Elundini Roads
2.27 Natural Environment
2.27.1 Topography and Hydrology
The municipal area has a distinctive topographical character with mountain ranges along the western side overlooking a central plateau, giving way to an escarpment sloping down towards the eastern side and the lower reaches of the Tsolo and Mthatha regions. Much of Elundini has slopes steeper than 1:8 as it forms part of the southern Drakensberg range. This area located along the north and western side of the municipality, due to its high altitude, is unsuitable for arable farming. The mountainous terrain also limits accessibility and therefore hampers service and infrastructure delivery in the region. The Southern Drakensberg creates a scenic environment conducive to adventure and eco- tourism activities such as mountain biking, hiking, skiing etc. The mountains form a watershed which separates the eastern and western parts of the Joe Gqabi District.
Map
Showing Elevation and Topography
Topography influences the type of land use activities that occur, the nature and extent of settlement development and the type of agricultural activities, which are viable. Agriculture is accordingly limited to specific land pockets in the central, southern and eastern portions where the topography, water and soils are very suitable for agriculture and residential uses. The nature of slopes found within the municipality contributes to the high rate of erosion.
2.27.2 Climate and Rainfall 2.27.2.1 Temperature
The region is well known for its temperature fluctuations with temperatures ranging between 420C and 110C.
On average there are 150 days of frost during the year, usually between March and November. During the winter season, areas affected mostly by snowfall are Maclear stretching to the higher lying areas of Mt Fletcher and temperatures are recorder to reach an average of -50 C.
2.27.2.2 Rainfall
The higher mountain peaks in Elundini have between 800mm – 1200mm rain per annum. Mount Fletcher which is within the municipality falls within the wettest rainfall region. The rest of the area receives an average of 600-800mm per annum.
2.27.2.3 Predominant wind
The area is vulnerable to strong winds which are coming from a westerly direction. They are mostly travelling at an average speed of 60 km/h and are very damaging to property and the environment. Coupled to damaging winds, is an observed increase of thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorms. Winds which are associated with light rain are coming from the easterly direction.
2.27.2.4 Climate change
Climate change is affecting Elundini as the drier climate in the west moves towards the central portions of the province, wetter, higher rainfall and more frequent storms affect the eastern regions. The mountainous character of the region also has a bearing on the effects of climate change over time. The drier regions will experience loss of biomes and find water resources under increased pressure over time.
The eastern regions are expected to experience increased rainfall. This is already being seen Elundini in the form of increased storm activity resulting in disasters affecting settlements, roads and bridges, buildings, crops and livelihoods. Flooding, high winds and hailstorms are increasing in severity. Higher rainfall is also affecting the incidence of pests in the agricultural sector.
Higher temperatures as a result of global warming could affect the growing characteristics of trees to the extent that certain species may no longer be viable for the forest industry in the area. If this occurs, there may be impact on the forestry sector and the municipal economy.
2.27.3 Hydrology
ELM is dissected by rivers like Tsitsa, Thina, Luzi. Within the municipality there are boreholes as well as springs.
River sources within the municipality drain its water from Umzimvubu catchment area. Rivers flow eastwards draining towards the Indian Ocean. Water studies conducted for the district indicate that ELM. Elundini has very high groundwater development potential. Mooi River, Inxu River (Wildebeesrivier) and the Pot River are the main tributaries of Tsitsa River. The Maclear Dam on the Inxu River supplies water to Maclear town and the Ugie Dam on the Mooi supplies water to Ugie town. This municipality forms the catchment for the Umzimvubu River, which bisects the region and supplies large volumes of water down to the Indian Ocean.
2.27.3.1 Tsitsa River Basin Land Use and Environmental Management Plan
The Tsitsa River Basin Land Use and Environmental Management Plan were commissioned by ASGI-SA Eastern Cape, Elundini and Mhlontlo Municipalities to investigate possible development opportunities in the Tsitsa River basin area. The study was in response to a need for commercial land use developments in the catchment area that could assist in alleviating poverty in communal areas. The first phase of the study was to undertake a Situation Assessment of the whole catchment that could be used to inform the planning process.
As part of this situation assessment, a number of potential land use development options suitable to the area were identified. The completion of the Situation Analysis was then followed by a more detailed land use planning process for a part of the Tsitsa River Catchment referred to as the focus area. This area was located in the middle of the catchment in the poverty stricken communal areas along the banks of the Tsitsa River and
included 15 specific villages and eight Administrative Areas. A Land Use Planning Report was the final outcome of the study.
The study analyzed the status quo within administrative areas within Mhlontlo and Elundini that fell within the focus area. In Elundini these included Mqokolweni, Qurana and Sinxako all falling within Ward 6. The study considered the impact of the development of a dam, which would inundate 2,293ha of land with water.
Mqokolweni and Sinxako are both areas that would lose land if a dam was constructed. The study looked at the possibility of interventions in these areas and the priority assigned to them by community representatives, these interventions included Forestry development.
2.27.4 Geology and Soils
ELM is the only area with soils suitable for cultivation in the JGDM, however, degradation is high in the communal land areas of Elundini with the primary cause found to be the overstocking of livestock and inappropriate grazing methods. The provision of infrastructure to enable the practice of controlled grazing is necessary to prioritize the rehabilitation of severely degraded areas.
2.27.4.1 Erosion
Degradation is high in the communal land areas of Elundini, with the primary cause found to be the overstocking of livestock and inappropriate grazing methods. The Department of Agriculture estimates that between 300 and 400 tons per hectare of soil are lost annually in the District, ELM being the highest eroded region. In addition to the provision of infrastructure to enable the practice of controlled grazing, the EMP recommends it is necessary to prioritize the rehabilitation of severely degraded areas. The district municipality has various land rehabilitation programs that it implements in the municipality to address land degradation 2.27.5 Biodiversity
2.27.5.1 Vegetation and land cover
Vegetation types represent an integration of the climate, soils and biological factors in a region and as such are a useful basis for land use and conservation planning. Unimproved Grassland dominates the Municipality, covering 56.40% of the total surface area. This is followed by Degraded Unimproved Grassland (22.70%) and Semi- Commercial or Subsistence Dryland Cultivation (10.56%). The State of the Eastern Cape Province Report (2010) highlights the serious impact of settlement sprawl that is taking place throughout most rural areas, with an increase of 47% in the cover of built up areas compared to the year 2000. Coupled with this sprawl of settlements, is the depletion of resource areas by an estimated 33% and this is expected to have a serious effect on future sustainability of rural communities.
2.27.5.2 Critical bio-diversity areas
The Eastern Cape Bio-diversity Plan has analyzed the characteristics of the various environmental attributes throughout all municipalities. The critical bio-diversity areas in Elundini have been identified (refer to map below) and these need to be conserved for the benefit of future generations and preservation of the ecological balance in the area. These are primarily associated with the environmental sensitivity of the mountain range and foothills near Maclear and Ugie. It is of paramount importance that the critical biodiversity areas be reflected in the Spatial Development framework for Elundini so as to ensure effective land use management is achieved in future, in accordance with the requirements of the National Environment Management Act and the Provincial Spatial Development Plan.
2.27.5.3 Biodiversity conservation
According to the EMP, mountain areas contain a high number of endemic species, and have been identified as being important for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Grasslands dominate the district, but in general they have been severely degraded and transformed areas dominate much of the landscape, as revealed by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP).
An opportunity therefore exists to formally protect the remaining intact grasslands, especially those classified as vulnerable and endangered, to ensure the important ecological functions they play in this area are
preserved, and to build on the attractive and ecologically important landscape for tourism. One of the most important ecological ecosystem services provided by the district is the provision of good quality water, and the large numbers of wetlands found in the upper elevations within a range of vegetation types are critically important in this regard. The EMP suggests there is an opportunity to apply Payment for Ecosystem Principles for water resource protection therefore exists to ensure the protection of vegetation types dominated by wetlands.
2.27.5.4 Threats to biodiversity
The EMP states the unsuitable agricultural practices such as increasing irrigation in areas of poor soils and cash crop cultivation in marginal areas, is another threat to biodiversity in the Elundini area. The continuation of degradation of the District’s land cover increases erosion. This is especially evident in Senqu and Elundini, but also prevalent in Gariep and Maletswai (now Walter Sisulu) where there is an increase of the Karoo scrubland. Unsustainable agricultural practices such as increasing irrigation in area of poor soils also contribute to erosion and undermine cash crop cultivation in marginal areas. Very little is being invested into land-care in proportion to the amount of degraded land. Ongoing urbanization and the growth of informal settlements around urban centers is increasing pressure on the environment and stretching infrastructure beyond capacity limits. The municipal area has no dedicated persons looking at environmental issues. Fire, especially in the grassland areas to the east of the District is another factor affecting the environment. Illegal sand mining threatens the aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Map showing Critical Bio-diversity areas (Source: ECPSDP 2010)