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SPOEG RIVER ESTUARY: Ecology |
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| Flora | |||||
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Phytoplankton/Diatoms | ||||
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Algae | ||||
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Aquatic Vegetation | ||||
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The aquatic grass Potamogeton pectinatus was disturbed in pools of water in the riverbed and also in the lagoon. Another aquatic grass Ruppia maritima occurred in the mouth region. There were also creeping Cyperaceae at the mouth. (Ref.1. 1981) | ||||
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Semi-aquatic Vegetation | ||||
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Species found in the riverbed up to 3km from the mouth, during a survey in October 1980, included the salt marsh succulents (Sarcocornia pillansii and S. natalense), sea thrift (Limonium scabrum), sedges (Triglochin bulbosum, Scirpus nodosus and Juncus kraussi), reeds (Phragmites australis) and grasses (Eragrostis sabulosa and Paspalum vaginatum). | ||||
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Terrestrial vegetation | ||||
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This
region falls into Acocks Veld Type 34(B), Strand Proper, which is
described as an open semi-succulent scrub (Ref. 4).
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Five main plant formations were identified in 1981, namely: Reedswamp, Saltmarsh, dwarf shrubland, shrubland and grassland, of which the dwarf shrubland covers the most extensive area (Ref.1). | ||||
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| Fauna | |||||
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Zooplankton | ||||
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Aquatic Invertebrates | ||||
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In 1981. fauna recorded from the hard surfaces, were the ribbed mussel (Aulacomya ater), black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis), whelks (Argobuccinum argus) and limpets (Patella granitina, P. granularis, P. argenvillei) and keyhole limpets (Fissurella mutabilis) (Ref. 1). |
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Fauna from the soft substrates comprised sand mussels (Lutraria lutraria) and isopods (Tylos granulatus) (Ref. 1). | ||||
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Insects | ||||
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Fish | ||||
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Amphibians and Reptiles | ||||
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Birds | ||||
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Mammals | ||||