How has global change impacted alpine vegetation in Mzansi’s mountains and those around the world? And why are certain plants in mountains around the world rapidly expanding their ranges?
These are the questions on which the University of the Free State’s Afromontane Research Unit (ARU), on the Qwaqwa campus, will be shining the research lens over the next three years.
The project is underway in the Witsieshoek area of the Free State Maloti-Drakensberg and is part of a global consortium to better understand the ecological drivers of range-expanding plant species in mountains around the world.
The research is being done through Project RangeX, a multi-institutional research consortium under the Mountain Invasive Research Network (MIREN), with ETH Zurich – a public research university from Switzerland – leading the project.
South Africa’s participation in the project is led by ARU director Dr Ralph Clark.
Spotlight on rich biodiversity
According to Dr Clark the alpine zone of the Maloti-Drakensberg is an ecologically severe environment, resulting in only specialised species being found above 2 800m.
“However, with climate warming, it can be expected that many lower-elevation plants might start to ‘climb’ the mountain and invade its upper reaches. This will have a major impact on ecology, livelihoods, endemic alpine species and water production,” she said.
This is the first time that such experiments will be undertaken in the alpine context of the Maloti-Drakensberg, Dr Clark explained. The ARU is using this project to promote an ambitious and long-term alpine research programme centred on the Mont-aux-Sources area, where the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho meet.
The South African component of RangeX is funded by the department of science and innovation (DSI), through BiodivERsA, an initiative of the European Union’s Horizon 2020.
They promote research on biodiversity and ecosystem services and offer innovative opportunities for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity.
How it affects local communities
Toto Matshediso, deputy director: strategic partnerships at DSI, said the RangeX project on Alpine vegetation was aligned with the department’s priorities for investment in global change and biodiversity research and innovation.
“The research conducted is strengthening international cooperation in terms of research collaboration with its European Union partners as a region, as well as with bilateral partners involved in the project.
“The project is also located in an area that has been historically disadvantaged, and the DSI is proud to be part of contributors to mountain research initiatives and direct contribution to the local community.”
According to Matshediso, the project also places the spotlight on the rich biodiversity data of the area, and how it could contribute to the overall government priorities regarding biodiversity.
Service delivery issues in farming community
A service delivery outreach to the farming community of Dominionville in the Matlosana Municipality, North West, is expected to take place on Friday 12, November 2021.
Led by public service and administration minister Ayanda Dlodlo, the visit will aim to take much-needed government services to approximately 250 households in the farming community and surroundings on the outskirts of Klerksdorp.
These services include home affairs, South African social security services (SASSA), South African police services (SAPS) and the labour and employment department, among others.
Dlodlo is the national champion of the district development model (DDM) in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district. The model was initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his budget speech in 2019 to address service delivery challenges in communities.
Dlodlo will be accompanied by the two provincial champions, MEC for public works and roads Oageng Molapisi and MEC for agriculture and rural development Desbo Mohono.
The visit will also provide an opportunity for the minister and the MECs to engage with the small farming community and the residents of the district on issues affecting them, so intervention could happen through the DDM’s approach of integrated services from the three spheres of government.
The outreach is also part of the Vooma vaccination weekend campaign, scheduled for 12 to 14 November and 3 to 5 December 2021. This is to intensify the country’s vaccination programme and to reassure citizens that the vaccines are safe and effective in reducing chances of getting sick after contraction of the coronavirus.
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