Lower Silvermine River Wetlands
Encyclopedia
Lower Silvermine Wetlands is a nature reserve
on the Cape Peninsula
, in Cape Town
, South Africa
.
This reserve protects a section of Hangklip Sand Fynbos
as well as the indigenous Cape wetlands
of the Silvermine River
. It was rehabilitated due to local flooding problems, and the original indigenous species are being reintroduced, replacing the problematic alien vegetation that is being cleared.
This area is a breeding ground for a great many amphibians, including the endangered Western Leopard Toad
, the Arum Lily Frog, the Cape River Frog
and the Clicking Stream Frog. Other species such as the Cape Platanna unfortunately seem to be locally extinct. There are several small mammal species here too, such as porcupine, otter, grysbock and mongoose. About 50 bird species have been recorded here, though some are no longer seen in the area.
Alien vegetation is still a threat, as is the excessive proliferation of the indigenous Bulrush
(Typha
) which is caused by unnatural quantities of minerals and nutrients being washed into the wetland from urban storm water.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
on the Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
, in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
This reserve protects a section of Hangklip Sand Fynbos
Hangklip Sand Fynbos
Hangklip Sand Fynbos is an endangered vegetation type that occurs in the southern coastal portion of the Western Cape, South Africa.This particular Fynbos ecosystem naturally occurs along the southern coast of the Western Cape, South Africa, between Agulhas and Pringle Bay...
as well as the indigenous Cape wetlands
Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland
Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland is a critically endangered vegetation type of the Western Cape, South Africa.-Environment:This type of riparian vegetation and its accompanying ecosystem is found in the Western Cape, South Africa, on freshwater floodplains, along the lower stretches of rivers and...
of the Silvermine River
Silvermine River
The Silvermine River is an river in Norwalk and New Canaan, Connecticut. It is spanned by the 1899 Perry Avenue Bridge in the Silvermine neighborhood, and by the Silvermine River Bridge that carries the Merritt Parkway. It is a tributary of the Norwalk River which it joins at the north end of...
. It was rehabilitated due to local flooding problems, and the original indigenous species are being reintroduced, replacing the problematic alien vegetation that is being cleared.
This area is a breeding ground for a great many amphibians, including the endangered Western Leopard Toad
Western Leopard Toad
The Western Leopard Toad is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.The species is endemic to the areas of Cape Town and the eastern coastline of the South-western Cape, South Africa...
, the Arum Lily Frog, the Cape River Frog
Cape River Frog
The Cape River Frog is a species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family. It was formerly placed in the Ranidae family...
and the Clicking Stream Frog. Other species such as the Cape Platanna unfortunately seem to be locally extinct. There are several small mammal species here too, such as porcupine, otter, grysbock and mongoose. About 50 bird species have been recorded here, though some are no longer seen in the area.
Alien vegetation is still a threat, as is the excessive proliferation of the indigenous Bulrush
Bulrush
-Wetland plants:* Bolboschoenus, a genus in the sedge family * Cyperus, a genus in the sedge family * Scirpus, a genus in the sedge family * Schoenoplectus, a genus in the sedge family...
(Typha
Typha
Typha is a genus of about eleven species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Typhaceae. The genus has a largely Northern Hemisphere distribution, but is essentially cosmopolitan, being found in a variety of wetland habitats...
) which is caused by unnatural quantities of minerals and nutrients being washed into the wetland from urban storm water.
See also
- Biodiversity of Cape TownBiodiversity of Cape Town- Floristic region :The city of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom . - Vegetation types :...
- List of nature reserves in Cape Town
- Hangklip Sand FynbosHangklip Sand FynbosHangklip Sand Fynbos is an endangered vegetation type that occurs in the southern coastal portion of the Western Cape, South Africa.This particular Fynbos ecosystem naturally occurs along the southern coast of the Western Cape, South Africa, between Agulhas and Pringle Bay...
- Cape Lowland Freshwater WetlandCape Lowland Freshwater WetlandCape Lowland Freshwater Wetland is a critically endangered vegetation type of the Western Cape, South Africa.-Environment:This type of riparian vegetation and its accompanying ecosystem is found in the Western Cape, South Africa, on freshwater floodplains, along the lower stretches of rivers and...