5.2. Summary of the results and key research findings in relation to the objectives
5.2.2. To assess the appropriateness of the typology presently used by the eThekwini
145 5.2.2. To assess the appropriateness of the typology presently used by the eThekwini
146 5.2.2.2. Tree crops
The results showed that when the quality of the five tree crop sites investigated was compared between the Adapted and eThekwini typologies, the quality classification only differed between typologies for one site. In addition, it was found that tree crop sites in close proximity to settlements were more prone to degradation than those situated further away. This correlated with findings described for settlement green spaces (described above), which also showed that green areas located close to settlements were exposed to higher levels of infringement and where characterised by areas that were evidently degraded. Another interesting finding, was that the majority of tree crop sites assessed comprised of land that was classified as transformed. However, this was not necessarily indicative of poor green spaces quality as tree crops are commercial land entities (Sanchez and Leakey, 1997; Verlarde and Tomich, 2006), i.e. the land has been transformed to grow vegetation. The deviation indices calculated for the tree crop sites investigated revealed that only one site deviated from the classification given by the eThekwini typology. Overall, it was evident that quality based land cover differed minimally between the eThekwini and Adapted typologies.
5.2.2.3. Woodland
The results showed that when the quality of the five selected woodland sites was compared between the Adapted and eThekwini typologies, the quality classification differed between typologies for four sites. Furthermore, it was evident that the woodland sites under investigation all fell under D’MOSS protection (Source for raw data: eThekwini Municipality, 2012). Woodland sites in close proximity to settlements were severely encroached upon and more prone to degradation and transformation, than those situated further away. This resonated with evidence from the social survey pertaining to the vulnerability of green spaces in close proximity to residential areas. The deviation indices calculated for the woodland sites investigated revealed that classifications for four sites deviated between the typologies.
Overall, it was evident that quality based land cover differed moderately when sites were compared using the eThekwini and Adapted typologies. Some micro-habitats of differentiated ecological integrity could therefore have been potentially misclassified when using the eThekwini typology; the implication of this misclassification is that these micro-habitats could possibly be inadequately/ inappropriately prioritised for conservation and/ or restoration.
147 5.2.2.4. Forest
The results showed that when the quality of the five selected forest sites was compared between the Adapted and eThekwini typologies, the quality classification differed between typologies for three sites. Additionally, it was evident that the forest sites were exposed to the highest levels of infringement, in comparison to the other green space types assessed. However, paradoxically these forest sites also comprised the highest percentage of good and intermediate land relative to other ecosystem conditions, despite their susceptibility to infringement pressures. This trend was explained using evidence from the social survey, which showed a significant proportion of respondents’ valued forests as important green spaces, expressing the imperative need to see these environments retained or conserved. It was also noted that the sites which reflected the most intact and intermediate land, both fell under D’MOSS protection (Source for raw data: eThekwini Municipality, 2012). The deviation indices calculated for the forest sites investigated revealed that three sites deviated from the eThekwini typology.
Overall, it was evident that quality based land cover differed moderately when sites were compared using the eThekwini and Adapted typologies: some micro-habitats consisting of significant tracts of intact land within larger green environments were therefore possibly misclassified when using the eThekwini typology. This implies that patches of these structurally diverse ecosystems, which harbour many endemic species and species of high conservation value (Alvey, 2006; eThekwini Municipality, 2007), may possibly be inadequately/ inappropriately managed.
5.2.2.5. Grassland
The results showed that when the quality of five selected grassland sites was compared between the Adapted and eThekwini typologies, the quality classification differed between typologies for three sites. It was evident that large tracts of intact and intermediate land exist within the grassland sites investigated, however, these areas are exposed to higher levels of disturbance from both settlements and industry. Additionally, it was noted that only the sites that fell under D’MOSS protection contained areas of intact green space. The deviation indices calculated for the grassland sites investigated revealed that three sites deviated from the classification defined by the eThekwini typology. Overall, it was evident that quality based land cover differed moderately when sites were compared using the eThekwini and Adapted typologies. Some micro-environments of differentiated ecological integrity were therefore possibly misclassified
148 when using the eThekwini typology; the misclassification of large tracts of intermediate land could potentially compromise the conservation and/ or restoration and management of a number of the grassland sites investigated.
5.2.2.6. Thicket
The results showed that when quality of the five selected thicket sites was compared between the Adapted and eThekwini typologies, the quality classification differed between typologies for four sites. Furthermore, it was evident that large tracts of intact and intermediate land were identified in close proximity to settlements within the thicket sites investigated. In addition, of all the thicket sites analysed, only one site was not under D’MOSS protection (Source for raw data: eThekwini Municipality, 2012). This was possibly reflective of the high conservation priority granted to the Thicket biome by the eThekwini Municipality (eThekwini Municipality, 2007). The deviation indices calculated for the thicket sites investigated revealed that four sites deviated from the classification defined by the eThekwini typology. Overall, it was evident that quality based land cover differed moderately when sites were compared using the eThekwini and Adapted typologies, resulting in some green micro-habitats within larger green spaces being potentially misclassified in terms of their ecological integrity when using the eThekwini typology. As with the other green spaces types, these misclassified micro-habitats may therefore be inadequately/ inappropriately managed.