LAND USE

South Africa has a diversity and richness of natural resources, including plant and animal resources that rank amongst the most diverse in the world. This diversity is under pressure from a growing population and increasing consumption rates that result in rapid conversion of natural habitat to agriculture, forestry, mining activities and human settlements (Ballance, 2001).

Some plant and animal species are threatened with extinction due to excessive harvesting for medicinal, ornamental, and horticultural purposes. Invasion and domination by alien species of plants and animals is a major problem in South Africa. Alien organisms out-compete indigenous species by using more resources (space, light, water, food) leading to a reduction (sometimes even local extinction) of indigenous populations, and alteration of the physical components of the ecosystems (Ballance, 2001).

Degradation of vegetation and soils is also a widespread problem in South Africa. This has largely been a result of the apartheid political system, where large numbers of black people were denied access to prime agricultural land, and were forced into small areas of marginal land, whilst commercial white farmers were given subsidies for agro-chemicals and monoculture was encouraged. These driving forces were exacerbated by the rapid population growth over the last 30 years, and the drive for increasing agricultural exports (Ballance, 2001).

Degradation and loss of species, habitats and ecological functions not only threatens the long term sustainability of natural systems, but also the capacity of all terrestrial systems to support human livelihoods and lifestyles (Ballance, 2001).

The major land uses in South Africa are agriculture, commercial forestry and mining. Most of the land area (86%) of South Africa is used for crop cultivation or grazing of livestock, while less than 10% of the area is conserved (DEA&T, 1999).

• Agriculture is a generator of wealth and constitutes one of the key industries in the country's economy (NDA, 2000). Agriculture contributed 3.2% to the gross domestic product of South Africa in the year 2000. The agricultural sector is also an important earner of foreign exchange. In 2000, agricultural exports resulted in foreign exchange to the value of R14 573 million (NDA, 2000). It is estimated that six million South Africans are dependent on agriculture for a livelihood, with primary agriculture offering the largest employment opportunities in the country.
• Commercial forestry is also an important land use in South Africa. South Africa produced 15.6 million cubic metres of roundwood during 1998/1999 from 1.4 million hectares of plantation forests (FOA, 2001). The forest products industry contributed 9.2% to the gross value of manufacturing output for South Africa in 1998/1999 and the export value of the industry is approximately R6.7 billion (FOA, 2001).
• Terrestrial mining in South Africa contributes some 16% towards the country's gross domestic product through sales of minerals and mineral products. Total mineral sales for 1999 amounted to R94.7 billion, of which 77.3% were from export revenues and the remainder from gold. The South African mining sector employed 466 144 people in 1998. These people were employed on 703 mines to produce 53 different minerals. The mining industry, together with those industries that supply goods and services to it, collectively support more than 10 million people (CSIR, 2001).

It is clear that South Africa is dependent on its terrestrial resources to sustain its population and to contribute to the country's economic growth. South Africa's terrestrial systems are, however, fragile and must be managed carefully. Over 90% of the country falls within the United Nations definition of "affected drylands", which are extraordinarily dry areas where rainfall is low, and potential evaporation is high (UNCCD, 1994). It is therefore essential that a set of relevant indicators that address the most important land issues be developed to ensure that South Africa's land resources are managed in a sustainable manner. The issues that are addressed in this theme are land use and land condition.

DESCRIPTION OF ISSUES

Land Use

Decades of inequitable land and development policies have shaped current land use patterns in South Africa and have resulted in severe land degradation. As a result of these policies, large numbers of people were forced into subsistence lifestyles and many of these people are still highly dependent on natural resources to meet their nutritional, medicinal, housing and energy needs (Ballance, 2001). The indicators that have been selected for this issue aim to address concerns around land use in South Africa. These indicators examine current land usage patterns and land productivity in South Africa.

Land Condition

South Africa is a semi-arid country where drought and desertification are real threats to food security (Ballance, 2001). Due to the fragility of South Africa's terrestrial systems, they must be managed carefully. The consequences of land degradation include declining productivity and diversity of resources to support human livelihoods and commercial activities, as well as reduced biodiversity and loss of ecosystem services such as water and air quality regulation. Degraded systems are also less able to cope with change. Global climate change in South Africa is likely to increase temperatures and variability of rainfall, leading to an expansion of the more arid vegetation types, and less suitability for dryland cropping. This scenario may result in South Africa becoming more dependent on imports for food security (Ballance, 2001).

The indicators addressed in this theme focus on the important issues relating to the condition of South Africa's terrestrial resources.

The Land Use study originally included issues related to Human Settlements and Waste Management. During the selection of indicators it became apparent that these two issues were worthy of complete studies on their own. It was therefore decided that these two issues be developed into full specialist studies, each with their own specialist report and set of indicators. These studies are now known as the Human Well-being study (Specialist report 3, Vol. 5) and the Waste Management study (Specialist report 3, Vol. 7).