Page 20 - State of Biodiversity 2019-2020

4.4.1.2. Key Management Actions for 2020/2021
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Regular, frequent and light alien plant control, and mosaic defoliation of moribund grass, removing the moribund material off the site. The amount of suitable habitat, comprising indigenous species of grass, shrubs and trees preferred by the dwarf chameleons (particularly antelope grass Echinochloa pyramidalis and guinea grass Panicum maximum) needs to be increased. The site needs to be securely fenced or hedged with an impenetrable barrier plant (e.g. Senegalia ataxacatha) except at the entrance, and litter traps need to be fitted to the storm water pipe outflows.
Increase alien plant control at adjoining areas to revert those areas to a suitable habitat for KwaZulu dwarf chameleons. This could result in the suitable habitat for the KwaZulu dwarf chameleons near Chameleon Park increasing markedly. Figure 2 indicates potentially suitable habitat in the immediate vicinity of the connected potentially suitable habitat in Chameleon Park and the adjoining area. If the areas of potentially suitable habitat near Chameleon Park could be conserved (Figure 2), the total area of potentially suitable habitat in this region would eventually exceed 582ha (as at the 2017 land cover class extents). Connectivity among all these areas may not be achievable, but translocations of individuals between habitat areas would maintain genetic variability within this sub-population.
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STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2019/2020