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Ecological Rest. 26(2):143-150 (2008); doi:10.3368/er.26.2.143
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Policy and Management

Investing in Natural Capital and Economic Development: South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains

James Blignaut, James Aronson, Myles Mander and Christo Marais


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We describe a proposed large-scale restoration and land use management project planned for a portion of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa. Some 250,000 ha of high-lying land in the Drakensberg range are a protected conservation area and also a World Heritage Site. Bordering this conservation enclave is another 250,000 ha of increasingly degraded land subject to a variety of competing land uses. Conflicting land use objectives could, in theory, be mitigated and reconciled by identifying and developing a market for the delivery of ecosystem services such as water use and quality, carbon sequestration, erosion and siltation reduction, combating desertification, and the promotion of biodiversity conservation.

The project we describe here can serve as an example of how long-term investment in the restoration of natural capital (RNC) will benefit both developed and developing countries, with payment for ecosystem services as a key way to finance the restoration work. International investments in the Drakensberg project are being sought in emerging markets for carbon, water, and biodiversity credits—the so-called "umbrella ecosystem services." Food, water, energy, and income security for local people, however, remain top priorities. We argue that this kind of RNC project is a way to simultaneously pursue the objectives of the global conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Desertification arising from the United Nations’ Rio Summit of 1992, and to help meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals for alleviating poverty.

Keywords: Drakensberg Mountains, global conventions, payment for ecosystem services, restoring natural capital, South Africa, sustainable development


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Aronson, J., J.N. Blignaut, S.J. Milton and A.F. Clewell 2006. Natural capital: The limiting factor. Ecological Engineering 28:1–5.[CrossRef]

Aronson, J., S.J. Milton and J.N. Blignaut 2007. Restoring Natural Capital: Science, Business, and Practice . Washington, DC: Island Press.

Blignaut, J.N., J. Aronson and L. Ueckermann Forthcoming. Climate change, water use and agricultural production in South Africa. South African Journal of Science.

Blignaut, J.N. and C.E. Moolman 2006. Quantifying the potential of restored natural capital to alleviate poverty and help conserve nature: A case study from South Africa. Journal of Nature Conservation 14:237–248.[CrossRef]

Cairns, J. Jr 1993. Ecological restoration: Replenishing our national and global ecological capital. Pages 193–208 in D.A. Saunders, R.J. Hobbs, and P.R. Ehrlich Reconstruction of Fragmented Ecosystems . Nature Conservation Vol. 3. Chipping Norton, Australia: Surrey Beatty & Sons.

Clewell, A.F. 2000. Editorial: Restoration of natural capital. Restoration Ecology 8:1.

Clewell, A.F. and J. Aronson 2006. Motivations for the restoration of ecosystems. Conservation Biology 20:420–428.[CrossRef][Medline]

Clewell, A.F. and J. Aronson 2007. Ecological Restoration: Principles, Values, and Structure of an Emerging Profession . Washington, DC: Island Press.

Costanza, R. and H.E. Daly 1992. Natural capital and sustainable development. Conservation Biology 6:37–46.[CrossRef]

Dasmann, R.F., J.P. Milton and P.H. Freeman 1973. Ecological Principles for Economic Development . London: John Wiley & Sons.

Elliman, C. and N. Berry. 2007. Protecting and restoring natural capital in New York City’s watersheds to safeguard water. Pages 208–215 in J. Aronson, S. Milton, and J. Blignaut Restoring Natural Capital: Science, Business, and Practice . Washington, DC: Island Press.

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Julien, M.H. 1965. L’Homme et La Nature . Paris: Hachette.

Jurdant, M., J.L. Bélair, V. Gerardin and J.P. Ducroc. 1977. L’Inventaire du capitalnature. Méthode de classification et de cartographie écologique du territoire. Environnement Canada, Série de la Classification Écologique du Territoire No. 2.

Marais, C. and A.M. Wannenburgh. Forthcoming. Restoration of water resources (natural capital) through the clearing of invasive alien plants from riparian areas in South Africa—Costs and water benefits. South African Journal of Botany.

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: A Synthesis . Washington, DC: Island Press.

Milton, S.J., J. Aronson and J.N. Blignaut 2005. Unite to save Earth’s natural capital. Quest: Science for South Africa 2:39–41.

Pagiola, S. and G. Platais 2007. Payments for Environmental Services: From Theory to Practice. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Woodworth, P. 2006a. Working for Water in South Africa: Saving the world on a single budget? World Policy Journal Summer:31–43.

Woodworth, P. 2006b. What price ecological restoration? The Scientist 20:39–45.


   Key Web Sites 
TOP
 Abstract
 References
 Key Web Sites 
 

RNC Alliance: http://www.rncalliance.org Nature Valuation and Financing Network: http://www.naturevaluation.org/

Natural Capital Project: http://www.naturalcapitalproject.org

Working for Water Project: http://www.dwaf.gov.za/wfw/





This Article
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Right arrow Articles by Marais, C.
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