http://www.herald.co.za/content/2016/ho ... OEDW11.pdf
Mariepskop rehab imminent
HOEDSPRUITERS are known for their love for- and interaction with nature. The area surrounding this beautiful time is a fi nely balanced ecosystem, but sometimes a human hand is needed to return a specifi c part to its natural state.
Mariepskop State Forest (54000 ha.) is located on the eastern escarpment of the Drakensberg mountain (Mpumalanga) facing the Blyde River Canyon. It is an area of unsurpassed beauty within the K2C Biosphere Region. Mariepskop is one of the highest peaks on the northern Drakensberg escarpment at an elevation of 1, 945 m above sea level. As such it plays an important role in the catchments of the Klaserie and Blyde Rivers. Mariepskop is unique in its fl oral diversity and comprises of several vegetation
types of which Northern Misbelt Forest is the most dominant one. Unfortunately exotic species plantations were planted in the reserve in the 1950's.
The SANParks BSP/K2C partnership, with planned further inputs of Wildlands Conservation Trust now endeavours now to give rehabilitation support from April 2016 to the Management Authority of this unique State Forest, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
Mariepskop contains well over 1400 plant species, greater than the whole of Kruger Park. For example, there are 900 species of Psychotria in the world, 200 in Africa, and only two in South Africa- both are found on Mariepskop Mountain. They are Psychotria capensis (Black birdberry) and Psychotria zombamontana (Red bird-berry). The diverse conditions also give rise to a variety of vertebrate species, especially birds, frogs and reptiles. Both the Mariepskop Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion spp. Indet.) and Three Rondawels Flat Gecko (Afrodeura sp Indet.) appear to have been isolated locally through natural island biogeography. Unusual local mammals include the Samango monkey, and special birds include the Knysna Turaco, Long-crested Eagle and Narina Trogon. The invertebrate species are even more diverse than the vertebrates, with several butterfly endemics.
The rehabilitation efforts, which will be overseen by DAFF and the land claimants, include the selection, training and management of two Harvesting Teams and two Wetmill Teams. The exotic species (pine and gum trees) will be harvested, and the logs will be turned into planks at the Wetmill. The planks will be used by SANParks BSP factories to make school desks for the Department of Education. “We are welcoming this project”, Mr Winners Mashego, Forest Manager of Mariepskop of DAFF said. Further planning includes the replanting of the clear felled areas with plants grown by the K2C/ Wildlands CEBA network in the Trees-forlife project. The seeds are collected from Mariepskop and the community benefi ciaries of this project are growing trees that they will barter for livelihood hampers. Funding for the latter is being raise by Wildlands Conservation Trust.
Dr John Job, Chair of the K2C BR Board said: “This Project demonstrates how partnerships can make a difference: SANParks BSP, DAFF, Wildlands and Land Claimants are all pulling in the same direction to heal our land. We are very grateful to SANParks BSP, who is initiating this and to Wildlands Conservation Trust, who is also raising the profi le of Mariepskop through the K2C Challenge Race, which will be from 17-18 June 2016
Mariepskop
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