Page 202 The project was followed up by a request by the Peace Parks Foundation to classify the vegetation and compile a map of the entire Kgalagadi Transfrontier 2 Park covering an area of approximately 36 000 km , which could serve as basis for future planning of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This project was done in collaboration with the University of Botswana, Gaberone. Other large privately owned game reserves in which vegetation surveys, range condition assessments, and wildlife management plans have been developed include amongst others: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (96 000 ha), Maremani Nature Reserve (42 000 ha) and Timbavati, Klaserie & Umbabat Game Reserve (145 000 ha). Also involved in the Maguga Dam project in Swaziland, which is a joint venture between South Africa and Swaziland. As a result of the building of the dam some of the inhabitants had to be relocated and a feasibility study had to be done to establish whether the resettlement area would be able to sustain the new inhabitants. The study included a range condition assessment and development of a cattle management plan. Annual monitoring of the vegetation layer since 2000 to determine whether any changes are occurring. A comprehensive study was undertaken for the Authority of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. This study covered the part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park from Mapelane and St Lucia in the south to Sodwana and Mkuzi Game Reserve 2 in the north (approximately 2 070 km ). The study included an assessment of the following elements: a synthesis of available information regarding the environment, vegetation types, veld condition, fire management, fencing and plantations; the preparation of veld management and ecological grazing and browsing capacity guidelines; the preparation of management guidelines for the retracted forestry areas in the park; a review of information on the suitable types of wildlife for the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park; a review and assessment of present grazing and browsing capacity estimates for all the different sections in the park; an evaluation of the wetland reed beds in terms of ecological grazing capacity and its ecological role. The outcome of the study was a wildlife re-establishment and introduction management plan for the next five years. The plan was framed within the objectives of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning and tourism promotion. Requested to develop policy documents for Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. These policies concern the re-establishment and introduction of wildlife in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park as well as a policy on alien plant management in Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife reserves. Have made numerous contributions to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) both locally and also internationally, e.g. the vegetation of the proposed Langer Heinrich Uranium mine near Swakopmund in Namibia. Involved in various research programs while employed at the University of Pretoria, e.g.:
• • •
Savanna Ecosystem project at Nylsvley, South Africa - the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Kuiseb River Project (Namibia) – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Grassland Biome Project - Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism.
Mabwe Safari Lodge Business Plan Highly Confidential All rights Reserved © Mabwe Safari Lodge/C. Mitchell 2007/8