Road Building and the Survival of Indigenous Forest in the Southern Cape

SYNOPSIS The effects of road building activities on indigenous evergreen forest were investigated to quantify the impact, to provide guide-lines for minimising damage to forests during future road projects and to gain understanding of the response of different species. The investigation centred on the new Tsitsikamma Toll Road through the Platbos indigenous forest. In relation to total forest area cleared for the road, short-term mortality in the remaining forest, resulting from ponding, sedimentation and soil compaction, was minimal. Tree mortality was caused by ponding and sedimentation owing to insufficient drainage, by soil topping from fills and topsoil addition for revegetation of road verges, by soil compaction from temporary service roads and storage of equipment and materials underneath the trees and by rock blasting in quarries. Exposure of the new forest edge by clearance had very little detrimental effect on the trees. Species differed in their response. This could be related to their ecological requirements. Potential changes in species composition are discussed. The dangers posed by invader plants are indicated. Recommendations for limitation or prevention of damage to the forest or trees are made for inclusion as conditions during future road building contracts. The guide-lines are also applicable to logging of timber and management of recreation sites in the forest.

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