Zandvlei Trust Botany Group 1. Introduction The Fynbos Kingdom has +/- 9000 species of plants. Of these 69% are endemic (occur no where else). There are +/- 2500 plant species on the Cape Peninsula. At Zandvlei there are 400+ species. Classification The Fynbos is generally split into tires from an
altitude aspect and one of the lowest is the Pioneer Asteraceous Strandveld,
which prevails at the Zandvlei Estuary area (a highly impacted area in terms
of urbanization). Biotic interaction This type of fynbos vegetation is not reliant on fire for rejuvenation but relies on biotic interaction. Birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, as well as wind, and to some extent water are responsible for pollination and seed dispersal. Primary aim of the Botany Group They have endevoured to collect a meaningful library of speciemens in order to create an Herbarium at the Zandvlei Nature Reserve, which can be used by both the primary and tertiary learners. They have generated a scientific database of the plants in the Zandvlei Estauary area since 2001. Prof Timm Hoffman and Terry Trinder-Smith at the Bolus Herbarium, UCT Dept of Botany have trained this group to collect with a permit, identify and press plant and flower samples in a scientific manner. The reference material may be used in future scientific work. (The above is an extract from the CD by Steve Davis, - see below.) Activities to date The group have generated a scientific database
with more than 400 species. They have collected samples, verified them against
the reference material, pressed the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and labelled
them. They have many photographs as well.
The work has no end, as plants are seasonal, cyclic and there are a number of areas which have not been covered in all the seasons over a long enough period, to be sure all are found and identified. Official opening updated 09/08/2011 The Official Opening took place on 20th July 2011 with a talk by Professor Timm Hoffman for all interested, followed by a public viewing at the Zandvlei Nature Reserve on 23rd July 2011. The 2 cabinets with the catagorised pressings on display at the Open Day. Pat and Els looking at a sample pressing. The handing over of the cabinets to the
Zandvlei Nature Reserve Management. Species list See the list of species with photos identified and documented to date.
The Botany group working in the road reserve during 2004, doing field research. Reports (Click to read them)
Robin, Pat and Els at Niewoudtville studying the plants there, to be able to understand more about the plants at Zandvlei.
Additional help required.
Contact Robin and Patrica Burnett
Carol Duckitt explaining the herbarium
protocol at Rondeberg Nature Reseve
2. The Plants of Zandvlei was produced by Steve Davis on a CD .
3. Books
Els Dorrat is the author together with
May 2007 - The
group were donated 2 copies of this
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