Repairing compound damage in arid ecosystems – challenges and controversies

Abstract

Using the Karoo as an example, we discuss past agricultural damage to the arid ecosystems, which is currently being followed by environmental changes and biodiversity losses associated with the new role of desert ecosystems as power factories (gas, uranium, wind and sun energy), mineral resources or retreats from the city. Development-related damage includes road building, vegetation clearing, soil compaction, water extraction and pollution. We present our views on prospects for ecologically and socially appropriate rehabilitation to rebuild complex and resilient ecosystems where recovery rate is constrained by aridity and rainfall unpredictability. We conclude that, to achieve intergenerational equity and conserve unique ecosystems, considerable investment in arid zone rehabilitation is needed to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly growing human population.

Keywords:

• Karoo
• land degradation
• mining
• ecological restoration
• biodiversity conservation
• development

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The South African Environmental Observatory Network for taking up the challenge of collecting and storing baseline ecological data for the Karoo.

FUNDING

We thank Rufford Small Grants Foundation for supporting our research on ecological restoration of the Karoo rangeland over the past five years.