Map 13 on our website (http://www.waterberg-bioquest.co.za/maps.html) shows where the biosphere reserve is in relation to Nylsvley, and the soils map (Map 4) shows the extent of the alluvial soils associated with the floodplain. Arising from this:
Expansion should include all the floodplain. The case for the floodplain is well established.
Expansion should include the whole catchment of the floodplain (Map 6 shows where this is). The rational for this is that without protecting its catchment the floodplain is vulnerable.
Expansion should include the upper catchment of the Palala River (Map 6 shows this area, the priority area being above 1300 m, shaded grey). The rational for this is that the Palala is a relatively pristine system with an intact riparian flora, an intact and diverse fish fauna and an exceptional dragonfly fauna that includes several red-listed species.
It is the high-lying areas between the existing biosphere and the floodplain where most of the Waterberg's endemic plants are to be found, especially areas above 1600 m (see Map 5) - this area is designated by Musina & Rutherford as the Waterberg-Magaliesberg Summit Bushveld (Map 8) and details of plant communities here can be got from their book. As an example the endangered is Encephalartos eugene-maraisii is restricted to this area
The area between the large area high-lying block of land in the south-east and the catchment of the Nyl also has special biodiversity relevance as it has not been transformed by agriculture (Map 11) and so it would also justify inclusion. This area, for example, supports breeding Blue Cranes, Denham's Bustard, White-bellied Korhaan, Secretarybird, all red-listed species.
A case could also be made for embracing the whole area demarcated by Mucina & Rutherford as the Waterberg-Mountain Bushveld (pink area on Map 8) as this vegetation type is entirely restricted to the Waterberg.
and around 3 sept:
The line we've drawn on our Waterberg maps to demarcate the area of interest is not actually the IBA boundary - the IBA boundary is more limited. I can't put my hands on the actual IBA map at the moment so can't check whether Mabula (the Ground Hornbill site) and the adjacent Mabilingwe Reserve (both 10000+ ha) are in the IBA boundary or not, but they are certainly in our area of interest. And there's been no change as yet to the original area demarcated as an IBA. Maybe you just use our line and add on the Nyl floodplain?
Can Gavin access the plant database at the National Herbarium? If so, this would give localities where all the red-listed/endemic plants have been collected in the area.
from an email to Richard on 6 April:
and around 3 sept: