Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
![Floresta/Área Natural Pública: Reserva Natural, Parques Nacionais e Municipais, outros parques e florestas públicas, e, até mesmo áreas privadas que tenham sido preservadas para a conservação. Equilibre sua ênfase em matas naturais com áreas de parque para desencorajar a superutilização de áreas naturais. Floresta/Área Natural Pública](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_73.gif)
![Educação Ambiental: Local ou centro (ao ar livre ou não) onde se realiza educação informal ou formal sobre temas ambientais. Educação Ambiental](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/environmental_education.gif)
![Habitat de Anfíbios: Área que proporciona uma boa observação de sapos, rãs e outras espécies de anfíbios, os quais são indicadores da saúde de um lago ou wetland. Pode incluir qualquer tipo de ecossistema terrestre que abrigue anfíbios. Habitat de Anfíbios](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_84.gif)
![Florestas/Plantas Nativas: Flora que seja natural da região. As espécies nativas requerem menos água e cuidados que as exóticas (importadas) e, normalmente, atraem mais pássaros, abelhas, borboletas e outros polinizadores, ajudando a manter o ciclo da vida em equilíbrio. Pode incluir jardins ou hortos florestais, áreas de permacultura ou agricultura orgânica e centros de informação. Florestas/Plantas Nativas](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_75.gif)
![Wetlands: Pode estar em uma lista oficial de áreas protegidas, uma vez que as wetlands são importantes habitats e de extrema utilidade na limpeza das águas e na proteção contra inundações decorrentes de temporais. Podem ser naturais, reconstruídas ou artificiais. Wetlands](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_64.gif)
![Floradas de Primavera: Arbustos ou árvores naturais ou cultivados que produzem flores são especialmente belos e numerosos nesta área. Floradas de Primavera](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_78.gif)
![Local de Observação de Pássaros e Outras Formas de Vida Selvagem: Lugar para observar animais em seu ambiente natural. As indicações dos locais oficialmente reconhecidos ou conhecidos pelos moradores locais podem ser acompanhadas por orientações para a observação sem causar danos e de detalhes sobre as espécies que podem ser observadas. Pode incluir organizações e centros dedicados à proteção da vida animal. Local de Observação de Pássaros e Outras Formas de Vida Selvagem](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_90.gif)
Visão geral
This 1 750 hectare reserve consists of two vegetation types including the endangered Cape Flats dune strandveld and the critically endangered Atlantis sand fynbos. Generally both these vegetation types are poorly conserved.
Underground is a natural aquifer, from which water is extracted and converted into potable (drinking) water for the surrounding communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella. Atlantis, with a significant residential population and many industries, requires a steady freshwater supply. This is met by the area’s natural coastal aquifer, recharged urban stormwater runoff and treated wastewater. Pond 7, Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve’s largest man-made water body, is a recharge pond managed by the City of Cape Town Atlantis Water Scheme. The scheme works closely with Biodiversity Management staff in the area to protect and enhance the unique biodiversity found here.
The non-vegetated mobile dunes and rocky outcrops are two outstanding features of the nature reserve. The dunes cover an area of approximately 400 hectares (of which approximately 110 hectares are outside the nature reserve boundary). Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is part of the southern core of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, which is unique in terms of its diverse landscape, fauna and flora.
The endangered Cape Flats strandveld is the dominant vegetation that occurs throughout Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. The critically endangered Atlantis sand fynbos occurs towards the eastern side of the area. Plants that are found in the area include dune reed (Thamnochortus spicigerus), Bokbaai vygie (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis), strandroos (Afrilimon peregrinum) and the sand primrose, or duikerwortel (Grielum grandiflorum).
Five different species of restios also occur here, as well as the West Coast-endemic rusty sage (Salvia lanceolata).
In the nature reserve, you can see steenbok, Cape grysbok, small grey mongoose, Cape dune mole rat, caracal, and white-tailed mouse. The common clawed frog (‘platanna’) also occurs here, and if you’re lucky you may spot a snake such as the Cape cobra or boomslang.
The semi-natural wetlands support a variety of more than 50 species of birds, which feed, roost and breed there. Water birds found at the ponds include various ducks and herons, like the white-backed duck. In the strandveld, the small Karoo prinia, southern double-collared sunbird and the long-billed crombec can be found. Along the coast, various gulls, terns and a resident breeding pair of fish eagles can readily be observed. In summer, you may even spot the colourful European bee-eater
ADDRESS: Corner of West Coast Road (R27) and Dassenberg Drive (R307), near Atlantis (GPS coordinates: -33.628425 S, 18.4417116 E)
OPENING HOURS: By prior arrangement only
ENTRANCE FEE: None (By prior arrangement only)
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Minibus taxi
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES: Guided walks are available upon request.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Programmes and presentations available upon, booking essential
Location:
Comments (1)
Connections
- CardiffUnited Kingdom
-
- Stony PointUnited States
- londonCanada
-
- United Kingdom
- JerusalemIsrael
- FlorianópolisBrazil
- United States
- taoyuan countyTaiwan
- Curitiba - PRBrazil
- PereiraColombia
- CaliColombia
-
- shanghaiChina
- DrydenUnited States
- United States
- Romania
-
- Alva
-
- BrecksvilleUnited States
- United States
-
- Canada
Multimedia
Impacts
No impacts have been left for this site yet - be the first!