As environmentalists we often talk about biodiversity and how important it is for us to protect it. However, few people may understand why specifically down here on the South Coast we are so protective of our environment or may feel that environmentalists are anti-development.
Here are some reasons:
The South Coast boasts a unique sub-tropical to tropical climate which allows for a very wide variety of plants to thrive. It also creates the perfect conditions for some of the rarest plants in the world to evolve.
We have an array of different biospheres, from gorges to mountains, from grasslands to coastal forest, we even have our own desert. Each of these biospheres hosts fauna and flora that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.
Each of these biospheres have their own threats, mostly alien invasive plant species that outcompete the indigenous plants and eventually take over complete colonies. This in turn affects our insect and wildlife populations that are dependent on these indigenous species and they either become threatened or move out of the area completely.
Currently the Red Desert (the smallest desert in the world) is being overgrown by invasive plants, threatening its ecological status. Similarly, in the uMtamvuna Valley a colony of orchids only ever discovered there is dwindling fast due to harvesting, with only a few specimens still clinging to the rock faces.
However, efforts up in Underberg that help preserve the upper Mzimkulu has yielded some interesting results. A fish species previously only found in the uMkomazi river and later thought extinct was rediscovered here recently.
As you can see, we have many reasons why we need to be conscious of where and what we develop. There are many exciting new innovations in the science of sustainable development, if we can work together, we will find a way for all of us to benefit without negatively impacting our fragile environment.
The Green Net brings out a Biodiversity Calendar every year to help educate our community about which plants need to be removed, and which plants we should be trying to preserve. It will be going on sale soon and will make a great gift for any gardener or person new to our coast.
Contact Joan Gallagher on 083 2667953 or email joangallagher18.jg@gmail.com for pre-orders or to become a stockist.
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