Witzands Aquifer Conservation Area

Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

Map of Western Cape

Location Cape Town, South Africa
Coordinates 33°37′58″S 18°25′27″E / 33.6329°S 18.4242°E / -33.6329; 18.4242Coordinates: 33°37′58″S 18°25′27″E / 33.6329°S 18.4242°E / -33.6329; 18.4242
Area 3,000 ha (7,400 acres)

Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) protected natural area in Cape Town, South Africa, 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 Fynbos 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, the caracal, the steenbok, the Cape grysbok and a variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.[1]

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.[2][3]

This area serves as a gathering place for the local 4x4 community.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Flora of the Western Cape".
  2. ↑ "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept".
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