Nature-Based Solutions for Water in the ...

A brief description of the case study conducted in South Africa that looked at alien tree clearing as a nature-based solution for improving water security in Dwars River, a tributary of Berg River in the Western Cape in South Africa. The Wildlands Trust has been coordinating several riparian rehabilitation projects along Dwars River, .The river is heavily transformed, with landcover converted to predominantly agriculture. An inter-basin transfer out of the river catchment affects the hydrological regime. These and some other factors result in infestation of the riparian zone by invasive alien trees and weeds. These consume high volumes of water, reducing water supply, increase fire risk, and negatively impact biodiversity. This case study aimed to assess the project in terms of the benefits and co-benefits produced, along the 3 sustainability dimensions. It also aimed to understand the major barriers and challenges, besides the contexts that would be most favorable for the project to operate under. The nature based solution implemented by Wildlands Trust involves three approaches: (1) the clearing of invasive alien trees, shrubs and weeds from the riparian zone (initially through logging operations, with follow-up clearing), (2) active rehabilitation of the riparian zone, through the planting of indigenous tree seedlings, and (3) engaging the community through different mechanisms.