KNYSNA NEWS - Chairperson of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative, Cobus Meiring, has emphasised the importance of the Knysna River, placing specific focus on all the factors that are at play through conservation of the river.

According to Meiring, the value of the river, its catchment and riparian zone, tributaries, wetlands, intertidal estuary, valley and surrounding countryside as a conservation corridor cannot be underestimated. 

"Almost unrivalled, in terms of biodiversity, and demographically situated in a nationally recognised strategic water source area, the Knysna River links the Outeniqua mountains, its foothills, conservation areas, various biomes and communities living along its ecological footprint."

The survival and natural functioning of the Knysna River and the ecological system it supports, has over time become threatened by the emergence and flourishing of invasive alien plants, the origins of which have been well documented, and they have become an ever-present feature of the Knysna countryside for close on 200 years, says Meiring.

He adds that although modern-day landowners are increasingly aware of the negative impact of invasive alien plants on the environment, they often lack a full grasp of the bigger-picture impact on biodiversity, water security and their exposure to fire danger posed by invasive alien plants. "Unbridled urban expansion, unmanaged and underperforming sewerage works, dumping of waste and developments on the Knysna River valleys and supporting countryside pose serious threats to the river as a conservation corridor," warns Meiring.

The 2017 wildfire disaster had a significant impact on the health of the Knysna River corridor and emphasised the role private landowners have to play in the revival and survival of the river and surrounds, he says. Very little land remains available for the survival of biodiversity in the Knysna region, and landowners ignoring the spread and impact of invasive alien plants narrow the prospect of survival for many endangered plant, animal, bird, terrestrial, aquatic and marine species as a result, says Meiring.

Knysna derives and generates almost all of its income as a result of the beauty of its surrounding countryside, and this most precious asset is being subjected to environmental pressure as the countryside is affected by unmanaged invasive alien plants, Meiring says. "Only a partnership between environmental groupings and private landowners, obtaining their buy-in and contribution into the overarching conservation project, will ultimately ensure the survival of the Knysna River, and the SCLI Cape Floristic Corridor Revival programme, funded by the Table Mountain Fund, aims to contribute to this objective," he says.

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