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?