Conserving Elim Ferricrete fynbos
Why is conserving Elim Ferricrete fynbos so important?
Elim ferricrete fynbos has been classified as critically endangered
due to the high threats this vegetation faces from alien invasive plant species, land transformation and poor fire regimes. This vegetation originally used to dominate the low-lying areas from Botriver to Agulhas.
While fynbos is typically categorised by low nutrient soils, Elim ferricrete soils are more fertile and productive which gives rise to the threat from agriculture. While there will always be an ongoing struggle of finding the balance between conservation and generating livelihoods, it is extremely important to secure vital links in the landscape to ensure our biodiversity isn’t further diminished.
Creating Awareness and Education of Biodiversity
The majority of remnant Elim ferricrete patches are found on private land with little of it formally conserved in protected areas. Benguela aims at creating awareness among landowners of the high biodiversity value on their land, and at advising them of more effective management plans for the vegetation. Two conservation servitudes have been signed within the region, securing two patches of Elim fynbos in perpetuity. Servitudes are endorsed on the title deed of the property, and ensure that future landowners cannot develop these areas of high conservation value. The servitudes have been signed on both Lomond Wine Farm and Farm 215 and together secure more than 600 hectares of fynbos.
Propagating Endemic Plants to Elim Ferricrete
Many areas of Elim Fynbos are highly disturbed due to poor land management. As part of Stefan Schoombies’ research around Elim Fynbos, they have collected seeds from endemic species from this vegetation community and propagated them in their Nursery with the aim to reintroduce and rehabilitate. Various methods of propagation have been trailed including cuttings, sewing of seeds back into the vegetation as well as propagating seedlings. Monitoring into the succession of these various methods is on-going.
Stefan Schoombie
Born and raised in Pretoria, Stefan began his academic journey at the University of Pretoria. His passion for marine life took him to Durban, Westville, culminating in an honours degree in marine biology. Drawn by the allure of Marion Island, Stefan has been a part of multiple overwintering expeditions, immersing himself in data collection from albatrosses and large petrels. Between these two trips, he accomplished his MSc degree at the University of Cape Town, focusing on the population dynamics of Phoebetria albatrosses. Stefan is an innovator at heart, having pioneered bird-borne cameras for seabird behavioural studies. His thesis, "Remotely sensing motion", encapsulates his zeal for combining modern technology with biological research.
