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MDLOTI ESTUARY: Ecology
  Flora
Phytoplankton/Diatoms
Algae
 
Aquatic Vegetation
 
Semi-aquatic Vegetation
 
Terrestrial vegetation
1978: One of the most impressive botanical characteristics of the Mdloti lagoon (on its southern bank) is a dense and flourishing fringe of Barringonia racemosa. Above this is a hillside of well preserved coastal dune forest. (Ref 1)
1978: On the northern bank (seaward of the road) Casuarina has been planted. Most of the floodplain is intact, due to substantial proportion being under Barringtonia/Phragmites swamps. Some halophilous communities (e.g. Juncus) occur on semi-exposed mudflat areas adjacent to the water’s edge. However cane encroachment from the southern bank onto the head of the lagoon is noticeable. (Ref 1)
1978: Ref.1 described the state of the natural vegetation in the upper catchment is poor, due to overstocking. 
 
Fauna
Zooplankton
Aquatic Invertebrates

 
Insects
 
Fish
1978 (Ref.1): Juvenile eels massing at the foot of the Hazelmere dam were observed. These must therefore have passed through the lagoon after entering it from the sea. From the fish species killed in the lagoon o 29 March 1977 by pollution from the Timberit factory, the following were identifiable: various Mugilidae (mullet), S. Mossambicus (bream), Leiognathus equulus (slimy), Ancanthopagrus berda (river perch) and Pomadasys commersoni (spotted grunter).
Amphibians and Reptiles
 
Birds
1978 (Ref.1): An impressive amount of estuarine birdlife is normally associated with the Mdloti system - 66 species have bee recorded over a five year period, at the Mdloti lagoon. It is particularly well used by sea birds for bathing, preening, drinking and resting after feeding at sea. The sandbanks and mudflats (when exposed) are important roosting sites and up to 10 000 Common terns have been seen to utilize them on some occasions. This species and Grey-headed gulls are commonly present. A large variety of waders and piscivorous birds have been seen in addition to species such as Egyptian and Spurwing geese and Yellowbill and White-faced whistling duck.
Mammals
 

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