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Data issues
Although there are a number of perceptions and ideas relating to the state of terrestrial ecosystems, they are mostly qualitative and geographically limited. It is clear that monitoring of bench-mark sites on a regular basis, with reliable data acquisition and storage, is essential to quantify trends and changes taking place. Parameters such as veld condition, erosion and organic carbon are examples. Site specific data acquisition for problems such as acidification, salinity and pollution are necessary.
Agricultural census data (e.g. cropland extent and stock numbers) have been collected on a magisterial district basis for decades (data going back to 1910, and even earlier, are readily accessible on a magisterial district basis). This forms a vital baseline for ongoing monitoring.
Excellent databases exist containing plant and animal species inventories and their distributions, and on plant conservation status (Hilton-Taylor 1996). Good databases also exist concerning the most significant alien plant invasive problems in the country. However, data on trends in plant and animal trade, and harvesting rates in the wild are lacking, and should be pursued.
Overall, there are good statistics on plantation forestry in South Africa. However, the industry and its environmental impacts remain controversial. Public policy instruments, whether Environmental Impact Assessments, or the work required to develop criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management, all require good information if they are to be effective. The principal requirement now and in the future is to improve information of this kind.
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There is also information about Terrestrial Ecosystems in the following reports:
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Metropolitan reports:
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Copyright © 1999 Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism. All Rights Reserved.
Site maintained by the Directorate Environmental Information and Reporting
Last update: October 1999
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