Coastal Dune Restoration

Project Budget

R635,000 over 2 years 7 months

Project Background

The 8km stretch of coastline on Durban’s upper south coast between the Mahlongwa and Umkomaas rivers lies opposite the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The beach primary frontal dune vegetation is infested in areas with prickly pear (Opuntia monacantha) compromising the dune ecology and creating vulnerability to climate change events.
The Opuntia and collateral alien invader plants must be completely removed and the openings left by the removals replanted and wind-protected to permit re-establishment of the vegetative barrier and ecology.

Project Duration

APRIL 2017 – NOVEMBER 2019

• Phase One: Restoration. Budget R515,000. March – Oct 2017
  Locating and mapping of Opuntia and other alien invader plants; removal and transportation of Opuntia off the beach.
  Replacement with compatible indigenous dune vegetation: trees, shrubs, ground covers and grasses, and protection of newly planted areas
• Phase Two: Maintenance. Budget R120,000. Nov 2017 – Oct 2019
  2-year maintenance, monitoring alien regrowth, weather and human impacts, replanting

Contact Details

Name: Clansthal Conservancy
Location: Clansthal village, Umkomaas area (See Google map below)
Contact person: Keith Cunningham
Contact number: 072 8352162
Email: keith@equiplive.co.za
Email: info@clansthalconservancy.org.za
Website: www.clansthalconservancy.org.za

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