By Halcyone Muller The Southern Cape has always been shaped by climate. Farmers, land managers and rural communities depend on reliable rainfall, healthy soils, secure water supplies and functioning ecosystems. However, changing weather patterns are placing increasing...
By Halcyone Muller In the Southern Cape, Biodiversity Stewardship is not a threat to landowners. It is an opportunity to be part of something bigger: protecting South Africa's natural heritage while strengthening the future of the land they know and love. The Southern...
By Halcyone Muller Silky hakea (Hakea sericea) is one of the most problematic invasive alien plants affecting the fynbos ecosystems of the Western Cape. Introduced from Australia, this hardy shrub rapidly forms dense stands that outcompete indigenous vegetation,...
By Claude Schippers & Jolandie Buck Driving along the farm roads between Brandwacht and Grootbrak, you begin to notice something unusual climbing the slopes. At first glance, it looks striking, large, sprawling succulents draped over shrubs and trees. But look...
By Claude Schippers, Jolandie Buck & Dr Wilhelm De Beer Driving down some of the dusty back roads of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, with landowners and conservancy members who know this landscape intimately, we looked out over the valleys. A notable break...
By: Claude Schippers, Donovan Kotze, Lee-Ann Pretorius and Mark Jantjies Wetlands are special ecosystems where land and water meet, often called the “kidneys of the landscape” because of the important ecosystems services they provide. They regulate streamflows,...
By Jolandie Buck The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), in collaboration with the coastal conservancies of Midbrak, Dana Bay, Groot Brak River, and Fransmanshoek, has recently carried out a biocontrol release targeting rooikrans (Acacia cyclops). This invasive...
Nelisiwe Khusi 1, Rita Liebenberg 1, Dr Donovan Kotze 2 1 Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR),2 Barry Street, Riversdale, 6670, Western Cape2 Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal 1. Broomvlei Wetland Overview The Broomvlei wetland,...
by Nelisiwe Khusi This week is National Invasive Species Week, from October 7 to October 14, 2024. This week serves as an important reminder of the ongoing threat posed by invasive species to our ecosystems and water sources. We encourage everyone to learn more about...
by Louis Jordaan (GCBR Klein Karoo Extension Officer) Some would say that promoting the good qualities of porcupines amongst the farmers I engage with is looking for trouble; however, they are often surprised to learn the major role these shy, nocturnal animals play...