Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is a protected natural area in Cape Town
, located on the city’s northern outskirts. This reserve protects an important part of Cape Town’s natural and cultural heritage, including the Atlantis Aquifer.
vegetation type, as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
. Both vegetation types are endangered. The local landscape consists of sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and outcrops, as well as mobile dunes. Among the many animals that can be found in this reserve is the globally threatened Black Harrier
(Circus maurus), the Caracal
, the Steenbok
, the Cape Grysbok and a variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
This area serves as a gathering place for the local 4x4 community.
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...
, located on the city’s northern outskirts. This reserve protects an important part of Cape Town’s natural and cultural heritage, including the Atlantis Aquifer.
Biodiversity
The conservation area consists of two priority nature sites, the Silwerstroomstrand Conservation Area and the Atlantis Dunefields. They protect a patch of Atlantis Sand FynbosAtlantis Sand Fynbos
Atlantis Sand Fynbos is a critically endangered Fynbos vegetation type that occurs to the north of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa.It is listed as critically endangered as it is home to a great many threatened Red List species.-See also:...
vegetation type, as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
Cape Flats Dune Strandveld is an endangered vegetation type. This is a unique type of Cape Strandveld that is endemic to the coastal areas in Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. -Habitat:Strandveld means “beach scrub” in the Afrikaans language...
. Both vegetation types are endangered. The local landscape consists of sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and outcrops, as well as mobile dunes. Among the many animals that can be found in this reserve is the globally threatened Black Harrier
Black Harrier
The Black Harrier, Circus maurus, is a medium-sized African harrier of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.When perched, this bird appears all black. However, in flight a white rump and flight feathers become visible. Its morphology is comparable to that of other harriers, with a slim body, narrow...
(Circus maurus), the Caracal
Caracal
The caracal is a fiercely territorial medium-sized cat ranging over Western Asia, South Asia and Africa.The word caracal comes from the Turkish word "karakulak", meaning "black ear". In North India and Pakistan, the caracal is locally known as syahgosh or shyahgosh, which is a Persian term...
, the Steenbok
Steenbok
The Steenbok, Raphicerus campestris, is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa. It is sometimes known as the Steinbuck or Steinbok.- Description :...
, the Cape Grysbok and a variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Recreation
The conservation area is host to various recreational activities, including sand-boarding, camping and whale watching, and the reserve is also used for film shoots, quad biking and picnics.This area serves as a gathering place for the local 4x4 community.
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
- Atlantis Sand FynbosAtlantis Sand FynbosAtlantis Sand Fynbos is a critically endangered Fynbos vegetation type that occurs to the north of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa.It is listed as critically endangered as it is home to a great many threatened Red List species.-See also:...
- Cape Flats Dune StrandveldCape Flats Dune StrandveldCape Flats Dune Strandveld is an endangered vegetation type. This is a unique type of Cape Strandveld that is endemic to the coastal areas in Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. -Habitat:Strandveld means “beach scrub” in the Afrikaans language...