Fernkloof Nature Reserve Landslide Survey

The torrential rains experienced during the 2023 Heritage Day weekend, resulted in numerous landslides throughout the Overberg. No valley was left unscarred including the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Hiking paths were destroyed, rivers redirected, boulders and soil clogged roads and the reserve's terrain was marked with multiple scars.
The Hermanus Botanical Society and Overstrand municipality are in the process of mapping and measuring the landslides to monitor the reserve's rehabilitation. How quickly will the landscape rehabilitate? What plants colonise the exposed earth, and in what order?
The mapping process uses drone captured orthomosiac photos. Photos adjusted for geographic relief, lens distortion and camera tilt. This allows for accurate measurement. The intention is to regularly collect and compare data sets to monitor changes. The mapping process began in January 2024.