Seeing Red
Our local Cape Flats Sand Fynbos restoration potential †
A recent research article emphasises the urgent need for SANParks to exploit the soil-seedbank resilience of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos under pine at Lower Tokai Park.
Reading Time: 10 minutes
“On 25 January 2005 the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry concluded a 20 year lease agreement with MTO in terms of which the latter would clear-fell the Tokai forest (sic) plantations over the 20 year lease period. The lease agreement contemplated that the lessor’s rights, obligations and responsibilities in relation to the Tokai and Cecilia Plantations would be assigned to SANParks. Indeed, on 11 February 2005, the assignment occurred.“
Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa (SCSA) 17 May 2018
Are the Cape Flats Sand and other Fynbos soil-seed banks at Lower Tokai Park capable of restoration? This critical question often receives a negative response from those opposed to such efforts. However, a long-term study comparing two restoration cycles of six fynbos perennial species reveals that these soil-seed banks are indeed resilient. In their article, Soil seed bank resilience in passively restored endangered Sand Fynbos following a century of pine plantations, published in Plants, People, Planet (2024;1–15), Rebelo AJ et al. note that “native soil-seed bank density following over a century of plantation forestry and 10 years after the first fynbos restoration burn was comparable to, or exceeded, densities measured in other fynbos studies, especially seed banks of alien-invaded fynbos ecosystems.”
The authors conclude that “the early years following pine harvesting and a restoration burn likely provide a pest- and predator-free window of opportunity for plants to re-establish and thrive.” The study’s encouraging results indicate that ecological restoration is a viable method to achieve 30% conservation of terrestrial land in ecosystems with less than 30% remaining, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
The GBF, adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (which South Africa joined in 1993), aims to halt and reverse nature loss amid a significant decline threatening one million species and affecting billions of lives.
Our need for urgent action is particularly relevant in the Lower Tokai Park study area, where remnants of a century-old monocultural pine plantation overshadow 48 hectares of fynbos that has surpassed its first restoration cycle east of Orpen Road. The pines have reduced much of our Critically Endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF) to below-ground soil-seed banks, the restorative viability of which will degrade over time.
Fortunately, as noted by the Supreme Court, MTO Forestry’s lease of Lower Tokai Park will end on January 25, 2025. Any remaining stands of pine will be clear-felled and returned to SANParks for restoration into fynbos.
So why am I seeing red? Beyond the alarming status of Critically Endangered CFSF species at Lower Tokai Park?
Stands of alien pine plunge like a blood-stained butcher’s knife from Table Mountain National Park into Cape Town’s eastern flank. Despite compelling scientific arguments for restoring this area to fynbos — supported by recent research and previous studies — both the Agricultural Research Council’s NASA BioScape Invasive Alien Tree Classification Map (released in October 2024) and the Tokai Park Alien Tree Tool (released in 2021) confirm that these invasive pines continue to dominate.
Moreover, after a protracted, politicised and ultimately unsuccessful two-year consultative public participation process (see Table Mountain National Park: Park Management Plan 2015-2025 Section 4: Consultation p26) aimed at transforming SANParks’ Tokai-Cecilia Management Framework (2005-2025) into an actionable management plan, there remains no guarantee from SANParks that the pines covering soil-seed banks in various blocks will soon be clear-felled.
SANParks’ position on the matter is articulated in Outcome Goal 4: Shade and planted landscapes on page 4 of its Revised Draft Tokai and Cecilia Implementation Plan (2023): “To achieve this outcome goal, it will also be required to develop and implement a range of options and identify appropriate sites for the retention and introduction/provision of continued trees and planted landscapes (including replanting and inter-planting of appropriate indigenous tree species), including possible extension (and possible amendments) of Tokai Cecilia Exit Lease for the remaining plantations beyond 2024 for recreation in shaded landscapes subject to negotiations with other entities and the lessee.”
From the outset, many argued that this goal is both indefensible and illegal under Section 64(1)(d) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004). SANParks holds a mandate under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2003) to conserve South Africa’s biodiversity by eradicating alien species from ecosystems where they threaten ecological integrity.
Put simply, SANParks cannot prioritise shaded recreation by way of planted or cultural landscapes for urban visitors. Also, portraying any part of Tokai Park as a culturally sensitive forest remnant is wrong. As Showers (2010) points out, “It is important to separate the forest from the trees… South Africa’s forest history relates not to the management of indigenous vegetation, but rather to the massive planting of alien tree species.”
Despite the existence of official proclamations promoting tree planting as a means of inducing climate change, such initiatives were primarily motivated by a demand for wood products. Fast- and straight-growing alien species were viewed as solutions but were planted as crops rather than as part of our natural ecosystem.
By the end of the twentieth century, Showers concludes that tree planting had altered South Africa’s hydrology significantly — reducing stream flow and creating drier landscapes than before trees were introduced. A late twentieth-century water conservation measure called for national plans to remove alien tree species from these landscapes.
Rebelo et al. (2024) assert that ecological restoration is feasible even in old forestry plantation areas through passive and active restoration methods due to retained seed-bank resilience. A simple comparison using Google Earth images from 2002 to 2024 starkly illustrates this point.
What is SANParks waiting for? The optimal time for clearing remaining pine stands at Lower Tokai Park during winter 2024 has passed.
Is SANParks neglecting its mandate to cater to local lobby groups’ greed? Yes. Submissions made during the public-participation process reveal self-interested rhetoric rather than sound arguments for retaining trees within TMNP. Any claims based on calls received by SADAG lack substance regarding ecological integrity.
William Rees, who pioneered ecological footprint analysis, echoes sentiments about our collective ignorance regarding environmental issues. “We appear, in philosopher Martin Heidegger’s words, to be ‘in flight from thinking.'” Friends of Tokai Park’s position on the TCMF is grounded in science and, at Issue 2: The integrity of the TCMF Review Process, questions the viability of SANParks’ exercise in performative democracy.
In summary, while legislation governing Protected Areas, National Parks, Invasive Alien Species, and World Heritage Sites exists alongside international treaties and obligations, the research of Rebelo AJ et al. should compel SANParks to act swiftly — clear-felling remaining pines at Lower Tokai Park before it’s too late.
Rebelo et al. conclude: “Our results show that even for old forestry plantation areas, ecological restoration of fynbos to the historic vegetation community is feasible due to retained seed bank resilience, through a combination of passive and active restoration methods… However, urgency is required, as it is unknown how much longer these fynbos seedbanks will continue to persist under remaining pine invasions and plantations.”
If SANParks aims to fulfill its public mandate legally and ethically, it must clear-fell remaining pine stands at Lower Tokai Park now. In short, take a saw to the trees rather than a metaphorical butcher’s knife to our unique biodiversity.
Let us rejuvenate our soil-seed banks and realise our local Cape Flats Sand Fynbos restoration potential!
† After the much-criticised, trend-setting, investor and forestry friendly paper published in Science (2019) by Bastin et al, The global tree restoration potential.
Summary / FAQ
This article discusses the potential for restoring Cape Flats Sand Fynbos at Lower Tokai Park through exploiting soil-seedbank resilience and the importance of ecological restoration for conservation efforts.
- Soil-Seed Bank Resilience: The study by Rebelo AJ et al (2024) shows that the native soil-seed bank density in Lower Tokai Park is resilient, making ecological restoration feasible.
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: The restoration of fynbos at Lower Tokai Park aligns with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse nature loss and achieve 30% conservation and restoration of ecosystems.
- Urgency for Pine Removal: The remaining stands of pine trees at Lower Tokai Park need to be clear-felled urgently to allow the restoration of the Critically Endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, as the seed banks' viability will degrade over time.
- Legal and Mandate Obligations: SANParks is mandated by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, to eradicate alien species and restore native ecosystems, which means removing the pine plantations.
- Public Participation Process: The public participation process for the Tokai and Cecilia Management Framework has been criticised for being ineffective and not taking into account scientific recommendations and the input from conservation groups like Friends of Tokai Park.
The seed bank resilience significantly impacts restoration efforts by ensuring that native plant species can re-establish and flourish after disturbances such as pine harvesting and prescribed burns. The study by Rebelo AJ et al (2024) indicates that the density of native soil-seed banks in Lower Tokai Park is comparable to or exceeds those in other fynbos ecosystems, even after a century of plantation forestry. This resilience means that the soil contains a viable seed bank capable of regenerating the native fynbos vegetation, making ecological restoration both feasible and effective. The early years following pine removal and restoration burns provide a critical window of opportunity for these plants to re-establish without significant pest and predator pressures, thereby enhancing the success of restoration efforts.
SANParks plays a crucial role in the restoration process at Lower Tokai Park. Their responsibilities include:
- Eradicating Alien Species: SANParks is mandated by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, to remove invasive alien species, such as the remaining pine plantations, which threaten the native ecosystems.
- Restoring Native Vegetation: SANParks is responsible for restoring the native Cape Flats Sand Fynbos by leveraging the resilience of the soil-seed banks. This involves clear-felling the pine trees and implementing both passive and active restoration methods.
- Conservation Mandate: SANParks must oversee the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks, ensuring that restoration aligns with broader conservation goals.
- Compliance with Global Frameworks: SANParks' restoration efforts should align with international commitments, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse nature loss and achieve significant conservation and restoration targets.
- Public Participation and Policy Implementation: SANParks must engage with the public and stakeholders through consultative processes to develop and implement effective management plans, although the effectiveness of these processes has been questioned.
In summary, SANParks is responsible for removing invasive species, restoring native ecosystems, complying with legal and international conservation mandates, and engaging with the public to ensure successful restoration efforts.
The main findings of Rebelo AJ et al's study are:
- Seed Bank Resilience: The native soil-seed bank density in Lower Tokai Park, even after a century of plantation forestry and ten years post-restoration burn, is comparable to or exceeds densities found in other fynbos ecosystems, including those invaded by alien species.
- Restoration Feasibility: Ecological restoration of fynbos to its historic vegetation community is feasible due to the retained seed bank resilience. This indicates that the native fynbos vegetation, particularly obligate reseeders, demonstrates high resilience.
- Critical Restoration Window: The early years following pine harvesting and a restoration burn provide a pest- and predator-free window of opportunity for plants to re-establish and flourish.
- Importance of Timely Action: Urgency is required in restoration efforts, as it is uncertain how long the fynbos seed banks will persist under remaining pine invasions and plantations.
- Global Biodiversity Goals: The study supports the viability and critical importance of ecological restoration in achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's goals of 30% conservation and 30% restoration of ecosystems.
These findings underscore the potential for successful restoration of the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos and the importance of timely and effective management actions to leverage the resilience of the soil-seed banks.
Further reading
- Agricultural Research Council NASA BioScape Invasive Alien Tree Classification Map
- Friends of Tokai Park Position Statement
- Holmes PM et al (2020) – Ecological restoration of ecosystems degraded by invasive alien plants in South African Fynbos: Is spontaneous succession a viable strategy? Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 75(2) 11-139 https://doi.org/10.1080/0035919X.2020.1781291
- Holmes PM et al (2012) – Can Cape Town’s unique biodiversity be saved? Balancing conservation imperatives and development needs Ecology & Society (17)2: 28 http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-04552-170228
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004
- National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003
- Rebelo AJ, Holmes PM, Rebelo AG, Martin S, Hattas S, Hall S & Esler KJ (2024) – Soil seed bank resilience in passively restored endangered Sand Fynbos following a century of pine plantations Plants, People, Planet 30 November 2024 https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10611
- Rees W (2010) – What’s blocking sustainability? Human nature, cognition, and denial Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy 6(2) 13-25
- SANParks Table Mountain National Park: Park Management Plan 2015-2025
- SANParks Tokai-Cecilia Management Framework 2005-2025
- SANParks Revised Draft Tokai and Cecilia Implementation Plan (2023)
- Showers KB (2010) – Prehistory of Southern African Forestry – From Vegetable Garden to Tree Plantation Environment and History 16 295–322
- UN Convention on Biological Diversity