Guidelines for restoring Lowland Sand Fynbos ecosystems

CITATION: Holmes, P.M., et al. 2022. Guidelines for restoring Lowland Sand Fynbos ecosystems. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch Univesity, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.The original publication is available at http://biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/planning-and-assessment/ecological-restoration/Lowland Sand Fynbos ecosystems are among the most threatened terrestrial systems in South Africa. Of the ten Sand Fynbos veld types, seven are Critically Endangered or Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. They are all either poorly protected, or not protected at all in the conservation network. Sand Fynbos ecosystems harbour unique biodiversity, but owing to their lowland locations experience extensive losses to other land uses. Some natural pockets remain scattered within agricultural or urban developments. They are, however degraded due to invasive alien plants, inappropriate fire regimes or pollution and are an urgent priority to restore. National biodiversity targets aim for a minimum proportion of an ecosystem type to be retained in a natural or near-natural state. The minimum target for Sand Fynbos ecosystems is mostly 30% of the original extent – a target no longer attainable for several of these ecosystems, such as Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. For many of these precious systems, this means a necessary focus on their restoration. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist managers and landowners of degraded Sand Fynbos vegetation to restore biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of these threatened ecosystems. The guidelines outline appropriate methods to restore degraded Sand Fynbos ecosystems, based on the latest research and field trial outcomes.Hans Hoheisen Charitable TrustBiodiversity Management Branch, City of Cape TownSANBI - South African National Biodiversity InstituteHans Hoheisen Charitable TrustPublishers versio

Size of black patches and spots on the upperwing and underwing greater secondary coverts in selected feathers are not good indicators of age and sex in Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres

Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres have black patches on their upperwing greater secondary coverts and black spots on their underwing greater secondary coverts. These have been physically observed to differ with individuals. This study examined the effects of age in years and sex on the size of the patches and spots using computer feather image analysis of birds with known ages in order account for differences that pure observation alone could possibly miss. Despite statistical analysis of computer enhanced imagery of micro detail the chosen plumage pattern failed to yield a reliable way to age and sex Cape Vultures. Annual moult is not expected in this species making the correlation of moult to age a muddle as it is also influenced by external factors such as captivity, stress, food, endocrine (sexual changes), and latitude. This study was limited by the lack of understanding of the exact moulting sequence of upperwing and underwing greater secondary coverts of the Cape Vulture, and as a direct result of this, analysis of the chosen plumage was maintained instead of the feather that is moulted in that particular year.,Hlengisizwe Ncube VulPro NPC, Walter Neser, Kerri Wolter and Obert Phir

Size of black patches and spots on the upperwing and underwing greater secondary coverts in selected feathers are not good indicators of age and sex in Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres

Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres have black patches on their upperwing greater secondary coverts and black spots on their underwing greater secondary coverts. These have been physically observed to differ with individuals. This study examined the effects of age in years and sex on the size of the patches and spots using computer feather image analysis of birds with known ages in order account for differences that pure observation alone could possibly miss. Despite statistical analysis of computer enhanced imagery of micro detail the chosen plumage pattern failed to yield a reliable way to age and sex Cape Vultures. Annual moult is not expected in this species making the correlation of moult to age a muddle as it is also influenced by external factors such as captivity, stress, food, endocrine (sexual changes), and latitude. This study was limited by the lack of understanding of the exact moulting sequence of upperwing and underwing greater secondary coverts of the Cape Vulture, and as a direct result of this, analysis of the chosen plumage was maintained instead of the feather that is moulted in that particular year

Is invasion science moving towards agreed standards? The influence of selected frameworks

The need to understand and manage biological invasions has driven the development of frameworks to circumscribe, classify, and elucidate aspects of the phenomenon. But how influential have these frameworks really been? To test this, we evaluated the impact of a pathway classification framework, a framework focussing on the introduction-naturalisation-invasion continuum, and two papers that outline an impact classification framework. We analysed how these framework papers are cited and by whom, conducted a survey to determine why people have cited the frameworks, and explored the degree to which the frameworks are implemented. The four papers outlining these frameworks are amongst the most-cited in their respective journals, are highly regarded in the field, and are already seen as citation classics (although citations are overwhelmingly within the field of invasion science). The number of citations to the frameworks has increased over time, and, while a significant proportion of these are self-citations (20–40%), this rate is decreasing. The frameworks were cited by studies conducted and authored by researchers from across the world. However, relative to a previous citation analysis of invasion science as a whole, the frameworks are particularly used in Europe and South Africa and less so in North America. There is an increasing number of examples of uptake into invasion policy and management (e.g., the pathway classification framework has been adapted and adopted into EU legislation and CBD targets, and the impact classification framework has been adopted by the IUCN). However, we found that few of the citing papers (6–8%) specifically implemented or interrogated the frameworks; roughly half of all citations might be viewed as frivolous (“citation fluff”); there were several clear cases of erroneous citation; and some survey respondents felt that they have not been rigorously tested yet. Although our analyses suggest that invasion science is moving towards a more systematic and standardised approach to recording invasions and their impacts, it appears that the proposed standards are still not applied consistently. For this to be achieved, we argue that frameworks in invasion science need to be revised or adapted to particular contexts in response to the needs and experiences of users (e.g., so they are relevant to pathologists, plant ecologists, and practitioners), the standards should be easier to apply in practice (e.g., through the development of guidelines for management), and there should be incentives for their usage (e.g., recognition for completing an EICAT assessment).This paper emerged from a workshop on ‘Frameworks used in Invasion Science’ hosted by the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology in Stellenbosch, South Africa, 11–13 November 2019, that was supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa and Stellenbosch University.The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, (DFFtE); Czech Science Foundation; Czech Academy of Sciences; the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust; the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) and National Research Foundation.http://www.pensoft.net/journals/neobiotaam2021Zoology and Entomolog

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: key considerations for Africa

To support and scale up global restoration efforts, the United Nations (UN) has proclaimed 2021–2030 the “UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.” The Decade offers significant opportunities for and challenges to restoration, in particular for Africa, a continent that has a large need and potential for restoration. We thus argue that the Decade must be a success in and for Africa, and for this to happen, opportunities and challenges to achieving its goals must be promptly identified, and considered in the planning and implementation of restoration. Here, we outline six key areas that should be considered at a strategic level by African countries during the Decade. These are: (1) ensuring effective oversight and governance relevant to Africa; (2) translating the goals to meet the African context; (3) making the case for restoration amid multiple development demands; (4) growing an African restoration community of practice based on regional need; (5) collaborating to improve restoration outcomes; and (6) establishing an Africa-relevant evidence base for restoration. We believe that these six key areas—even though they are not all novel—are currently not addressed at a level that matches the scale of the problem on the continent. Although the specific actions to be taken under each key area are dependent on the restoration context, integrating these key areas in the planning and implementation of restoration efforts will likely lead to improved restoration outcomes during the Decade

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration : key considerations for Africa

To support and scale up global restoration efforts, the United Nations (UN) has proclaimed 2021-2030 the "UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration." The Decade offers significant opportunities for and challenges to restoration, in particular for Africa, a continent that has a large need and potential for restoration. We thus argue that the Decade must be a success in and for Africa, and for this to happen, opportunities and challenges to achieving its goals must be promptly identified, and considered in the planning and implementation of restoration. Here, we outline six key areas that should be considered at a strategic level by African countries during the Decade. These are: (1) ensuring effective oversight and governance relevant to Africa; (2) translating the goals to meet the African context; (3) making the case for restoration amid multiple development demands; (4) growing an African restoration community of practice based on regional need; (5) collaborating to improve restoration outcomes; and (6) establishing an Africa-relevant evidence base for restoration. We believe that these six key areas-even though they are not all novel-are currently not addressed at a level that matches the scale of the problem on the continent. Although the specific actions to be taken under each key area are dependent on the restoration context, integrating these key areas in the planning and implementation of restoration efforts will likely lead to improved restoration outcomes during the Decade.Peer reviewe