   
|
 
|
 |
|
Dream of a Biodiversity CorridorStarting in Plett and radiating out until Eden Municipality is linked to Addo National Park - this is what we have in mind. A zig-zagged stretch of land that unites private landowners, conservation authorities and the state in a never-been-tried-before collaboration to protect the natural beauty of the Garden Route. THE VISION Our vision is simple: " To assist landowners to identify and develop a living corridor from Eden to Addo by applying sound land-use practices, encouraging a diversity of livelihoods and linking ecologically important areas, for the benefit of wildlife and the extended community." THE DREAM The Eden to Addo vision is based on the practical potential within the landscape connecting the Western and Eastern Cape, but this vision is guided by a deeper question and dream: What if we could re-establish ancient elephant migration paths across the Cape, what then? What other wildlife will benefit and how will that restore the ecological balance of the region by connecting the existing three mega reserves of the area; Garden Route Mega Reserve, Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve and Greater Addo Elephant National Park? THE SCIENCE The establishment of an effective pattern of habitats linking existing protected areas to ensure ecological connectivity for species, communities and ecological processes. But what does this actually mean? At it's simplest a conservation corridor is a strip of land connecting two protected areas. Why do we want to connect protected areas? In recent years conservationists have acknowledged that putting a fence around an area and proclaiming a park or reserve is insufficient to protect the patterns and processes that are required for proper ecological functioning at a regional level. The best local example of this is the Knysna elephant. Research suggests that there are 4 or 5 elephants remaining in the Knysna forest. One of them is an old female or the Matriarch. But who are the other 4? Her brothers and sisters? Sons and daughters? Some in-breading must have occurred, which is never really a good thing. It can be detrimental to the herd leading to abnormalities or even the demise of the herd or perhaps even the species. Why does this happen? Movement is key and in this case, the lack thereof. Actual physical movement of the animal out of a restricted area to find a suitable mate or suitable grazing and the movement of genetic material that occurs when the mate is found. Without fresh genetic material a community suffers from a lack of genetic diversity which can lead to genetic stasis and the weakening of the herd. So the freedom of physical movement and the freedom to exchange genetic material and build a diverse genetic base are imperative for the survival of a species. This theory can be applied to all the organisms that live in the Cape Floristic Region which sports some of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet. They all need the freedom to move, even plants move - albeit slowly - in response to climate change and they need to exchange genetic material. DNA TESTING AND THE ELEPHANTS OF KNYSNA Gareth Patterson, of Knysna, has been the driving force behind a new research project in the Knysna forest that is conducting DNA tests using elephant dung. The research to date indicates that there is certainly more than one elephant remaining in the indigenous forests. For further details about this research and Gareth's work, please visit his website: www.garethpatterson.com |
||||||||
 Funded by: . CEPF . .. Endorsed by: . Peace Parks Foundation á WWF-SA Partnered by: . CAPE á Garden Route Initiative á CapeNature á South African National Parks |
|
Tel: +27(0)44 356 2825 á Cell: +27(0)82 888 8181 á PO Box 1 Plettenberg Bay 6600 South Africa (c)Copyright 2007 Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative. All Rights Reserved. |