General information      Top

• The different vegetation types are (Ref. 1):

• Strandveld -  Seaward dune strandveld

• -      Shrubby strandveld

• -      Restoid strandveld

• Saltpan vegetation

• Lowland fynbos

• Dry mountain fynbos

• Mountain fynbos

• Karroid scrubland

• Marsh vegetation.

The site also supports notable rare plant species, such as Ferraria foliosa, F. densepunctulata, Cerycium venom (presumed extinct) and Cullumia floccosa (Ref. 1).

Birds: In 1976, 934 and 1 371 waders were recorded respectively during two surveys in the lower reaches of Verlorenvlei (Ref. 7).  Of these numbers, 95% were migrants. In a later survey (1983) of the whole Verlorenvlei, 3 655 waders were reported, of which 2 928 were migrants and 727 residents. This same survey yielded a total of 6 829 birds of 60 species in the environs of Verlorenvlei      (Ref. 1).  The vlei also provides feeding, nesting and roosting sites for 200 species of birds in the surrounding area.  It is an important moulting area for Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaccus) and other waterfowl (Ref. 1). 

Waterbirds seen at Verlorenvlei include herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills and flamingos. The presence of glossy ibises and African spoonbills is important, since these species are uncommon in the south-western Cape (Ref. 8). Flamingos appear at Verlorenvlei when other vleis, such as Rocher Pan (35km south) and Wadrifsoutpan (13km north) dry up. Flamingos are listed in the South African Red Data Book as requiring conservation (Brooke 1984).

Other Red Data Book species include the little bittern and the Caspian tern. The area is possibly also an important moulting ground and summer refuge for ducks, with 600 Cape shoveller and 1 200 yellow-billed duck being observed in May 1979 (Ref. 1). In addition, Verlorenvlei is a type locality for several species of birds, including the white-backed duck (Thalassomis leuconotus) (Ref. 8).

Up to 150 great white pelicans were counted by the Fitz Patrick Institute in 1976, representing 26% of the total south-western Cape population (Ref. 8). On 23 March 1982, 212 pelicans were counted. The great white pelican is rated as rare in South Africa, and therefore in need of special protection (Ref. 9).

The vlei is also an important feeding area for the rare white pelican (Peleanus onocrotalus).

Mammals: Little information exists on mammal populations at Verlorenvlei. Archaeological and historical evidence suggest that larger mammals were present in abundance in the past, whereas they are non-existent today.  A survey by Stuart (1981) indicates the presence of the 12 carnivore species and 11 other mammal species in the vicinity.

The catchment is bounded by the Swartberg and Olifantsrivierberge in the east and by the Piketberg in the south, and includes the Eendekuil basin, a low-lying area lying between the Olifantsrivierberge and the Piketberg. The Verlorenvlei River and its tributaries drain the entire Eendekuil basin, the Table Mountain Group mountains around Paleisheuwel, the northern outliers of Piketberg, the extensive flats of Tertiary to Recent sands between Het Kruis and Redelinghuys and the 5km strip of low Table Mountain Group hills and sand flats on either side of the lake which contribute seepage (Ref. 1).

Sediments showing a high degree of lithological similarity to the Klipheuwel beds of the type area are found in small occurrences along Verlorenvlei. No angular inconformity is visible between them and the Table Mountain Group but their regional relationships clearly show the presence of an inconformity. Rogers named these rocks Ibiqua Beds, which implies a correlation with the Nama System, for which there is no proof available yet (Ref. 2).

The Klipheuwel Formation (Proterozoic) comprises the following: purple to red-dish brown sandy micaceous shale which is mostly poorly-bedded and grades into mudstone; alternating beds of sandstone, shaly sandstone and sandy shale with colours ranging from buff to purple and red; white and brightly coloured sandstone and grit with minor conglomerate and shale layers. The arencaeous strata are commonly cross-bedded, quite often feldspathic, and much softer than the Table Mountain Group sandstone. The maximum thickness exposed on the eastern boundary of this area amounts to about 375m.

White to slightly-reddish sandy soil originated mainly from the underlying unconsolidated to partly-consolidated sand and clay, and to a lesser extent from the Table Mountain Group, the coastal dunes, and fluviatile deposits of past and present drainage systems.

The phenomenon of 'heuweltjies' occurs on the Verlorenvlei area, and is easily detectable both on the ground and in aerial photographs. Different theories have been propounded as to their origins. They include calcareous layers and higher clay content in the soil deriving from old termitaria. The activity of mole rats may also contribute to the formation of 'heuweltjies'

The general Verlorenvlei area is characterized by type a fine sandy soil, in which the dominant types are Fernwood and Mkambathi; the sub-dominant Hopefield; and the rare Langebaan, Sandveld and Sonneblom. On the southern bank, extending from Elandsbaai to Redelinghuys, are isolated sections classified as rock and undifferentiated lithosols.

The stratigraphy is:

-         Elandsfontyn Formation beneath, being peaty clay and sand;

-         the controversial Saldanha Formation;

-         the Varswater Formation, being conglomeratic phosphorite;

-         the Bredasdorp Formation (on top), with three aeolianite phases, the third being unconsolidated (Ref. 2).

Rubble and debris are found in numerous places at the foot of cliffs and along small streams that flow down hillsides after heavy downpours. The river is flanked by strips of alluvium, part of it being black and rich in plant material. Several patches of drift sand and bare dunes away from the coast originated mostly from mismanagement of the veld. A large dune field occurs to the north of the river mouth and the town of Elandsbaai

The entire channel is very shallow (about 0,5m deep), tending to inhibit free water circulation. A natural obstruction at the mouth is a rocky sill topped by a sand bar, above the normal reach of high tides. The sand-topping is formed by a south going longshore current, in combination with frequent onshore winds.

The two types of wave-induced inshore currents, one north going and the other southward, appear to keep a hydraulic and sedimentological near-equilibrium at the beach. Consequently, provided the balance (including source of sand) is not disturbed, a sufficient sand supply from the beach will always tend to cober the rocky barrier at the mouth, to such an extent that the mouth has little chance to remain open for any appreciable length of time after breaching.

Verlorenvlei has a mild, Mediterranean climate, with predominantly sunny days throughout the year.

Precipitation: Verlorenvlei has an average annual rainfall of 275mm of which an average of 70% falls in the winter half-year (April to September).  Single very rare heavy showers can account for as much as the normal annual precipitation. Hail is seldom reported in this region (Ref. 1).

Temperature: The highest average maximum temperature (24, 42 °C) occurs in January and the lowest average minimum temperature (8, 7 °C) occurs in July (Ref. 1).

Development pressure in the Verlorenvlei area has been concentrated along the coastline, in the vicinity of Elands Bay. The pressure is beginning to increase in the form of applications for township extensions (Ref. 10). The coastal environs attract weekend and holiday visitors, particularly in the summer, causing short term, seasonal increases in the demand for facilities.

Likely sources of threats in the future include (Ref. 1):

• Existing and additional obstructions which interfere with natural estuarine and coastal lake dynamics.

• Increases in domestic live stock, particularly goats.

• The clearing of natural vegetation for the extension of agriculture.

• ncreased extraction of underground water for irrigation.