The importance of ecosystems, biodiversity and the Hawaan Forest
Written by Trisha Govender (MSc in Sustainable Development, SOAS, University of London) with input from Guy Nicolson (MSc.Prof.Sci.Nat.)
This article aims to highlight the importance of thriving and biodiverse ecosystems such as the Hawaan Forest illustrating how ecosystems, regardless of size, play a crucial role in sustaining our lives and livelihoods, health and wellbeing. Interestingly, South Africa ranks 6th out of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, rated in the top 10 for plant species and 3rd for endemic marine species. The role of healthy, functioning ecosystems and biodiversity is often understated and overlooked by people as we go about our busy lives and day to day activities. However, as we prepare to commemorate World Environment Day on 5th June 2023, this article aims to create awareness of the significance of ecosystems and biodiversity, through describing the concept of ecosystem services in biodiversity-rich areas such as the Hawaan Forest.
Ecosystems can be described as living elements which interact with each other and their non-living environments that provide benefits, or services, to the world. In 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment introduced the concept of ecosystem services highlighting the importance of nature’s role in providing and sustaining the many ‘goods and services’ which humanity depends on for our survival. Split into its individual parts, ecosystems are the dynamic and interconnected systems that are made up of both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements; whilst services are defined as meeting a specific need or needs of populations. Simply, ecosystem services are services which sustain our lives and lifestyles on a finite planet and are categorised into 4 main components i.e. (1) Provisioning services which includes the ability to ecosystem to provide for food, fresh water, natural fibres and fuels; (2) Regulating services such as climate, flood, disease and drought regulation; (3) Cultural services for aesthetics, spirituality, recreational and educational purposes and lastly (4) Supporting services including nutrient cycling and soil formation. Ecosystem services include the purification of the air we breathe and water we consume, generation of soils and nutrients for agriculture, pollination of plants and crops, regulation of climate, temperatures and weather patterns and the provision of aesthetics that contribute towards human wellbeing. These services are indeed vast, broad in scale and complex to quantify since they are in most cases freely available, part of an intricate web of interdependent and interconnected processes and are usually undervalued. Despite an estimated value of $125 trillion (FAO, 2023), ecosystems are not adequately accounted for in political and economic policy, which means there is insufficient investment in their protection and management.
Source: Ecosystem Services: the fundamentals | Green Element Blog
Biodiversity can be defined as the diversity that exists within and among species and ecosystems. Changes in biodiversity can influence the supply of ecosystem services. The role of biodiversity in building resilience to shocks and extreme weather events, and the diverse traits of species and populations in maintaining ecosystem integrity and generating ecosystem services cannot be understated. The devastating effects of the April 2022 floods in KwaZulu Natal illustrate the significance of natural ecosystems such as coastal dunes, indigenous forests and wetlands in providing protection against severe weather events. Given the realities of climate change and the increasing severity and frequency of severe weather events predicted for years to come, many climate adaptation measures prioritise nature-based solutions such as the rehabilitation and restoration of natural ecosystems. It is crucial that biodiversity, as with ecosystem services, be protected and sustainably managed as we attempt to manage the interconnected challenges of loss of biodiversity and climate change.
In 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme indicated that ecosystem restoration and other nature-based solutions can deliver climate change mitigation by 2030 and keep global warming to below 2°C whilst at the same time enable societies and economies to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Restoring ecosystems and protecting natural habitats is anticipated to prevent the extinction of species and has the potential to contribute to the achievement of all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals by the 2030 target date, including the elimination of poverty and hunger (UNEP, 2021). In South Africa, the country’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity provides employment in many sectors. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) estimate that there are more than 418 000 biodiversity-related jobs in the country. Continued investment in managing and conserving biodiversity is essential to creating sustainable economic growth.
Source: SANBI releases National Biodiversity Assessment – SANBI
The Hawaan Forest, situated north of Umhlanga is the largest and best kept remnant of coastal lowland Forest in Durban. Historically, it is estimated that more than 90% of this forest type has been destroyed to make way for agriculture and urban settlement. As such the remaining Hawaan Forest, along with the nearby dune forest, beach and Umhlanga River and estuary, represents a significant environmental asset in the KwaZulu Natal east coast.
The Forest is rich in biodiversity and home to a variety of plant and animal species including bushbuck, mongoose, red and blue duiker, scrub hair, African rock python, crowned eagles and the dwarf chameleon. Two of the most common trees in the Forest, the Natal Hickory and Coshwood are generally rare in forests elsewhere in South Africa. With over 100 species of trees, the buffalo thorn trees, endemic to KwaZulu Natal are recognised for being some of the oldest trees in the forest. The buffalo thorn trees function as canopy trees providing protection against storms, preventing soil erosion and helping to regulate the micro-climate in the area. Even though the forest is relatively small, about 80 hectares in size, it too provides vital ecosystem services.
Prior to the Hawaan Investments Pty Ltd (“Hawaan Investments”), acquiring this land the Forest suffered from a lack of management, and was threatened by a serious infestation of triffid weed which unchecked, would have continued to degrade this natural area. This initial good work has been further built on and expanded with the more recent transfer of the ownership of the forest to the Hawaan Forest Estate Home Owners Association.
Source: Hawaan Forest – Hawaan Estate (hawaanforestestate.co.za)
Residents of Hawaan Forest Estate are encouraged to actively support the successful functioning of the Hawaan Conservation Trust tasked with enhancing the biodiversity value of the Forest. The contribution of levies to support the management of the forest and participation of residents in activities initiated by the Hawaan Forest Conservation Trust are ways in which residents can get involved and play a part in forest conservation. Details of planned activities are communicated by the Home Owners Association (HOA) and published on the Hawaan Forest Estate website (Hawaan Estate (hawaanforestestate.co.za)
This decade leading up to 2030, commonly referred to as the ‘Decade for Ecosystem Restoration’, places a responsibility on every one of us to play a role in protecting our natural heritage and sustaining South Africa’s status as one of the megadiverse countries in the world.