Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area

Protected natural area in Cape Town, South Africa

Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area is located in South Africa
Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area
Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area (South Africa)
Show map of South Africa
Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area is located in Western Cape
Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area
Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area (Western Cape)
Show map of Western Cape

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. It is adjacent to the Koeberg Nature Reserve.

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][2]

Vegetation

The endemic and vulnerable Leucospermum parile is found in the Atlantis Sand Fynbos region. And the critically endangered Erica margaritacea is also found here.[3]

  • Bokbaaivygie (Cleretum bellidiforme)
  • Dune reed (Thamnochortus spicigerus)
  • Lanceleaf sage (Salvia lanceolata)
  • Sand primrose (Grielum grandiflorum)
  • Strandroos (Limonium peregrinum)

Mammals

There are possible 83 species of mammal that occur in the reserve, with 16 endemic to South Africa. The endangered white-tailed rat is found here.[4]

  • Cape dune mole-rat
  • Cape grysbok
  • Caracal
  • Small grey mongoose
  • Steenbok

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.[5][6]

See also

External links

  • Atlantis Dunes Adventure Guide

References

  1. ^ "Flora of the Western Cape".
  2. ^ "Flyer - Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve" (PDF).
  3. ^ "WITZANDS AQUIFER NATURE RESERVE - VEGETATION" (PDF).
  4. ^ "WITZANDS AQUIFER NATURE RESERVE - MAMMALS" (PDF).
  5. ^ "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept".
  • v
  • t
  • e
Natural environment
Bays
Beaches
Hills
Mountains
Islands
Headlands
Rivers and wetlands
Climate and weather
World heritage sites
Biodiversity
of Cape Town
Vegetation
types
Parks and
gardens
Nature reserves
Communities
Atlantic Seaboard
Blaauwberg
Cape Flats
(Klipfontein district)
Khayelitsha
Mitchells Plain
City Bowl
Helderberg
Northern Suburbs
Southern Suburbs
South Peninsula
Neighbourhoods
Built environment
Skyscrapers
Government
National government
Provincial government
City of Cape Town
Fortifications
Monuments and memorials
Lists of heritage sites
Historical buildings
Culture
Cuisine
Performance
art
Events and
festivals
Museums and
art galleries
Iziko Museums
Public art
Religion
Secular
architecture
Media
Companies based
in Cape Town
Hotels and resorts
Shopping areas,
malls and markets
Exhibition centres
Restaurants and cafés
Tourism
Air transport
Maritime transport
Road transport
Rail transport
Soccer
Rugby
Cricket
Other
Cape Town Tigers (basketball)
Sports events
Sports venues
Libraries
Universities
Colleges
Private
schools
Public schools
Alternative schools
Former schools
Art & Music schools
Not yet allocated
Services
Hospitals
Lighthouses
Western Cape
Water Supply System
Electrical power generation
Emergency services
Cape Town Outline