Preservation of Ecological Integrity for Future Generations

A Data-Driven Approach to Carrying Capacity and Ecosystem Stewardship at Robberg

Coastal protected areas are increasingly under pressure from rising tourism demand, climate change, and ecological fragility. While tourism can bring economic benefits and foster appreciation for nature, it also poses risks to biodiversity, trail infrastructure, and the very experiences that draw visitors in the first place. Managing this balance is crucial — and urgent.

This presentation explores a data-driven approach to sustainable tourism management in the context of Robberg Nature Reserve, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) renowned for its natural beauty, ecological significance, and visitor popularity. Using Robberg as a case study, the presentation introduces the concept of carrying capacity as a practical tool to guide tourism decision-making and support long-term ecosystem stewardship.

Attendees will be taken through: An overview of Robberg’s ecological assets, tourism appeal, and current pressures; The key components of a carrying capacity assessment, including thresholds for visitor numbers, trail erosion, wildlife disturbance, infrastructure strain, and waste impact; A framework for tracking and evaluating these indicators using a combination of quantitative data and qualitative site observations; How carrying capacity can be used not to restrict access, but to design better visitor experiences, minimise harm, and preserve ecological integrity.

The presentation will highlight why static visitor limits are often insufficient, and how dynamic thresholds — adapted to seasonality, conservation priorities, and real-time monitoring — offer a more resilient model for sustainable tourism. It will also reflect on the role of local communities, conservation practitioners, and tourists themselves in protecting natural spaces like Robberg.

Practical examples will demonstrate how carrying capacity insights can influence trail routing, signage, group size limits, biodiversity monitoring, and investment in infrastructure — from viewing decks to boardwalks. The talk will further touch on how this approach could be scaled or adapted across other South African MPAs and nature reserves facing similar challenges.

Ultimately, this presentation aims to prompt a shift in perspective: from managing numbers to managing impacts; from restricting use to enabling responsible enjoyment; and from reactive responses to proactive planning. As we collectively navigate the complexities of tourism in protected areas, Robberg can serve as a model for how to blend data, values, and local context into actionable sustainability.

Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of: What carrying capacity means in practice for tourism and conservation; How a structured, indicator-based system can help manage tourism pressure; Why sustainable tourism is not about saying “no” to visitors — but about saying “yes” to future generations.

ABOUT JESSICA WILSON

Jessica Wilson is the founder of OnEarth ESG, a Cape Town-based sustainability consultancy that brings a fresh, locally grounded approach to environmental and social strategy. With deep roots in South Africa and a profound appreciation for the natural world and its people, Jessica’s work is guided by a belief that sustainability must be both data-driven and human-centred — balancing ecosystems with lived realities.

She holds an MSc in Climate Change, Management and Finance from Imperial College London, where she graduated in the top 10% of her cohort and was named to the Dean’s List for Academic Excellence. Her academic foundation also includes a Bachelor of Business Science in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cape Town, where she was twice recognised for academic excellence. She has also completed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme, bringing strong financial fluency to her sustainability work.

Jessica’s career spans climate finance, marine and coastal sustainability, and impact management. Her early work in investment finance and mergers & acquisitions gave her the analytical toolkit to navigate complex systems and capital flows — tools she later applied to sustainability challenges across public and private sectors.

She has worked globally, including with Earth Security, where she led engagement across UN agencies and private sector partners on GEF-funded nature-based solutions projects. Her work included stakeholder coordination across Least Developed Countries, assessing investment readiness, and helping position projects on the global climate agenda — including participation at COP28.

In South Africa, Jessica worked with Relativ Impact, a consultancy focused on embedding ESG into business strategy. There, she supported ESG evaluations, GHG reporting, and sustainability integration for financial institutions and pension funds. She also designed training and reporting frameworks, helping build capacity within corporate and foundation teams.

Through OnEarth, Jessica now leads consulting projects on climate compliance, sustainability reporting, and ecosystem stewardship — with a special focus on nature-based tourism and protected area management. Her work includes carrying capacity assessments, ecosystem valuation, and creating tools for consultants and policymakers to make data-informed decisions while maintaining social equity and environmental integrity.

Jessica is also currently launching Thina, a social impact platform designed to simplify and scale volunteering across South Africa. The platform connects individuals, nonprofits, schools, and companies to meaningful activities, while tracking community engagement and social contribution. It reflects her belief that systems change must be inclusive and participatory — and that sustainable development requires both top-down strategy and grassroots involvement.

At the Plett Ocean Symposium, Jessica will present on Sustainable Tourism Management in Protected Areas, using Robberg Nature Reserve as a case study for how carrying capacity can serve as a powerful tool to balance visitor experience with ecosystem protection. Her approach combines technical methods, local insight, and a deep respect for nature — aiming not only to measure impact, but to inspire a more thoughtful relationship between people and place.

Whether working in global forums or with local communities, Jessica brings together strategy, data, and empathy to help organisations and ecosystems thrive — sustainably, and with purpose.