Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area

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Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
South Africa Western Cape location map.svg
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Map of Western Cape
Location Cape Town, South Africa
Coordinates 33°37′58″S18°25′27″E / 33.6329°S 18.4242°E / -33.6329; 18.4242 Coordinates: 33°37′58″S18°25′27″E / 33.6329°S 18.4242°E / -33.6329; 18.4242
Area 3,000 ha (7,400 acres)

Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) protected natural area in Cape Town, South Africa, located on the city’s northern outskirts. This reserve protects an important part of Cape Town’s natural and cultural heritage, including the Atlantis Aquifer.

Cape Town Capital city of the Western Cape province and legislative capital of South Africa

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, colloquially named the Mother City. It is the legislative capital of South Africa and primate city of the Western Cape province. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.

South Africa Republic in the southernmost part of Africa

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa and the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and, with over 57 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Bantu ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages, nine of which have official status. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of Whites, Asian (Indian), and multiracial (Coloured) ancestry.

Contents

Biodiversity

The conservation area consists of two priority nature sites, the Silwerstroomstrand Conservation Area and the Atlantis Dunefields. They protect a patch of Atlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type, as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld. Both vegetation types are endangered. The local landscape consists of sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and outcrops, as well as mobile dunes. Among the many animals that can be found in this reserve is the globally threatened black harrier, the caracal, the steenbok, the Cape grysbok and a variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. [1]

Atlantis Sand Fynbos is a critically endangered fynbos vegetation type that occurs to the north of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Cape Flats Dune Strandveld

Cape Flats Dune Strandveld is an endangered vegetation type. This is a unique type of Cape Strandveld that is endemic to the coastal areas around Cape Town, including the Cape Flats.

Black harrier species of bird

The black harrier is a medium-sized African harrier whose range extends from South Africa to Botswana and Namibia.

Recreation

The conservation area is host to various recreational activities, including sand-boarding, camping and whale watching, and the reserve is also used for film shoots, quad biking and picnics. [2] [3]

This area serves as a gathering place for the local 4x4 community.

See also

Biodiversity of Cape Town Diversity of the natural environment of Cape Town

Biodiversity of Cape Town is the variety and variability of life within the geographical extent of Cape Town. The terrestrial vegetation is particularly diverse and much of it is endemic to the city and its vicinity. Terrestrial and freshwater animal life is heavily impacted by urban development and habitat degradation. Marine life of the waters immediately adjacent to the city is also diverse, and while also impacted by human activity, the habitats are relatively intact.

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References

  1. ↑ "Flora of the Western Cape".
  2. ↑ "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept".
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