Month: October 2010

Reports coming in on Friday 15th that the river is flowing rapidly and that the drift is too dangerous to cross. Any news on this?

An expert report commissioned from Jan Vlok of Regalis Environmental Services draws the following key conclusion:

“There can be no doubt that many parts of the affected area are of considerable significance to conservation, on a national and a regional level. Several rare and threatened plant species occur in the vegetation types of the affected area and one of the vegetation types present is per se regarded as threatened on a national scale.

The most sensitive section of the affected area is located along the coastline, as it was recognized as a threatened vegetation type on a national level and as a Critical Biodiversity Area on a regional level. The sensitivity of this area lies in the fact that it is vital to maintain biodiversity pattern and ecological processes and hence to enable the environment to continue its natural function. The extant natural vegetation of these sensitive areas should not be disturbed by the proposed project.”

Have a read of the full report.
Botanical Sensitivity Report

What do you think?

Data for this week shows that the dam is only 31% full. Dam Levels

Limestone Fynbos is an intriguing flora that occurs on our southern coast, wherever there are limestone hills or cliffs. Most of the plants occur in a broad sweep from Gansbaai to the Gouritz River, including pockets at Cape Point and Macassar. This flora can be divided into three natural units, Agulhas Limestone, De Hope Limestone and Canca Limestone. In December 2007 Veld and Flora published an article on the Agulhas Limestone. The Duiwenhoks Conservancy has added a new aspect to the literature available on this rather unknown flora by publishing a book that describes the Limestone Fynbos of the Vermaaklikheid area, near Heildelberg, which falls in the Canca Limestone unit.

Limestone Fynbos is floristically very different from other vegetation. The reason for this is that these plants thrive on a soil type that would be toxic to most fynbos plants, which are normally found on acidic or neutral soils. They grow on limestone soils, which are so alkaline that if you squeeze lemon juice on them they will fizz. It is this alkalinity in the soil that is toxic to most fynbos plants. In a remarkable adaptation to a hostile soil environment, Limestone Fynbos has evolved as a unique flora that shares only a few species in common with sandstone fynbos and sand fynbos. As one would expect from a flora that is confined to such specific soils, many plants are endemic, meaning that they grow only on such soils or even at only one locality.

At first glance, this little-known flora appears as dry woody scrub. On closer inspection a fascinating array of intriguing and sometimes tiny flowers emerge. Over the past ten years, the author Louisa Oberholzer began collecting, describing and photographing the plants in the Vermaaklikheid area. The Duiwenhoks Conservancy provided financial support for the identification of the species and finally for the publication of the book, Limestone Fynbos of the Vermaaklikheid Area. It presents a photographic record and description of 124 species. Of particular interest are the intriguing Fabaceae, or pea-like flowers and the pungent buchus, which belong to the Rutacea or citrus family.

The aim of the publication is to inform the public and particularly landowners about the value of Limestone Fynbos and the importance controlling alien vegetation, which is a major threat to all the fynbos plant communities.

The book is priced at R130.00 available from the Duiwenhoks Conservancy, (info@duiwenhoksconservancy.co.za) and also from the author, (louisa.stanford@gmail.com)

Click here to see the actual weather conditions at Witsands.

Local Witsands Weather

Recieved this notice today:

An information session for Blombos farmers will be held on 13 October 2010 at 18:00 at the Eden Golf Club close to Jongensfontein. It is intended to focus on local commercial farmers who are currently being targeted by Advasol.

The main objectives of this meeting will be as follows:

1. To inform the Blombos farmers/land owners of the process that has been followed with regards to Advasol’s application for an exploration right.
2. To highlight impacts that may be associated with all phases of gas exploration.
3. To inform the farmers of their rights as potentially affected land owners.
4. To devise a strategy with which to oppose this -, renewed or future applications.

The restaurant is up and running and is open for reservations call 028 7132255 and speak to Andy

kind regards

Tjaart Blignaut(owner)