Schonenberg Seep Wetland
Conservation Management Plan
Presented by Christine Rabie of Ecosense
Introduction
The speaker
The project
The presentation…
Introduction
The presentation
The project site location and description
What is wrong with the area anyway?
The challenge
What are we trying to achieve?
The plan
What happens next?
Q&A
What is a seep?
A wetland
Associated with geological formations and topography
that cause groundwater to discharge to the land surface
or rain-derived water that ‘seeps’ down-slope as
subsurface interflow.
SANBI Biodiversity
Series 22 (2013)
Project Site Location
Seep
Conservation
Area
Site Description
What's wrong with the area anyway?
Exotic plant infestation
Derelict landscape
elements
What's wrong with the area anyway?
Stormwater management
challenges
Lack of a clear landscape
and management vision
WE NEED A PLAN!
The Challenge
Differing opinions and approaches and
visions - landscaped, natural, how natural,
access no access?
Confusion on what is permitted
Site conditions e.g. weed infestation, lack of
irrigation
Work load vs resources
So what informs the chosen approach?
What informs the chosen approach
Legislation e.g. NWA; NEMA
Brainstorm a vision
Opportunities and constraints
Approval conditions
OEMP and audit results
Contravention Notices
What informs the chosen approach
Resources available
financial, labour, skills
Site conditions: the
transformed nature and
resulting practicalities
Workshop with landscape
maintenance contractor
Input of freshwater ecologist
Dean Ollis and vegetation
restoration specialist Deon
van Eeden
All things considered:
What are we trying to achieve?
Protect and increase the conservation
value on site in terms of the wetland and
dryland elements on and the habitat it
may provide for animal species e.g. frogs
and birdlife.
Increased aesthetic value to residents of
the area—increasing property values
A desirable park area/recreation asset
Maximizing path network opportunities –
balance no –go areas with access
opportunities
All things considered:
What are we trying to achieve?
Avoid creating undue/expensive
maintenance burdens
Ongoing removal of weed species and
replacement with suitable indigenous
species that will eventually outcompete the
weeds and reduce required weeding
interventions
Hand weeding is favored over potentially
harmful herbicides in this sensitive
conservation area
All things considered:
What are we trying to achieve?
Ensure the effectiveness of the
stormwater system
Fire management/risk considerations
— reduce fire damage risks to
properties and provide an access
plan for fire fighting vehicles and
teams
Environmental awareness for
residents; get kids excited about
conservation
The Approach
A phased systematic approach
a common vision
Good design is a simple solution
Divide area into management zones
and year on year priorities
Eat the elephant one spoon at a time -
implementation not a quick fix
THE PLAN
Management areas and order of priority
1. Fire Wise Buffer Zone
2. Re-instate/Clean up/New Pathways
3. Upgrade Access Nodes
4. Upgrade Underutilized/Unloved “Park zones”
5. Indigenous Pioneer Species into Wetland
Transition Zones
6. Manmade Stormwater Channel & Pond System
7. Core Natural Seep and Pan
1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone
1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone
1. Fire-wise Plot Interface Zone
Approx 5 m wide strip along plot
boundaries
Succulent, mostly indigenous and low,
water-wise fire resistant plants
Pleasing aesthetic
Year 1 priority – outside in approach
2. Upgrade Pathway Network
2. Upgrade Pathway Network
2. Upgrade Pathway Network
Reinstate access to “lost opportunity
areas” for residents enjoyment
Facilitate fire fighting access
Stay out of sensitive “no-go” areas
Neaten up path network
Natural grass mown pathways where
practical
3. Upgrade Access Nodes
3. Upgrade Access Nodes
3. Upgrade Access Nodes
Beautiful landscaping at ”gateway areas”
Irrigated and neatly maintained
Year 1 priority
4. Park Zones
4. Park Zones
Upgrade under-utilized identified
“park” landscaping areas in the
buffer zone
improve the aesthetics and
enjoyment of the area for those
accessing the path network –
planting, seating areas etc.
Upgrade and supplement remnants
of the original development
landscaping that have become
derelict in these areas and unkempt
and create a poor impression
4. Park Zones
5. Wetland Transition Zone
5. Wetland Transition Zone
5. Wetland Transition Zone
Sowing of pioneer indigenous plant
seed to increase biodiversity and
cover
Natural transition zone between the
seep and the more structured
landscaped access nodes, fire wise
buffer and “park” zones.
6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds
6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds
6. Stormwater Channel and Ponds
Manmade and separate from seep wetland
Polishing system
Ensure flow and stability, minimize
erosion and sedimentation
Rock packing and stabilizing planting
Sediment removal
Habitat for aquatic species
7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone
7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone
7. Seep and pan – core conservation zone
Disturb as little as possible
Retain habitat integrity
No planting nearby that is potentially
invasive or disturbs the hydrological
attributes
Weed control
No-go area
Introduce new species only under
supervision of fresh water ecologist
What happens next?
Phased implementation over 5 years
minimum
Order of priority – inside out approach
Acknowledge challenges, setbacks
Monitor and adapt
Thank You!
Questions?