Media Release: Regenerating degraded land may prove a lifeline to Garden Route biodiversity

26 September 2024 

“Well over a million hectares of agricultural land in the Southern Cape interior, Karoo and neighbouring Eastern Cape has over time degraded to a point where it can no longer be regarded as suitable for sustainable farming,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

There are multiple reasons for land to degrade to a point where it can no longer sustain biodiversity. The most significant of factors instigating land degradation generally include a combination of climate change, over grazing, irresponsible land management practices, over-extraction of water resources and deforestation.

Habitat loss as a result of new development and rapid urbanization is fast causing the Garden Route to lose biodiversity posing a challenge to those tasked with environmental management and sustainability. Efforts to conserve, grow and protect intact biodiversity is vital for the future well- being of the Garden Route and the quality of life of all dependent on it.

Land restoration and rehabilitation is a complex process which takes time and absorb substantial resources before the full benefit thereof take effect, but the restoration of thousands of hectares of degraded agricultural land holds the key to mitigate biodiversity and habitat loss elsewhere. At the same time eco-system restoration has the potential to earn carbon credit benefits and in parts of Kannaland there are already such efforts underway.

The creation of conservation corridors allowing for the free movement and survival of terrestrial species are increasingly understood and supported by landowners outside the urban edge, whilst conservancies and green belts within the urban edge goes a long way towards that objective.

The creation and maintenance of a healthy environment is a shared responsibility and GREF would like to urge land owners and land managers to contribute towards re-establishing natural habitats and the conservation of threatened eco-systems in the Garden Route.

Feature image caption: Degraded land in the Southern Cape interior, Karoo and bordering Eastern Cape can be restored to sustain biodiversity.

ENDS