The MOLA interface needed only: i) the names of the objectives, ii) their relative weights, iii) the area targets, iv) names of the ranked suitability images for each. The first three inputs were derived from Tables 2.2 and 2.3 as part of the participatory decision-making results. MOLA then
iteratively reclassified the ranked suitability images to perform a first stage allocation, checks for conflicts, and then allocated conflicts based on the minimum-distance-to-ideal-point rule using the weighted ranks. This process then continued until a solution was achieved. In this way it is ensured that conflict resolution would give precedence to existing uses followed by the introduction of areas destined for conservation activities, then agroforestry/woodlot practices, rangeland, cropland and so on until the last remaining suitable land ultimately ends up in the reserved objective. This is to experimentally show where the most marginal of land is located once the selected uses had been fully allocated. Since the tolerance level for the final allocation was set at zero, the area goals of all objectives were completely achieved, after several iterations. The future proportional land use distribution and the final optimum land allocation map are displayed in Figure 4.6.
The distribution of the five land uses and those reserved for roads as indicated in the pie chart indicate the extent the area goals (Table 2.2) was met. In the conservation areas all indigenous forests and bushland are adequately included and the imperative wetland rehabilitation is well catered for. ‘Converted’ invader jungle (to woodlot) and plantation trees are situated well away from the riparian zones, which are also assumed cleared of exotics. Areas in urgent need of erosion control activities are clearly demarcated, which in turn aids in managing herding decisions and grazing control measures.
Forestry plantations are completely maintained, including the mixed bushland/wattle jungles targeted for proper management retention. Much of the forestry areas are effectively distributed in large enough patches to allow for the envisioned woodlots of economical proportions. Some of these would more than likely satisfy the local fuelwood demand and be in close proximity.
Elsewhere, agroforestry activities were blended into the landscape satisfactorily, for example, the area slightly to the northeast of the little village (most recently developed on old cropland) on the western boundary of the watershed. Moreover, two important findings related to Baskent’s (1997) study and to forest management could be highlighted here. Spatial structure of forest patches, defined by both spatial configuration (e.g. shape, size, and relative arrangement) and aspatial characteristics (e.g. composition) of patches and interconnections among them, affects ecological processes and organisms and, therefore, plays a vital role in determining values. This conforms to the principle of island biogeography theory in plantation planning i.e. natural areas, big or small, within plantations linked with one another by corridors or consolidated where possible (FIEC 1995). The resulting forestry areas on the map, in conjunction with indigenous forests and watercourses, correspond very well with this idea as they cut through settlements and mono-cultural land uses, viz. cropland and plantation.
Figure 4.6: Idealised land use situation after MOLA
The communal use ended up well distributed over the micro-catchment as expected, and in many cases also contributed to the corridor effect, e.g. the veld buffers separating the wetlands from productive cropland. Similarly, the less steep, lower slopes were more readily available to grazing, as well as along most watercourses. Again, awareness towards areas displaying a high erosion risk is essential in this situation.
As for agriculture, the allocated areas on the map are now assumed to be the best productive cropland available, for both (increased) commercial and subsistence farming needs. Land parcels suitable for cultivation were functionally well clustered and retained most of the current productive areas as intended.
Other than the few relatively fragmented and smaller new built-up developments, two pertinent urban development nucleuses were returned in the final solution. One implied the expansion of an existing village/node (Zibokwana), the other a completely new development slightly to the west of Semani. Both were associated with an important road and thus easily accessible. Furthermore, these areas were also relatively close to basic and public services associated with Mount Frere situated just outside of the study area to the east. To some extent it illustrates controlled urban expansion along the national road running through the town. The transmission line did not feature as a decision criterion, but it is perfectly located in terms of the expanding urban areas, as well as the new potential development site as shown.
Finally, most of the reserved parcels were retained. Yet, the small patches above and below Zibokwana village in the cropland and riparian zone resemble the least suitable parcels for any of the other objectives and would be the first to be considered for alternative uses (if not communal use) in future follow-up evaluations. It could now be concluded that the objectives had captured the ‘best’ land for the land use practices associated with each.
CHAPTER 5 SYNTHESIS
A review of the steps taken and the results obtained at the completion of this basic natural resource allocation model was fundamental to reflect on whether the scientific research was carried out within design parameters set by the local community and environmental limitations were heeded.
To those concerned the value or shortcomings of the study from both a theoretical and practical perspective are thus revealed and recommendations are offered where applicable.