeted for action to ensure that key habitats and ecological processes are protected from the effects of alien invasion, inappropriate agriculture and damaging fires. Joint alien plant strategies are being developed and fire management plans are being included in the conservation management component of the programme.
  • ABI uses the Flower Valley Farm as a pilot area for development and implementation of sustainable harvesting models for wild fynbos flowers - one of the project's main components. The Flower Valley Conservation Trust was set up in 1999 to influence bio-diversity conservation and community empowerment. Its activities are aimed primarily at the Agulhas Plain. Community activities, including -a community garden, an arts programme and an early learning centre, supplement the conservation and marketing projects undertaken at Flower Valley Farm.

    For example, realising that in the Cape flower industry, workers are traditionally only hired for the peak flower season (August to December) and then laid off. Flower Valley started experimenting with converting recycled paper and flower discards into beautiful cards and other handmade gift stationary in order to find a complementary industry for the off-season, thus empowering rural people to use the resources available to them in a creative, sustainable way.
  • An effective marketing strategy for fynbos- including a certification scheme - is being developed by ABI. Stronger partnerships will be developed with suppliers and access to overseas markets will be developed. A study to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable harvesting will be made and the existing Code of Practice will be modified as new monitoring information becomes available.
  • Protected areas in the region are small and dispersed, making conservation activities difficult. ABI intends to create a mosaic of protected areas, including small reserves to protect habitat patches and larger reserves with connecting corridors to protect fauna and provide for floral dispersion. Since the project began the area of the Agulhas National Park has been expanded by more than 6000 ha and more than 5000 ha have been cleared of invasive species.
  • The Agulhas Plain project constitutes a top priority for SANParks and the government of South Africa intends to replicate the model in other areas of the Cape Floral Region and elsewhere where decentralised conservation approaches are urgently needed. Unlike other areas in the CFR targeted by CAPE the Agulhas Plain is in a high state of readiness for conservation intervention and provides an ideal venue for testing and monitoring new approaches.
  • Ecosystems will be restored by reducing livestock pressure and by testing strategies for vegetation recovery. Conservation objectives are being added to existing community and agricultural projects.
  • A single forum for the Agulhas Plain will be established provide joint participatory planning and management and guide sustainable harvesting, cooperative management, joint marketing strategies and training programmes. An enhanced information system will be introduced.
  • An Agulhas Plain Tourism Forum is being established to enhance the capacity of local communities to participate in tourist activities. Support for eco-tourism initiatives will include the upgrading of the existing tourism infrastructure, the establishment of Agulhas Plain Heritage Centres, the development of tourist route and a hiking trail, use of the tourist landmarks such as the graveyard of ships, historic Agulhas lighthouse and activities such as whale watching and fynbos viewing to promote conservation issues to tourists.

Legal

  • A legal review of land use is being undertaken and law enforcement will be strengthened. A supply network management forum is being established to oversee implementation of a code of practice. Protocols will also be drawn up for on-site farm planning.

Community impact

  • About 60% of the region's inhabitants live in rural areas, are unemployed and poorly educated. The project provides employment for this locally disadvantaged population through flower production and eco-tourism; education. An annual survey will be made to monitor the economic benefits which the programme provides for local communities.

Training

  • ABI is helping train park personnel in partnerships for management and landowner negotiation.
  • CAPE has formed a partnership with Rhodes University's Gold Fields Participatory Course in Environmental Education. Each year, the C.A.P.E Conservation Education Programme offers bursaries to 20 conservation education professionals working in CAPE partner organisations to complete the year-long, semi-distance course.
  • The Flower Valley Conservation Trust includes provides a Learning Centre for the community's children. The trust is developing a partnership with the Western Cape Department of Education, in order to ensure quality education, training and support. Local women at Flower Valley Farm have also been receiving training which includes early childhood development, aftercare and educational support for primary school children.
  • he Flower Valley Conservation Trust designed training materials and began running sustainable harvesting programmes for flower pickers in March 2005.
  • Agreement has also been reached for ABI to provide enviromental education in local schools.

Partners etc

ABI brings together UNDP/GEF, South African National Parks, Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, local authorities, Cape Action for People and Environment, Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, Grootbos Private Reserve, local farmers, Flower Valley Conservation Trust and Flora & Fauna International.

Meetings

  • Information sharing workshop (Plettenberg, February 2004.)
  • First CAPE 2004 (Kirstenbosch, Cape Town June 2004)
  • Global Invasive Species Programme Voluntary Association (Cape Town, April 2005. Senior representatives from key international environmental organisations met in Cape Town for this inaugural meeting.
  • Western Cape Sustainable Development Conference, (Cape Town June 2005)
  • Fynbos Fynmense - 2 nd C.A.P.E. Partners' Conference (Cape Town June 2005)

Dedicated project website: None

Newsletter: None

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