The Cape Bird Club
Rehabilitation – exotic vegetation removal - "hacking".
This is a working relationship with the City and the Cape Bird Club.
Where
The Cape Bird Club has a long history at Zandvlei, and has had monthly
'hacks' started by
Alan Morris back in 1978. He initiated the practise for the Cape Bird Club.
Bill Rudings took over as leader in 1985 and subsequently Gavin Lawson in 1991.
In 2006 the Wildwood Bird Sanctuary
changed dramatically to be called the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature
Reserve. It is now a local authority nature reserve, whereas it had no legal
status before. It has changed from 24 hectares to 96 hectares, and includes all the
water surface of Zandvlei to the mouth and a number of terrestrial areas
surrounding the vlei, including Bokmakierie Park in Bath Road. A very important
part of Sandplain Fynbos adjucent called Grysbok Park is also worked in.
This process took about 6 years to achieve by 'local interest groups'
with the City.
When
The 'rehabilitation' take place every, 2nd Saturday afternoon of the month at 14h00.
Contact Gavin Lawson
021 705
5224.
Why
The idea is to remove these species, so that the biodiversity of indigenous plant species may be encouraged. This also promotes the diversity of other living species, which make up or are part of habitats and ecosystems.
The exotic vegetation often dominates areas, where it grows and therefore suppresses the indigenous plants. The exotic plants grow very quickly, removing large amounts of water from the soil and creating a shade covering
canopy. This canopy prevents the sunlight reaching the ground, where the low growing ground covers and seedlings struggle to grow.
The exotic plants can and some do alter the soil characteristic by adding
nitrogen to it. The fynbos vegetation usually grows in nitrogen poor soils.
This is an opportunity to "give back" with some of your effort. You can also learn and see more of the surrounding Nature Reserve, where we as CBC members enjoy regular outings, and have done so for many years.
Old Boyes Drive, August 2010. updated 16/08/2010
This area is the remaining green biodiversity corridor linking Muizenberg and Zandvlei.
The area of operation, looking south down Old Boyes Drive towards Muizenberg.
Una Hartley filling bags with
litter.
Sue Wishart doctoring a copsed stump.
Bowen Boshier in the undergrowth.
The area we have cleared is looking good. Ground orchids are growing, the various Rhus shrubs have new growth and flowers about to open. There are a few species of bulbs about to flower. A clump of daisies are flowering now. There are catapillars crawling about a good sign the spring plants will be good this year. It is amazing what is around us if we get out and have a look.
Alan Morris (who initiated the hacks at
Zandvlei in the 1970's),
David Osborne and Una Hartley – Wildwood Island 05/12/2004.
Una Hartley a non - CBC member has been hacking continuously for more than 21 years at Zandvlei.
