Aligning the diverse: the development of a biodiversity conservation strategy for the Cape Floristic Region Original Research Article

The Cape Action Plan for the Environment (CAPE) sought to develop a long-term strategy and action plan to conserve biodiversity in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The high levels of biodiversity in the CFR are matched by complex and fragmented social, institutional, policy and management systems. The development of a coherent strategy for the conservation of the biodiversity of the CFR, therefore, called for an innovative and adaptive approach, which would ensure the functional alignment of a wide variety of stakeholders and processes. This paper describes the generic methodologies used for the CAPE strategy development process and their specific adaptation to this project. The process adopted a two-pronged method, termed ‘the nutcracker approach’, which combined top-down rigour and bottom-up participation. This was necessary in order to meet the differing needs of potential international donors and South African stakeholders at national, provincial and local levels. A range of supporting tools was used, including Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Theory of Constraints. It was recognised that effective implementation has been a major stumbling block in other similar initiatives. Several elements of the strategy development methodology were therefore specifically aimed at promoting implementation. These included ensuring that the potential implementers of the strategy took part in the process and by so doing develop a sense of ownership of the outcomes, piloting the strategy in a case-study area, integrating the strategy with existing initiatives, prioritising actions for implementation, and promoting early implementation of projects consistent with the general strategic direction. There are initial indications that the CAPE strategy is having a positive impact. The paper concludes by identifying ten principles which can be applied to the development of biodiversity conservation strategies elsewhere.