This monitoring programme focuses on the biodiversity of rocky shore habitats within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA). These ecosystems, located at the interface of land and sea, play a critical role in marine biodiversity and are under pressure from harvesting, invasive species and climate change. By tracking biodiversity patterns and environmental change, the programme aims to support long-term conservation and management of these habitats.
Programme Coordinator: Dr. Welly Qwabe (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife)
Co-Workers: Grant Smith (Sharklife Conservation Group)
Permit: Ezemvelo Project
Objectives
- Monitor biodiversity patterns and spatial-temporal variability within rocky shore habitats.
- Assess the impacts of harvesting, invasive species and climate change on intertidal biodiversity.
- Compare biodiversity within and outside the MPA to evaluate conservation effectiveness.
- Provide data-driven recommendations to inform adaptive management strategies.
- Raise awareness about the health of intertidal communities and their ecological importance.
Monitoring Importance
Rocky shores are dynamic ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and provide important links between terrestrial and marine environments. Long-term monitoring allows changes in species composition, abundance and environmental conditions to be tracked through time, helping identify pressures such as harvesting, invasive species and climate change and providing evidence to inform management.
Monitoring Sites
Selected sites include high-priority rocky shores within and outside the MPA, such as:
- Bhanga Nek: A controlled zone with high ecological diversity.
- Dog Point and Black Rock: Key harvesting sites under subsistence use.
- Maphelane South: An open zone outside iSimangaliso.
Research Methods
The programme uses standardised field and environmental monitoring techniques:
- Photo Quadrat Sampling: Captures high-resolution images for species identification and biodiversity analysis.
- Permanent Transects: Tracks long-term changes in species abundance and zonation.
- Environmental Monitoring: Measures temperature, salinity and other variables affecting intertidal zones.
- Field Sampling: Counts key species such as mussels and tracks the spread of invasive species.
Collaborators
This initiative is a collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Sharklife Conservation Group and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, combining expertise and resources to support long-term monitoring of rocky shore ecosystems.