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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Monitoring
the coastal zone of tropical southeast Africa for eco-tourism attributes and
environmental influences on biodiversity
4. Discussion and Summary
The tropical climate and scenic beauty of Mabibi are assets for conservation and limited eco-tourism development. Our transect analysis of environmental influences on biodiversity provides insights to baseline conditions of ecological health. Whilst the botanical assessment appears complete, further work is needed to stabilise results for zoological and soil analysis. Naturally many animals migrate with season and with human disturbance, so the transient nature is always there. Some of the sharp gradients in soil chemistry found during the April survey remain unconfirmed by our November replicates and further work is needed to determine whether all the soils are nutrient-poor, or whether the coastal forests are significantly more productive. It is also not yet clear what synergistic elements need to be in place for the coastal forests to expand away from the belt of high dunes. Future work will inter-compare the transient and static elements, using bi-annual survey data and models on coastal dynamics and bio-physical processes, to gain an overall perspective on the ecological health and carrying capacity for eco-tourism development around Mabibi.
  Increasing
soil fertility |
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is of soil quality from detailed measurements reported in the South African Soil Survey atlas (1985). Yellow = poor, brown = agriculturally productive. Mabibi is 50 km from the nearest high nutrient soils. |
A long-term monitoring campaign has begun at Mabibi, on the east coast of South Africa. The main thrust of the project is to understand environmental factors affecting ‘pathways’ of biodiversity in the coastal zone, and to determine how human pressure may alter ecosystem functioning. The physical setting is described through the profiling of beach sands, and observations of climate and ocean currents. To form a baseline on fertility and pollution, soil and water chemistry analyses have been done. Botanical assessments in April 2000 have been complimented by zoological surveys in November 2000. During our next visit in March 2001, further gaps in the baseline dataset will be filled. Demographic surveys have enabled a prosperity index to be formulated.
The model for prosperity outlined above indicates, from preliminary results, that residents of Mabibi are in the lowest quartile of socio-economic status in South Africa. Yet many appear healthy and happy and enjoy the traditional lifestyle and extended family ties. Many residents realise that subsistence farming has limited benefits and they implored both project researchers and Nature Conservation Services officials to find ways to improve their quality of life through eco-tourism development and better road access.
The index is intended for use in resource management and in recommendations for optimal development. The benefits of sustainable coastal utilisation can be ensured through a well-informed management plan underpinned by scientifically sound interpretations based on the collection of long-term environmental data sets.
UNESCO is thanked for sponsoring the on-going field work in support of coastal zone monitoring and biodiversity assessments in Maputaland, South Africa. KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation Services provided a campsite and permits for sample collection. The Departments of Hydrology and Agriculture at the University of Zululand assisted with transport, personnel and laboratory analyses.
Outreach
lectures on ecology delivered to the |
See other articles related to the UNESCO pilot project on 'Development-conservation strategies for integrated coastal management in Maputaland (South Africa, Mozambique)'
