Description: Critical Biodiversity Areas 1: Areas in a natural condition that are required to meet biodiversity targets for species, ecosystems or ecological processes and infrastructure. These include (i) all areas required to meet biodiversity pattern (e.g., species, ecosystems) targets, (ii) Critically Endangered (CR) ecosystems (terrestrial, wetland and river types), (iii) all areas required to meet ecological infrastructure targets, aimed at ensuring the continued existence and functioning of ecosystems and delivery of essential ecosystem services, and (iv) critical corridors to maintain landscape connectivity. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The WCBSP is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), various Biodiversity Priority Area categories which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Critical Biodiversity Areas 2: Areas that are potentially degraded or represent secondary vegetation that are required to meet biodiversity targets for species, ecosystems or ecological processes and infrastructure. These include (i) all areas required to meet biodiversity pattern (e.g., species, ecosystems) targets, (ii) Critically Endangered (CR) ecosystems (terrestrial, wetland and river types), (iii) all areas required to meet ecological infrastructure targets, aimed at ensuring the continued existence and functioning of ecosystems and delivery of essential ecosystem services, and (iv) critical corridors to maintain landscape connectivity. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The WCBSP is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), various Biodiversity Priority Area categories which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Ecological Support Areas 1: Areas in a natural, near natural or moderately degraded condition that are not essential for meeting biodiversity targets, but that play an important role in supporting the functioning of PAs or CBAs and are often vital for delivering ecosystem services. They support landscape connectivity, encompass the ecological infrastructure from which ecosystem goods and services flow, and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change. They include features such as regional climate adaptation corridors, water source and recharge areas, riparian habitat surrounding rivers or wetlands, and threatened vegetation. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Ecological Support Areas 2: Areas that are severely degraded or have no natural cover remaining and require restoration, and that are not essential for meeting biodiversity targets, but that play an important role in supporting the functioning of PAs or CBAs and are often vital for delivering ecosystem services. They support landscape connectivity, encompass the ecological infrastructure from which ecosystem goods and services flow, and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change. They include features such as regional climate adaptation corridors, water source and recharge areas, riparian habitat surrounding rivers or wetlands, and threatened vegetation. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Protected Areas (as of March 2022). Areas that are formally protected by law and recognised in terms of the Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. This includes gazetted Contract Nature Reserves and Protected Environments. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Marine Protected Areas (as of March 2022). Marine Protected Areas that are formally protected by law and recognised in terms of the Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan
Description: Other Natural Areas: Areas not identified as a priority in the current biodiversity spatial plan but retain most of their natural character and perform a range of biodiversity and ecological infrastructure functions. Where possible, ONAs should be managed or utilised in a manner that minimises habitat and species loss and ensures ecosystem functionality through strategic landscape planning. ONAs offer considerable flexibility in terms of management objectives and permissible land-uses. Authorisation is still required for high impact land-uses. This layer forms part of the 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP). The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) is the product of a systematic biodiversity planning assessment that delineates, on a map (via a Geographic Information System (GIS)), Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs) which require safeguarding to ensure the continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems, including the delivery of ecosystem services, across terrestrial and freshwater realms. These spatial priorities are used to inform sustainable development in the Western Cape Province. This product replaces all previous systematic biodiversity planning products and sector plans with updated layers and features.
Service Item Id: d48b465aaa684a62bafdac2d2e31fec7
Copyright Text: CapeNature (2024). 2023 Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and Guidelines. Biodiversity Capabilities, CapeNature. Link: https://www.capenature.co.za/western-cape-biodiversity-spatial-plan