Plastic attack on wildlife

We are constantly hearing marketing strategies and plights to save our oceans from pollution, save our oceans from plastic, but we don’t seem to hear the same ‘wooha’ about the land animals.  When we hear or see terrible things every day, we almost become immune to the message which is so sad.  On the other hand we might think “I recycle”, “I throw my trash in the bin”, “I’m doing my bit” and leave it at that without creating further awareness of the problem.  In my job we try and create awareness about nature and recycling and provide the bins at the entrance to the nature reserve…we thought “we’re doing a good job”, “there have been no problems”…until recently. On a recent patrol we were shocked to discover trash bags ripped to shreds in the reserve and several animal scat filled with plastic! 

Was it from the bins, someone who dumped a full bag of trash in the reserve, or did it bring the bag in from outside…we don’t know.  What we do know is that we are clearly NOT doing enough in the awareness department, but this will change!

Marine life often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, while land animals scavenge through rubbish when they smell food.  Ingested plastic stays in the animals gut, it cannot be digested…this prevents food digestion which can lead to starvation and a very slow painful death.  Did you know it can take up to 1000 years for plastic to break down?!  Once the animal dies and decays, the plastic is released back into the environment to claim its next victim.

We are surrounded by so many nature reserves and natural areas right on our doorsteps, at UWC, literally on our doorstep.  Do you know what animals are in your area?  When you learn to love the animals you are surrounded by, you are more likely to make a conscious decision to protect them.

 

Tips: 

-        Ensure animals can’t reach into your bin to pull out bags…mongoose and caracals are sneaky animals (this includes domestic animals).

-        Snakes are attracted to rubbish heaps, so keeping your property clean will help keep them away.

Written by Laurenda van Breda

 

YOUR INPUT COUNTS!!  

Should the Cape Flats Nature Reserve keep its two bins (one inside the reserve at each entrance) or close them and create more awareness that it is a bin-free area and all rubbish should be taken back out with them?

 

Links on the topic to help you make an informed decision:

Bin and gone: Government gets rid of 40 bins from Hong Kong hiking trails in order to 'reduce waste'

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1859952/bin-and-gone-hong-kong-hiking-trails-see-bins

 

Parks are experimenting with removing waste receptacles altogether.

https://www.citylab.com/life/2015/11/fewer-trash-cans-less-trash/415023/

 

Containers will ruin conservation areas,’ say wheelie bin campaigners

http://archive.camdennewjournal.com/news/2012/apr/%E2%80%98containers-will-ruin-conservation-areas%E2%80%99-say-wheelie-bin-campaigners

 

Table Bay Nature Reserve's quarterly report: ”Refuse bins were phased out at public picnic and braai areas of the Table Bay Nature Reserve’s Rietvlei Water Area during this quarter. Refuse bins in public visitor areas do not promote a culture of taking responsibility for one’s own refuse. Many other nature reserves and national parks are also changing their approach to managing refuse collection in visitor areas, and requesting visitors to take out everything that they bring in with them. Small refuse bags were offered to visitors free of charge at the main entrance gate, and they were allowed in the interim to drop off their refuse at designated drop-off points in the Nature Reserve. By the end of the year all visitors will be responsible for the legal disposal of their own refuse.” http://www.friendsofrietvlei.co.za/documents/2014-Q3.pdf

 

Bracken Nature Reserve

This reserve has a “no-bin policy” and all visitors are encouraged to recycle and re-use all the recyclable materials. Please don't litter.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/see-all-city-facilities/our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Bracken%20Nature%20Reserve

 

Call for council to provide more bins at Braywick Nature Reserve

https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/maidenhead/115905/call-for-council-to-provide-more-bins-at-braywick-nature-reserve.html 

Nature Reserve Leads by example saving water

With the rainy season mostly over, the UWC- Nature Reserve unit keeps doing it's bit to build on the University of the Western Cape's (UWC) reputation of being the greenest campus nationally. 

Water tanks have been successfully installed which have already illustrated its worth with the recent water cuts on campus. Our unit is flushing toilets with rain water, while the rest of the campus community had two options: pinch or wait until the water supply was reconnected. 

The Nature Reserve office building has become the first building on campus to run our toilet flushing system entirely on rain water collected by two 2500 litre water tanks.  Working closely with the Infrastructure and Engineering department on campus, we already have two rainwater tank systems installed and in full operation.

We would like to encourage staff and students to keep saving water to help uphold and keep improving UWC’s status as the greenest campus in Africa. We’ve done it for a third year and would like to see our campus improving on its green status every year. 

Our second system - also successfully installed - includes three 1000 liter rainwater collection tanks which provide water for general use and for the watering of nursery plants. 

Nature Conservator, Robin Adams provided these tried and tested tips on how to get started and maintain a rainwater system at home. 

Rooftops: Ensure rooftops are cleaned regularly to avoid runoff contamination. It is best to do this before the rainy season, since the dry season brings dust, leaves, dead insects and animal excrement that accumulates on the roof. 

Gutters: Install gutter mesh or clear any leaves and debris in your gutter to prevent blockage in your rainwater system. To limit leaf litter, cut or trim back any overhanging branches. 

Pre-filtration: Frequently check your pre-filtration device or filter which is installed between the inlet pipe and the water tank to ensure it is free of leaves or debris. 

Tank screen: Regularly clean the screens to prevent blockage. 

Keep your tank clean: Seal your tank correctly to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and evaporation from occurring. Check the inside of your tank every 3 months to ensure it is clean of debris or leaf litter.

Water Quality: If you intend using rainwater for consumption it is advised to consult someone experienced in installing water filtration systems, but this will not be needed if the water is used for irrigation purposes, laundry or general purposes for which it is recommended. To preserve water for consumption add preferably non-scented chlorine/chlorine to the ratio of either two drops for every 2 litres of water or for a 1000l tank add 40ml. Let the water stand open for 30 minutes before drinking.

Article by Harriet Box - UWC Communication and Marketing Office

UWC Nature Reserve on fire

On Friday, 18 November 2016, three uncontrolled fires occurred at the University of the Western Cape of which two were in the Cape Flats Nature Reserve.  Arson is the suspected cause due to protest action happening on the same day.

The two fires close to the station started approximately 11h00, taking 3 hours to extinguish.  Shortly after, another fire started on the railway line along Heide Road. The strong South Easter accelerated it through the nature reserve along Robert Sobukwe road right into the factory grounds. Dense smoke resulted in road closures.  The last fire service vehicles left at only 20h00, leaving behind a scoured reserve, burnt tortoises, but some fortunate survivors. Fortunately the strong wind caused the fire moved fast and was not too intense.

A total of nine fire service vehicles were on site from fire departments as far as Brakenfell and Ottery.

A total of 6ha burnt; 2ha of critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos of which only 16% remains and 1% is conserved, 3ha of endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and 1ha outside of the reserve. 

Fynbos is fire-adapted vegetation that requires regular burning for its survival. In the absence of fire, fynbos is gradually replaced by thicket species. It thrives on infertile soils and fire is the mechanism that recycles precious nutrients from old moribund growth into the soil. 

Fire in fynbos is far from a disaster, but rather a crucial trigger that resets the fynbos ‘successional clock’. It provides the stimulus for dormant seeds to germinate and the opportunity for many annuals, short-lived perennials and bulbs to grow, flower and seed during times of abundant nutrients and sunlight. They complete their short life cycles, returning to the soil as the larger shrubs overwhelm them, and remain dormant until the next fire. The optimal fire cycle for fynbos is between 10-14 years. However, shorter fire cycles (caused accidentally by broken glass, cigarettes, etc) can wipe out species.

The reserve had an accidental fire in 2012; we are fortunate that this fire did not overlap the previously burnt area. To prevent damaging uncontrolled fires in the future, a controlled burn has been planned for 2017. 

Endangered on our doorstep

False Bay Unique Ranger
Kedestes lenis lenis

The False Bay Unique Ranger (Kedestes lenis lenis) is a small butterfly endemic to the Western Cape.  They are “dull” looking butterflies (I know, I know, you were hoping for something pretty and colourful…) but they should not be overlooked because, despite looking like a moth, they are endangered.

False Bay Unique Ranger (Kedestes lenis lenis)

If you are lucky enough to spot them during their peak flight season in Spring (November), the male’s wingspan is 26 – 31mm and the female, 29 – 35mm.

According to the Red List of butterflies, they have very restricted habitat requirements and are only found at five localities on the Cape Flats.  Though previously widespread and common, most of its habitat on the Cape Flats north of Table Mountain has been destroyed (Claassens, 2000).  

Distribution map

Of the five localities mentioned above, the Cape Flats Nature Reserve has the largest stand of Imperata cylindrica (larval food plant) (so one would assume this reserve is full of Kedestes lenis lenis, right?) Unfortunately not…it is unknown why the population is so small and only restricted to two localities within the reserve, irrespective that the entire reserve is covered in their larval food plant.  Some of the other localities are restricted to a patch alongside a road, yet they yield more individual butterflies…the reason for this is unknown (research possibility).

Larval food plant (Imperata cylindrica)

Lepidopterists (butterfly specialists), Andrew Morton and Fanie Rautenbach do an annual survey for this butterfly at the CFNR but only a maximum of five individuals were recorded per survey.  What could the reason be for this small population?  Why are their numbers not increasing with a reserve full of their larval food plant?  The Imperata cylindrica growing in the reserve is quite old…do they perhaps prefer younger grass? There is no mention of an adult food plant in my search…what does the adult feed on?

There are so many questions about this butterfly and so little answers.  Research on this endangered butterfly is definitely needed to ensure its future.

Euphorbia marlothiana: a closer look

Throughout my blogs I have referred to this plant as Euphorbia marlothiana…however  E. marlothiana has been merged into the species Euphorbia caput-medusae, so for future reference it will be referred to as the latter.

Euphorbia caput-medusae

In the previous euphorbia blog (http://uwcnaturereserve.blogspot.com/2014/06/euphorbia-marlothiana-theory-continues.html), it was stated that E. caput-medusae was data deficient (IUCN Red Data List 2009), however, the latest status (IUCN Red Data List 20/05/2014) have indicated that this species is currently of Least Concern.   According to R.H. Archer, L. von Staden, J.E. Victor & D. Raimondo, this species is widespread and no longer in danger of extinction with a stable population.

So why continue studying this plant that no longer seems ‘important’ you ask…

…because the Cape Flats Nature Reserve only has eight very small stands of E. caput-medusae situated in the Dune Strandveld section.  They have shown slow growth in population size since the observations began in February 2013.  The growth form of the euphorbia is being observed but what about other methods of reproduction…  The cages mentioned in the previous blog have been removed because of my theory that they need some form of disturbance to maintain their natural growth form.  This was also to allow some form of animal disturbance in the hope that pieces of the plant would break off and grow a new stand where it fell.   Due to its succulent nature, this is thought to be the most obvious form of reproduction. Another form of plant reproduction is seed production (image 1). 

Image 1

However, it was observed that the seeds were always missing from the seed pods.  Each seed pod examined had a tiny hole in it (image 2)

Image 2

Upon further investigation, we discovered a larva in each seed pod (image 3).  Could this be from a parasitic insect?  This larval activity was seen during February 2014.  The seed pods found during July had holes in but were empty.

Image 3

Pollinators of the euphorbia are being observed but of particular interest is the one parasitizing the seed pods.  More importantly…could this possibly be a reason that E. caput-medusae may not reproduce via seeds and potentially have a long term negative impact on the expansion of the population in the Cape Flats Nature Reserve? (A very interesting research topic indeed)

Follow the next Euphorbia blog for more info on how the UWC Nature Reserve Unit is trying to prevent this species from becoming locally extinct within this reserve.

A first for the Cape Peninsula

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebrvii):  

An exciting discovery for the Cape Flats Nature Reserve!

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebrvirii) female

In the first week of March 2014, we discovered the tiniest dragonfly we've ever seen at the Cape Flats Nature Reserve.  The size confused me and I started investigating if they have similar growth deficiencies like some butterflies I've seen.  If butterflies do not get enough food in their caterpillar stage, it affects the size of the adult butterfly.  I wondered if this was the case with dragonflies in their nymph stage.  My theory was squashed when I heard that this does not happen with dragonflies.  

After a long search to identify this tiny dragonfly, I decided that it looks like a female Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebrvii), but this was impossible.  The distribution was all wrong;  they do not occur in Cape Town. After consulting with dragonfly experts, Prof. Michael Samways from Stellenbosch University and Prof. Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra from Leiden University, it was confirmed.  Can you imagine our excitement!  This dragonfly, considered to be rare in the Western Cape, is now on the Cape Flats! Not even at high altitudes as described in the ID guide.  

Distribution map

The few records for this species in the Western Cape range from Citrusdal to East London.  No records for the Cape Peninsula have been recorded as yet.  For this species to be officially confirmed as a first for the Cape Peninsula, a male had to be found.  The dragonfly hunt was on!  

A male was found at a different locality within the reserve along with another female on 13 March 2014.  This marked the exciting moment of a new species record for the reserve and an official record for the Cape Peninsula!

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebrvirii) male

We are currently looking for a mature male specimen as there is a similar looking species that is rarer.  Usually the Black Percher is unmistakable, being the only smallish black perching dragonfly in South Africa.  The much rarer Diplacodes pumila can also be blackish in old age but is much smaller (21-22mm) than D. lefebvrii (27-33mm).

Creative erosion control

The Cape Flats Nature Reserve is a 32ha area containing endangered Dune Strandveld and critically endangered Sand Fynbos.   Due to the importance of this, keeping the area as natural as possible, we became very creative in our management practices.  Erosion control is a continuous problem during winter at any nature reserve.  Through a series of trial and error, we have found our solution. 

The soil type in the reserve is sandy and erodes away quite easily if left unmanaged.  Unfortunately due to the status of the vegetation we have had to experiment with natural materials.  Our solution came in the form of mulch.   However, this is not any mulch; this is the result of laborious field work removing dead and overgrown vegetation from the reserve.   Now why are we removing vegetation from the reserve in the first place you ask?  Well, let me first give you some quick background information on how we came to our mulch decision for a better understanding. 

Generally natural fires would solve the problem of dead and overgrown vegetation which, if left to its own devices, would result in a monoculture (dominance of one plant species) and a hazard to the soil if an accidental fire did occur.  The soil hazard occurs because fire cannot pass through the vegetation quickly enough to stimulate new growth but instead causes a more intense fire which sterilizes the soil.  Unfortunately we have no such luck with natural fires due to it being on a tertiary institute and surrounded by an urban area. This has led to the laborious task of physically removing dead and overgrown vegetation in the reserve; the results are still being monitored.

At this point we had removed so much dead and overgrown vegetation, but at the same time, did not want to add to the landfill site; we are into conservation after all.  We then had the vegetation chipped and used in our gardens on campus and at our Outreach Greening schools which saved on purchasing mulch for this purpose.   We went one step further by applying the mulch in the reserve as an erosion control method for potholes for our service roads as part of an experiment.  We realized we could not bring in any foreign soils for erosion control due to the impact it would have on the endangered vegetation.  This was the perfect solution.  It is vegetation removed from the reserve and placed back in a clever way.  It was the most environmentally creative management practice we could come up with and has proven quite successful over the past few winters.