Fernkloof Nature Reserve - Alien vegetation.

Several mainly Australian plant species were introduced to the Western Cape in the first half of this century to help stabilise dunes in coastal areas and to provide a source of wood fuel. Unfortunately these species are spreading prolifically and now pose a serious threat to the local indigenous fynbos vegetation. The principal alien invasives are wattles, eucalypts and hakeas from Australia and pines from the Mediterranean Basin and California. These areas all have a climate very similar to parts of the Cape Floristic Region.

Acacia cyclops (rooikrans) forms dense thickets on the alkaline coastal sands as well as on sandy patches in the limestone landscape.
Acacia saligna (Port jackson willow) and A. longifolia (long-leaved wattle) are the main invaders of acid sands. Fortunately biological control agents are halting the spread of these two species.
Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) is a rampant invader of strearnside habitats where it alters the hydrology and ecology of river systems.
In the past decade Leptospermum laevigatum (myrtle) has spread rapidly over large areas of the Southern Overberg and may soon become the major invasive threat. However, biological control agents have recently been introduced to counter its advance.

Experts also believe that the aliens, which are larger and more tree-like than the indigenous fynbos, are reducing fresh water runoff from mountain catchment areas by up to 50%. Dense stands of the alien trees also pose a fire hazard. Voluntary hack groups are working on the mountains above Hermanus to help fight back the invaders.

MOSSEL RIVER REHABILITATION PROJECT

One of the most successful hack stories in recent years started in 1998 with a dedicated group of hackers under the auspices of the Hermanus Botanical Society singlemindedly setting out to eradicate aliens clogging the Mossel River area.

Residents in the area joined with hardcore hackers, municipality staff and alien control teams. Funds were raised to employ workers for heavy cutting and backup work. Gradually the river began to run free once more ; the blue fonteinbos , pink pelargoniums and gold aspalathus blossomed in profusion as the mass of wattle, sesbania, gum and port jackson was killed off. Work still continues in the area five years later. Some of the momentum has shifted to the Flat Street wetland area and also to the Cliff Path where section leaders of the Cliff Path Management Group together with Coastcare are battling kikuyu and garden escapees.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN A HACK GROUP PLEASE PHONE:

Bob: 028 312 1463

Regular hack meets are held a.m. on the third Tuesday of the month.

Below are photos taken before and after the cleansing of the Mossel River area, and some of the hardworking hackers.

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Alien vegetation in Fernkloof.

MOSSEL RIVER REHABILITATION PROJECT