Employment Profile
2.2 Spatial Context of eThekwini Municipality
2.3.4. Opportunities for innovation
96 methodologies, the EM found in 2010 that 71 of 175 (or 40%) of its monitoring sites on its rivers were considered to be in a poor condition and only six (or just over 3%) were classified as near natural. Rivers were found to be experiencing multiple impacts including spills and illegal discharges, solid waste dumping, wastewater treatment works not operating to specification or license conditions, sand mining, realignment of watercourses, flow reduction through dams, removal of riparian flora, and infestation by alien flora and fauna.
In a survey of the 16 estuaries in the EMA published in 2010, only three, together making up 10% of the total municipal estuarine area, were classified as in good condition (none were classified as excellent). Because of the condition of the larger systems such as the uMngeni and Durban Bay, a total of 50% of the municipal estuarine area must be considered highly degraded. The lack of national and provincial data prevents a direct comparison being made. Expert opinion, however, would suggest that based on the current ecological condition of Durban’s aquatic ecosystems, they are amongst the lowest ranked systems in the country. This has major implications for communities depending directly on water from these systems, and also undermines tourism opportunities on municipal beaches.
Water quality covers a broad spectrum of parameters, which are largely influenced by the activities of the EM. Eutrophication as a result of nutrient enrichment is having a detrimental impact on rivers and estuaries in the EM. Reducing nutrient loading, particularly at treatment works across the Municipality, will go a long way towards addressing this threat.
Sand mining, both legal and illegal, is also having a major impact on aquatic ecosystems and the delivery of sediment to the coast. Controlling the damage caused by sand mining represents a serious challenge for the EM. The CSIR was commissioned in 2008 to undertake a study of the sand supply from rivers and the implications for coastal sand budgets. The 18 rivers within the EM’s jurisdiction supply sediment (an ecosystem service) to the coastal zone, which is important in replenishing sand lost from beaches and coastal dunes through coastal erosion processes. Therefore the sand is important for inter alia buffering the impacts of high seas and making beaches attractive to tourists – further ecosystem services. Sediment yields have been increased through poor land management practices, but overall supply to the coastline has decreased by two-thirds of “natural” yields due to sand mining and the 12 large dams that have been constructed on Durban’s rivers which act as sediment traps. Given that discharge of sediment from rivers dominates sand supply, it is predicted that the reduction in sand supply could result in mean coastal erosion of > 1 m/yr. The report found that the combined impacts of sea level rise and increased sea storminess are likely to have severe consequences in terms of coastal erosion, initially similar to and eventually exceeding the erosion suffered in KZN during 2007.
Quantitative targets set by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for the protection of different vegetation types (given as a percentage of the original extent) have already been exceeded for three vegetation types in the EMA: KZN Sandstone Sourveld, and North and South Coast Grasslands.
97 rates certificates, environmental land acquisition and including environmental considerations in preparing the municipal valuation roll. Furthermore, several steps toward improved natural asset management have been initiated, including active reforestation of certain open spaces (e.g. the Buffer Zone surrounding the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site), and improved management and restoration of other areas (e.g. through the Working on Fire and Working for Ecosystems programmes).
It is acknowledged that current indigenous biodiversity will be a critical lifeline to humans should the various predicted climate change scenarios unfold. As such, the EPCPD has engaged in various research programmes, including a research partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in order to gauge if an adequate natural resource base will be secured over time. These works includes a variety of ecosystems- based research, as well as monitoring and reporting on the state of key biodiversity indicators, For example, see the annual publication of a State of Biodiversity report. Research on novel ecosystems, restoration ecology, reforestation, as well as human ecological systems are also ongoing. Below is an example of how ecosystem-based adaptation is being implemented in Durban.
2.3.4.1 Ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) and the Green Economy
Given the current threats to biodiversity, and the pending impacts anticipated as a result of climate change, the EM must urgently invest in protecting, restoring and managing ecosystems to enhance adaptive capacity in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. Ideally, this will be achieved by transitioning to a “green”
economy, primarily through the building of a new economy based on bio-infrastructure, which increases the supply of ecosystem services. The use of bio-infrastructure represents a strategic opportunity as it can be expanded without straining already limited natural resources. In fact, the use of bio-infrastructure can actually increase the supply of these resources.
In this regard, the Restoration Ecology Branch of the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) was established in 2011. This was in response to the realisation that restoration of urban open space ecosystems was fast becoming a priority in cities across the globe and Durban was no different. Of particular concern were the observed negative impacts of climate change, habitat fragmentation, nutrient enrichment and invasive species. It became clear that cities would need to learn to recognise, understand and then develop management plans for a suite of novel ecosystems, while at the same time conserving existing biodiversity present within the relevant established vegetation types. It was recognised that novel approaches would be required, to ensure that natural corridors and open spaces remain optimally functional and are able to deliver important environmental services to local communities, in the face of ongoing densification and human population growth. Clearly, the only reasonable means to achieve such objectives was to engage local communities’ assistance.
An approach was adopted that allowed for training and development of local people and small businesses, to implement the required management interventions. This included the control of invasive alien plant species, planting of indigenous vegetation, as well as fire control in grassland areas. The approach has allowed eThekwini Municipality to deliver on job-creation and skills development imperatives, while simultaneously ensuring maintenance of healthy ecosystems. This is also in line the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in October 2015. Three large-scale programmes, namely the Working for Ecosystems,
98 Working on Fire, and Community Reforestation Programmes were established (Figures 5, 6, 7 below). These are now integral to the work undertaken by the Restoration Ecology Branch.
The ground-breaking and transformative innovations adopted have already demonstrated how the Municipality can protect biodiversity, adapt to climate change, and optimise sustainable green job creation.
As a means to test and reflect on the approaches adopted, ongoing research associated with the range of projects underway is also undertaken. It is anticipated that this research will allow the Restoration Ecology branch to achieve a foresighting function that ensures optimal ecosystem management regardless of future challenges. This will be achieved through i.) developing and implementing policies, plans and projects, for biodiversity and climate protection, ii.) ensuring optimal and appropriate environmental asset management, iii.) undertaking research to improve ecosystem restoration and sustainability, and iv.) optimising co-benefits relating to skills development and job creation.
The key objective of the Working for Ecosystems programme is control of invasive alien plants (IAPs) in key catchment areas, through the involvement and employment of local community members. The WFE programme has a strong focus on SMME development.
Figure 22: Working for Ecosystems Programme
99 The Working on Fire programme operations includes the control of invasive alien plants on high priority biodiversity sites. This is done through various means including manual, chemical to mechanical.
Furthermore, the WoF programme applies fire, during the dry season, as a tool to manage grasslands and to control invasive alien plants (IAPs) infestations.
Figure 23: Working on Fire Programme
Figure 24: Community Reforestation Programme
100 The EPCPD has partnered with the Wildlands Conservation Trust in order to restore selected indigenous forest areas in the EMA . The reforestation programme has adopted the Community Ecosystem Based Adaption (CEBA) model, which demonstrates the strong and vital link between socio-economic upliftment and biodiversity conservation, enhanced ecosystem functioning and carbon sequestration. ‘Treepreneurs’
propagate trees at their homesteads, through the Indigenous Trees for Life Programme developed by Wildlands Conservation Trust. Treepreneurs then trade their trees for basic food items, clothes, building materials and even school fees. Ninety percent of people who benefit from this project were earning wages below the poverty line, and are therefore some of the most vulnerable communities in the country. Many of these Treepreneurs are women and children, unemployed adults, and pensioners.