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Flora |
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Phytoplankton/Diatoms |
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A
dried mat of decaying filamentous algae was found in the bed of the
estuary during the ECRU survey indicating its occurrence during the
last floods. (Ref 1) |
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Algae |
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Marine
algae found on the rocks of the southern promontory included Ecklonia
maxima, Porphyra capensis, Ulva sp., Cladophora capensis and Champia
lumbricalis. (Ref 1) |
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Aquatic
Vegetation |
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No
aquatic vegetation was found as the estuary was dry at the time of the
survey. |
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Semi-aquatic
Vegetation |
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Species found around the estuary during
the ECRU survey were Sarcocornia pillansii, and Limonium scabrum. |
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Terrestrial
vegetation |
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This
region falls into Acocks' Veld Type, Strandveld Proper, which is an
open semi-succulent scrub (Acocks 1975).
Eleven main vegetation mapping units
were identified. The Sarcocornia pillansii Saltmarsh had the
highest cover (85%) and the Eragrostis cyperiodes Hummock Dune Open
Grassland had the lowest (5%). This vegetation mapping unit also
had the lowest species diversity (2spp.) while the Salvia sp. Low
Shrubland had the highest species diversity with 19 species
recorded. The height of the communities varied from 1,0 m
(Aridaria noctiflora/Tylecodon paniculata Low Shrubland) to the 0,20m
of the Galenia fruticosa/Lampranthus sp. (Le Rous and Parsons 29)
Dwarf shrubland.
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The
main vegetation mapping units can be consolidated into four main plant
formations namely, grassland, low shrubland (0,25 - 1,0m), dwarf
shrubland (0,25m) and saltmarsh, the most extensive being low
shrubland which covers an approximate area of 20 ha2 ,
followed by grassland (6,4ha), saltmarsh (3,5ha) and dwarf shrubland
(0,19ha) of the total area of 35 ha studied. (Ref 1) |
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Fauna |
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Zooplankton |
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No
information |
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Aquatic
Invertebrates |
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Cape
reef worm, Ribbed mussel, Black mussel, Limpets, Blue
periwinkle, Snail, Whelk (Ref 1) |
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Insects |
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No
information |
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Fish |
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No
information |
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Amphibians
and Reptiles |
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Lizard |
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Birds |
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Ostrich,
Black Harrier, White fronted Sandplover, Dikkop, Southern Black-backed
Gull, Hartlaub's gull, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Cape Bulbul, Karoo chat,
Stone Chat, Cape Wagtail, Bokmakierie, Malachite Sunbird, Lesser
Double-collard Sunbird, Cape Bunting (Ref 1) |
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Mammals |
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Water
Mongoose, Bat-eared Fox and Steenbok were seen around the
estuary. Porcupine quills indicated their occurrence. Bush Karoo
rat has also been seen. (Ref 1) |
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