Challenges in resolving and protecting biodiversity in a developing city : the case of the Cato Ridge grasslands, Durban.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
The area of Cato Ridge has been identified as a key node for future industrial and commercial
development within the eThekwini Municipal Area, with a Local Area Plan approved to guide
it. However, it also includes large areas of natural vegetation, including some of the best
remaining instances of grassland in the city. These grasslands have been mapped as Ngongoni
Veld but parts on Natal Group sandstone have contrarily been mapped as KwaZulu-Natal
Sandstone Sourveld by the eThekwini Municipality’s Environmental Planning and Climate
Protection Department. KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld is considered endangered and
deserving of greater conservation attention. However, little information is available about
either of these grassland types.
This thesis is based on surveying of 236 plots each of 100 m2 situated in better quality grassland
throughout Cato Ridge, focusing on the herbaceous component. Plots were surveyed widely in
order to determine and compare species richness and composition on different geological
substrates (mainly Dwyka Group tillite and Natal Group sandstone), and different aspects and
slopes, including respective occurrence of endemic and biogeographically important species
and Cape floristic elements.
Dwyka Group tillite plots were found to contain higher species richness. Both these plots and
those on Natal Group sandstone were found to contain endemics, biogeographically important
and Cape floristic element species. These results are used to interpret the question whether
grassland on different geological substrates is to be referred to as Ngongoni Veld or KwaZulu-
Natal Sandstone Sourveld. I conclude that, contrary to what has often been suggested in the
past, under natural conditions Ngongoni Veld is neither a species-poor grassland type, nor does
it lack distinctive species and deserves greater conservation attention.
All occurrences of all grassland in better condition are mapped and compared with the land
uses set out in the Local Area Plan. From this it is apparent that the plan enables their significant
reduction and degradation, and requires amendment if this is not to occur.
Description
Master of Science in Environmental Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban, 2017.