SANParks Biodiversity Monitoring System An integrated organisational framework

1. SANParks Biodiversity Monitoring System An integrated organisational framework Danie Pienaar Stef Freitag Nicola van Wilgen Carly Cowell Melodie McGeoch Rina Grant

2. Biodiversity MonitoringSystem Provides baseline data, methods, procedures, as well as status and trend information upon which management action decisions can be made. What should we be monitoring? How should we monitor it? On what basis/when should management action be taken? A strategic framework for biodiversity monitoring in SANParksKoedoe (2011)

3. National priorities Scientific Services prioritization across parks within clusters Prioritization (ranking) of Monitoring Programmes Park priorities Identification of ‘Key Concerns’ The road to implementation Park monitoring procedure detailed in Biodiversity Lower Level Plan Assessment of capacity, training and resource needs for implementation Implementation Park APOs Science & in-field assistance by CSD Science assistance by external researchers Environmental monitors

4. Park implementation: Species of Special Concern Monitoring Programme in Table Mountain National Park Case study Identification and listing of SSC species found in the park CRC External assistance TMNP CRC Prioritizing target SSC for monitoring in each section TMNP Inclusion of monitoring SSC targets in Field Ranger KPAs Monitoring: in-field data capture and analysis TMNP CRC Evaluation of results and implications for management SAM response cycle

5. Case study CRC (scientific services) implementation: Vegetation Monitoring Plots Agulhas National Park Setup of 67 long term monitoring plots across park CRC External assistance Biannual monitoring of plots to produce floral list for park & verify vegetation types CRC Prioritizing target SSC for monitoring in park CRC ANP Feedback to SMF for decision-making Feedback into Biodiversity LLP for Park APOs CRC ANP

6. Monitoring… the collection and analysis of repeated observations / measurements to evaluate change in condition and progress towards meeting a management objective (Elzinga et al 2001) background variables baseline assessments & inventories ongoing surveillance (slow variables) decision-making / mgmt feedbacks state of parks system reporting legislative / regulatory reporting Indicators & trends Thresholds Data evaluation Scale (of measurement, assessment, scalability of indicators) Data curation capacity constraints across-park priorities MONITORING Strategic implications? Communication, reporting & education: What do we want to communicate? Have data to tell the story – what’s the message? Design & packaging

7. Way forwards… • streamlining approaches across regions – by end 2012 • consolidation of priority-setting exercises (at Node level) – by end 2012 • “progressive realisation” of implementation – easier where bigger park level involvement; already areas of progress • formalising organisational reporting system • consolidation & communication • LONGER TERM: move beyond monitoring only the biodiversity components