Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa

Protected Area Management Plan

2018 - 2023
Prepared by
Conservation Outcomes
Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA)
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Biodiversity Stewardship Programme Unit
Drakensberg Environmental Solutions CC

Citation
Cocks, M, Dladla, S., O’Brein, P. and McCann, K. (2018) Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve Protected Area Management
Plan. Version 6.0.
AUTHORISATION
This Protected Area Management Plan for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is approved:

SIGNATURE AND
TITLE NAME
DATE

MEC:
KwaZulu-Natal -Department of
Economic Development, Tourism
and Environmental Affairs

Recommended:

SIGNATURE AND
TITLE NAME
DATE

Chairperson:
KZN Nature Conservation Board
Chief Executive Officer:
EKZNW
Chairperson:
EKZNW, Biodiversity Conservation
Operations Management
Committee
Chairperson:
People and Conservation
Operations Committee
Chairperson: Prof M. Kidd
WESSA Board
Chief Executive Officer: Dr T. Burger
WESSA (Management Authority)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHORISATION ........................................................................................................................ I
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................II
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... IV
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ V
ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................ VI
1) BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 8
1.1 Purpose of the plan ........................................................................................................................ 8
1.2 Structure of the plan ...................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 11
1.4 The values of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ............................................................................... 11
1.4.1 Protection of the values............................................................................................................................ 13
1.4.2 Ecosystem-based management ................................................................................................................ 13
1.5 Planning approach ........................................................................................................................ 14
1.5.1 Adaptive management ............................................................................................................................. 14
1.5.2 Collaboration and transparency ............................................................................................................... 15
2) DESCRIPTION OF UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE AND ITS CONTEXT .................................... 16
2.1 Institutional and administrative framework for the management of Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.2 The legislative basis for the management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve .............................. 16
2.2.1 Proclamation status of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ............................................................................ 16
2.2.2 Invasive species control in terms of the Biodiversity Act .......................................................................... 17
2.3 The policy framework guiding the management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ................... 17
2.3.1 WESSA Vision and Mission ........................................................................................................................ 17
2.3.2 Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve Protected Area Management System (PAMS) ........................................ 19
2.4 The regional and local planning context of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ................................ 20
2.4.1 Local Government..................................................................................................................................... 20
2.4.2 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – C-Plan ................................................................................................................ 22
2.4.3 Department of Environmental Affairs – National Threatened or Protected Ecosystems ......................... 23
2.4.4 Greater Umgeni Biosphere Reserve Initiative........................................................................................... 24
2.4.5 EIA Regulations in terms of NEMA ............................................................................................................ 26
2.5 The history of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve .............................................................................. 26
2.6 Ecological context of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ................................................................... 28
2.6.1 Climate and weather ................................................................................................................................ 28
2.6.2 Topography ............................................................................................................................................... 30
2.6.3 Geology and soils ...................................................................................................................................... 31
2.6.4 Drainage and hydrology ............................................................................................................................ 33
2.6.5 Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................ 34
2.6.6 Sourveld ecology....................................................................................................................................... 38
2.6.7 Fire regime ................................................................................................................................................ 39
2.6.8 Invasive species ........................................................................................................................................ 40
2.6.9 Mammalian fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 42
2.6.10 Avifauna ................................................................................................................................................... 42
2.6.11 Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) ................................................................................................. 42
2.6.12 Fish ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
2.6.13 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................................................... 43
2.7 Operational management within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ............................................... 46
2.7.1 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................ 46
2.8 Summary of management issues, challenges and opportunities ................................................. 49
3) STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ................................................................................ 52
3.1 Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve’s vision ........................................................................................ 52
3.2 Objectives and strategic outcomes .............................................................................................. 52
4) ZONATION PLAN ............................................................................................................... 55
4.1 Zones on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ..................................................................................... 55
4.1.1 Limited use zone ....................................................................................................................................... 56
4.1.2 Moderate use zone ................................................................................................................................... 57
5) ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE .............................................................................................. 58

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6) OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ........................................................................... 59
6.1 Legal compliance and law enforcement ....................................................................................... 60
6.2 Buffer zone protection and regional management ...................................................................... 60
6.3 Protected Area Management System (PAMS) ............................................................................. 62
6.4 Environmental education ............................................................................................................. 64
6.5 Visitor management ..................................................................................................................... 64
6.6 Conservation management .......................................................................................................... 66
6.6.1 Ecosystem management ........................................................................................................................... 66
6.6.2 Fire and herbivore management .............................................................................................................. 68
6.6.3 Invasive plant species control ................................................................................................................... 73
6.6.4 Soil erosion management ......................................................................................................................... 74
6.7 Operational management ............................................................................................................ 76
6.7.1 Financial and human resources ................................................................................................................ 76
6.7.2 Infrastructure and equipment .................................................................................................................. 76
7) MONITORING AND REPORTING ............................................................................................ 78
7.1 Annual monitoring ........................................................................................................................ 78
7.2 Annual protected area management plan implementation review ............................................. 80
8) UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE’SANNUAL PLAN OF OPERATION ............................................... 81
8.1 Implementation of the management plan ................................................................................... 81
8.2 Responsibilities in implementing the protected area management plan .................................... 82
8.3 Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve’s resource requirements ............................................................ 82
8.3.1 Staff and equipment ................................................................................................................................. 82
8.3.2 Projects ..................................................................................................................................................... 83
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................... 84
APPENDIX A - DEFINITIONS OF TERMS .......................................................................................... 86
APPENDIX B - LIST OF STATUTES TO WHICH UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE IS SUBJECT ........................ 90
APPENDIX C - LIST OF WESSA POLICIES TO WHICH UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE IS SUBJECT ............ 92
APPENDIX D - COPY OF UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE’S PROCLAMATION ....................................... 93
APPENDIX E - SPECIES LISTS ....................................................................................................... 94
LIST OF PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ........................................... 94
LIST OF TREE SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ............................................ 102
LIST OF GRASS SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ......................................... 106
LIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ................................... 107
LIST OF REPTILE SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ....................................... 109
LIST OF AMPHIBIAN SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ................................. 110
LIST OF BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE ............................................ 111
APPENDIX F - PRO FORMA ANNUAL PLAN OF OPERATION ................................................................. 118

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Identified listed invasive alien plant species that must be controlled
within the reserve
Table 2.2 Stone age Iron age sites in the reserve
Table 2.3 Management challenges, issues and opportunities
Table 3.1 Objectives and strategic outcomes for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Table 6.1 Framework for legal compliance and law enforcement and buffer
zone protection and regional management
Table 6.2 Framework for protected area management system (PAMS)
Table 6.3 Framework for environmental education and visitor management
Table 6.4 Systematic biodiversity planning conservation targets to which
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve contributes
Table 6.5 Framework for ecosystem management
Table 6.6 Framework for fire and herbivore management
Table 6.7 Framework for invasive plant species control and erosion
management
Table 6.8 Framework for financial and human resource, and infrastructure and
equipment
Table 7.1 Annual monitoring schedule for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Structure of the Management Plan

Figure 1.2 Regional location of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 1.3 The adaptive management cycle
Figure 2.1 Protected Area Management System framework for the Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.2 uMngeni Municipality Spatial Development Framework for 2013
showing the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.3 Biodiversity Priority Areas in terms of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife C-
Plan and their location on the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.4 Listed threatened ecosystems and their location on the Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.5 Map showing the Greater Umgeni Biosphere Reserve Initiative Area
Figure 2.6 Climatic Data for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.7 Topography of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.8 Cross section of Umgeni Valle Nature Reserve
Figure 2.9 Geology of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.10 General soil types of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.11 Hydrology of the area surrounding Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.12 Vegetation types of the of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.13 Vegetation communities of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.13 Firebreaks and management blocks of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.14 Cultural heritage sites on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.15 Infrastructure on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 2.16 Boundary Fence of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 4.1 Zonation map for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 5.1 Organisational structure for the management of Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve
Figure 5.2 Organisational structure of WESSA management unit responsible for
UVNR
Figure 6.1 Fire-breaks of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 6.2 Block burns on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 6.3 Alien Clearing Blocks on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Figure 8.1 Process for the implementation of Management Plans

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ABBREVIATIONS

Amafa Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali (KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Heritage Agency)

BECVOL Biomass Estimates from Canopy Volumes
BP Business Plan
BR Biosphere Reserve
BRU Biorespource unit
CARA Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No. 43 of 1983)
CBA Critical Biodiversity Area
CEPF Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CR Critically Endangered
DEDTEA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
DCO District Conservation Officer
DEAT National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

DWA National Department of Water Affairs

EE Environmental Education
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMF Environmental Management Framework
EMP Environmental Management Plan
EN Endangered
EWT Endangered Wildlife Trust
Ezemvelo Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
FPA Fire Protection Association in terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (No.1 of 1998)
GIS Geographical Information System
GRAA Game Rangers Association of Africa
GuBR Greater uMgeni Biosphere Reserve
IBA Important Bird Area
IDP Municipal Integrated Development Plan
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

LSU Large Stock Unit

MEC Member of the Executive Council
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MPAH Maputaland-Pondoland Albany Hotspot
NEMA National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998)
NEMBA National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004)
NEM: PAA National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No 57 of 2003)
NFEPA National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area

NPAES National Protected Area Expansion Strategy

NR Nature Reserve
NSBA National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment
OIC Officer in Charge
PA Protected Area

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PAMS Protected Area Management System
PES Present Ecological State (as applied to assessed water resources)
SAHRA South African Heritage Resources Agency

SDF Municipal Spatial Development Framework

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
SMME Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises

SMP Strategic Management Plan

SWOT Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

UVNR Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

VU Vulnerable
WESSA Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa

WWF Word Wide Fund for Nature

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1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Purpose of the plan

Management plans for biodiversity stewardship sites are strategic documents
that provide the framework for the development and operation of biodiversity
stewardship sites. They inform management at all levels, from the Wildlife and
Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and its staff through to support
staff within Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) and partners. The purpose of
the management plan is to:

• Provide the primary strategic tool for management of Umgeni Valley

Nature Reserve, informing the need for specific programmes and
operational procedures.
• Provide for capacity building, future thinking and continuity of
management.
• Enable WESSA to develop and manage Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
in such a way that its values and the purpose for which it has been
established are protected.
• Ensure the effective management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in
accordance with relevant provincial, national and international norms
and standards.
• The plan outlines the implementation of the conditions laid out in the
Protected Area Management Agreement for Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve, which are to:
o Preserve the ecological integrity (including vulnerable and
ecologically sensitive areas) of the nature reserve.
o Conserve the biodiversity of the nature reserve.
o Protect areas representative of all ecosystems, habitats and
species naturally occurring there.
o Protect threatened or rare species.
o Assist in ensuring the sustained supply of environmental goods
and services provided by the nature reserve.
o Provide for the sustainable use of natural and biological
resources.
o Create or augment destinations for educational and nature-
based tourism (where applicable).
o Manage the interrelationship between the natural
environment, biodiversity, human settlement and economic
development.
o Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote
the recovery of threatened and vulnerable species.

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 1.2 Structure of the plan

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONTEXT

Introduction

Management issues,
Description and challenges and
context opportunities

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Vision

Objectives

Key performance
areas
Strategic
outcomes

Zonation
plan
Adaptive management

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Administrative
framework

Management Guiding principles

activity

Management
targets

Monitoring and
reporting

Annual plan of
operation

Figure 1.1 Structure of the Management Plan

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Section 1: Provides an introduction and background to the
management plan and Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
Section 2: Establishes the context of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve,
providing the basis for the strategic and operational
management frameworks that follow.
Section 3: Sets out the vision and objectives for Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve.
Section 4: Sets out the zonation of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve,
outlining the land uses in particular zones.
Section 5: Describes the administrative structure that has been
established to assist in managing Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve.
Section 6: Sets out the management targets that must be achieved in
managing the nature reserve.
Section 7: Sets out the monitoring measures required to determine if
management targets are being met.
Section 8: Describes the components that must be included in the
annual plan of operation.

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1.3 Introduction
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is two kilometres north-east of Howick on the
farm, Umgeni Valley No. 15051 and is 656.8 ha in extent (Figure 1.2). It falls
within the uMgungundlovu District and uMngeni Local Municipalities. The
reserve links with Hilton College Nature Reserve and other natural areas in the
region, including Albert Falls Dam. As such it is an important part of
conservation within the landscape forming part of a mosaic of protected areas
across the region.

Figure 1.2 Regional location of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

1.4 The values of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

The values of a place are those remarkable attributes that exemplify it, which
led to it being identified as a priority within KwaZulu-Natal to be declared as a
nature reserve. The values are important in planning and management, as
they are the aspects of the place that must be protected. The values of Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve include:

Scenic values ▪ Umgeni Valley makes an important contribution to

the aesthetics and sense of place of Howick.
Habitat values ▪ The altitudinal gradient of the area varies
considerably, and this has resulted in a wide variety
of habitat types. These include Midlands Mistbelt
Grassland, KZN Hinterland Thornveld, Southern KZN
Moist Grassland, forest patches, riverine thicket,
sub-tropical thicket and thornveld savannah.

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 Ecosystem function ▪ Umgeni Valley contributes to the hydrological
values functioning, ecosystem and biodiversity value of the
Umgeni River Catchment, a critically important river
system in KwaZulu-Natal.
Education values ▪ Umgeni Valley is a centre of excellence for
conservation management and environmental
education, catering to an array of people from
schoolchildren to adults.
Socio-economic ▪ Umgeni Valley forms part of the core area of the
values Greater Umgeni Biosphere Reserve initiative,
incorporating the Umgeni and Karkloof River
Catchments, from Midmar Dam to Nagle Dam.
▪ Umgeni Valley contributes to the economic
sustainability of the region through its tourism
activities.
Cultural and historic ▪ Umgeni Valley plays an important role in the
values cultural and social value of Howick and will continue
to do so in the future.
▪ There are a number of graves and Iron Age sites
within Umgeni Valley, which are of cultural and
historic importance.

Consistent with Section 17 of the National Environmental Management

Protected Areas Act (Act No 57 of 2003) (NEMPAA), the purpose of Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve is to:

• Be a Centre of Excellence for environmental education, research and

outreach initiatives for learners from educational institutions in the
region that utilise the facilities and programmes.
• Strive to establish partnerships with neighbouring landowners,
stakeholders, communities and administrators so as to enhance the
diversity and viability of the greater area surrounding the Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve.
• Conserve and wisely manage the habitats, ecosystems and biological
diversity of the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve and, where necessary,
to restore and rehabilitate degraded systems to their natural and
productive states.
• Promote and support appropriate land and natural resource uses that
are compatible with the above objectives.
• Preserve the cultural heritage sites located on the Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve.
• Strive for financial viability without compromising on sound
conservation principles and practices.

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1.4.1 Protection of the values

The protected area’s values, in particular those that underlie the functioning
of its ecosystems and the protection of its rare and threatened species, will be
given the highest degree of protection to ensure the persistence of these
systems in a predominantly unaltered state.

Human activities within the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve that threaten the
integrity of or a component of its ecosystems will not be permitted. Where
ecosystem integrity is threatened by human activities outside the site,
collaborative action will be taken with relevant stakeholders to eliminate or
reduce the threat.

1.4.2 Ecosystem-based management

Decision-making associated with the protection of the reserve’s ecosystems

will be scientifically based on internationally accepted principles and concepts
of conservation biology. The protected area ecosystems will be managed with
minimal interference to natural processes. Specific management may be
desirable, when the structure or function of a habitat or ecosystem has been
significantly altered by human induced impacts or previous management.
Specific management will only be considered when this option is the best
alternative available to restore ecological integrity.

Where directed management is required, it will be based on scientific

research, and will employ techniques that emulate natural processes as closely
as possible. Provided that reserve’s ecosystems will not be impaired, the
manipulation of naturally occurring processes (e.g. creation of firebreaks,
removal of damage causing animals) may take place when no reasonable
alternative exists and when monitoring has demonstrated, that without direct
intervention:

• There will be serious adverse effects on neighbouring lands.

• The protected area’s facilities, public health or safety will be
threatened.
• The objectives of a protected area’s management plan prescribing how
certain natural features or cultural resources are to be maintained
cannot be achieved.

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1.5 Planning approach

1.5.1 Adaptive management

The preparation of this management plan has been undertaken based on the
guiding principles of adaptive management, which is a structured, interactive
process in which decisions are made using the best available information, with
the aim of obtaining better information through monitoring of performance
(Figure 1.3). In this way, decision making is aimed at achieving the best
outcome based on current understanding, whilst accruing the information
needed to improve future management. Adaptive management can lead to
revision of a part or if necessary the whole management plan.

Adaptive management enables landowners and managers to:

• Learn through experience.
• Take account of, and respond to, changing factors that affect the
biodiversity stewardship site.
• Develop or refine management processes.
• Adopt best practices and new innovations in biodiversity conservation
management.
• Demonstrate that management is appropriate and effective.

Figure 1.3 The adaptive management cycle (Management

Strategy Evaluation, 2009)

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1.5.2 Collaboration and transparency

Stakeholder involvement and support is an important aspect of effective

protected area management. It is also a requirement in terms of Sections
39(3) and 41(2)(e) of the NEM: PAA. Accordingly, the development of this
management plan has been undertaken through a collaborative process,
involving key stakeholders.

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2. DESCRIPTION OF UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE AND ITS
CONTEXT

2.1 Institutional and administrative framework for the

management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve will be undertaken in
accordance with relevant legislation and the management policies of the
WESSA, specifically WESSA’s adopted quality management system known as
the Protected Area Management System (PAMS). PAMS includes a
commitment to maintain the character and ecological, cultural and aesthetic
integrity of the reserve.

2.2 The legislative basis for the management of Umgeni Valley

Nature Reserve
There is a large body of legislation that is relevant to the management of
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, but the primary legislation guiding the
management of protected areas is the NEM: PAA.

The NEM: PAA establishes the legal basis for the creation and administration
of protected areas in South Africa, as its objectives include provisions “for the
protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas representative of
South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural landscapes”. The Act and its
regulations sets out the mechanisms for the declaration of protected areas
and the requirements for their management.

A detailed list of relevant legislation is provided in Appendix B. Managers

should familiarise themselves with the purpose and contents of the statutes
and their subsequent amendments and regulations.

2.2.1 Declaration status of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has negotiated a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement

with WESSA for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. Through this agreement,
WESSA has committed to declaring the site as a nature reserve in terms of
Section 23 of the NEM: PAA. A copy of the gazette notice, declaring Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve as a nature reserve is provided in Appendix D.

The property involed in the declaration of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is as

follows:

• The farm Umgeni Valley No. 15051, located in the Registration Division FT
of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, in extent 656,8054 (Six hundred and
fifty six comma eight zero five four) hectares, as shown in SG Diagram No.
4031/1972 and held by Charles Humphries Prop Pty Ltd under Deed of
Transfer No. T21496/1973.

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2.2.2 Invasive species control in terms of the Biodiversity Act

In terms of Section 76 of the National Environmental Management:

Biodiversity Act (No.10 of 2004) (NEM:BA), the management authority of a
protected area must incorporate an invasive species control plan in the
protected area management plan. This is addressed in Sections 3 and 4 below.

2.3 The policy framework guiding the management of Umgeni

Valley Nature Reserve

2.3.1 WESSA Vision and Mission

WESSA are the management authority for the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve,
and thus will guide the management of the reserve. WESSA has developed the
following corporate strategic profile:

VISION
To be a highly effective and well-supported champion of the environment.

MISSION STATEMENT
To implement high impact environmental and conservation projects which
promote public participation in caring for the Earth.

AIMS
To contribute to conserving the Earth’s vitality and diversity by:
• Promoting sound environmental values and sustainable lifestyles.
• Integrating conservation and development.
• Encouraging and generating individual and community action.
• Securing the protection and wise use of natural resources.
• Acting as an environmental watchdog.
• Promoting and participating in environmental education.
• Influencing policy and decision-making.
• Responding to changing needs.
• Fostering collaborative partnerships

STYLE
We operate democratically.
We are firm, but restrained, in the pursuit of our aims, seeking collaboration
and consensus whenever possible, and accepting accountability for our
actions. We strive for innovation and excellence, lead by example, and act
with integrity, in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

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 CORE VALUES
Integrity We shall endeavour to uphold our integrity, both as individuals and
as an organisation, at all times, as we recognise that this principle is
the value upon which all others are founded.

Mutual We shall at all times treat each other with mutual respect. Mutual
Respect respect at all levels fosters as sense of pride and belonging that is
essential to a positive culture and enjoyment of both the work place
and WESSA’s activities. We therefore promote tolerance, sharing,
humility and a desire to seek consensus

Excellence We shall conduct ourselves and do business in a manner displaying

the highest level of professional competence and behaviour,
thereby bringing credit to WESSA. We shall always strive to be
consistent, conscientious and focused in our quest for personal
excellence as we recognize that individuals striving for personal
excellence will enhance any team and, thereby, the organization as
a whole.

Innovation We shall promote an organisational culture that embraces diversity

and empowerment for the value it adds. Our ever-changing
environment requires us to be adaptable in order to remain
effective and to seize opportunities. We shall therefore always
encourage proactive problem-solving, initiative, and the search for
better ways to succeed in our activities and Mission.

Accountability We recognise that each of us is part of a team, and that no

individuals can achieve more by themselves than everyone working
together. In so doing, we shall always make the extra effort for our
fellow team members whilst ensuring that all of us take full
responsibility for our roles and remain accountable for our actions.
We shall be empowering and continually re-evaluating ourselves in
our actions.

A number of policies, specific to particular areas of operation, have also been

developed by WESSA (Appendix C). These policies have been considered and
applied within the plan, where relevant. The nature reserve’s managers are
required to be familiar with them and to apply them in managing Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve.

This management plan has utilised this body of policies to develop a strategic
and operational management framework for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
that is consistent with the broad goals and specific policy requirements of
WESSA.

Conser vation and Environment Policy

WESSA undertakes to manage Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in accordance
with its Vision, Mission and objectives by:

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 • Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Protecting and conserving the natural, cultural, historic values
and the sense-of-place for the benefit of current and future
generations.
• Maintaining a national and international centre of excellence
for environmental education and research.
• Complying with all the legal instruments (legislation,
regulations and agreements) applicable to a nature reserve in
KwaZulu-Natal.
• Ensuring financial sustainability without compromising primary
conservation principles.
• Embracing professionalism and sound corporate governance.
• Implementing the provisions of the reserve management plan
in a consistent manner.
• Implementing the Protected Area Management System (PAMS)
and conforming to its standards.
• Applying an adaptive management and best practice approach
to continually improve management effectiveness.
• Ensuring all staff are well trained, informed and motivated.
• Fostering partnerships with neighbouring landowners and
stakeholders to enhance the natural diversity of the greater
area surrounding the reserve.
• Involving the reserve’s stakeholders through effective
communication.

2.3.2 Umgeni Valley Nature Reser ve Protected Area Management

System (PAMS)

WESSA, together with the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) has
developed a Protected Area Management System (PAMS) for Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve. This system is devised to assist and direct management
activities on a daily basis within the reserve.

Scope
WESSA undertakes to implement the PAMS in all operations and activities
within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

The PAMS is a management system that is specifically aimed at managing

protected areas ‘effectively’, i.e. for specifically defined outcomes. It offers a
systematic and easy-to-follow framework that consists of four basic
components (as shown in Figure 2.1):
1. Planning;
2. Implementation and operations;
3. Checking and corrective action;

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4. Review and reporting.

Under each of these components there is a list of criteria that need to be met
or put in place. By having all these criteria in place, a management system is
created that identifies and prioritises risks and sets objectives to address and
manage these risks. It assists in clearly defining roles and responsibilities,
addresses conservation concerns, determines and promotes best practice,
ensures competency at different levels, reduces liabilities, identifies gaps and
ensures the measurement of implementation and outcomes of management
actions through auditing and evaluation. Cumulatively, the criteria provide the
framework that drives continual improvement and ensures effective
management.

Protected Area Management System

Policy, Mission, Vision

Planning
1. Identify Risks/Hazards
2. Set Objectives & Targets
3. Draw up Management Programme
to meet Objectives & targets
4. Adhere to legislation

Implementation & Operation Management Review

1. Determine roles & responsibilities
2. Ensure good communication 1. Top management review the progress &
3. Develop Emergency plans & drills review whether objectives were met
4. Develop operating/best practice 2. Address problem area
procedures (must address risks/hazards 3. Set objectives for following year and
identified) hereby ensure continual improvement
5. Identify training needs, draw up schedules 4. State of PA report (internal & public report)
6. Control Documentation

Checking and Corrective Action

1. Develop a good monitoring system to monitor
2. Do self checks, internal audits, external audits
3. Record Non-conformities & incidents
4. Have a system in in place for preventative &
corrective actions

Figure 2.1 Protected Area Management System framework for

the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.4 The regional and local planning context of Umgeni Valley

Nature Reserve

2.4.1 Local Government

In accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act (Act No.
27 of 1998) and the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117
of 1998), the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, has been demarcated into the
uMgungundlovu District Municipality and the uMngeni Local Municipality,
which set the regional and local planning frameworks.

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The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the uMngeni Municipality guides
development within the municipality. Within the IDP, the natural resources
management strategy indicates the need for a biodiversity strategy, an open
space system, an alien invasive species control programme and that
catchment management agencies should be established as well as the need to
undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to form a base to
develop an environmental management plan for the entire municipal area. It
is also noted within the IDP that the formulation of a master plan for Worlds
View, Howick Falls, Midmar Dam and Karkloof is underway.

The uMngeni Municipality vision focuses on ‘addressing unemployment and

eradicating poverty, promoting local economic development, being more
people focused, maintaining quality service delivery, efficiency and cost
effectiveness and the promotion of education’. Some of the aspects looked at
within the IDP in relation to the strategic framework for the Spatial
Development Framework (SDF) are geared to:

• Stimulate local economic development; with specific emphasis on

tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and commence.
• Attract a greater market share of both domestic and international
tourism markets.
• Positively manage informal settlements.
• Raise environmental awareness amongst all the communities in the
municipal area.
• Establish an integrated land use management system which will be
more user friendly, environmentally sensitive and responsive to
community needs.

With the uMngeni Municipality rapidly transforming due to new development

pressures it is attempting to adopt an integrated approach to land use
management that seeks to create a more efficient urban form while at the
same time attempting ‘to ensure that environmental objectives are taken into
account in the formulation and adjudication of development proposals and
optimize the inherent tourism and recreation potential of the area.’

The Spatial Development Framework (the 2013/14 review being the latest
version) for the uMgeni Municipality has identified the Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve as a formally conserved area (Figure 2.2). This status is reflected in
the 2015/16 IDP, however it is important to note that it is located within the
primary node which is made up of the following zones and land uses;

• Mixed Use area, consisting of general and limited mixed-use areas.

• Possible Future Residential Area.
• Urban Transition.
• Opportunity Points

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According to the IDP within the primary node however broad planning
principles apply which promote a full range of permanent residential options
whilst at the same time keeping in mind the existing character, natural
attributes and attractions. The infill and the densification of existing
residential areas is encouraged but only where there is seen to be no impact
on the amenity of the area. This may present some challenges for the Umgeni
Valley Nature Reserve as it is set within this rapidly developing context.

Umgeni
Valley Nature

Figure 2.2 uMngeni Municipality Spatial Development

Framework for 2013 showing the Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve

It should be noted that the uMngeni Water pipeline servitude runs along the
boundary on the South West of the reserve.

2.4.2 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – Conservation Plan

According to the Conservation Plan, areas within the reserve have been
identified as Biodiversity Priority Area’s 1 and 3 (Figure 2.3). These Biodiversity
Priority Areas have been renamed as Critical Biodiversity Area’s (CBA’s). The
CBA 1 Mandatory areas are based on the C-Plan Irreplaceability analyses.
Identified as having an Irreplaceability value of 1, these planning units
represent the only localities for which the conservation targets for one or
more of the biodiversity features contained within can be achieved i.e. there
are no alternative sites available. The CBA 3 Optimal areas are identified
through systematic conservation planning software which represents the best
localities out of a potentially larger selection of available planning units that
are optimally located to meet both the conservation target but also the criteria

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defined within the Decision Support Layers. Using C-Plan, these areas are
identified through the MINSET analysis process and reflect the negotiable sites
with an Irreplaceability score of less than 0.8. Within the C-Plan MINSET
analysis this does not mean they are of a lower biodiversity value however,
only that there are more alternate options available within which the features
located within can be met.

Figure 2.3 Biodiversity Priority Areas in terms of the

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife C -Plan and their location on
the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.4.3 Department of Environmental Affairs – National

Threatened or Protected Ecosystems

Section 52(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act

(Act 10 of 2004) provides for listing threatened or protected ecosystems, in
one of four categories: critically endangered (CR), endangered (EN), vulnerable
(VU) or protected. This list was published by the minister of the Department
of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the 9th December 2011.

The reserve falls on the edge of the vulnerable threatened terrestrial

ecosystem, the Midlands Mistbelt Grassland (Gs9) (Figure 2.4). This ecosystem
type has been listed under criterion F, which are priority areas for meeting
explicit biodiversity targets as defined in a systematic biodiversity plan.

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Figure 2.4 Listed threatened ecosystems and their locatio n on
the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.4.4 Greater Umgeni Biosphere Reserve Initiative

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve forms part of the core area of the Greater
Umgeni Biosphere Reserve Initiative (GuBR). WESSA in 2014 submitted a
funding application to the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) for a
year-long project which would initiate the development of a proposed
biosphere reserve, which would be the first UNESCO registered Biosphere
Reserve (BR) in the province. The proposal was accepted and WESSA started
the project in August 2014.

The proposed BR is located in KwaZulu-Natal, in an area which is known as the

KwaZulu-Natal midlands and forms part of the greater uMngeni river
catchment. Its boundary encompasses the uMngeni River system from the
base of its source (the uMngeni Vlei) to Nagle Dam (Figure 2.5). It also includes
the important catchment areas of the Karkloof River system which feeds into
the uMngeni. There has and still is a focus on trying to secure the source of
many of the country’s rivers. Whilst this is important, the ‘working section’ of
our river systems are not getting the necessary attention. It was a key factor
in the final determination of the GuBR boundary.

South Africa is considered as the third most biodiverse country in the world
(GCIS, 2014). This unique biodiversity has contributed to the designation of
eight Biosphere Reserves within the country. However, none have to date
been designated within the province despite it being recognised as forming a
major part of one of the 34 most Biodiverse regions in the world being the

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Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot (MPAH). The proposed GuBR which is
situated in the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany Hotspot, is habitat to a
number of threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. It also
has a number of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) that host many threatened bird
species, such as the iconic Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus). Other key
attributes include spectacular natural features (e.g. waterfalls) and immense
cultural value. Unfortunately, rampant, poorly planned development, aging
municipal infrastructure, climate change, invasive alien species infestations
and increasing levels of pollution threaten the natural character of the area
and its ability to provide ecosystem services to people. The Midmar, Albert
Falls and Nagle Dams, all on the uMngeni River, are major sources of water for
people living in the region and the major economic centre of the city of Durban
downstream.

Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve

Figure 2.5 Map showing the Greater Umgeni Biosphere

Reserve Initiative Area

The aims of the Greater uMngeni Biosphere Reserve are to:

• Have informed communities that understand the environment and the

threats facing it.
• Help to create and maintain a productive and healthy environment for
people and their families.
• Encourage sustainable use and development.
• Reduce conflict and promote communication.
• Encourage diverse green local economies.
• Increase the involvement of communities in land-use decisions and
thus the connection to the land.

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 • Support and facilitate interconnected scientific studies, local
knowledge sharing and monitoring.
• Increase citizen science and local communities’ participation.
• Celebrate cultural diversity and provide opportunities to maintain
existing traditions and lifestyle.
• Retain the unique qualities and natural attributes of the landscape.

2.4.5 EIA Regulations in terms of NEMA

In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (No.107 of 1998)

(NEMA) environmental impact assessment (EIA) Regulations, various activities
require environmental authorisation before they may commence. In addition,
in terms of Regulation RN.546, Listing Notice No.3, there are a number of
activities that require environmental approval specifically as a result of their
proximity to a protected area. The implication of this is that if any of the
activities listed in Listing Notice 3 are proposed in the nature reserve, or within
five kilometres of it, they will be subject to either a basic assessment or a full
scoping and EIA process. A number of general activities and those proposed
for either tourism development or operational management within the nature
reserve or its buffer areas will thus also require environmental authorisation.

2.5 The history of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

WESSA (previously known as the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa) is
arguably one of the country's oldest and largest independent non-government
environmental organisations. Although its origins go back to the 1890s, it has
been in continuous existence since 1926.

WESSA is a membership-based organisation that has, since its inception,

always been non-racist and apolitical. It currently enjoys a membership of
4,000, although this is misleading as many members consist of schools,
families, corporations and clubs, such that a conservative estimate of actual
numbers of members (as opposed to computer addresses) is considered to be
40,000 – 50,000. The members are grouped into 52 Branches throughout
South Africa, which in turn are grouped into eight geographical Regions.

In line with its Mission statement of “To implement high impact environmental
and conservation projects which promote public participation in caring for the
Earth”, WESSA provides opportunities for its thousands of members, school
children and the general public, to become involved in environmental issues
at local, national and international levels.

In the 1970s WESSA sought property to reinforce its conservation education

programme. The property it sought had to meet the requirements of natural
beauty, wilderness quality, ecological diversity and minimal development. It
had to have educational value and be readily accessible to schools and
population centres to make it economically viable. It had also to be large

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enough to accommodate large mammals, and be safe to visitors on foot. It
had to be available for purchase by WESSA.

These requirements were met by the property in the gorge of the uMngeni
River below the Howick Falls in Natal owned by Charles Humphries Properties
(Pty) Ltd. and leased to Umgeni Game Ranch (Pty) Ltd. WESSA accordingly
launched the Wildlife Heritage Trust Fund - entirely separated from the Society
- to raise money and to negotiate purchase of the property. A two-year lease
was signed at the end of 1974 and in June 1976, when half of the R200,000
purchase price had been raised by donations by WESSA members and the
public, an option to purchase was signed. Transfer was taken in January 1977.
Successive loans were finally paid in the latter half of 1978.

WESSA members in KwaZulu-Natal decided that the aim for the reserve was
"to manage and maintain the reserve in as natural a state as possible so as to
provide for the needs of Environmental Education". Over thirty-eight years
later WESSA is still providing a diversity of quality Environmental Education
(EE) fieldwork courses.

As early as the 1980’s Tim Wright and Rob O’Donoghue worked with staff at
Umngeni Valley to develop the Participatory Evaluation Programme –
Umngeni Valley (PEP-UP) evaluation (Wright, 1988). This work extended over
a number of years and staff members sought feedback from teachers and
learners and articulated their approaches to learning. Evaluation workshops
were held to review how the learning processes could be strengthened. This
study showed that if learning is to bring about action and change, then the
learning processes themselves must include action and change.

In 1979 sections of the offices that are used today on the reserve were
completed, additions were added on as space was needed. The Gold Fields
center was completed in 1992.

Over the years WESSA have continued to play a strong role in shaping
conservation practices throughout South Africa, proactively engaging with the
challenges and opportunities presented by our country’s unique natural
heritage and the social and economic systems that depend on it. Whilst our
organisation has changed its name and its focus several times over the years,
one very important aspect of WESSA’s mission that has remained unchanged
throughout our history is articulated in our logo: “People Caring for the Earth”.

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2.6 Ecological context of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.6.1 Climate and weather

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is in a summer rainfall area with a relatively

high average annual rainfall and experiences drier winters (Figure 2.5). The
reserve, falls within the Bioresource Units (BRU) Vb12 (Howick Falls), Wc31
(Howick), YC11 (Lidgetton) and Vc25 (eMpophomeni) (Bioresource Program
9.1, 2010). The mean annual rainfall (MAP) for BRU’s Vb12, Wc31, YC11 and
Vc25 is 786 mm, 844 mm, 985 mm and 794 mm respectively. The MAP for the
whole reserve is 794 mm.

About 80 per cent of the rain falls during the months October to March
inclusive; the wettest months are December, January and February and the
driest, June and July. Soft soaking orographic rains sometimes set in for several
days but almost half the rain falls during short thunderstorms of varying
intensity. Severe hailstorms are sometimes experienced. Snow has been
recorded on the upper part of the property but it is extremely rare.

The enervating heat and humidity of the coast in late summer and the bleak
cold of the Highveld in winter are seldom experienced on the Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve. Indeed, the climate is healthy and agreeable at all times of
the year. A possible exception is in late winter or early spring when rains are
late after a long dry season and occasional desiccating winds blow.

The mean annual temperature for the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is 16.7°C.
The mean maximum temperature for the reserve is 22.5°C with a January
mean of 25.2°C, while mean minimum temperature drops to 10.6°C with a
June mean of 4.8°C (Figure 2.6).

Frost is experienced almost every year but is usually light. It is almost unknown
on the escarpment edge as cold air drains to lower levels before frost occurs.
The valley is warmer by several degrees but temperatures range more. Light
frosts occur nearly every year near the Umgeni River. Aspect and altitude are
responsible for differences within the valley.

The prevailing summer winds are light and usually from the east during fair
weather. Summer thunderstorms may be accompanied by strong winds from
any quarter but usually from the south or west. Late winter winds originate in
the north-west they are usually of short duration but may reach speeds of 100
km/hour or more. These winds are also felt in the valley but at reduced
intensity.

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Figure 2.6 Climate data for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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2.6.2 Topography

The greater part of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve falls within the spectacular
gorge below the Howick Falls (Figure 2.7).

Figure 2.7 Topography of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

The Umgeni River and its tributaries form a 2.5 km common boundary with
Howick townlands. The remaining perimeter is common with farms and
smallholdings. The highest point is 1,044 metres above sea-level near the
entrance gate on the Howick-Karkloof road. The lowest point is at 737 metres
above sea-level on the Umgeni River. The relief is thus 307 metres and includes
two entirety different landscape and climate types. The upper part of the
Reserve is the edge of a rolling plateau at an average altitude of about 1,000
metres. The land falls away abruptly at the edge of the plateau for about 60
metres to form rock faces in places. Below 860 metres above sea level, the
valley sides slope more gently towards the Umgeni River. The reserve has all
five terrain units (Figure 2.8):

1) Plateau
2) Escarpment
3) Slope
4) Foot Slope
5) Valley Bottom (Umgeni River).

Steep slopes, which encompass a large part of the reserve, will be a sensitive
to soil erosion and should be carefully monitored.

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Figure 2.8 Cross-section of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.6.3 Geology and soils

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve consists mainly of shale’s and sandstones of the
Ecca Group. These shale’s and sandstones are laid in horizontal beds (Nanni,
1978). These sediments were laid down 350 million years ago in a huge inland
sea in the centre of the super continent Gondwanaland. This sea was slowly
filled with sediments over a period of 150 million years, from the rivers on the
north and south which fed it (Price, 2006). The river which slowly filled up with
sediments formed a layer of rocks that is known today as the Karoo
Supergroup. The Ecca group is one of the thick rock layers of the Karoo Super
group, which consists mostly of shale and sandstone. The Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve, falls on the Vryheid Formation, which is a part of the Ecca
group (Price, 2006) (Figure 2.8). This Vryheid Formation was affected, in the
Jurassic period, approximately 80 million years ago by the division of the super
continent Gondwanaland. When the super continent started to slowly divide,
this movement of continents created stresses in the earth’s crust which
resulted in volcanic activity, causing large amounts of magma to solidify on the
surface on the earth. Magma poured into cracks and weak points of the earth’s
crust and solidified as horizontal layers called sills. This rock is called Dolerite,
and can be seen on the eroded banks or high lying areas of Umgeni Valley
(Reinhardt, 2007). Shale and sandstone are dominant parent rock in the
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, although dolerite does appear, but only where
the erosion of the dykes and sills has reached the surface (Figure 2.9). The
dolerite, when pouring into the cracks and weak points of the sedimentary
rock, then put heat and pressure on these rocks, this intern made the
sedimentary rock harder and less susceptible to erosion. Shale and sandstone
is softer than dolerite, this intern means that shale and sandstone weather
easier than dolerite which could cause a problem on steep slopes with the
stability of the soil. (Reinhardt, 2007).

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The two main categories of soils in the Reserve reflect the degree of
weathering (Figure 2.10). Highly leached soils forms, represented by Hutton,
Clovelly, Griffin and Mispah series occur in the upper cooler and moister parts
of the reserve. They are acidic and have a low nutrient status. The most
common soil form, Hutton, is usually deep and well drained on the reserve.
Hutton is an Orthic A over a Red Apedal B over Unspecified material while
Clovelly is an Orthic A over a Yellow Brown Apedal B over Unspecified material.
Griffin is an Orthic A over a Lithocutanic B over Unspecified and Mispah is an
Orthic A over Hard Rock.

The slightly less leached soils below the escarpment are less weathered and
include the Bonheim, Valsriver and Mispah forms. They are usually associated
with rockiness. The Valsriver form is the most common in the lower parts of
the reserve (Figure 2.10). Bonheim is a Melanic A Horizon over a lithocutanic
B and Valsriver is an Orthic A over a pedocutanic B over unconsolidated
material without signs of wetness.

Figure 2.9 Geology of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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Figure 2.10 General soil types of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

2.6.4 Drainage and hydrology

Runoff from the grasslands within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is about
120mm annually. Streams are markedly seasonal but there are several
perennial sources of water on the nature reserve. Runoff from the lower part
of the nature reserve is about 80mm annually. All parts of the nature reserve
are near enough to water even in the most severe drought to make provision
of water points for animals and birds unnecessary.

Eight kilometres of the uMngeni River flows through the reserve, entering the
reserve from the west meandering through the valley towards the east, it exits
the reserve in the east which then leads onto the Albert Falls Dam (Figure
2.11). There are a number of fresh water streams that run through the reserve
the Ukubongo stream Umhlangeni Stream, the Umdoni stream, the Rietspruit
and the Gwenspruit. The uMngeni Water pipeline runs along the boundary on
the South West of the reserve. There are concerns with E. coli levels in the
Umgeni River flowing through the reserve, associated with the urban areas of
Howick (the town of Howick sewage outlet comes out in the uMngeni River on
the Reserve) and informal settlements nearby to the reserve. In December of
2008 there was a recorded fish kill in the reserve experienced due to high
levels of E. coli emanating from sewage spills.

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Figure 2.11 Hydrology of the area surroundin g Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve

2.6.5 Vegetation

The upland area of the broader region falls within the sub escarpment
grasslands of the Grassland Biome while the valley bottoms fall within the sub
escarpment savannah of the Savanna Biome. Within the Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve there are four main vegetation types (Figure 2.12):

• KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld (555.1 ha) - listed as Least Threatened

(KZN Vegetation Type) and Vulnerable (Mucina and Rutherford 2006).
• Midlands Mistbelt Grassland (79.6 ha) -- listed as Endangered.
• Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland (8.8 ha) - listed as Vulnerable
• Eastern Mistbelt Forests (13.3 ha) - listed as Least Threatened.

KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld (SVs 3) (Mucina and Rutherford 2006)

occurs in scattered patches immediately above Eastern Valley Bushveld, in
KwaZulu Natal. It occurs at altitudes between 450 and 900 masl in river valleys
of mainly the Mpisi, Mvoti, Umgeni (below Howick Falls), Mlazi, Lufafa and
Mtungwane. This vegetation is open thornveld dominated by Acacia species
on undulating plains found on the upper margins of river valleys. Tree species
that dominate in this vegetation type include Acacia natalitia, A. nilotica,
Combretum molle and Ziziphus mucronata, while grass species include Aristida
junciformis junciformis, Eragrostis curvula, Hyparrhenia hirta, Melinis
nerviglumis and Themeda triandra. Hilton College Nature Reserve is the only
statutory conservation area conserving this vegetation type.

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Midlands Mistbelt Grassland (Gs 9) (Mucina and Rutherford 2006) occurs in
the KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces. It is scattered in a broad belt
in the form of several major patches in KwaZulu Natal including Melmouth-
Babanango area, Kranskop and Greytown, Howick, Lions River, Karkloof,
Balgowan, Cedara, Edendale, Hilton, Richmond, the Ixopo-Highflats area,
Mount Malowe in the Umzimkhulu area and the Harding Weza area. It occurs
at an altitude between 760 and 1400 masl. The landscape is hilly and rolling
and mainly associated with discontinuous east-facing scarp formed by dolerte
intrusions. Midlands Mistbelt Grassland is dominated by forb rich, tall, sour T.
triandra grasslands transformed by the invasion of A. junciformis junciformis.
Only a few patches of the original species rich grasslands remain. Only a small
fraction of this vegetation type is statutorily conserved in a number of
reserves: Ngeli, Impendle, Blinkwater, Qudeni, Doreen Clark, Karkloof, Queen
Elizabeth Park, Mount Gilboa, Mbona and Roselands. More than half of this
vegetation type has been transformed for plantations, cultivated land and
urban sprawl.

Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland (Gs 11) (Mucina and Rutherford

2006) occurs in interior valley basis at Creighton, Malenge and Centocow in
the South and the upper Mkomazi valley and Howick in the North. It occurs at
an altitude of 880 -1480 masl. This vegetation type is characterised by gently
sloping valley bottoms of tall mixed veld dominated by H. hirta and sparsely
scattered A. sieberiana. T. triandra is the dominant species in well managed
veld and many species that are found in Gs10 Drakensberg Foothills Moist
Grassland such as Diheteropogon fillifolius, Harpochloa falx and Trachypogon
spicatus. Approximately 4% is statutorily conserved in Impendle, Midmar,
Igxalingenwa, Ingelabantwana and Soada Forest nature reserves as well as the
uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Park.

Eastern Mistbelt Forest (KZN Vegetation Type) or Southern Mistbelt Forest

(SA Vegetation Type) (FOz 3) (Mucina and Rutherford 2006) occurs in KwaZulu
Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces. The forest patches vary in size and occur
in fire shadow habitats on south and south east facing slopes. In the KwaZulu
Natal midlands these forests are tall (10-15 m) and multi-layered (having two
layers of trees, a dense shrubby understorey and a well-developed herb layer).
Podocarpus henkelii is prominent in the canopy layer in the KwaZulu Natal
Midlands. There are a number of protected areas conserving this vegetation
type namely; Impendle, Igxalingenwa, Karkloof, Qudeni and Mbona.

Hydrostachys polymorpha is a small water perennial herb which occurs in the

reserve, that lives attached to rock only in fast flowing water of waterfalls. This
plant is considered vulnerable and only appears in the country in a few
localities within the midlands area.

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 Figure 2.12 Vegetation types of the of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve has a number of different vegetation

communities (Figure 2.13) that fall under the broader vegetation types
described by Mucina and Rutherford (2006). These include the following:
Grassland, Woodland, Thicket and Forest.

Figure 2.13 Vegetation communities of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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2.6.5.1. Grassland
According to Musina and Rutherford (2006) grasslands are defined as
vegetation dominated by grasses (or graminoids) usually with a single-layered
structure and sometimes with a woody plant cover. The Reserve has about 95
hectares or 15 per cent of this community, all of which is Midlands Mistbelt
Grassland. It lies above the steep escarpment. The upper grasslands are
dominated by Aristida junciformus, with scattered patches of Cymbopogon
caecius, and scattered patches of Themeda triandra. Nanni (1979) refers to
the grassland as Mistbelt Themeda – Aristida Grassland, suggesting that T.
triandra was dominant together with A. junciformus. Acocks (1988) describes
the upper grasslands as Natal Mist Belt ‘Ngongoni Veld occupying a narrow
belt above the Coastal Forest Belt, which consists of Sourveld which has been
completely, dominated by Ngongoni grass or A. junciformus, to the exclusion
of other grass.

2.6.5.2 Woodland
Woodland consists of open woodland and closed woodland but requires finer
mapping to distinguish them. Open woodland is a community of trees and
large shrubs - occurring either singly or in single to several storeyed tree and
shrub clumps of varying width - the intervening vegetation being mainly grass
(Nanni 1979). The open woodland vegetation community occurs mainly on the
slopes of the reserve on Mispah soils. The trees which commonly occur in this
vegetation type are Cussonia spicata, Searsia pantheri, Senegalia caffra and
Aloe candelabrum.

Woodland is a several storeyed community of trees, with crowns of the top

canopy either tightly or almost touching; there is usually sufficient direct
sunlight and diffused light to sub-shrub, grass and forb communities Nanni
(1979). Mucina and Rutherford (2006) defines woodlands as savanna which is
a typical vegetation with a grass dominated herbaceous layer and scattered
low to tall trees it includes the closed woodland and open woodland defined
by Edwards (1983). There are about 330 hectares (52 per cent) of the
woodland community type on the nature reserve.

2.6.5.3 Thicket
Thicket is a dense community of trees or large shrubs commonly closely
spaced, sometimes with stems and branches much entangled, with a closed
canopy and dense sub-layers admitting little direct sunlight to the ground,
which supports sparse cover of forbs but rarely grass (Nanni, 1979). Musina
and Rutherford (2006) define thicket as very dense vegetation usually formed
by low and tall shrubs and some trees. Thicket covers about 213 ha or 33 per
cent of the nature reserve and mainly occurs in the lower parts of the reserve,
in places at the bottom of the valley slopes as well as along the river. The
thicket includes a large variety of trees but appears to be encroached by
Senegalia ataxacantha. There are also alien invaders within this vegetation
type such as Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum) and American Bramble (Rubus
cuneifolius).

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2.6.5.4 Forest
Forest is a multi-storeyed community of mostly evergreen trees, usually in
terrain of higher atmospheric humidity, rainfall or soil moisture (Nanni, 1979).
Musina and Rutherford (2006) define forest as a community of plants having
a continuous tree layer, with or without a shrub/ herbaceous layer. There are
about 27 hectares (four per cent) of forest, forest remnant or incipient forest
on the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

2.6.6 Sourveld ecology

The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve grasslands are in moderately good

condition and are impacted by historical grazing and burning practices. The
grasslands of the nature reserve are considered ‘sourveld’ from an agricultural
perspective, which has implications for its management.

Most sourveld communities, such as Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, are thought

to be relatively ecologically stable, generally having a dense grass cover, soils
that are not particularly susceptible to erosion and a relatively high and
reliable rainfall regime (Hardy et al. 1999, O’Connor and Bredenkamp 1997,
Snyman 2004).

Although sourveld grasslands are now largely utilised for livestock farming, it
is unlikely that grazing was historically a major factor affecting the plant
dynamics of these areas (Hardy et al. 1999, O’Connor 2005). This is because
the density of herbivores before European colonisation was in all likelihood
substantially lower than it is today, primarily because of the poor quality of
forage during the winter months (Hardy et al. 1999, O’Connor 2005).
O’Connor (2005) estimates that current stocking rates in these areas are six to
20 times greater than they were during pre-settlement times and grazing
regimes are no longer dominated by small-bodied antelope species but by
livestock that are substantially larger and spatially restricted in their
movements in the landscape. As a result, most sourveld areas of grassland
now experience markedly greater grazing and trampling pressure than would
previously have been the case (O’Connor 2005). Due to increased grazing
pressures, and possibly altered frequencies and intensities of fires, the
community composition and ecological structure of many sourveld areas may
have been significantly altered (Hardy et al. 1999).

The implication of this is that historical grazing practices of livestock on

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve may have impacted negatively upon its
ecological dynamics. The stocking rates of the wildlife in the nature reserve
must thus be considered with this in mind and must proceed cautiously with
the protection of the ecological integrity of the nature reserve being the
overriding imperative.

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2.6.7 Fire regime

Fire plays an important role in the ecological dynamics of grasslands and

wetlands, and has an important effect on vegetation composition, primary
production and nutrient cycling. Fire contributes to patterns of disturbance
by removing the vegetative growth of plants, and in contrast to grazing it does
this non-selectively, which reduces the competitive advantages of species
adapted to grazing. An important aspect of fire in savanna environments is
the role that it plays in controlling bush encroachment and stimulating new
growth for both grazing and browsing species.

In developing burning and fire management strategies for the nature reserve,
the following guiding principles should be adhered to:

• Burning should be undertaken in such a way that it maintains spatial

and temporal heterogeneity within the landscape.
• A patch mosaic of burnt and un-burnt areas should be maintained.
• The burning of areas should be undertaken in such a way that
promotes patchy burns (i.e. within the block being burnt, some patches
will remain un-burnt rather than aiming for a complete burn)
• Burning must be undertaken with due consideration to the biodiversity
conservation requirements of the nature reserve and the need to
protect rare and endangered species.
• Burning and fire management must be undertaken in a safe manner
that is legally compliant with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (No.
101 of 1998). The Rangelands falls into the Cool Moist Grassveld
burning zone which means that block burning should take place
between 1 August and 30 September.
• Grassland: in order to achieve an effective burn to remove moribund
vegetation a cool burn needs to be applied. This should take the form
of a head fire which will remove standing material without being
excessively deleterious to the plants growth points. Cool fires can be
achieved under the following set of circumstances:
o Sufficient fuel available > 1,500 kg/ha grass;
o Grass is wilted to 20% moisture;
o Air temperature below 20°C;
o Relative humidity higher than 50%;
o Steady present to propagate an even head fire;
o Preferably after first spring rains, within the 15 July – 30
September window period, but before new growth has
commenced.
• Woodland & Thicket: the main objective for burning would not be the
removal of moribund material but rather the control of encroaching
vegetation. In order to achieve an effective burn to control bush
encroachment the fire should be extremely hot and burn high enough
to get into the higher branches of the trees to affect top kill. This will
force the trees to coppice from the base from whence it is vulnerable

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 to browsing by small browsers. Warm enough fires to affect top-kill
can be achieved under the following set of circumstances:
o Sufficient fuel available 4,000 to 4,500 kg/ha grass;
o Grass is wilted to 20% moisture;
o Air temperature above 25°C;
o Relative humidity low than 30%;
o Strong wind present to create an updraft;
o Burn before the spring rains when trees are shooting new
leaves but grass is still dormant;
• The frequency of burning would depend on the rapidity with which
sufficient fuel material can be accumulated. Sufficient fuel can only be
accumulated through extended rest periods. Burning when insufficient
fuel is available will only exacerbates bush encroachment as it will
reduce the herbaceous layers competitive ability even more while
aiding the woody species growth. The mechanical removal of woody
plants will also facilitate the accumulation of herbaceous biomass and
it is recommend that it is used in conjunction with resting for the first
few seasons in order to kick start the process. It is important to
remember that the <1.0 m and 1.0 – 2.0 m height classes are
encroaching the most and that mechanical removal should be aimed at
these height classes and not on the established large trees as they
shade other woody plant out and are therefore considered beneficial.
The main stems of chopped down woody plants can be removed but
branches should be scattered as brush packs to accumulate silt and
serve as habitat for new grass recruits.

2.6.8 Invasive species

In terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No.10

of 2004) (NEM:BA) and the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA
– No.43 of 1983), landowners are required to control and eradicate listed
invasive alien species on their land.

NEM:BA categorises such listed invasive species on the following basis:

Category la: Invasive species listed in terms of section 70(1)(a) as invasive
species that require compulsory control.
Category lb: Invasive species listed in terms of section 70(1)(a) as invasive
species that require control by means of an invasive species
management programme.

CARA categorises such plants on the following basis:

Category 1: Plants that may not be grown and must be eradicated.
Category 2: Plant species with commercial value, which may only be grown
with a permit under controlled circumstances.
Category 3: Plants which have amenity value and which may be grown, but
not planted, propagated or imported.

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A listed invasive species means any species whose establishment and spread
occurs outside of its natural distribution range, which is listed within one of
the categories of invasive species.

The Shelter Falls area is infested mostly with Formosa lily (Lilium formosanum),
Bug Weed, bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)
and Silver Wattle (A. dealbata). Bugweed also occurs in the woodlands and
forest margins of the reserve. Along the uMngeni River species such as Peanut
Butter Cassia (Senna didymobotrya), Bug Weed, and watercress (Nasturtium
officinale). The top grassland area is invested with Castor oil plant (Ricinus
communis), Black Wattle, Blue gum (Eucalyptus grandis) American Bramble
(Rubus cuneifolius) and Bug Weed.

The forest area between Indulo camp and Cycad Camp is heavily infested with
Inkberry (Cestrum laevigatum). The same area is also infested with Paraffin
weed (Chromolaena odorata), Lantana (Lantana camara) and Bug Weed, the
latter are also found between Cycad Camp and the boundary fence line.

National Lotteries together with WESSA ecosystem services and Stop the
Spread campaign employed 60 staff members to clear alien plants in the
reserve from 2012 -2014, focusing on all the plants listed in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Identified listed invasive alien plan species that

must be controlled within the reserve

Common name Scientific name CARA NEMBA

category Category
Invading Ageratum Ageratum conyzoides 1 1b
American Bramble Rubus cuneifolius 1 1b
Bugweed Solanum mauritianum 1 1b
Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides 1 1a
Inkberry Cestrum laevigatum 1 1b
Mauritius Thorn Caesalpinia decapetala 1 1b
Lantana Lantana camara 1 1b
Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata 2 2
Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii 2 2
Patula Pine Pinus patula 2 2
Saligna Gum Eucalyptus grandis 2 1b
Castor-oil Plant Ricinus Communis 2 2
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare 1 1b
Watercress Nasturtium officinale 2 2
Formosa Lily Lilium formosanum 3 1b
Peanut Butter Cassia Senna didymobotrya 3 1b

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 Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia 3 1b
Not listed within 50 metres of the
main house on a farm in
KwaZulu-Natal, for trees with a
diameter of more than 400 mm at
1000 mm height at the time of
publishing of this Notice, provided
such trees are located outside
riparian areas.

Paraffin weed Chromolaena odorata 1 1b

2.6.9 Mammalian fauna

Indigenous mammals that naturally occur in Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

include Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Common (or Grey) Duiker (Sylvicapra
grimmia), Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola bicolor), Oribi (Ourebia ourebi
ourebi - Endangered) and Southern Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum). Evidence
of Leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Karkloof forests appears from time to
time so it is possible that they exist in the reserve. Vervet monkeys
(Cercopithecus pygerythrus) are common. Zebra (Equus quagga), Blue
Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), and Impala (Aepyceros melampus
melampus) may occasionally have occurred as far south as the lower Umgeni
valley in pre-European days but are unlikely to have travelled as far inland as
the present Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

Some species known or likely to have occurred in the area include Red
Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), Grey Rhebuck (Pelea capreolus) and
Southern Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula), Species introduced since
the establishment of the Umgeni Valley Game Ranch include Zebra, Giraffe
(Giraffa camelopardis), Impala, Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), Black
Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) and Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) which were
supplied by the Natal Parks Board and Blesbuck (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)
which were obtained from a farmer in the Orange Free State. European Fallow
Deer were also introduced (Cervus dama). See Appendix E for current species
list.

2.6.10 Avifauna

In previous years there was a population of Black or Verreaux’s Eagle (Aquila

verreauxii) in Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. The population was reliant on the
Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) population in the reserve which was then
decimated by an epidemic and has struggled to recover since then. As a result,
the Verreaux’s Eagle population has also decreased. Long-crested (Lophaetus
occipitalis) and African Crowned Eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus) can be
seen in the reserve and a pair of African Crowned Eagles have nested in the
eastern end of the reserve for some years. See Appendix E for species list.

2.6.11 Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians)

Little is known about the herpetofauna within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
but it is likely that similar species assemblages and diversity as would occur in

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surrounding protected areas would be present within the reserve. See
Appendix E for species list.

2.6.12 Fish

A number of indigenous fish species have been recorded in the Umgeni River
system. A complete list is provided in Appendix E.

2.6.13 Invertebrates

Invertebrate fauna constitutes the greatest component of species diversity in

natural systems but are usually poorly understood. In terms of biodiversity
and the provision of ecosystem services however, it is important to
acknowledge that invertebrates are fundamentally important. Little is known
about the invertebrate species within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve but it is
likely that similar species assemblages and diversity as would occur in
surrounding protected areas would be present within the reserve. See
Appendix E for species list

2.7 Cultural Heritage of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Several archaeological surveys have been conducted on Umgeni Valley

between 1984 and the present. These archaeological surveys suggest that
there were several settlements in the grasslands and valley area. There have
been a number of sites located, dating back to the Stone Age and late Iron Age
(around 1800), as shown in Table 2.2 of the Natal Museums records and in
Figure 2.14. These include stonewalls and terraces, grinding stones, pottery,
beads, as well as the alleged grave site of Chief Ngwenya, which is marked with
four Erythrina trees (Nsala Nsala Environmental and Cultural Services, 2003).

Table 2.2 Stone age Iron age sites in the reserve

Umngeni Valley GPS Points (2930AD)

SITE ID
(As per Natal Museum)

“Merits Category Description GPS Coordinates

Conservation”
2930AC: 15 LIA? H Stone Square Walling S29⁰29`34
E030⁰14´58″

2930AC: 16 LIA 10 Pieces of plain pottery and upper grindstone S29⁰29`48

E030⁰14´50″

2930AC: 17 ?H Cairns,? Isivivane, beacons or burials S29⁰29`44″

E030⁰14´47″

2930AC: 18 LIA Stone Walled Circle (12-13 cm in diameter) S29⁰29`38″

E030⁰15´50″

2930AC: 15 LIA Crop Terraces S29⁰28`49.4″

E030⁰15´49.8″

2930AC: 16 IIA Initiation area S29⁰28`43.8″

E030⁰16´57.5″

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2930AC: 17 LIA Curved stone wall S29⁰28`47.1″
E030⁰16´01.5″

2930AC: 18 LIA 2nd Moor Park Settlement S29⁰28`32.5″

E030⁰16´30.3″

2930AC: 18B S29⁰28`32.6″

E030⁰16´30.5″

2930AC: 19 LIA Shelter, lower grindstone, pottery S29⁰28`31″

E030⁰16´26″

2930AC: 20 LIA Terrace with 3 plough grooves, upper grindstone S29⁰28`38″

& pottery E030⁰16´30″

2930AC: 21 LIA Shelter 7m x 1m & LIA pottery S29⁰28`40″

E030⁰16´16″

2930AC: 22 LIA 8m x 3m Shelter, pottery & dimpled grindstone S29⁰28`36″

E030⁰16´20″

2930AC: 23 ? LIA ?H Cycad Camp, 2 Shelters, Pottery S29⁰28`28″

E030⁰16´32″

2930AC: 24 LIA & H Stone walling, glass beads, iron and u & I S29⁰28`22″
grindstones E030⁰16´ 33″

2930AC: 25 ? MSA & Stone Age Smelting Site (SLAG) S29⁰28`20″

LIA E030⁰16´35″

2930AC: 26 LIA 8m diameter stone wall arc and grindstone S29⁰28`05″

E030⁰16´41″

2930AC: 27 LIA Stone Walled Circle (16.5 x 11.5 in diameter) S29⁰28`04″

E030⁰16´46″

2930AC: 28 LIA Stone Walled Circle (10-13m in diameter) S29⁰28`08″

E030⁰16´46″

2930AC: 29 LIA Grasslands Village Settlement S29⁰28`22.3″

E030⁰16´37.4″

2930AC: 29 Road ?H Old road/? Wagon route S29⁰28`15.7″

E030⁰16´37.3″

2930AC: 30 LIA Pottery, bone, mound, rocks, ?Grave S29⁰28`08″

E030⁰16´00″

2930AC: 31 LIA Pottery & broken Upper grindstone S29⁰28`27″

E030⁰16´49″

2930AC: 32 Indetermi Shallow overhang, bone S29⁰28`23″

nate E030⁰16´29″

2930AC: 33 LIA Large stone circle & upper grindstone S29⁰28`03″

E030⁰16´36″

2930AC: 34 LIA Stone circle 8.8m x 8m S29⁰28`19″

E030⁰16´41″

2930AC: 35 LIA Multiple stone & Pottery Pieces S29⁰28`14″

E030⁰16´41″

2930AC: 36 LIA Donga with 3 upper grindstone & multiple pottery S29⁰28`10″
pieces E030⁰16´55″

2930AC: 37 LIA Pottery S29⁰28`20″

E030⁰16´46″

2930AC: 38 IIA Collapsed stone walling forming enclosure 30m2 S29⁰29`20″

E030⁰16´04″

2930AC: 39 ?LIA ?H Cattle Enclosure S29⁰29`28″

E030⁰16´54″

2930AC: 40 LIA Indulo- Moor Park Settlement S29⁰28`50.6″

E030⁰16´52.3″

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 Chief Ngwenya’s grave S29⁰28´12.2″
E030⁰16´42.3″

Chief Ngwenya’s meeting place S29⁰28´10.2″

E030⁰16´42.3″

2930AD: 41 IIA 3 pieces of pottery & an upper grindstone S29⁰29´41″

E030⁰15´14″

2930AD: 42 ?H Cairns, ?Isivivane, beacons or burials S29⁰29´36″

E030⁰15´05″

2930AD: 43 ?LIA Stone square walling S29⁰29´25″

E030⁰15´30″

2930AD: 44 IIA Upper grindstone S29⁰29´06″

E030⁰15´48″

2930AD: 45 LIA 38 pieces of undercoated pottery S29⁰29´01″

E030⁰16´00″

Figure 2.14 Cultural Heritage resources on Umgeni Valley Nature

Reserve

Full accounts of the archaeological surveys can be found in the

reports referenced in section 9.

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2.8 Operational management within Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve

2.8.1 Infrastructure

The infrastructure located on the nature reserve (Figure 2.15) reserve is

primarily used for environmental education, accommodation, game viewing
and walking trails. The management infrastructure consists of the following -
there are ten chalets at the entrance gate of the reserve. The Goldfields Centre
has numerous facilities that includes: meeting venues, dormitories with
bathrooms, a kitchen and dining hall. The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve and
WESSA main offices are situated just next to the Goldfields Centre. In addition,
there are the vehicle garages, staff accommodation which consists of the
managers house, stables commune, farm house, workshop, back packers, and
staff house 1 and staff house 2.

There are three picnic areas in the reserve namely pine trees picnic area, the
saddle picnic area and the view site picnic area. Each of these picnic sites has
ablution facilities.

There are four bush camps in the reserve as follows:

• In the Shelter Falls Valley is the Shelter Falls bush camp that consists of
four log cabins, a teacher’s hut, a kitchen area and male and female
bathrooms.
• On the Eastern side of the Saddle close to the river is Inkonka bush
camp that consists of an ablution block (male and female), a kitchen
area, four log cabins and a fishing hut.
• Indulo bush camp is situated further in the valley it consists of four log
cabins, a kitchen area, an auditorium, chefs hut, 2 teaches huts and
male and female bathrooms.
• Cycad bush camp is situated in the bottom grassland and consist of two
A frame huts, a teacher’s hut, a kitchen area, male and female toilets
and showers

Above Indulo bush camp on the top plateau area are three cottages, namely
Umhlangeni Cottage (situated next to Umhlangeni stream), Hepburn and
Anniversary cottage.

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve has a well-developed road network but some
of the roads are not well designed or adequately constructed, leading to
erosion issues as water does not drain appropriately from them. The Reserve
has a one-way entrance road that starts at the entrance gate and goes all the
way through to viewsite. The road is a single lane road. In the bottom of the
valley there are management tracks that are only used by staff.

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Figure 2.15 Infrastructure on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

There are a number of walking trails in the reserve namely:

• In the Shelter falls area there are two walking trails, the Cascades trail
and the Shelter Falls trail. Just past the Cascades trail is the start of
Sunset Trail, which continues right through to the Saddle.

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 • There are two trails that start in the Saddle area namely Black Eagle
trail and the Inkonka trail. The Inkonka trail ends at Fishjump falls in
the uMngeni River and the Black Eagle trail ends at the Indulo car park.

• The Indulo car park area has the Lower Dwarfs Dawdle trail that starts
just past the parking area, this trail ends along the Upper Dwarfs
Dawdle. The Upper Dwarfs Dawdle starts just after Umhlangeni bridge
and ends at viewsite.

• The grassland trail starts and ends just from the Indulo Car Park and
below Hepburn Cottage.

Fencing –

The northern boundary of the reserve is fenced with 1.8m, 18 strand electric
fence. This fence is shared with neighbours, namely Drymountain farm,
Amber-Lee, Free-me, Amber-Valley and Kwawula Game Estate. The southern
boundary of the reserve is not fenced sufficiently. There are patches of bonnox
fencing that need to be repaired. In order for the reserve to receive its
Certificate of Adequate Enclosure from Ezemvelo, the fence would have to be
inspected and upgraded to the correct specifications for the intended species.
Figure 2.16 below highlights the current state of the boundary fence.

Figure 2.16 Boundary fence of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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2.9 Summary of management issues , challenges and
opportunities
The following section summarises the key management issues and challenges
outlined in the descriptive sections above, which must be addressed through
the management plan. The issues and challenges have been grouped under
key performance areas, which flow through the strategic and operational
management frameworks that follow (Table 2.3).

Table 2.3 Management challenges, issues and

opportunities

Key performance Issue Opportunity Challenge

area
Legal protection of Declare the reserve to ensure The reserve is not
Umgeni Valley Nature it is properly legally declared.
Reserve through formal protected.
declaration.
Legal Poaching, illegal plant Collaboration between Ongoing illegal
compliance and collection and Ezemvelo, neighbours and activities with
enforcement trespassing reserve management to limited response
achieve improved law from Ezemvelo, or
enforcement. other law
enforcement
officials.
Alignment with local Collaboration between Ensuring that
and regional planning in biodiversity stewardship sites impacting land uses
determining and municipalities to ensure do not affect the
appropriate buffers and appropriate land uses ecology or species
land uses around the surrounding them. of the reserves.
nature reserve.
Buffer zone Strategic support in Work with the Greater Adjacent land users
protection and efforts to secure Umgeni Biosphere Reserve are not interested
regional Umgeni Valley Nature Initiative, Ezemvelo in developing a
management Reserve through Biodiversity Stewardship biosphere reserve
Biosphere Reserves, Programme and other or corridor linkages
corridor linkages with partners to develop and as a result their
other protected areas conservation linkages. land uses impact on
and initiatives in the the ecology or
region. species of the
reserve.
Ensuring that Umgeni Improvement of Lack of funding and
Valley Nature Reserve management of the reserve staffing.
Protected Area
continues to as reflected by an improved
Management
consistently implement score on the Management
System (PAMS)
the PAMS. Effectiveness Tracking Tool
(METT).
Ensuring that Umgeni Raise awareness in the region Lack of awareness
Valley Nature Reserve about environmental issues of what
continues to of local and global environmental
Environmental
consistently implement importance education entails –
education
and improve the it is not only a fun
environmental excursion for the
education programmes. day.

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 Lack of funding and
staffing.
Identification of Raise awareness in the region Lack of interest or
appropriate activities about the importance of the awareness in the
that may be developed reserve, its ecology and region about the
to encourage visitors to species. reserve, its ecology
the nature reserve. and species.
Contribute towards the Uncontrolled
Visitor
income generation of the utilisation of the
management
nature reserve. reserve.
Additional
resources and
maintenance needs
of the facilities and
the reserve
Ensuring that Umgeni Integrating management Avoiding land
Valley Nature Reserve issues such as fire, grazing, degradation that
continues to perform its alien plant control and leads to a reduction
key function of water recreation to ensure ongoing in the quantity and
provision. provision of adequate quality of water.
quantities of clean water.
Implementation of a Implement an ecologically- Implementing a
fire management based fire regime, which burning programme
regime based on an maintains heterogeneity, that avoids land
ecological approach to ecological functioning of the degradation and
burning whilst ensuring habitats within the reserve over-utilisation of
adequate levels of and facilitates a natural sensitive habitats.
safety. programme of rest and non- The threat of
selective grazing. unplanned and
arson fires, many of
which arise from
adjacent
communities are
Conservation significant.
management Management of the Maintenance of an optimal Impacts on plant
game on the reserve to species mix and numbers that species composition
ensure correct incorporates appropriate and diversity,
management of the ratios of bulk to selective associated with
ecology of the nature feeders and is within carrying livestock grazing
reserve’s grasslands. – capacity. impacts.
game management
Specific management Management of rare and Decline in numbers
measures for rare and threatened plants including of rare and
threatened species that Brackystelma geradii threatened species.
occur within the nature (Vulnerable), Hydrostachys
reserve. polymorpha (Vulnerable) and
Encephalartos natalensis
(Near Threatened).
Control of infestations Continue to contain Limited resources
of invasive plant infestations of invasive alien to manage alien
species listed in terms plant species in an effort to plants on the
of the Biodiversity Act keep them at maintenance Nature Reserve.
and CARA. levels.
Planning and Closing and re-aligning of Ongoing erosion and
Operational
maintenance of the poorly planned and degradation issues.
management
road network to avoid constructed roads in order to

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erosion or land address impacts and enhance
degradation. visitor experience.
Appropriate fencing is Engaging with neighbours to Budget implications
ensured and efficiently fence appropriate for fencing
maintained to satisfy areas. infrastructure.
the ecological needs of
the nature reserve.
Maintenance of Ensuring that all Impacts associated
infrastructure and infrastructure and equipment with insufficient
equipment. is appropriately managed to maintenance.
avoid unnecessary
environmental impacts.

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3. STRATEGIC MANAGEMEN T FRAMEWORK

The following strategic framework is aimed at providing the basis for the
protection, development and operation of the nature reserve over the next
five years and has been prepared collaboratively through a process involving
the landowner, the biodiversity stewardship facilitator and Ezemvelo KZN
Wildlife.

The vision describes the overall long-term goal for the operation, protection
and development of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. The objectives and
strategic outcomes that follow are intended to provide the basis for the
achievement of the vision. The objectives provide a broad description of the
goals for each key performance area. The strategic outcomes, which flow from
the objectives, set out what is needed to achieve the objectives, based on the
management challenges, issues and opportunities described in Section 2
above.

3.1 Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ’s vision

The ecological infrastructure, integrity and natural beauty of Umgeni Valley

Nature Reserve are protected and continues to provide ecosystem goods
and services, such as clean water, suitable habitat for threatened and
priority species, while ensuring that its activities are ecologically, financially
and socially sustainable.

3.2 Objectives and strategic outcomes

An objective has been identified for each of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve’s
key performance areas, which follow from the management challenges, issues
and opportunities, and relate to the important functions and activities
necessary to protect, develop and manage it effectively. The objectives have
then been translated into strategic outcomes, which form the basis for the
management activities and targets set out in the operational management
framework, described in Section 6 below. Table 3.1 sets out the key
performance areas, the objective for each key performance area and the
strategic outcomes, required to realise the objectives.

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Table 3.1 Objectives and strategic outcomes for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Key performance area Objective Strategic outcome

Legal compliance and law Comply with and enforce legislation pertaining Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is a legally declared nature reserve.
enforcement to the protection, development and There is adequate law enforcement within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

Buffer zone protection and Explore opportunities to consolidate the Capture of buffer zone considerations in local and regional plans.
regional management protection of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve’s Cooperate with the Greater Umgeni Biosphere Reserve Initiative, neighbouring biodiversity stewardship sites,
boundaries and its surrounds. where there is an alignment of biodiversity conservation goals and objectives.

Protected Area Management Ensure consistent effective management of the The nature reserve is effectively managed.
System (PAMS) protected area.

Environmental education Share knowledge to create action and Visitors are environmentally aware and participate in actively caring for the earth.
awareness around environmental issues.
Development of additional education opportunities that generate visitors that are environmentally aware and
participate in actively caring for the earth

Visitor management Develop opportunities for ecotourism activities Management of existing and development of additional tourism opportunities that generate revenue for the
that afford revenue and cost-recovery to nature reserve.
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

Conservation management Protect the ecosystem functioning, ecological Critical ecological processes and functions are maintained within the nature reserve.
integrity, habitat and species of Umgeni Valley Key species including, rare and endangered species, management is undertaken using the best available scientific
Nature Reserve through active interventions knowledge.
based on principles of adaptive management.
Fire management is undertaken based on ecological principles and the recommendations of studies undertaken
for the site.
Adequate fire safety within the nature reserve is ensured.
Wildlife management is undertaken based on ecological principles and best management practices.
Invasive alien plant species control measures are implemented in the nature reserve in a planned and systematic
manner.
Identification, rehabilitation and management of areas that are being impacted by soil erosion.

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Operational management Provide adequate human resources, equipment There are sufficient staff, facilities, infrastructure and equipment to enable staff to effectively manage the nature
and funding to enable the effective protection, reserve.
development and management of Umgeni The nature reserve’s road network is reviewed and, if necessary, re-aligned to avoid environmental harm.
Valley Nature Reserve.
The nature reserve’s fence infrastructure is upgrade and maintained to ensure its ecological integrity.
Infrastructure and equipment in the nature reserve are adequately maintained.
Service infrastructure and practices in the nature reserve do not cause environmental harm.

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4. ZONATION PLAN

The purpose of the zonation of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is to control the
intensity and type of use within it, in efforts to ensure the overriding goals of
biodiversity conservation are met. On this basis, within some zones, the
permissible intensity of use will be relatively higher than in others.

4.1 Zones on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

A principle that has been agreed to and that must be applied at Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve is that no development of tourist or management
infrastructure must take place outside of existing footprints, except in
exceptional circumstances. This means that any future tourist or management
facilities and infrastructure development that is planned should be confined
to the existing tourism and management nodes, as outlined in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1 Zonation map of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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There are various zonation categories that can be applied in determining the
system of zonation for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve (Figure 4.1). The criteria
used to determine each zone are described as:

Limited use An area where the ecotourism principles of low human impact will
zone prevail.
This area is characterised by facilities of a rustic nature such as
overnight hiking huts and bush camps.
Motorised access is low key and there are limited management
roads and tracks.
Moderate This is also an area in which the ecotourism principles of low
use zone human impact will prevail, but higher levels of usage are
permitted.
This area includes the main road network, including access and
game viewing roads.
Infrastructure is accessible by motorised access in this area.
Park This is a node within the moderate use zone, which includes
management commercial tourism developments such as lodges, picnic and
and tourism camping sites and facilities for staff accommodation,
development administrative offices and operational infrastructure.
node

4.1.1 Limited use zone

This zone is designated for areas in which activities are to be limited to low-
impact ecotourism uses and conservation management interventions. Motor
vehicle access into parts of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, for management
purposes is allowed in this zone, together with visitor access on authorised
game viewing vehicles. Low level management infrastructure such as
patrolling observation points will also be allowed in this zone. The objective
of this zone is to enable access and usage of the nature reserve whilst limiting
the impacts of this.

Permissible activities:

• Hiking trails and guided trails with a limited number of visitors.

• Provision of pedestrian access to anglers for fishing along the uMgeni
River.
• Development of low-scale infrastructure such as bird hides, rustic
picnic sites and field ranger outposts.
• Use of operational management infrastructure such as 4x4 trails by
visitors for hiking and organised events such as mountain biking races.
• Driving only on designated roads and tracks for management.

Non-permissible activities:

• Unaccompanied visitors, travelling in private vehicles.

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 • Motorised transport unless required for management purposes –
vehicles to be limited to existing roads.
• Uncontrolled domestic animals such as dogs should be kept out of
these areas.
• Collection of any natural fauna/ flora.
• Development of infrastructure unless it is required for improved
management.

4.1.2 Moderate use zone

This zone covers areas that encompass key zones for the development of
management infrastructure and relatively high levels of visitor usage.
Furthermore, this zone is designated for areas of relatively high vehicle usage
such as for visitors travelling to and from the main lodge/s within the nature
reserve. The objective of this zone is to accommodate lodge-style
developments and to enable the development of operational management
infrastructure such as stores, maintenance areas and staff housing within the
nature reserve.

Permissible activities:

• Development of visitor facilities such as environmental education and

interpretive centres, bush camps, bird and game viewing hides.
• Maintenance of the roads through the nature reserve.
• Development of the nature reserve’s park management facilities
comprising infrastructure such as entrances, staff housing, offices,
workshops and storehouses.
• Guest activities include overnight stays in reserve facilities, hiking trails,
bird watching and game drives.

Non-permissible activities:

• Introduction of non-indigenous grasses, trees or shrubs for landscaping

purposes.
• Removal of indigenous plants without the necessary permits.

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5. ADMINISTRATIVE STRU CTURE

A recommended organisational structure for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is

set out in Figure 5.1, while Figure 5.2 shows the WESSA management unit
responsible for the management of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. The figure
identifies the role of the site’s landowners and their staff together with key
partners.

WESSA
Management
Authority

Management Unit Leader -

Advisory uMngeni
Forum Valley

Operations
Non-
Ezemvelo Government Forums and Manager -
Government
KZN Wildlife al Partners Groups uMngeni
al Partners
Valley

Reserve
District KZN EWT Honorary
Ecologist or
Conservation Department Endangered Officers -
Environment
Unit of agriculture Willife Trust Lions River
al Officer

Upper
Biodiversity
Birdlife South uMngeni Reserve
Stewardship EDTEA
Africa Catchment Team
Unit
Forum

Working For
Fire and Conservation Enviro
Working For Outcomes Champs
Water

DUCT

Figure 5.1 Organisational structure for the management of

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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Figure 5.2 Organisational structure for the WESSA management unit responsible for the UVNR.

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6. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

This section translates the strategic framework described in Section 3 above

into management activities and targets, which will be used to inform annual
plans of operation and the resources required to implement them. The
management targets will form the basis for monitoring of performance in
implementing the plan and are thus measurable.

6.1 Legal compliance and law enforcement

The managers of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve have a responsibility to ensure
that laws related to the conservation of the nature reserve and the prohibition
of certain activities is enforced. In fulfilling this role, the following guiding
principles will be adhered to:

• All reasonable efforts must be made to ensure the effective

conservation of biodiversity within and on the boundaries of the nature
reserve.
• Law enforcement efforts should be coordinated with the relevant
authorities including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the South African
Police Service in addressing offences and breaches of the law.
• Law enforcement in the reserve will be undertaken through
surveillance, monitoring and appropriate reaction in the event of an
offence.

6.2 Buffer zone protection and regional management

In order to safeguard the biodiversity within the nature reserve and to counter
any threatening processes or edge effects, appropriate land uses in the
surrounds of the reserve should be encouraged. Actions may also be taken to
secure the boundaries of the reserve through protected area expansion
mechanisms and local planning tools. In ensuring the protection of its
biodiversity, the following guiding principles will be adopted in terms of buffer
zone protection and regional management:

• Appropriate actions must be taken to manage threatening processes

and edge effects on the nature reserve’s boundaries and beyond them.
• The reserve’s managers will endeavour to assist the local and district
municipalities in determining appropriate land uses and development
strategies in the areas surrounding the nature reserve.

The operational requirements for law enforcement, and buffer zone

protection and regional management are set out in Table 6.1 below.

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Table 6.1 Framework for legal compliance and law enforcement, and buffer zone protection and regional management

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Mgt. authority Partner
responsibility responsibility

NATURE RESERVE DECLARATION

Umgeni Valley Nature ▪ The nature reserve must be declared in terms of the ▪ Legal protection of the entire extent of ▪ Inappropriate legal Completion of legal Completion of the
NEM: Protected Areas Act. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in terms of the status of Umgeni Valley Year 1
Reserve is a legally declared agreements declaration process.
NEM: Protected Areas Act. Nature Reserve.
nature reserve.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

There is adequate law ▪ Enforce applicable legislation to prevent trespassing, ▪ Implement appropriate standard operating ▪ Cutting of fences for Implement PAMS Prosecution of
enforcement within Umgeni
and illegal activities such as poaching and plant procedures and processes in responding to illegal access. Ongoing offenders.
harvesting in the nature reserve. illegal incidents. (See PAMS) ▪ Recovery of snares.
Valley Nature Reserve.
▪ Arson fires.
▪ Implement a programme of patrols of the nature ▪ Regular patrols covering the full extent of the ▪ Recorded losses of
Provision of staff Prosecution of
reserve and their boundaries. nature reserve. (See PAMS) species.
Ongoing and resources to offenders.
▪ Recorded losses of rare
▪ Prosecution of any offender caught undertake patrols.
and endangered plant
committing an offence.
species.

BUFFER ZONE AND REGIONAL MANAGEMENT

Capture of buffer zone ▪ Make inputs into the development of local and ▪ Retention of existing compatible land uses, ▪ Land uses that lead to Engagement with Engagement with
district municipality IDPs, SDFs and LUMs in an such as game and livestock farming, in the land transformation,
considerations in local and
effort to ensure compatible land uses in the areas areas around the reserve. fragmentation and loss
Annually municipalities in municipalities in
regional plans developing local and developing local and
around the nature reserve. of habitat.
regional plans. regional plans.

Cooperate with the Greater ▪ Participate as an active member in the GUBR. ▪ Improved connectivity and movement of ▪ Ecological isolation of Establishment of Facilitation of
uMngeni Biosphere Reserve ▪ Determine options for cooperation, including joint wildlife between protected areas in the Umgeni Valley Nature cooperative cooperation
law enforcement and joint ecological management, region. Reserve
initiative, neighbouring processes between between
if feasible. ▪ Protected area expansion opportunities.
stewardship sites, where
▪ Engage with the Rietspruit landowners to assess the
Ongoing biodiversity biodiversity
there is an alignment of viability of incorporating these areas into a larger stewardship sites. stewardship sites.
biodiversity conservation protected area.
goals and objectives.

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6.3 Protected Area Management System (PAMS)
In order to ensure the reserve is effectively managed the Protected Area
Management System (PAMS) developed by WESSA together with the GRAA
must be implemented according to the policies and procedures. This system
is devised to assist and direct management activities on a daily basis within the
nature reserve, and includes the identification of gaps in management,
monitoring of activities and reporting on progress (see section 2.3.2).

The operational requirements for the PAMS are set out in Table 6.2 below.

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 Table 6.2 Framework the protected area management system (PAMS)

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Mgt. authority Partner
responsibility responsibility

Protected Area Management System (PAMS)

The nature reserve is ▪ Implementation of PAMS policies and procedures. ▪ Improvement of the METT score ▪ Decrease in METT score Implement PAMS Advice when
from previous Ongoing
effectively managed. required
evaluation

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6.4 Environmental education
WESSA is committed to environmental education and through the
environmental education programmes on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
strives to ensure that the visitors are environmentally aware and participate
in actively caring for the earth. This is achieved through:
• Environmental education programme must be appropriate to WESSA’s
values and relevant to current threats to the worlds biodiversity and
ecological functioning.

6.5 Visitor management

In developing visitor and tourist activities within the reserve, the following
guiding principles should be adhered to:

• Visitor activities must be appropriate to the reserve’s values and must

not threaten its biodiversity or ecological function.
• In developing visitor infrastructure, requirements for environmental
authorisation must be considered and adhered to.

The detailed operational requirements for environmental education and

visitor management are set out in Table 6.3 below.

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Table 6.3 Framework for environmental education and visitor management

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Landowner Partner
responsibility responsibility

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Visitors are environmentally ▪ Implementation of the schools accredited training ▪ Each visiting group leaves with further ▪ People do not engage in Provision of Funding if possible
aware and participate in programmes that currently forms part of information and knowledge of the the courses and as a materials, facilities
environment. (See PAMS) result are not engaging
actively caring for the earth. Environmental Education at the reserve. Ongoing and educators.
in the environment
▪ Notice boards on the reserve and the surrounds,
appropriately.
and social media platforms are utilised to showcase
current and relevant topics and events.

Development of additional ▪ Identify additional activities that could be offered as ▪ Diversity of programmes and courses offered ▪ Ad hoc, unplanned Programme Provide advice and
part of the Environmental Education programme. relevant to current issues. (See PAMS) courses the nature
educational opportunities assessment and guidance.
reserve. As required
that generate visitors that updates
by
are environmentally aware
programme
and participate in actively
caring for the earth.

VISITOR MANAGEMENT

Management of existing and ▪ Identify the activities that could be offered to ▪ An assessment of what visitor activities and ▪ Ad hoc, unplanned Undertake the Provide advice and
visitors to the reserve. supporting infrastructure could be developed development of visitor
development of additional assessment and guidance in
at the reserve. (See PAMS) infrastructure within
tourism opportunities that ▪ Develop a map, outlining the location of Year 2 install developing visitor
the nature reserve.
generates income for the infrastructure, including roads, hides and lodges, infrastructure. activities and
within the context of the nature reserve’s zonation
nature reserve. supporting
plan.
infrastructure.
▪ In accordance with the assessment and map, ▪ Provision of supporting infrastructure for
construct any infrastructure required to support visitor activities. (See PAMS) Year 5
visitor activities, according to the zonation plan.

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6.6 Conservation management

6.6.1 Ecosystem management

The 2011 version of the KwaZulu-Natal systematic biodiversity plan identifies

provincial conservation targets. The conservation of Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve contributes towards the achievement of a portion of some of these
targets. Targets will continue to be updated as knowledge develops about the
ecology of areas, connectivity between them, and other process requirements
for ecosystems, communities and species. On this basis, the conservation
targets should be viewed as a set of working hypotheses around which
conservation planning and evaluation can take place, and are highlighted in
Table 6.4 below.

Table 6.4 Systematic biodiversity planning conservation

targets to which Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
contributes

Feature Conservation Untransformed Conservation Conservation Provincial

status extent within target (ha) target (%) extent of
the reserve vegetation
within the
reserve (%)

KZN Least 555.1 ha 28 336 ha 1.96% 0.49 %

Hinterland Threatened
Thornveld (Vulnerable)

Midlands Endangered 79.6 ha 126 995 ha 0.06% 0.01%

Mistbelt (Endangered)
Grassland

Southern Vulnerable 8.8 ha 56 929 ha 0.02% 0.004%

KZN Moist (Vulnerable)
Grassland

Eastern Least 13.3 ha 29 613 ha 0.04% 0.03%

Mistbelt Threatened
Forest (Least
Threatened)

The conservation targets highlight the importance of the nature reserve,

particularly for the conservation of KZN Hinterland Thornveld that will
contribute about 2% towards the conservation targets. It further contributes
to securing Midlands Mistbelt Grassland (previously Critically endangered,
now Endangered), and Southern KZN Moist Grassland which is Vulnerable
(previously Endangered), and for the conservation of several key species.
Where possible, specific conservation and monitoring strategies should be
established for species for which conservation targets have been set.

The detailed operational requirements for visitor management and ecosystem

management are set out in Table 6.5 below.

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Table 6.5 Framework for ecosystem and species management

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Landowner Partner
responsibility responsibility

ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Critical ecological processes ▪ Ensure that the vegetation types within the reserve ▪ Undertake periodic rangeland assessments to ▪ Ecological degradation Seek assistance Assist in
and functions are maintained are being managed optimally for biodiversity determine the state of the habitat and the of habitat as shown from DoA and undertaking
conservation. influence of management interventions. (See through rangeland
within the reserve. Ezemvelo in assessments.
PAMS) assessments. Year 5
undertaking the
▪ Modify game species mix and numbers if they
assessments.
are found to be negatively impacting on
biodiversity. (See PAMS)

Key species including, rare ▪ Ensure that the nature reserve is included in or are ▪ Appropriate research carried out on UVNR. ▪ Declining numbers of Engage with NGOs, Engage with NGOs,
aware of research that is being conducted on rare and endangered
and threatened species partners and partners and
relevant rare and endangered species, encouraging species that occur
management is undertaken ▪ Maintenance of optimum population tertiary institutions tertiary institutions
research to be carried on UVNR. within the nature
using the best available numbers of rare and endangered species to encourage to encourage
within the nature reserve. (See PAMS)
reserve. Ongoing
scientific knowledge. ▪ Adopt procedures for the management of rare and targeted research. targeted research.
endangered species, based on available literature ▪ Re-introduction of rare and threatened
and known best practices, focusing on the Cycad species that historically would have occurred
species and endemic plants on the reserve within Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. (See
PAMS)

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6.6.2 Fire and herbivore management

In terms of section 17 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, a landowner (in
this case the nature reserve) must perform the necessary fire security and
management on a property, including having such equipment, protective
clothing and trained personnel for extinguishing fires as may be prescribed or,
if not prescribed, reasonable required circumstances. It is therefore necessary
to consider the following in relation to fire fighting

• The need to maintain the system of firebreaks to enable the

management of controlled burns and the effect of wildfires.
• The size of the nature reserve and the requirements necessary to
access different areas in the event of a wildfire. This relates to both
roads and vehicles.
• The number of personnel necessary to effectively fight wildfires
• The equipment necessary to effectively fight wildfires. This would
include:
o Water tanker and pressure pumps mounted on or bulled
behind a tractor.
o Fire fighting equipment mounted on the back of vehicles.
o Backpack sprayers
o Beater
o Safety equipment for personnel involved in fire fighting.

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve burns fire breaks on an annual basis from date
of first frost in June until the end of July, occasionally into the first week in
August depending on weather conditions and days available to burn in the
two-month period. Tracer lines are cut / mown rather than sprayed with
chemicals. These tracer lines are generally 2 m in width except in areas where
it is not possible for the tracer lines to be this wide due to the slope or cliff
edge. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve alternates firebreak burning sites every
two years. The first year the firebreak from the boundary 20 – 25 m into the
property is burnt and then in the second-year fire breaks are burnt from the
20-25 m mark of the previous years tracer line 20 m into the reserve. In a
number of places, the distance from the boundary to the edge of the cliff does
not allow this to occur so the break is burnt on the same area as the previous
year. The system of fire-breaks is shown in Figure 6.1.

Block burns are also rotated on a three-yearly basis, as shown in Figure 6.2 for
the period 2018 to 2020. This system of burning is then repeated in the
following three-yearly cycle. The principles to which the management
authority should abide with respect to block burns includes:
• Burn blocks in the legally prescribed burning period for ‘’Cool Moist
Grassveld” and “Intermediate Moist Grassveld), i.e. 15 July to 30
September.
• No area should be burn more frequently than every two years and may
not remain unburn for longer than three years.
• Do not burn north and south-facing slopes in the same year.

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Figure 6.1 Firebreaks of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Figure 6.2 Blocks burns on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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Fire and herbivore management are heavily inter-related, which requires:

• Herbivore management to allow for the recovery of desirable plant

species, which requires periodic rest or alleviated herbivore pressure
during the growing season.
• Fire should be used as a management tool to encourage herbivore
utilisation on areas that have received a level of rest or reduced usage
in the previous season/s.
Fire plays an important role in southern African ecology, and has important
effects on vegetation composition, primary productivity and nutrient cycling.
The following guiding principles should be adhered to:

• Burning must be undertaken with consideration of the biodiversity

conservation requirements of the site and the need to protect rare and
threatened species.
• Burning and fire management must be undertaken in a safe manner
that is legally compliant with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act.

The use of fire needs to be undertaken for optimal grazing production. Fire
destroys the growing point of grass tillers, which leads to a temporary
reduction in grass growing vigour that can reduce the total production of dry
matter by up to 30%. This is why it is recommended that burning takes place
following a period of rest or alleviated pressure, as this will enhance the
growing vigour of the grass plant and cancel out the effects of burning. Burning
too early leads to unnecessary exposure of the bare soil surface, burning too
late results in a drastic defoliation of new growth and burning too frequently
reduces the organic matter necessary to ameliorate infiltration, the soil
microbes that drive the nutrient cycles and basal cover which reduces run-off
and increases soil erosion.

In order to achieve an effective burn to remove moribund vegetation in the

grassland areas a cool burn needs to be applied. This should take the form of
a head fire which will remove standing material without being excessively
deleterious to the plants growth points. Cool fires can be achieved under the
following set of circumstances:
• Sufficient fuel available > 1,500 kg/ha grass;
• Grass is wilted to 20% moisture;
• Air temperature below 20°C;
• Relative humidity higher than 50%;
• Steady present to propagate an even head fire;
• Preferably after first spring rains, within the 15 July – 30 September
window period, but before new growth has commenced.

Fire management also relates to the need to maintain a relatively open

savanna system in certain sections of the valley that is not overly encroached
with undesirable woody species. In the event that bush encroachment occurs,
a fire of suitable intensity will be needed, which requires the following
conditions, for woody species up to a height of 3m:

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 • A fuel load greater than 4000kg/ha.
• Ambient temperature of at least 25oC.
• Maximum relative humidity of 30%.
• Wind speed of less than 20 km/h.

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve has a number of game species on the property,
which form an important component of the ecological and environmental
education value of the property. The spcies present on the nature reserve are
shown in Table 6.6, together with the numbers from historic game counts.

Table 6.6 Game species present and historic population

counts
Species Count – Oct Count – Apr Count – Mar
2013 2014 2015

Zebra 78 100 58
Blue Wildebeest 35 45 25
Blesbok 25 9 10
Impala 15 9 -
Nyala 15 43 -
Giraffe 1 2 -
Common Reedbuck 1 2 -
Bushbuck 1 2 -

The most recent count was carried out in 2017, with Table 6.7 highlighting the
numbers of game species from the 2017 count, and the current numbers as a
result of management off-takes carried out.

Table 6.7 Current 2018 game population numbers

Species 2017 Count 2017 Off-takes 2018 numbers

Zebra 43 (14 M / 25 F) 15 28

Blue Wildebeest 24 (9 M / 14 F) 8 16

Blesbok 14 (8 M / 6 F) - 14

Impala 10 (2 M / 8 F) - 10

The operational requirements for fire and herbivore management are set out
in Table 6.8 below.

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Table 6.8 Framework for fire and herbivore management

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Landowner Partner
responsibility responsibility

FIRE MANAGEMENT

Fire management is ▪ Implement a burning regime in accordance with the ▪ Establishment of a series of internal ▪ Burning more than 33%
undertaken based on recommendations of the phytosociological firebreaks to facilitate the recommended of the reserve annually.
evaluation and any other assessments undertaken burning regime. (See PAMS)
ecological principles and the
of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. ▪ Burning approximately one-third of the
recommendations of studies
reserve each year, following a period of rest
undertaken for the reserve. Advice in planning
or alleviated pressure. (See PAMS) Year 1 - Implementation of
the annual burning
Adequate fire safety within ▪ Maintain a system of firebreaks on the boundaries ▪ Compliance with the National Veld and Forest ▪ Inadequate personnel ongoing the burning regime
programme
of the site that are of adequate extent. Fires Act. (See PAMS) or equipment.
the reserve is ensured.
▪ Ensure that staff are trained and that adequate fire ▪ Wildfires spreading
fighting equipment is available at the site. onto the site or from
▪ Maintain membership of the local Fire Protection the site to neighbours.
Association.

HERBIVORE MANAGEMENT

Wildlife management is ▪ Stocking rates are maintained below the carrying ▪ Stocking rates are capped below the reserve’s ▪ Decline in Game species mix Facilitation of
capacity of the reserve and are adjusted based on carrying capacity. (See PAMS) rangeland/habitat
undertaken based on and population periodic rangeland
annual climatic conditions and production. condition. Year 1 -
ecological principles and best number control. assessments.
▪ Game population management may be undertaken ▪ Changes in species ongoing
management practices.
through a combination of commercial hunting, composition that favour
commercial off-takes, for meat harvesting, or live undesirable species.
capture of game. ▪ Selective grazing.
▪ Use of fire to shift grazing and browsing pressure ▪ Alleviation of herbivore pressure through the ▪ Bush encroachment. Implementation of a Provision of advice
around the nature reserve on an annual basis. use of fire to draw game onto rested areas.
(See PAMS)
Year 1 - burning regime that on the ecological

ongoing allows periodic rest state of the site.

or alleviated
pressure.

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6.6.3 Invasive plant species control

A listed invasive species means any species, which is listed in terms of the
CARA and section 70 of the NEMBA, whose establishment and spread occurs
outside of its natural distribution range. In undertaking invasive plant control
for the, the following guiding principles will be adhered to:

• Invasive plant control will require an ongoing programme that

prioritises key infestations along water courses, drainage lines and
upper catchment areas.
• Innovative methods for clearing of indigenous problem plants must be
sought.
• Initial clearing efforts should focus on containing infestations that are
most likely to spread into new areas.
• All follow-up requirements must be strictly adhered to otherwise the
problem will be exacerbated.
• Strategic partnerships and poverty relief programmes such as the
Working for Water programme should be utilised.

The Umgeni Valey Nature Reserve management will focus on clearing the
following areas each year, as outlined in Figure 6.3 below.

Figure 6.3 Alien clearing blocks on Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

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6.6.4 Soil erosion management

In addressing soil erosion, the following guiding principles should be adhered

to:

• Areas impacted by soil erosion should be stabilised and re-vegetated

with indigenous plant species to prevent the spread of listed invasive
plant species.
• Areas susceptible to soil erosion, or showing early signs of soil erosion
such as loss of vegetation cover, must be managed to prevent soil
erosion.

The operational requirements for invasive plant species control and soil
erosion management are set out in Table 6.9 below.

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Table 6.9 Framework for invasive plant species control and soil erosion management

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Landowner Partner
responsibility responsibility

INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL

Invasive plant species control ▪ Implement concerted, sustained control efforts in ▪ Eradication of all outlier stands of listed ▪ Spread of existing levels Advice in planning
measures are implemented identified areas of invasive plant infestation. invasive species. (See PAMS) of infestation of listed for alien invasive
invasive species. Implementation of
in the nature reserve in a Year 1 - plant control
▪ Persistence of existing invasive plant
planned and systematic ▪ Continued management of low-levels of infestation ▪ Ongoing control and eradication of listed ongoing Assistance in the
of invasive alien plant species. invasive species to a point where infestations. control measures.
manner. provision of
maintenance control is all that is required. ▪ New infestations of
chemicals.
(See PAMS) listed invasive species.

SOIL EROSION CONTROL

Identification, rehabilitation ▪ Identify the requirements for soil erosion control ▪ A map depicting areas of soil erosion within ▪ Erosion of susceptible Implementation of Assistance in
and management of areas and rehabilitation within the nature reserve. the nature reserve. (See PAMS) areas. erosion and mapping areas
that are being impacted by ▪ Implement soil erosion control measures, focussing ▪ Implementation of soil erosion control ▪ Sedimentation impacts Year 1 - rehabilitation impacted by soil
soil erosion. strategically on areas such as those impacting on measures in areas in which plant cover is low, in watercourses and control measures. erosion and
ongoing
watercourses or that are actively growing larger. which are susceptible to erosion. (See PAMS) wetland areas. assistance with
▪ Undertake preventative measures in areas with low advice in managing
plant cover that may be at risk of soil erosion.
impacted areas.

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6.7 Operational management

6.7.1 Financial and human resources

The nature reserve cannot be effectively managed without adequate

sustained funding and sufficient human resources. The following guiding
principles should be adhered to:
• Adequate funding must be provided for the management of the nature
reserve to ensure its sustained functioning.
• Trained and experienced staff must be available to the reserve.

6.7.2 Infrastructure and equipment

In order for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve to operate appropriately, adequate

infrastructure and equipment need to be provided and maintained both for
management and tourism purposes. In addressing infrastructure and
equipment needs in the nature reserve, the following guiding principles will be
adhered to:

• Infrastructure and equipment must be maintained to avoid any

damage to the environment and ensure the safety of staff and visitors
to the nature reserve.
• Infrastructure and equipment must be provided to ensure the effective
management and operation of the nature reserve.

The operational requirements for financial and human resources, and

infrastructure and equipment are set out in Table 6.10 below.

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Table 6.10 Framework for financial and human resources, and infrastructure and equipment

Strategic outcome Management activities Management targets Indicators of Concern Timing Landowner Partner
responsibility responsibility

FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES

There are sufficient staff, ▪ Management costs must be factored in as part of ▪ Inclusion of a cost estimate in the Annual Plan ▪ Lack of funds to
facilities, infrastructure and the nature reserve’s annual management meeting. of Operation. (See PAMS) complete management Assistance in
(PAMS) targets Preparation of
equipment to enable staff to Annually identifying costs and
budgets
effectively manage the sourcing funds.
nature reserve.

INFRATSRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT

The nature reserve’s road ▪ Planning and maintenance of the nature reserve’s ▪ Poorly planned or badly constructed roads are ▪ Environmental, health
road network is undertaken to avoid erosion and closed or re-aligned to address impacts. (See and safety incidents
network is reviewed and, if
other impacts, and to enhance visitor experience. PAMS) associated with Year 5
necessary, re-aligned to
infrastructure.
avoid environmental harm.

The nature reserve’s fence ▪ Perform an assessment of the current fence ▪ An appropriate, and well-maintained
infrastructure is upgraded infrastructure, and develop a plan for its upgrade. boundary fence.
and maintained to ensure its ▪ Obtain an ‘’Adequate Enclosure” certificate. Year 1 – 5
Implementation of a
ecological integrity ▪ Perform regular maintenance of the fence Provision of advice
maintenance
infrastructure. and assistance with
programme from
monitoring.
Infrastructure and ▪ Implement a maintenance programme to maintain ▪ Regular maintenance of all infrastructure and PAMS.
equipment in the nature infrastructure and equipment (PAMS) equipment. (See PAMS) Year 1 –
reserve are adequately ongoing
maintained.

Service infrastructure in the ▪ Ensure proper maintenance is being undertaken for ▪ Appropriately functioning infrastructure that
reserve does not cause infrastructure. does not cause harm to the environment. Year 1 -
environmental harm. ▪ Determine appropriate strategies for the (See PAMS) ongoing
management of waste in the nature reserve.

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7. MONITORING AND REPORTING

Monitoring and reporting is a critical component of the adaptive management

cycle. It enables the effective assessment of management interventions and,
if necessary, can be used to direct modifications of management in an effort
to achieve the outcomes required.

7.1 Annual monitoring

The annual monitoring schedule should be designed to monitor the

implementation of aspects of the management plan. It should be designed to
be straightforward and relatively easy to implement by on-site staff.

Records should be maintained of key management interventions and of

problem events or incidents such as uncontrolled access, poaching, illegal
plant collection or uncontrolled/arson fires.

Scientific monitoring programmes may be established to monitor specific

management interventions such as measures for the protection of flagship
species. Most of the outcomes of the monitoring process will be captured in
an annual report, which will be used to inform the following year’s annual plan
of operation.

On this basis, a monitoring schedule for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is set
out in Table 7.1.

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Table 7.1 Annual monitoring schedule fo r Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Management issue Parameters to be monitored Monitoring measures Monitoring Responsibility Reporting

frequency requirements

Law enforcement Schedule of patrols Written record Weekly Annual report

Recovery of snares Photographs/written record Weekly Landowner Annual report

Illegal incidents Photographs/written record Per event Record of event

Tourism Visitor statistics Written record Ongoing Landowner Annual report

Fire management Burning of firebreaks as part of fire management Annually Annual report
Written record/map/photography
Burning of blocks as part of controlled burning Annually Landowner Annual report

Unplanned wildfires Written record/map/photography Per event Record of event

Game management Annual game census Written record Annually Landowner Annual report

Rangeland condition Grass species composition, rangeland condition score, Landowner supported
browse species composition and condition score. Grass and browse assessment Five-yearly by the Biodiversity Five-yearly report
Stewardship Unit.

Invasive plant control Areas subject to invasive plant control

State of areas in which invasive plants have been Photographs/written record Quarterly Annual report
eradicated Landowner
Records of labour hours/days Written record Annually Annual report

Herbicide usage Written record Annually Annual report

Soil erosion control Areas subject to erosion control Annual report

Photographs/written record Quarterly Landowner
State of rehabilitated areas of erosion Annual report

Human resources Staffing levels Number of full-time staff Annually Landowner Annual report

Facilities and infrastructure State of roads, paths and fences Photographs/written records Quarterly Landowner Annual report

State of facilities and service infrastructure Maintenance schedule/written records Monthly Annual report
Landowner
Pollution events Photographs/written records Per event Record of event

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7.2 Annual protected area management plan implementation
review

The purpose of undertaking an annual review of implementation of the

protected area management plan will be to:

• Determine how effectively the management plan has been

implemented.
• Assist in determining the focus for the annual plan of operation and the
setting of appropriate time frames.
• Enable effective adaptive management by identifying changes and
modifying management interventions.

The minutes of the annual management meeting will form the basis of the
report on the management plan review. The minutes should include records
of recommendations for update/changes to the five-year plan so that when
the five-year plan is revised for the subsequent five years, these
recommendations can be assessed and included where necessary.

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8. UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE’S ANNUAL PLAN OF
OPERATION

Each year an annual plan of operation will be prepared, based on the

objectives, strategic outcomes, management activities and targets contained
in the management plan.

8.1 Implementation of the management plan

Formal adoption of the

Management Plan
Periodic review of the Budgeting process
management plan

Annual
management
meeting

Update and amendment of

Annual management plan Annual plan of
management plan objectives, strategic operation
implementation outcomes, management
review
activities and targets

Biennial
management plan
review

Figure 8.1 Process for the implementation of Management

Plans

Each year an annual management meeting is to be held for the nature reserve.
In terms of the implementation of the management plan, the purpose of the
annual management meeting for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve will be to:

• Finalise the annual report, as part of the annual management plan

review described in Section 7.2 above.
• As part of the annual performance review, determine the need to
modify or change any of the management plan’s objectives, strategic
outcomes, management activities or targets.
• Determine management activities for the coming year and to set goals
for the year, based on the key performance areas set out in the
management plan.
• Determine how budgets will be spent in an effort to achieve the goals
for each of the quarters of the coming year.

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The minutes and notes of the annual management meeting will be compiled
in an annual plan of operation, which will include all of the information, set
out above, and will determine what management activities need to be
completed for the coming year, based on the management plan. A pro forma
annual plan of operation is set out in Appendix F.

8.2 Responsibilities in implementing the protected area

management plan

In the tables in the operational management framework, the responsibilities

for the completion of management activities are identified. In many cases the
people responsible for implementing the activities will be in attendance at the
annual management meeting and the requirements for the achievement of
the management activities can be discussed and agreed to at the meeting. In
some cases, however, the management activities may be required to be
referred to another partner to ensure that they implement the management
activity.

8.3 Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve ’s resource requirements

In developing annual plans of operation for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, the
resource requirements, associated with management activities and targets set
out in the operational management framework must be considered and
budgeted for. The following section broadly identifies the issues that must be
considered in determining adequate human resources, funds and equipment
for the site.

8.3.1 Staff and equipment

Annual plans of operation must consider the staff, equipment and budgetary
needs to undertake the following activities:

• Administration and management of the site.

• Patrolling of the site and its boundaries.
• An annual burning programme and fire fighting response to wildfires.
• An annual game census.
• Annual game off-takes and population control.
• An ongoing invasive plant species control programme.
• An ongoing soil erosion control and rehabilitation programme.
• Maintenance of roads, paths and fences within the site.
• Maintenance of facilities and infrastructure within the site.
• Capture of visitor information.
• Admitting visitors to the reserve and charging entrance fees and
accommodation.

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 8.3.2 Costing Plan

A budget for the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is shown in Table 8.1 below.

Table 8.1 Annual monitoring schedule for Umgeni Valley Nature

Reserve

COST
CENTRE DESCRIPTION Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Reserve
Conservation
Officer R 180 000,00 R 198 000,00 R 217 800,00 R 239 580,00 R 263 538,00
HR Costs Reserve Team R 10 000,00 R 18 000,00 R 28 000,00 R 30 000,00 R 40 000,00
Reserve
Labour -
outsourced R 200 000,00 R 220 000,00 R 242 000,00 R 266 200,00 R 292 820,00
Brushcutters
and
chainsaws R 25 000,00 R 30 000,00 R 35 000,00 R 40 000,00 R 45 000,00

Resource Vehicles R 250 000,00 R 300 000,00 R 350 000,00 R 400 000,00 R 450 000,00
Costs Monitoring
and security R 25 000,00 R 30 000,00 R 35 000,00 R 40 000,00 R 45 000,00
Fuels R 10 000,00 R 12 500,00 R 15 000,00 R 17 500,00 R 20 000,00
Herbicide R 10 000,00 R 12 500,00 R 15 000,00 R 17 500,00 R 20 000,00

8.3.3 Projects

In addition to the requirements for annual recurrent funding for the issues
outlined above, there will be a need to identify funding requirements for the
following capital projects:

• Review of the roads network and potential costs associated with re-
alignment, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
• Implementation of the new environmental education teaching
method, the E-STEAM.
• Upgrade the boundary fencing to secure the nature reserve.
• New building infrastructure to maximise environmental education
groups and corporates. This include a tented camp, and satellite
education hub.
• Connecting the entire reserve to Wi-Fi for connection to the cloud, and
the potential to upload information collected within the reserve.

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9. REFERENCES

Acocks, J.P.H. (1975) Veld Types of South Africa. Memoir of the Botanical Survey
of South Africa No.40. Department of Agricultural Technical Services,
Pretoria.

Bothma, J du P. (2002) Game Ranch Management. Fourth Edition. Van Schaik

Publishers, Pretoria.

Burrett, R.S. 2003. Umgeni Nature Reserve Sites Revisited. Unpublished Report.

Camp, K.G.T. (1998) The bioresource units of KwaZulu-Natal. Cedara report

N/A95/32. KZN Department of Agriculture.

Chizyuka, G. (1998) FAO Liaison Officers Summary Report, Harare.

Cowan, G.I. (2006) Guidance for the development of management plans in

terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act
(Act 57 of 2003). Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
Pretoria.

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (2008) The National

Protected Area Expansion Strategy 2008-2012. Pretoria.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. (2010) KZN Protected Area Expansion Strategy and
Action Plan (2009-2028). Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife unpublished report,
Pietermaritzburg. pp. 1-63.

Goodman P.S. (2011) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Norms and Standards: Surveillance
and Monitoring Plans for Biodiversity. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife unpublished
report, Pietermaritzburg.

Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (eds.) (2006). The vegetation of South Africa,
Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19, South African National Biodiversity
Institute, Pretoria.

Nanni, V.W. 1978. A Management Plan for the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
WESSA Unpublished report.

Nanni 1979

Nsala Nsala Environmental and Cultural Services CC, 2003. Umgeni Valley
Nature Reserve Proposals. Pietermaritzburg, Unpublished Report.

Price, R. 2006. Scenic Waterfalls in the Howick area, KwaZulu-Natal, Geosites.

Council for Geoscience, Pretoria.Reinhardt, T. 29/03/07. Geology of

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 KwaZulu-Natal. [Online]. Available:
http://www.geology.ukzn.ac.za/GEM/kzngeol/ecca.html

Smit, G.N. (1989) BECVOL: Biomass estimates from canopy volumes, Version 2
– User’s Guide. University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.

Snyman, H.A. (2004) Short-term influence of fire on seedling establishment in a

semi-arid grassland of South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 70(2),
215-226.

Stolton, S., Hockings, M., Dudley, N., MacKinnon, K., Whitten, T. and
Leverington, F. (2007) Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool: reporting
progress at protected area sites (2nd edition). World Bank and WWF Forest
Alliance.

Trollope, W.S.W. (1999) Veld Burning. In Tainton, N.M. (ed) Veld Management
in South Africa. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.

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 Appendix A

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Alien species Species or genotypes, which are not indigenous to Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
and the surrounding area including hybrids and genetically altered organisms.

Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all sources including, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they
are part and also includes diversity within species, between species, and of
ecosystems (as per the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act,
2004 [Act No. 10 of 2004]).
Bioprospecting In relation to indigenous biological resources, means any research on, or
development or application of, indigenous biological resources for commercial or
industrial exploitation, and includes – the systematic search, collection or
gathering of such resources or making extractions from such resources for
purposes of such research, development or application (as per the National
Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 [Act No. 10 of 2004])

Board The KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board as defined by the KwaZulu-Natal

Nature Conservation Management Act, 1997 (Act No.9 of 1997).

Buffer zone An area surrounding a protected area that has restrictions placed on its use or
where collaborative projects and programmes are undertaken to afford additional
protection to the nature reserve.

Co- The term ‘Co-management’ must be understood within the context of Section 42
management of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No.
57 of 2003).

Cultural As defined in Article 1 of the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO) 1972 , ‘cultural
heritage heritage’ is considered as “monuments, architectural works, works of monumental
sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature,
inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of (…) value
from the point of view of history, art or science, groups of buildings, groups of
separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their
homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of significance from the point of
view of history, art or science, sites, works of man or the combined works of nature
and man, and areas including archaeological sites which are of (…) value from the
historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological point of view.” For the
purpose of this IMP, living heritage features such as mountains, pools, rivers,
boulders, etc. as well as palaeontological features are included under this
definition.
Ecotourism The travel to natural areas to learn about the way of life and cultural history of
people, the natural history of the environment, while taking care not to change
the environment and contributing to the economic welfare of the local people
(adapted from a definition of ecotourism by Hecto Ceballos Lascurain).

Ecological The sum of the biological, physical and chemical components of an ecosystem and
integrity its products, functions and attributes (as per the National Environmental
Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of 2003]).

Ecosystem A dynamic complex of animal, plant and micro-organism communities and their
non-living environment interacting as a functional unit (as per the National
Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of 2003]).

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 Appendix A

Ecosystem As defined in Section 1 of the National Environmental Management: Protected

services Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) as “environmental goods and services”
meaning:
a. Benefits obtained from ecosystems such as food, fuel and fibre and genetic
resources.
b. Benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate
regulation, disease and flood control and detoxification.
c. Cultural non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems such as benefits of a
spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, inspirational, educational, community and
symbolic nature;”
For the purposes of this IMP, sustainable water production is also specifically
included under this definition.
Environmental The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air,
degradation water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of species or undesirable
reduction of species population numbers from a specific area from an
environmental health perspective

Ezemvelo KZN Nature Conservation Service as established in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature
Wildlife Conservation Management Act No. 9 of 1997.
Indigenous In relation to a specific protected area, means a species that occurs, or has
species historically occurred, naturally in a free state of nature within that specific
protected area, but excludes a species introduced in that protected area as a result
of human activity (as per the National Environmental Management: Protected
Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of 2003]).

Invasive Means any species whose establishment and spread outside of its natural
species distribution range –
a. Threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species or have a demonstrable
potential to threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species.
b. May result in economic and environmental harm or harm to human health.
(As per the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 [Act
No. 57 of 2003]).
Joint The agreed co-ordination of management and/or management actions by
management landowners and/or mandated managers on their individual or combined
properties in order to achieve common management objectives.
Local Any community of people living or having rights or interests in a distinct
community geographical area (as per the National Environmental Management: Protected
Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of 2003]).
Management In relation to a protected area, includes control, protection, conservation,
maintenance and rehabilitation of the protected area with due regard to the use
and extraction of biological resources, community-based practices and benefit
sharing activities in the area in a manner consistent with the Biodiversity Act (as
per the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No.
57 of 2003).

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 Appendix A

Management In relation to a protected area, means the organ of state or other institution or
authority person in which the authority to manage the protected area is vested (as per the
National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of
2003]).
Monitoring The collection and analysis of repeated observations or measurements to evaluate
change in status, distribution or integrity in order to track the impacts of directed
management implemented to achieve a stated management objective.
Nature The conservation of naturally occurring ecological systems, the sustainable
conservation utilisation of indigenous plants and animals therein, and the promotion and
maintenance of biological diversity (as per the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation
Management Act, 1997 [Act No.9 of 1997]).

Neighbouring The communities and people permanently living in the local municipal area/s
community bordering onto the Nature Reserve.
Natural As defined in Article 2 of the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO) 1972 ‘natural
heritage heritage’ is as: “natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or
groups of such formations, which are of (…) value from the aesthetic or scientific
point of view, geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated
areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of
(…) value from the point of view of science or conservation, natural sites or
precisely delineated natural areas of (…) value from the point of view of science,
conservation or natural beauty.” For the purposes of this IMP, this would include
the required ecological integrity of the protected area for the production of
ecosystem services.

Partnerships A co-operative and / or collaborative arrangement between the Game Reserve

management / EKZNW and a third party that supports the achievement of the
Game Reserve management objectives.

Protected • Means any area declared or proclaimed as such in terms of section 3 or listed
areas in the Second Schedule to the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation
Management Act, 1997 (Act No. 9 of 1997); or
• Means any of the protected areas referred to in section 9 of the National
Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003).
Protected area Is the management body that deals with the day-to-day management of the
management protected area and is chaired by the OIC.
committee
Ramsar Means: “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, signed in
Convention Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty, which provides the
framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation
and wise use of wetlands and their resources.” (There are presently 158
Contracting Parties to the Convention, the Convention has broadened its scope to
cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognising wetlands as
ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general
and for the well-being of human communities.)

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 Appendix A

Stakeholders/ These are interested individuals or groups concerned with or affected by an activity
interested and its consequences. These include the authorities, local communities, investors,
parties work force, consumers, environmental interest groups and the general public.
According to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act
No. 10 of 2004), “stakeholder” means a person, an organ of state or a community
contemplated in section 82 (1) (a), or an indigenous community contemplated in
section 82(1) (b).
Surveillance The collection and analysis of single or repeated measurements to establish status
or distribution or integrity at a point in time in the absence of a specific
management context or objective.
Sustainable In relation to the use of a biological resource, means the use of such resource in a
way and at a rate that would not lead to its long-term decline; would not disrupt
the ecological integrity of the ecosystem in which it occurs; and would ensure its
continued use to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations
of people (as per National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act
No. 10 of 2004).

Wilderness Means an area designated in terms of section 22 or 26 for the purpose of retaining
area an intrinsically wild appearance and character, or capable of being restored to such
and which is undeveloped and road less, without permanent improvements or
human habitation (as defined by the National Environmental Management:
Protected Areas Act, 2003 [Act No. 57 of 2003]).

World Means a World Heritage Site as defined in the World Heritage Convention Act, No.
heritage site 49 of 1999 under Chapter 1, section 1 subsection (xxiv).

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 Appendix B

LIST OF STATUTES TO WHICH UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE IS

SUBJECT

Biodiversity and Cultural Resource Management and Development:

• Animals Protection Act [No. 71 of 1962]

• Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act [No. 45 of 1965]
• Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act [No. 43 of 1983]
• Constitution of the Republic of South Africa [No. 108 of 1996]
• Criminal Procedures Act [1977]
• Environment Conservation Act [No. 73 of 1989]
• Forest Act [No. 122 of 1984]
• Hazardous Substances Act [No. 15 of 1973]
• KwaZulu Nature Conservation Act [No. 8 of 1975]
• KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Management Act [No. 10 of 1997]
• KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act [No. 9 of 1997]
• National Environmental Management Act [No. 107 of 1998]
• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act [No. 10 of 2004]
• National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act [No. 57 of
2003]
• National Forests Act [No. 84 of 1998]
• National Heritage Resources Act [No. 25 of 1999]
• National Water Act [No. 36 of 1998]
• National Water Amendment Act [No. 45 of 1999]
• National Veld and Forest Fire Act [No 101 of 1998]
• Nature Conservation Ordinance [No. 15 of 1974]

General Management:

• Development Facilitation Act [No. 67 of 1995]

• Disaster Management Act [No. 57 of 2002]
• Fire Brigade Services Act [No. 99 of 1987]
• Local Government: Municipal Systems Act [No. 32 of 2000]
• National Road Traffic Act [No. 93 of 1996]
• National Building Standards Act [No. 103 of 1977]
• Natal Town Planning Ordinance [No. 27 of 1949]
• Occupational Health and Safety Act [No. 85 of 1993]
• KwaZulu-Natal Planning and Development Act [No. 5 of 1998]
• Water Services Act [No. 108 of 1997]

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 Appendix B

Financial Management:

• Public Finance Management Act [No. 1 of 1999]

Human Resource Management:

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act [No. 75 of 1997]

• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act [No. 53 of 2003]
• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act [No. 130 of
1993]
• Employment Equity Act [No. 55 of 1998]
• Labour Relations Act [No. 66 of 1995]
• Occupational Health and Safety Act [No. 85 of 1993]
• Pension Funds Act [No. 24 of 1956]
• Skills Development Act [No. 97 of 1998]
• Skills Development Levies Act [No. 9 of 1999]
• Unemployment Insurance Act [No. 63 of 2001]

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 Appendix C

LIST OF WESSA POLICIES TO WHICH UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE IS

SUBJECT

Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) Policies:

• Acknowledgement of company disciplinary rules and regulations
• Beneficiary nomination form
• Contribution selection
• Delegation of Authority
• Disceplinary rules and regulations
• Employee orientation checklist
• Employee take on form
• Leave policy -October 2015
• New members form WESSA
• Procurment policy
• Staff orientation
• Vehicle usage policy – January 2015
• WESSA Communications protocal
• WESSA company profle
• WESSA Pension fund welcome booklet

Protected Area Management System (PAMS) Policy:

• Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve (UVNR) Conservation Environmental
Policy
• Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services,
• Protecting and conserving the natural, cultural, historic values and the sense-
of-place for the benefit of current and future generations,
• Maintaining a national and international centre of excellence for
environmental education and research,
• Complying with all the legal instruments (legislation, regulations and
agreements) applicable to a nature reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN),
• Ensuring financial sustainability without compromising primary conservation
principles,
• Embracing professionalism and sound corporate governance,
• Implementing the provisions of the reserve management plan in a consistent
manner,
• Implementing the Protected Area Management System (PAMS) and
conforming to its standards,
• Applying an adaptive management and best practice approach to continually
improve management effectiveness,
• Ensuring all staff are well trained, informed and motivated,
• Fostering partnerships with neighbouring landowners and stakeholders to
enhance the natural diversity of the greater area surrounding the reserve,
• Involving the reserve’s stakeholders through effective communication

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 Appendix D

COPY OF UMGENI VALLEY NATURE RESERVE’S DECLARATION NOTICE

Not yet proclaimed, as of March 2018.

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 Appendix E

SPECIES LISTS

LIST OF PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Acalypha glanulifolia Euphorbiaceae

Acalypha peduncularis Brooms and Brushes Euphorbiaceae

Acalypha schinzii Bearded Brooms and Brushes Euphorbiaceae

Acanthospermum hispidum* Starbur Asteraceae

Achyranthes aspera* Burrweed Amaranthaceae

Adhatoda andromeda Adhatoda Acanthaceae

Agapanthus campanulatus Agapanthus Alliaceae

Agyrolobium rupestre Fabaceae

Agyrolobium stipulaceum Fabaceae

Ajuga ophrydis Bugle plant Lamiaceae

Albuca pachychlamys Albuca Hyacinthaceae

Alepidea longifolia Apiaceae

Allepedia woodii Apiaceae

Aloe cooperi Cooper's Aloe Asphodelaceae

Aloe krausii Asphodelaceae

Aloe maculata Soap Aloe Asphodelaceae

Alysicarpus rugosus Fabaceae

Anthericum cooperi Cooper's Anthericum Anthericaceae

Anthericum saundersiae Anthericaceae

Apolodirion buchananii Natal Crocus Amaryllidaceae

Argyrolobium amplixicaule Fabaceae

Aristea woodii Wood's Aristea Iridaceae

Artemesia afra Wilde eals Asteraceae

Asclepias albens Cartwheels Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias aurea Golden Star Drops Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias cucullata Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias gibba Humped Turret-flower Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias physocarpa Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias stellifera Common Meadow-Star Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias woodii Asclepiadaceae

Asparagus africanus Bush Asparagus Asparagaceae

Aster bakerianus Asteraceae

Aster pleicephalus Asteraceae

Athrixia phylicoides Bushman's tea Asteraceae

Barleria obtusa Bush Violet Acanthaceae

Becium obovatum Cat's Whiskers Lamiaceae

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SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Berkheya eristhalis Asteraceae

Berkheya maritima Asteraceae

Berkheya rhapontica Asteraceae

Berkheya setifera Buffalo-tongue Berkheya Asteraceae

Berkheya umbellata Asteraceae

Blumea alata Asteraceae

Bonatea porrecta Orchidaceae

Boophane disticha Sore-eye plant Amaryllidaceae

Borreria natalensis Rubiaceae

Brachystelma barberae Barber's Brachystelma Asclepiadaceae

Brachystelma gerrardii Gerrard's Brachystelma Asclepiadaceae

Brunsvigia radulosa Candelabra Flower Amaryllidaceae

Callilepis laureola Ox-eye Daisy Asteraceae

Cephalaria oblongifolia False Scabiosa Dipsacaceae

Ceratotheca triloba Wild Foxglove Pedaliaceae

Chaetacanthus burchellii Fairy Stars Acanthaceae

Chamaecrista mimosioides Fishbone Dwarf Cassia Fabaceae

Chlorophytum krookianum Giant Chlorophytum Anthericaceae

Chlorophytum modestum Small Chlorophytum Anthericaceae

Chrysanthemoides monilifera Bush Tick-berry Asteraceae

Clerodendrum hirsutum Wild Violet Verbenaceae

Clerodendrum triphyllum Grassland Clerodendrum Verbenaceae

Clutia cordata Grassland Clutia Euphorbiaceae

Clutia monticola Euphorbiaceae

Commelina africana Yellow Commelina Commelinaceae

Commelina erecta Blue Commelina Commelinaceae

Conostomium natalense Wild Pentas Rubiaceae

Convolvulus sagittatus Yellow Convolvulus Convolvulaceae

Corchorus asplenifolius Tiliaceae

Corycium nigrescens Orchidaceae

Crabbea hirsuta Prickle Head Acanthaceae

Crassula alba Crassulaceae

Crassula vaginata Crassulaceae

Crotalaria dura Wild Lucerne Fabaceae

Crotalaria globifera Round Pod Rattle bush Fabaceae

Cucumis hirsutus Wild Cucumber Cucurbitaceae

Cucumis metuliferus Jelly Melon Cucurbitaceae

Cucumis zeyheri Jelly Melon Cucurbitaceae

Cyanotis speciosa Doll's Powderpuff Commelinaceae

Cycnium adoense Ink Plant Scrophulariaceae

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 Appendix E

SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Cyphostemma natalitum Vitaceae

Cyrtanthus brevifolius Amaryllidaceae

Cyrtanthus contractus Fire Lily Amaryllidaceae

Cyrtanthus tuckii Amaryllidaceae

Dianthus zeyheri African Carnation Caryophyllaceae

Dicliptera clinopodia Acanthaceae

Diclis reptans Dwarf Snapdragon/Toadflax Scrophulariaceae

Dicoma anomala Maagbitterwortel Asteraceae

Dicoma argyrophylla Doll's Protea Asteraceae

Dierama dubium Iridaceae

Dierama floriferum Hairbell Iridaceae

Dioscorea cotinifolia Dioscoreaceae

Dioscorea sylvatica Dioscoreaceae

Dipcadi marlothii Dronkui Hyacinthaceae

Dipcadi viride Dainty Green Bells Hyacinthaceae

Disa nervosa Orchidaceae

Dissotis canescens Pink Wild Tibouchina Melastomataceae

Dombeya rotundifolia Sterculiaceae

Dombeya tiliaceae Sterculiaceae

Drimia elata Satin Squill Hyacinthaceae

Eriosema cordatum Heart-leaved Eriosema Fabaceae

Eriosema distinctum Scarlet Eriosema Fabaceae

Eriosema kraussianum Pale Yellow Eriosema Fabaceae

Eriosema salignum Narrow-leaved Eriosema Fabaceae

Eriospermum cooperi White Fluffy-seed Eriospermaceae

Eriospermum mackenii Yellow Fluffy-seed Eriospermaceae

Eriythrina humeana Fabaceae

Eulophia calanthoides Eulophia Orchidaceae

Eulophia clavicornis Eulophia Orchidaceae

Eulophia clitellifera Eulophia Orchidaceae

Eulophia ensata Eulophia Orchidaceae

Eulophia leontoglossa Orchidaceae

Eulophia parvifolia Orchidaceae

Eulophia streptopetala Orchidaceae

Eulophia tenella Orchidaceae

Euryops laxus Resin Bush Asteraceae

Felicia muricata White Felicia Asteraceae

Freesia laxa Iridaceae

Gazania krebsiana Common Gazania Asteraceae

Gazania linearis Asteraceae

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 Appendix E

SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Geranium schlechteri Geraniaceae

Gerbera ambigua Pink and White Gerbera Asteraceae

Gerbera kraussi Asteraceae

Gerbera natalensis Asteraceae

Gerbera piloselloides Small Yellow Gerbera Asteraceae

Gladiolus aurantiacus Iridaceae

Gladiolus ecklonii Iridaceae

Gladiolus longicollis Iridaceae

Gladiolus permeabilis Kleinaandblom Iridaceae

Gladiolus sericeo-villosus Large Speckled Gladiolus Iridaceae

Gladiolus woodii Iridaceae

Gnidia gymnostachya Thymelaeaceae

Gnidia kraussianus Lesser Yellow Head Thymelaeaceae

Gomphocarpus physocarpus Milkweed Asclepiadaceae

Graderia scabra Wild Penstemon Scrophulariaceae

Habenaria clavata Orchidaceae

Habenaria dregeana Small green Hood Orchidaceae

Haemanthus deformis Dwarf Haemanthus Amaryllidaceae

Hebenstretia comosa Katstert Scrophulariaceae

Helichrysum acutatum Sticky Everlasting Asteraceae

Helichrysum adenocarpum Asteraceae

Helichrysum allioides Asteraceae

Helichrysum aureo-nitens Golden Everlasting Asteraceae

Helichrysum aureum Asteraceae

Helichrysum griseum Asteraceae

Helichrysum herbaceum Asteraceae

Helichrysum nudifolium Hottentot's tea Asteraceae

Helichrysum oxyphyllum Asteraceae

Helichrysum ruderale Asteraceae

Hermannia depressa Creeping red Hermannia Sterculiaceae

Hesperantha baurii Iridaceae

Hibiscus aethiopicus Common Dwarf Wild Hibiscus Malvaceae

Hibiscus canabinus Indian Hemp-leaved Hibiscus Malvaceae

Hibiscus pusillus Dwarf Hibiscus Malvaceae

Hibiscus trionum Bladder Hibiscus Malvaceae

Hoffmannseggia sandersonii Fabaceae

Hydrostachys polymorpha Hydrostachyaceae

Hypericum aethiopicum aethiopicum Small Hypericum Hypericaceae

Hypericum lalandii Hypericaceae

Hypoxis argentea Small Yellow Star-flower Hypoxidaceae

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SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Hypoxis colchifolia Broad-leaved Hypoxis Hypoxidaceae

Hypoxis filiformis Grass Star-flower Hypoxidaceae

Hypoxis hemerocallidea Star-flower Hypoxidaceae

Hypoxis multiceps Winter star-flower Hypoxidaceae

Hypoxis rigidula Silver-leaved star-flower Hypoxidaceae

Indigastrum fastigiatum Fabaceae

Indigofera hedyantha Black-bud Indigo Fabaceae

Indigofera hilaris Red Indigo bush Fabaceae

Ipomea crassipes Leafy-flowered Ipomea Convolvulaceae

Ipomea pellita Convolvulaceae

Ipomea simplex Dwarf White Ipomea Convolvulaceae

Isoglossa woodi Buck wheat Acanthaceae

Jasminum multipartitum Starry Wild Jasmine Oleaceae

Kalanchoe rotundifolia Common Kalanchoe Crassulaceae

Kniphofia buchannanii Small White Poker Asphodelaceae

Kniphofia laciflora Asphodelaceae

Kniphofia tysonii Asphodelaceae

Kohautia amatymbica Tremble Tops Rubiaceae

Lactuca capensis Asteraceae

Launea nana Asteraceae

Ledebouria ovatifolia Hyacinthaceae

Leonotis dubia Forest Leonotis Periplocaceae

Leonotis leonurus Wild Dagga (incl. White form) Periplocaceae

Linum thunbergii Linaceae

Lippia javanica Fever Tea Verbenaceae

Lotononis corymbosa Fabaceae

Lotononis foliosa Fabaceae

Ludwigia octovalvis Shrubby ludwigia Onagraceae

Maerua rosmarinoides Needle-leaved Bush Cherry Capparaceae

Miraglossum verticillare Wreathed Miracle-tongue Asclepiadaceae

Monadenia brevicornis Orchidaceae

Monopsis decipiens Butterfly Lobelia Lobeliaceae

Monopsis stellarioides Lobeliaceae

Moraea hiemalis Iridaceae

Moraea modesta Iridaceae

Mystacidium venosum Iridaceae

Nemesia coerulea Scrophulariaceae

Nemesia denticulata Wild Nemesia Scrophulariaceae

Ornithogalum tenuifolium Hyacinthaceae

Osteospermum fructicosum Asteraceae

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 Appendix E

SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Oxalis smithiana Narrow-leaved Sorrel Oxalidaceae

Oxygonum gregeanum Polygonaceae

Pachycarpus natalensis Asclepiadaceae

Pachycarpus scaber Large White Pachycarpus Asclepiadaceae

Passerina montana Thymelaeaceae

Pavetta graciflora Rubiaceae

Pearsonia sessifolia Fabaceae

Pelargonium alchemilloides Pink Trailing Pelargonium Geraniaceae

Pelargonium luridum Stalk-flowered Pelargonium Geraniaceae

Pelargonium schlecteri Geraniaceae

Pentanisia angustifolia Rubiaceae

Pentanisia prunelloides Broad-leaved Pentanisia Rubiaceae

Peristrophe cernua False Buckwheat Acanthaceae

Persicaria senegalensis Silver Snake-root Polygonaceae

Peucedanum natalense Apiaceae

Phymaspermum acersosum Asteraceae

Plectranthus fruticosus Spur-flower Lamiaceae

Plectranthus hadiensis Wild Purple Salvia Lamiaceae

Polygala amatymbica Dwarf Polygala Polygolaceae

Polygala gerradii Polygolaceae

Polygala hottentotta Small Purple Broom Polygolaceae

Polygala virgata Polygolaceae

Polygonum lapathifolium Polygonaceae

Psammatropha myriantha Aizoaceae

Pseudarthria hookeri Fabaceae

Pygmaeothamnus chamaedendrum Rubiaceae

Rabdosiella calcynia Upland Fly Bush Lamiaceae

Raphionacme hirsuta False Gentian Periplocaceae

Ruellia cordata Veld Violet Acanthaceae

Rununculus multifidis Ranunculaceae

Ruttya ovata Ruttya Acanthaceae

Sandersonia aurantiaca Christmas Bells Colchicaceae

Sanseveria hyacinthoides Mother-in-law's tongue Dracaenaceae

Satyrium longicauda Orchidaceae

Satyrium macrophyllum Orchidaceae

Satyrium parvifolium Orchidaceae

Scabiosa columbaria Wild Scabiosa Dipsacaceae

Scadoxus puniceus Snake Lily Amaryllidaceae

Schizoglossum linifolim Asclepiadaceae

Schizoglossum stenoglossum Asclepiadaceae

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 Appendix E

SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Scilla natalensis Blue Squill Hyacinthaceae

Scilla nervosa Hyacinthaceae

Sebaea sedoides Gentianaceae

Senecio bupleuroides Asteraceae

Senecio coronatus Asteraceae

Senecio deltoideus Asteraceae

Senecio discadregeanus Asteraceae

Senecio heliopsis Asteraceae

Senecio macrocephalus Asteraceae

Senecio panduriformis Asteraceae

Silene burchellii Gunpowder plant Caryophyllaceae

Sisyranthus trichostomus Hairy Grass flower Asclepiadaceae

Sium repandum Apiaceae

Stennoglottis fimbriata Fringed Stennoglottis Orchidaceae

Streptocarpus polyanthus Gesneriaceae

Striga bilabiata Witchweed Scrophulariaceae

Striga elegans Scrophulariaceae

Tephrosia macropoda Creeping Tephrosia Fabaceae

Tetradenia riparia Ginger Bush Lamiaceae

Teucrium kraussi Lamiaceae

Thesium costatum Santalaceae

Thunbergia atriplicifolia Natal Primrose Acanthaceae

Thunbergia natalensis Acanthaceae

Thuranthos macranthum Hyacinthaceae

Trachyandra asperata Wilde Knoflok Asphodelaceae

Tragia meyeriana Euphorbiaceae

Tritonia lineata Pencilled Tritonia Iridaceae

Tritonia rubro-lucens Iridaceae

Tulbaghia acutiloba Wild Garlic Alliaceae

Turbina oblongata Convolvulaceae

Typha capensis Bulrush Typhaceae

Urginea capitata Berg Slangkop Hyacinthaceae

Urginea multisetosa Hyacinthaceae

Ursinia tenuiloba Asteraceae

Vernonia adoensis Asteraceae

Vernonia capensis Cape Vernonia Asteraceae

Vernonia dregeana Asteraceae

Vernonia hirsuta Asteraceae

Vernonia neocorymbosa Asteraceae

Vernonia oligocephala Asteraceae

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 Appendix E

SPECIES COMMON NAME FAMILY

Vigna vexillata Narrow-leaved Wild Sweetpea Fabaceae

Wahlenbergia krebsii Campanulaceae

Watsonia densiflora Watsonia Iridaceae

Xysmoalobium undulatum Asclepiadaceae

Zaluzianskya elongata Scrophulariaceae

Zantedeschia albomaculata Araceae

Zornia capensis Caterpillar Bean Fabaceae

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 Appendix E

LIST OF TREE SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
160 Acacia ataxacantha Flame Thorn
162 Acacia caffra Common Hook-thorn

172 Acacia karroo Sweet Thorn

179 Acacia nilotica Scented Thorn

187 Acacia sieberana var. woodii Paperbark Thorn

335.1 Acalypha glabrata Forest False-nettle

- Adenopodia spicata Spiny Splinter-bean

425 Allophylus africanus Black False Currant

424 Allophylus dregeanus Forest False Currant

28.1 Aloe arborescens Krantz Aloe

28.5 Aloe candelabrum Candelabra Aloe

422 Apodytes dimidiata White Pear

450 Berchemia zeyheri Red Ivory

441 Bersama swinnyi Coastal White Ash

443 Bersama tysoniana Common White Ash

124.1 Boscia foetida Tugela Stink Shepherd's Tree

673 Bowkeria verticillata Natal Shell-flower Bush

725 Brachylaena elliptica Bitter-leaf

636 Buddleja saligna False Olive

637 Buddleja salviifolia Sagewood

688 Burchellia bubalina Wild Pomergranate

256 Calodendrum capense Cape Chestnut

219 Calpurnia aurea Natal Laburnum

705.1 Canthium ciliatum Hairy Turkey-berry

708 Canthium inerme Common Turkey-berry

710 Canthium mundianum Rock Alder

707 Canthium spinosum Coastal Cathium (Thorny Rock Alder)

640.1 Carissa bispinosa Forest Num-num

410 Cassine aethiopica Kooboo-berry

420 Cassinopsis ilicifolia Lemon Thorn

39 Celtis africana White Stinkwood

43 Chaetacme aristata Thorny Elm

615 Chionathus foveolatus Common Pock Ironwood

265 Clausena anisata Horsewood

667 Clerodendrum glabrum Tinderwood

336 Clutia abyssinca Large Lightning Bush

689.1 Coddia rudis Small Bone-apple

534.2 Combretum edwardsii Natal Bushwillow

536 Combretum erythrophyllum River Bushwillow

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 Appendix E

NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

540 Combretum kraussii Forest Bushwillow

537 Combretum molle Velvet Bushwillow

277 Commiphora harveyi Red-stem Corkwood

291 Commophora woodii Forest Corkwood

116 Cryptocarya woodii Cape Quince

564 Cussonia spicata Common Cabbage Tree

1 Cyathea dregei Common Tree Fern

521 Dais cotinifolia Pompom Tree

235 Dalbergia obovata Climbing Flat-bean

190 Dichrostachys cinerea Sickle Bush

605.1 Diospyros lycioides Bluebush

607 Diospyros natalensis Acorn Diospyros

611 Diospyros whyteana Bladder-nut

469 Dombeya cymosa Natal Wild Pear

471 Dombeya rotundifolia Common Wild Pear

472 Dombeya tiliacea Forest Wild Pear

508 Dovyalis lucida Glossy Sourberry

509 Dovyalis rhamnoides Common Sour-berry

511 Dovyalis zeyheri Wild Apricot

30.9 Dracaena aletriformis Large-leaved Dragon Tree

657 Ehretia rigida Puzzle Bush

298 Ekebergia capensis CapeAash

10 Encephalartos natalensis Natal Cycad

582 Englerophytum natalense Natal Milkplum

243.1 Erythrina humeana Dwarf Coral Tree

244 Erythrina latissima Broad-leaved Coral Tree

245 Erythrina lysistemon Common Coral Tree

249 Erythroxylum emarginatum Common Coca Tree

250 Erythroxylum pictum Forest Coca Tree

594 Euclea crispa Blue Guarri

597 Euclea natalensis Natal Guarri

553.2 Eugenia natalitia Common Forest Myrtle

350 Euphorbia grandidens Valley-bush Euphorbia

351 Euphorbia ingens Common Tree Euphorbia

355 Euphorbia tirucalli Rubber Euphorbia

49 Ficus burrt-davyi Veld Fig

64 Ficus glumosa Mountain Fig

55 Ficus ingens Red-leaved Rock Fig

57 Ficus natalensis Natal Fig

50 Ficus sur Broom Cluster Fig

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

692
Gardenia thunbergia White Gardenia
463
Grewia occidentalis Cross-berry
446
Greyia sutherlandii Natal Bottlebrush
670
Halleria lucida Tree Fuchsia
361
Harpephyllum caffrum Wild Plum
568
Heteromorpha trifoliata Parsley Tree
438
Hippobromus pauciflorus False Horsewood
690
Hyperacanthus amoenus Thorny Gardenia
397
Ilex mitis Cape Holly
494
Kiggelaria africana Wild Peach
700.1
Kraussia floribunda Rhino-coffee
145
Leucosidea sericea Oldwood
681.1
Mackaya bella River Bells
133
Maerua cafra Common Bush-cherry
135
Maerua rosmarinoides Needle-leaved Bush-cherry
577
Maesa lanceolata False Assegai
398
Maytenus acuminata Silky Bark
399
Maytenus heterophylla Common Spike-thorn
399.2
Maytenus mossambicensis Black Forest Spike-thorn
399.3
Maytenus nemorosa White Forest Spike Thorm
401
Maytenus peduncularis Cape Blackwood
403
Maytenus undata Koko Tree
584
Mimusops obovata Red Milkwood
107.1
Monanthotaxis caffra Dwaba-berry
38
Myrica serrata Lance-leaved Waxberry
634
Nuxia floribunda Forest Elder
71
Obetia tenax Mountain Nettle
479.1
Ochna serrulata Small-leaved Plane
617
Olea europaea Wild Olive
714.1
Pachystigma macrocalyx Crowned Medlar
-
Passerina filiformis Brown Gonna
716
Pavetta gardeniifolia Common Bride's Bush
718.1
Pavetta lanceolata Weeping Bride's Bush
139
Pittosporum viridiflorum Cheesewood
419
Pleurostylia capensis Coffee Pear
87
Protea caffra Natal Sugarbush
147
Prunus africana Red Stinkwood
292
Ptaeroxylon obliquum Sneezewood
578
Rapanea melanophloeos Cape Beech
647
Rauvolfia caffra Quinine Tree

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

452
Rhamnus prinoides Dogwood
456.4
Rhoicissus rhomboidea Glossy Forest Grape
456.5
Rhoicissus tomentosa Common Forest Grape
4
Rhoicissus tridentata Bushman's Grape
380
Rhus chirindensis Red Currant
381.1
Rhus dentata Nana-berry
391
Rhus pentheri Common Crow-berry
393.1
Rhus rehmanniana glabrata Blunt-leaved Currant
695
Rothmannia globosa Bell Gardenia
202
Schotia brachypetala Weeping Boer-bean
498
Scolopia zeyheri Thorn Pear
451
Scutia myrtina Cat-thorn
579
Sideroxylon inerme White Milkwood
669.3
Solanum aculeastrum Goat Apple
669.1
Solanum giganteum Healing-leaf Tree
647.2
Strophanthus speciosus Common Poison Rope
555
Syzigium cordatum Water Berry
42
Trema orientalis Pigeonwood
699
Tricalysia lanceolata Jackal-coffee
300
Trichilia dregeana Forest Mahogany
503
Trimeria grandifolia Wild Mulberry
296
Turraea floribunda Wild Honeysuckle Tree
297.2
Turraea obtusifolia Small Honeysuckle Tree
702
Vangueria infausta Wild Medlar
261
Vepris lanceolata White Ironwood
253
Zanthoxylum capense Small Knobwood
447
Ziziphus mucronata Buffalo-thorn

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 Appendix E

LIST OF GRASS SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

Alloteropsis semialata Black-seed Grass

Aristida junciformis Ngongoni Bristle Grass
Bothriochloa insculpta Pinhole Grass
Brachiaria serrata Velvet Signal Grass
Chloris gayana Rhodes Grass
Cymbopogon excavatus Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Digitaria erianthia Common Finger Grass
Digitaria longiflora False Couch Grass
Diheteropogon amplectens Broad-leaved Bluestem
Eragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love Grass
Eragrostis chloromelas (Narrow) Curly Leaf
Eragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass
Harpachloa falx Caterpillar Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta Common Thatching Grass
Melinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red-top
Miscanthus capensis Daba Grass
Panicum maximum Guinea Grass
Panicum natalensis Natal Panicum
Paspalum dilatatum Dallis Grass
Paspalum scrobiculatum Veld Paspalum
Setaria megaphylla Broad-leaved Bristle Grass
Setaria sphacelata var. sphacelata Common Bristle Grass
Setaria sphacelata var. torta Creeping Bristle Grass
Sporobolus elongatus Rat’s Tail Dropseed
Themeda triandra Red Grass
Tristachya leucothrix Hairy Trident Grass

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 Appendix E

LIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
ORDER COMMON NAME SPECIES
TUBILIDENTATA Aardvark Orycteropus afer

ARTIODACTYLA Blesbuck Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi

Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
Common Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula
Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis
Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Nyala Tragelaphus angasii
Oribi Ourebia ourebi
Warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus

PERISSODACTYLA Burchell's Zebra Equus burchelli

HYRACOIDEA Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis

CARNIVORA African Wild Cat Felis lybica

African Civet Civettictis civetta
Black-backed Jackal Canus mesomelas
Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Caracal Felis caracal
Large Grey Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon
Large Spotted Genet Genetta tigrina
Serval Felis serval
Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea
Small Spotted Genet Genetta genetta
Spotted Necked Otter Lutra maculicollis
Striped Polecat Ictonyx striatus
Water Mongoose Atilax paludinosus
White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda
Leopard Panthera pardus
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis

PRIMATIA Thick-tailed Bush-baby Otolemur crassicaudatus

Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops

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ORDER COMMON NAME SPECIES

LAGOMORPHA Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis

RODENTIA Angoni Vlei Rat Otomys angoniensis

Chestnut Climbing Mouse Dendrmus mysticalis
Common Molerat Cryptomys hottentotus
Greater Canerat Thryonomus swinderianus
House Rat Rattus rattus
Multimammate Mouse Mastomys natalensis
Pigmy Mouse Mus minutoides
Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis
Single-striped Mouse Lemniscomys rosalia
Striped Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus

INSECTIVORA Greater Red Musk Shrew Crocidura flavescens

Forest Shrew Myosorex varius

Reddish-grey musk shrew Crocidura cyanea infumata

CHIROPTERA Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit bat Epomophorus crypturus

Egyptian Fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus

Taphozous mauritianus
Mauritian Tomb bat
Egyptian Slit-faced bat Nycteris thebaica

Geoffroy’s Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus clivosus

Bushveld Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus simulator)

Lesser Long-fingered bat Miniopterus fraterculus

Schreibers’s Long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii

Cape Serotine bat Neoromicia capensis

African Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Yellow House bat Scotophilus dinganii

Egyptian Free-tailed bat Tadarida aegyptiaca

Angola Free-tailed bat Mops condylurus

Little Free-tailed bat Chaerephon pumilus

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LIST OF REPTILE SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
SNAKES
Aparallactus capensis Cape Centipede Eater
Bitis arietans arietans Puff Adder
Causus rhombeatus Common Night Adder
Crotaphopeltis hotamboela Red-Lipped Herald
Dispholidus typus Boomslang
Duberria lutrix lutrix Common Slug-eater
Hemachatus haemachatus Rinkals
Lamprophis fuliginosus Brown House Snake
Lamprophis inornatus Olive House Snake
Leptotyphylops scutifrons scutifrons Peter's Thread Snake
Lycodonomorphus leleupi mlanjensis Dusky-bellied Water Snake
Naja haje annulifera Eqyptian Cobra
Naja mosambica Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Philothamnus natalensis occidentalis Eastern Green Snake
Philothamnus semivariegatus Spotted Bush Snake
Psammophylax rhombeatus Rhombic Skaapsteker
Pseudaspis cana Mole Snake
Python sebae natalensis African Rock Python
LIZARDS
Acanthocercus atricollis Southern Tree Agama
Bradypodium species Dwarf Chameleons
Chamaeleo dilepsis Flap-necked Chameleon
Mabuya striata striata Striped Skink
Varanus niloticus Nile Monitor

Varanus albigularis albigularis Rock Monitor

TERRAPINS
Pelomedusa subrufa Marsh Terrapin

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LIST OF AMPHIBIAN SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY

NATURE RESERVE
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
Breviceps adspersus Bushveld Rain Frog
Breviceps verrucosus Plaintive Rain Frog
Bufo carens Red Toad
Bufo gutturalis Guttural Toad
Bufo rangeri Raucous Toad
Hyperolius marmoratus Painted Reed Frog
Kassina senegalensis Bubbling Kassina
Leptopelis natalensis Forest Tree Frog
Rana angolensis Common River Frog
Rana grayii Clicking Stream Frog
Tomopterna natalensis Natal Sand Frog
Xenopis laevis Common Platanna

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LIST OF BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFIED AT UMGENI VALLEY NATURE

RESERVE
NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
8 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe
55 Phalacrocorax carbo White-breasted Cormorant
58 Phalacrocorax africanus Reed Cormorant
60 Anhinga rufa African Darter
62 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron
63 Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron
66 Egretta alba Great Egret
67 Egretta garzetta Little Egret
71 Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret
81 Scopus umbretta Hamerkop
83 Ciconia ciconia White Stork
91 Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis
94 Bostrychia hagedash Hadeda Ibis
95 Platalea alba African Spoonbill
99 Debdrcygna viduata White-faced Duck
102 Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose
104 Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck
105 Anas sparsa African Black Duck
112 Anas smithii Cape Shoveler
116 Plectropterus gambensis Spur-winged Goose
118 Saggittarius serpentarius Secretarybird
126 Milvus aegyptius Yellow-billed Kite
127 Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite
128 Aviceda cuculoides African Cuckoo-Hawk
131 Aquila verreauxii Verreaux’s Eagle
135 Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg’s Eagle
136 Aquila pennatus Booted Eagle
139 Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle
140 Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle
141 Stephanoaetus coronatus African Crowned Eagle
148 Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish-Eagle
149 Buteo vulpinus Steppe Buzzard
150 Buteo trizonatus Forest Buzzard
152 Buteo rufofuscus Jackal Buzzard
157 Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk
158 Accipiter melanoleucus Black Sparrowhawk
160 Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk
161 Melierax gabar Gabar Goshawk
169 Polyboroides typus African Harrier-Hawk

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

171 Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon
172 Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon
181 Falco rupicolus Rock Kestrel
188 Peliperdix coqui Coqui Francolin
191 Scleroptila shelleyi Shelley’s Francolin
192 Scleroptila levaillantii Red-winged Francolin
196 Pternistis natalensis Natal Spurfowl
198 Pternistis afer Red-necked Spurfowl
199 Pternistis swainsonii Swainson's Spurfowl
200 Coturnix coturnix Common Quail
203 Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl
208 Anthropoides paradiseus Blue Crane
209 Balearica regulorum Grey Crowned Crane
212 Crecopsis egregia African Crake
213 Amaurornis flavirostris Black Crake
218 Sarothrura elegans Buff-spotted Flufftail
226 Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen
229 Podica senegalensis African Finfoot
255 Vanellus coronatus Crowned Lapwing
257 Vanellus melanopterus Black-winged Lapwing
258 Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Lapwing
264 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper
270 Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank
297 Burhinus capensis Spotted Thick-knee
349 Columba guinea Speckled Pigeon
350 Columba arquatrix African Olive-Pigeon
352 Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove
354 Streptopelia capicola Cape Turtle-Dove
355 Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove
356 Oena capensis Namaqua Dove
358 Turtur chalcospilos Emerald Spotted Wood-Dove
359 Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove
360 Aplopelia larvata Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove
361 Treron calvus African Green-Pigeon
370 Tauraco corythaix Knysna Turaco
371 Gallirex porphyreolophus Purple-crested Turaco
374 Cuculus canorus Common Cuckoo
375 Cuculus gularis African Cuckoo
377 Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuckoo
378 Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo
384 Chrysococcyx cupreus African Emerald Cuckoo

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

385 Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo
386 Chrysococcyx caprius Diderick Cuckoo
391 Centropus burchellii Burchell’s Coucal
392 Tyto alba Barn Owl
393 Tyto capensis African Grass Owl
394 Strix woodfordii African Wood-Owl
400 Bubo capensis Cape Eagle Owl
401 Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle Owl
405 Caprimulgus europaeus Fiery-necked Nightjar
411 Apus apus Common Swift
412 Apus barbatus African Black Swift
415 Apus caffer White-rumped Swift
417 Apus affinis Little Swift
418 Tachymarptis melba Alpine Swift
421 Cypsiurus parvus African Palm-Swift
424 Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird
426 Urocolius indicus Red-faced Mousebird
427 Narina Trogon
Apaloderma narina
428 Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher
429 Megaceryle maximus Giant Kingfisher
430 Alcedo semitorquata Half-collared Kingfisher
431 Alcedo cristata Malachite Kingfisher
432 Ispidina picta African Pigmy-Kingfisher
435 Halcyon albiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher
447 Coracias caudatus Lilac-breasted Roller
449 Coracias garrulus European Roller
451 Upupa africana African Hoopoe
452 Phoeniculus purpureus Green Wood-Hoopoe
454 Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Common Scimitarbill
455 Trumpeter Hornbill
Bycanistes bucinator
460 Tockus alboterminatus Crowned Hornbill
464 Lybius torquatus Black-collared Barbet
465 Tricholaema leucomelas Acacia Pied Barbet
469 Pogoniulus pusillus Red-fronted Tinkerbird
473 Trachyphonus vaillantii Crested Barbet
474 Indicator indicator Greater Honeyguide
475 Indicator variegatus Scaly-throated Honeyguide
476 Indicator minor Lesser Honeyguide
478 Prodotiscus regulus Brown-backed Honeybird
483 Campethera abingoni Golden-tailed Woodpecker

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

486 Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker
488 Dendropicos griseocephalus Olive Woodpecker
489 Jynx ruficollis Red-throated Wryneck
494 Mirafra africana Rufous-naped Lark
507 Calandrella cinerea Red-capped Lark
518 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow
520 Hirundo albigularis White-throated Swallow
526 Hirundo cucullata Greater Striped Swallow
527 Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow
529 Hirundo fuligula Rock Martin
530 Delichon urbicum Common House Martin
533 Riparia paludicola Brown-throated Martin
534 Riparia cincta Banded Martin
536 Psalidoprocne holomelaena Black Saw-wing
538 Campephaga flava Black Cuckooshrike
540 Coracina caesia Grey Cuckooshrike
541 Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo
545 Oriolus larvatus Black-headed Oriole
547 Corvus capensis Cape Crow
548 Corvus albus Pied Crow
550 Corvus albicollis White-necked Raven
554 Parus niger Southern Black Tit
565 Lioptilus nigricapillus Bush Blackcap

568 Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped Bulbul

569 Phyllastrephus terrestris Terrestrial Brownbul
572 Andropadus importunus Sombre Greenbul
576 Turdus libonyanus Kurrichane Thrush
577 Turdus olivaceus Olive Thrush
580 Psophocichla litsipsirupa Groundscraper Thrush
581 Monticola rupestris Cape Rock-Thrush
582 Monticola explorator Sentinal Rock-Thrush
589 Cercomela familiaris Familiar Chat
593 Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris Mocking Cliff-Chat
596 Saxicola torquatus Africa Stonechat
598 Cossypha dichroa Chorister Robin-Chat
600 Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin-Chat
601 Cossypha caffra Cape Robin-Chat
606 Pogonocichla stellata White-starred Robin
613 Cercotrichas leucophrys White-browed Scrub-Robin
633 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

637 Chloropeta natalensis Dark-capped Yellow Warbler
638 Bradypterus baboecala Little Rush-Warbler
639 Bradypterus barratti Barratts Warbler
642 Schoenicola brevirostris Broad-tailed Warbler
643 Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler
644 Phylloscopus ruficapilla Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler
645 Apalis thoracica Bar-throated Apalis
648 Apalis flavida Yellow-breasted Apalis
651 Sylvietta rufescens Long-billed Crombec
657 Camaroptera brachyura Green-backed Camaroptera
661 Sphenoeacus afer Cape Grassbird
664 Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola
667 Cisticola ayresii Wing-snapping Cisticola
670 Cisticola lais Wailing Cisticola
672 Cisticola chiniana Rattling Cisticola
677 Cisticola tinniens Levaillant’s Cisticola
678 Cisticola natalensis Croaking Cisticola
679 Cisticola aberrans Lazy Cisticola
681 Cisticola fulvicapilla Neddicky
683 Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia
686 Prinia hypoxantha Drakensberg Prinia
689 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher
690 Muscicapa adusta African Dusky Flycatcher
691 Muscicapa caerulescens Ashy Flycatcher
694 Melaenornis pammelaina Southern Black Flycatcher
698 Sigelus silens Fiscal Flycatcher
700 Batis capensis Cape Batis
701 Batis molitor Chinspot Batis
706 Stenostira scita Fairy Flycatcher
708 Trochocercus cyanomelas Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher
710 Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise-Flycatcher
711 Motacilla aguimp African Pied Wagtail
712 Motacilla clara Mountain Wagtail
713 Motacilla capensis Cape Wagtail
716 Anthus cinnamomeus African Pipit
717 Anthus similis Long-billed Pipit
718 Anthus leucophrys Plainbacked Pipit
720 Anthus lineiventris Striped Pipit
727 Macronyx capensis Cape Longclaw

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

728 Macronyx croceus Yellow-throated Longclaw
731 Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike
732 Lanius collaris Common Fiscal
733 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike
736 Laniarius ferrugineus Southern Boubou
740 Dryoscopus cubla Black-backed Puffback
741 Nilaus afer Brubru
742 Tchagra tchagra Southern Tchagra
744 Tchagra senegalus Black-crowned Tchagra
746 Telophorus zeylonus Bokmakierie
748 Telophorus sulfureopectus Orange-breasted Bush Shrike
750 Telophorus olivaceus Olive Bush Shrike
751 Malaconotus blanchoti Grey-headed Bush Shrike
758 Acridotheres tristis Common (Indian) Myna
760 Creatophora cinerea Wattled Starling
761 Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling
764 Lamprotornis nitens Cape Glossy Starling
769 Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling
775 Nectarinia famosa Malachite Sunbird
783 Cinnyris chalybeus Southern Double-collared Sunbird
785 Cinnyris afer Greater Double-collared Sunbird
787 Cinnyris talatala White-bellied Sunbird
789 Cyanomitra veroxii Grey Sunbird
792 Chalcomitra amethystina Amethyst Sunbird
793 Hedydipna collaris Collared Sunbird
796 Zosterops virens Cape White-eye
801 Passer domesticus House Sparrow
803 Passer melanurus Cape Sparrow
804 Passer diffusis Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
805 Petronia superciliaris Yellow-throated Petronia
807 Amblyospiza albifrons Thick-billed Weaver
808 Ploceus bicolor Dark-backed (Forest) Weaver
810 Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver
811 Ploceus cucullatus Village Weaver
813 Ploceus capensis Cape Weaver
814 Ploceus velatus Southern Masked Weaver
817 Ploceus subaureus Yellow Weaver
821 Quelea quelea Red-billed Quelea
824 Euplectes orix Southern Red Bishop

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NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

826 Euplectes afer Yellow-crowned Bishop
828 Euplectes axillaris Fan-tailed Widowbird
829 Euplectes albonotatus White-winged Widowbird
831 Euplectes ardens Red-collared Widowbird
832 Euplectes progne Long-tailed Widowbird
835 Mandingoa nitidula Green Twinspot
840 Lagonosticta rubricata African Firefinch
842 Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch
844 Uraeginthus angolensis Blue Waxbill
846 Estrilda astrild Common Waxbill
850 Coccopygia melanotis Swee Waxbill
852 Ortygospiza atricollis African Quail Finch
854 Amandava subflava Orange-breasted Waxbill
857 Spermestes cucullatus Bronze Mannikin
858 Spermestes bicolor Red-backed Mannikin
860 Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah
864 Vidua funerea Dusky Indigobird
869 Crithagra mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary
872 Serinus canicollis Cape Canary
873 Crithagra scotops Forest Canary
877 Crithagra sulphuratus Brimstone (Bully) Canary
881 Crithagra gularis Streaky-headed Seed-eater
884 Emberiza flaviventris Golden Breasted Bunting
886 Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Bunting

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 Appendix F

PRO FORMA ANNUAL PLA N OF OPERATION

Notes of a management meeting for Umgeni Valley Nature

Reserve held at … on …
Present:

Apologies:

CC:

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 Appendix F

Table 1 Progress and goals set for Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
Management target 2017/18 Progress 2018/19 goals Completion date Responsibility Action

LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Legal protection of the entire extent of

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in terms Year 1
of the Protected Areas Act.

Implement appropriate standard

operating procedures and processes in
Ongoing
responding to illegal incidents. (See
PAMS)
Regular patrols covering the full extent of
Ongoing
the nature reserve. (See PAMS)

Prosecution of any offender caught

Ongoing
committing an offence.

BUFFER ZONE AND REGIONAL MANAGEMENT

Recognition of the protected area status

of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve in the Year 1
IDP and SDF.

Retention of existing compatible land

uses, such as game and livestock
Annually
farming, in the areas around the
reserve.

Improved connectivity and movement

of wildlife between protected areas in Year 5
the region.

PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PAMS)

Improvement of the METT score

Ongoing

Implementation of the PAMS process

Ongoing

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Management target 2016/17 Progress 2017/18 goals Completion date Responsibility Action

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Each visiting group leaves with further

information and knowledge of the Ongoing
environment. (See PAMS)

Diversity of programmes and courses As required by

offered relevant to current issues. (See programme
PAMS)

VISITOR MANAGEMENT

An assessment of what visitor activities

and supporting infrastructure could be Year 2
developed at the reserve. (See PAMS)

Provision of supporting infrastructure

Year 5
for visitor activities. (See PAMS)

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

Undertake periodic rangeland

assessments to determine the state of
Year 5
the habitat and the influence of
management interventions. (See PAMS)

Modify game species mix and numbers

if they are found to be negatively Annually
impacting on biodiversity. (See PAMS)

Maintenance of optimum population

numbers of rare and endangered
Ongoing
species within the nature reserve. (See
PAMS)

Re-introduction of rare and threatened

species that historically would have
Ongoing
occurred within Umgeni Valley Nature
Reserve. (See PAMS)

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Management target 2016/17 Progress 2017/18 goals Completion date Responsibility Action

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT (Cont)

Establishment of a series of internal

firebreaks to facilitate the
Annually
recommended burning regime. (See
PAMS)

Burning approximately one-third of the

reserve each year, following a period of Annually
rest or alleviated pressure. (See PAMS)

Compliance with the National Veld and

Ongoing
Forest Fires Act. (See PAMS)

Stocking rates are capped below the

Ongoing
reserve’s carrying capacity. (See PAMS)

Alleviation of herbivore pressure

through the use of fire to draw game Annually
onto rested areas. (See PAMS)

Eradication of all outlier stands of listed

Year 5
invasive species. (See PAMS)

Ongoing control and eradication of

listed invasive species to a point where
Ongoing
maintenance control is all that is
required. (See PAMS)

A map depicting areas of soil erosion

Year 1
within the nature reserve. (See PAMS)

Implementation of soil erosion control

measures in areas in which plant cover
Ongoing
is low, which are susceptible to erosion.
(See PAMS)

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Inclusion of a cost estimate in the

Annually
Annual Plan of Operation. (See PAMS)

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Management target 2016/17 Progress 2017/18 goals Completion date Responsibility Action

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT (Cont)

Poorly planned or badly constructed

roads are closed or re-aligned to Year 4
address impacts. (See PAMS)

Regular maintenance of all

infrastructure and equipment. (See Ongoing
PAMS)

Appropriately functioning infrastructure

that does not cause harm to the Ongoing
environment. (See PAMS)

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