Baviaanskloof/Langkloof - South Africa

Commonland

Landscape regeneration Baviaanskloof and Langkloof

In 2014, Commonland formed a comprehensive partnership with Grounded and Living Lands to explore restoration opportunities and identify business opportunities around large-scale landscape regeneration in the Baviaanskloof and Langkloof region. The economic, social and ecological returns that the 4 Returns framework has brought to the area offer a restoration case study for others to follow.

We must keep the faith in the project and in each other, and you will be amazed about what we can achieve. Piet Kruger Farmer

The Baviaanskloof-Langkloof is situated at the meeting point of three globally unique ecosystems (fynbos, spekboom thicket, and karoo) and has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna/vegetation and animals. In addition, the landscape is a key water source for the region: the Baviaanskloof, Kromme and Kouga rivers that run through the landscape feed into the water supply of the 1.3 million inhabitants of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and the surrounding area.

Local communities face the same social, economic and political challenges present throughout South Africa, with the Eastern Cape one of the poorest provinces in the country. Landscape degradation, as a result of unsustainable land management, climate-change, and the invasion of alien species, have all led to a loss of ground cover and natural vegetation, soil erosion, a decline in soil health, and water system disruption.

In 2014, Commonland partnered with Living Lands and Grounded to identify business opportunities and facilitate large-scale regeneration. During our collaboration, our partners set up three regenerative companies: Baviaanskloof Development Company (essential oils), Langkloof Honeybush Company (honeybush tea), and Baviaanskloof Bewarea (ecological rehabilitation).

AU2 Z6 HS — Aerial view of Baviaanskloof, South Africa.

Challenges

Climate change: the current regional drought since 2015 is the worst on record.
Fast-growing alien invasive plant species, which push out the original vegetation.
Unsustainable land management.
Distance to market resulting in multiple obstacles to scaling regenerative companies.
Complex socio-cultural and political environment.

Opportunities

Leverage strong network and social capital built up with local farming communities over the years.
Develop existing business cases, such honeybush tea and essential oil production.
Scale rehabilitation efforts (i.e. clearing invasive species, soil erosion control, fire management) with opportunities to improve methods and efficiency.
Improve grazing management and build the business case for wildlife by reintroducing intensive grazers such as zebras.
Explore benefits of potential carbon credit scheme.

What has happened in the different zones

Natural Zone
Regenerating a landscape’s ecological foundation by restoring and protecting native vegetation.

Activities:

Re-planting indigenous species
Clearing invasive alien species
Soil erosion control
Fire management

Degraded land in the Baviaanskloof valley.
Restored plots of land next to degraded land.
Rehabilitation work in the Baviaanskloof - digging bunds create small, healthy ecosystems and capture rainfall.
Rehabilitation work in the Baviaanskloof - digging bunds create small, healthy ecosystems and capture rainfall.
Rehabilitation work in the Baviaanskloof - digging bunds create small, healthy ecosystems and capture rainfall.
Farmer Peter showing the indigenous spekboom planted on his land.
Spekboom seedlings are grown in the nursery to be planted in the natural zone.
Spekboom is planted in the natural zone in the Baviaanskloof, to protect and increase soil health.
Using a fire break for alien invasive species clearing in the Langkloof valley.

Combined Zone
Rehabilitating natural vegetation and supporting improved management of livestock and sustainable harvesting of indigenous crops.

Activities:

Rehabilitating vegetation cover
Clearing invasive alien species
Soil erosion control
Fire management
Basic infrastructure maintenance
Grazing management

Farmer Runé overlooking is land and cattle. The sheep rotate to regenerate the soil. Baviaanskloof, South Africa
Research plot Baviaanskloof DevCo to pilot and measure regenerative practices.
Honeybush is a viable source of income and boosts biodiversity in the combined zone in the Langkloof valley. By harvesting honey bush, the unique fynbos can be protected.
Fynbos - found mostly in the combined zone in the Langkloof valley - is known for its high biodiversity end endemism. Around 80% of the species can only be found n the bioregion and nearly 6,000 of them are endemic.
An array of unique plants and animals can be found in the fynbos ecosystem.
An array of unique plants and animals can be found in the fynbos ecosystem.
The rehabilitation team of the Langkloof researches and measures the honey bush production on a farmers land.

Economic Zone
Restoring soil health through regenerative agriculture.

Activities:

Transitioning to regenerative agricultural practices including intensive livestock production. Marketing and distribution of dried and distilled products. Developing 4 Returns business cases and other interventions to facilitate landscape restoration.

Seedlings are grown for the research & development plot, as well as for rehabilitation purposes in the natural zone.
Research plot and production facility for aromatic oils in the Baviaanskloof.
Farmer Runé in his field of rosemary, used in distilled products.
Research on and production of aromatic oils in the Baviaanskloof.
Research on and production of aromatic oils in the Baviaanskloof.
The research & development plot of the Baviaanskloof Devco pilots regenerative practices before bringing them to the farmers.
Monitoring the soil health is an ongoing activity in the research plot.
Monitoring is a key activity in the research plot.