Computer-enviro mapping for KZN
Craig Elyot
11 February 2003
A new computer-based conservation map could put an end to irresponsible development in KwaZulu-Natal and improve environmental protection.
The map lists all protected and environmentally sensitive areas in the province, providing a welcome tool for monitoring development proposals.
The computer package, which originated in Cape Town, was adopted and further developed by Australian conservation authorities and has returned to South Africa, where it is currently being deployed in several provinces.
The Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa's national environmental director, Cathy Kay, welcomed the map, which is accessible to the public, and said there was no longer any reason for the development or agriculture sectors to compromise the environment without recognising the implications.
"Now absolutely no one - whether they are a potential developer or a town planner or a farmer - can say that they did not know that
they were intending to develop or farm a sensitive area," Kay said.
She said the map would also give conservationists "teeth" in tackling irresponsible or unsustainable land development.
Peter Goodman of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife coordinated the map, and said now that important biodiversity assets had been identified, the next step would be to analyse each asset's distribution and set conservation targets for their protection.
"The targets are generally the minimum amount needed to preserve that community or species in the province," he said.
The map contains colour-coded markers pinpointing conservation priority areas. Red areas, for example, denote areas that have become totally irreplaceable.
New species are added when information on their distribution becomes available or their land use changes. For example, ploughing on new land would immediately change the status of an affected vegetation type. A new development could also alter the status of
adjoining eco-systems from "significant" to "endangered".
"Apart from helping development planners to assess the viability of developments, it will also help conservationists decide where to concentrate their efforts," Goodman said.
A bill on biodiversity that is currently being studied by Parliament envisions that other provinces will adopt similar bioregional approaches to mapping environmental priorities.
Source: BuaNews
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