climate change

Alien trees threaten biodiversity, increase the risk of wildfires and also guzzle water Image Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve

How much water does alien clearing save?

A new study modelling the streamflows of four small mountain catchments above some of Cape Town's major dams gives us the answer.

Post published:5 May, 2022
Post author:FoTP

Alien pine trees, which use substantially more water than the native vegetation of the Cape Mountains, reduce river flows to dams that supply the city’s water Image Martin Kleynhans

Alien clearing boosts City’s climate resilience

How does catchment restoration (revegetation, wetland restoration, gully rehabilitation and alien clearing) increase climate resilience?

Post published:27 March, 2022
Post author:FoTP

April 2021's Devil's Peak wildfire caused catastrophic cultural heritage loss on spreading to the University of Cape Town Photo Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

Why 2021’s Devil’s Peak fire was so devastating

Following 2021's Devil's Peak Fire, we ask what could and should have been done to avert catastrophic cultural heritage loss.

Post published:22 April, 2021
Post author:FoTP

City of Cape Town Draft Climate Change Strategy 2020

Cape Town's biodiverse Fynbos Biome ranks third among South African biomes for its capacity to store carbon (per square metre). It must be protected Photo Shutterstock