INTRODUCTION

Elim ferricrete fynbos has been classified as critically endangered due to the high threats this vegetation faces from alien invasive plant species, land transformation and poor fire regimes. This vegetation originally used to dominate the low lying areas from Botriver to Agulhas. While fynbos is typically categorised by low nutrient soils, Elim ferricrete soils are more fertile and productive which gives rise to the threat from agriculture. While there will always be an ongoing struggle of finding the balance between conservation and generating livelihoods, it is extremely important to secure vital links in the landscape to ensure our biodiversity isn’t further diminished.

MAPPING OF REMNANT PATCHES OF ELIM FERRICRETE

Original estimates had suggested that there was 25% of this vegetation community remaining within the Agulhas Plain. The Grootbos Foundation mapped all remnant patches of this vegetation community and research suggests that there is as little as 5% of this vegetation community remaining intact. The  Grootbos Foundation has been working alongside SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) to realign the National Vegetation Map of South Africa. Many areas which were identified as Elim Ferricrete Fynbos on the National Vegetation Map were found to be other vegetation communities when ground trothed.

FURTHER RESEARCH

Through mapping the vegetation community, it became evident that there is very little information regarding this vegetation community available. There is an incredibly high species turnover from the eastern to the western most distribution. The next step in our research is to establish 20 permanent vegetation plots across the distribution area looking at the soil characteristics as well as species composition and change over the geographical range. Botanical surveys will be conducted in Spring 2021, with results being published 2022.

CREATING AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OF BIODIVERSITY

The majority of remnant Elim ferricrete patches are found on private land with little of it formally conserved in protected areas. The Grootbos Conservation Team aims at creating awareness among landowners of the high biodiversity value on their land, and at advising them of more effective management plans for the vegetation. Two conservation servitudes have been signed within the region, securing two patches of Elim fynbos in perpetuity. Servitudes are endorsed on the title deed of the property, and ensure that future landowners cannot develop these areas of high conservation value. The servitudes have been signed on both Lomond Wine Farm and Farm 215 and together secure more than 600 hectares of fynbos. 

The Elim community are custodians to some of the largest intact pieces of Elim Ferricrete Fynbos and as part of our ongoing research; we aim to work with the community to create awareness around the incredible biodiversity on their land. This engagement is done through hosting educational workshops with the youth from the community, advising on conservation land management, fine-scale mapping the community land, hosting entrepreneur training within the community focusing on green economic development, as well as creating species list with the community which can later be developed into brochures to encourage ecotourism ventures within the community.

PROPAGATING ENDEMIC PLANTS TO ELIM FERRICRETE

Many areas of Elim Fynbos are highly disturbed due to poor land management. As part of our research around Elim Fynbos, we collected seeds from endemic species from this vegetation community and propagated them in our Green Futures nursery with the aim to reintroduce and rehabilitate.

Various methods of propagation have been trailed including cuttings, sewing of seeds back into the vegetation as well as propagating seedlings. Monitoring into the succession of these various methods is on-going.