Surveying for plant rescue in Pondoland

We were asked by the company, Simply Eviro JV, to undertake a survey for threatened plant taxa in the proximity of the proposed Msikaba bridge site on the greenfields re-alignment of the N2 highway so that these plants can be rescued as the contractor commences work on the project. It is intended to keep the plants in a nursery for later restablishment. We set off early on Thursday morning and arrived at the location of the proposed site camp at midday.

The grassland was green - evidence of a fairly recent burn. The Engineer's representative and Contractor's Site Agent arrived and showed us the position of the proposed site camp. We walked the area of approximately 8000 square metres and other than the abundant Ngongoni grass (Aristida junciformis subsp. junciformis) there were few other flowering plants of note. It is clear that these grasslands are very degraded, probably due to grazing by cattle, goats and sheep and too-frequent fires.

We took note of the lists of species identified for protection in the Plant Search and Rescue Plan. However, in addition to these species, we identified Red Listed and endemic species encountered along the routes walked.

In the site camp area we found one or two Eriosemopsis subanisophylla, a Vulnerable Pondoland endemic species. There was a good variety of plants in a small wetland, including Utricularia livida and Utricularia prehensilis as well as Genlisea hispidula; however, it is understood that the position of the site camp may be moved to avoid the wetland.

Eriosemopsis subanisophylla

Once we had completed the survey of the site camp area we started on the haul road. Initially this strip - approximately 8m wide - is a greenfield alignment but later it intersects with the main road reserve and follows it from there on to the bridge site at the Msikaba River gorge. The haul road follows a plateau for some distance before dropping down into a valley. 

It was on this plateau where we found the yet-to-be-described Craterostigma species growing on a typical horizontal Msikaba Sandstone rock plate. These plants are definitely candidates for rescue. A little further along we found a similar group outside the planned alignment.

Craterostigma sp. nov growing amongst Eriospermum mackenii

 As we dropped down towards the valley we saw some other plants of interest: the endemic species, Tridactyle bicaudata subsp. rupestris, and Stangeria eriopus.

Tridactyle bicaudata subsp. rupestris

Stangeria eriopus

We proceeded along this alignment for about a further 500m before turning back to ensure we reached our accommodation at Msikaba Drifters before dark. This turned out to be a prudent move as the track down to the tented accommodation was rudimentary at best. The gate into the Drifters property was a fair challenge as there was a significant but uneven step down just inside the gate. After a little shuffling around between tents we found ourselves to be reasonably comfortable and took a quick walk down to the beach. The most spectacular view turned out to be a little later from the deck of the lounge/kitchen area.

Evening sky from the Drifters' lapa

The next morning was overcast and the sunrise sky was rather drab. The light revealed that there were two trees flowering next to the lapa - a Turraea obtusifolia and the endangered endemic Tricalysia africana.

Turraea obtusifolia

Turraea obtusifolia fruit

Tricalysia africana

After breakfast we headed back to the haul road and recommenced with the survey from where we left off the previous day. It was not long before we reached a small stream - the bed of this stream had a good population of the Declining species Prionium serratum (common name "palmiet"), a species recognised by the Pondo people as helping to keep the water in the streams clean.

Prionium serratum

In attempting to cross this stream we headed downstream where we saw some of the local people crossing.  We suddenly realised that we were close to a waterfall so we deviated to have a look, a deviation well worth the effort - a series of cascades with a drop of about 60 metres!

The waterfall just below the stream crossing

We proceeded walking the haul road alignment and stopped where it appeared to cross another stream at a beautiful small waterfall. The rocks near this waterfall are festooned with orchids: Bulbophyllum scaberulum, Rangaeris muscicola and Tridactyle bicaudata subsp. rupestris. We were joined here by representatives of the Engineer, Contractor and Environmental Consultants who were also walking the alignment.

A host of Bulbophyllum scaberulum in flower

After climbing a small rise we could see another and very much larger waterfall in the distance.

A bit further along we encountered some of the Near Threatened endemic Canthium vanwykii growing amongst the rocks. A common species along the alignment closer to the southern approach to the Msikaba Bridge was Pachycarpus asperifolius and scattered through the grassland were several delicate pink Brachystelma rubellum. We also found two Brachycorythis pubescens in flower and noted what appeared to be Brachystelma pygmaeum growing on rock plates.

Pachycarpus asperifolius

Brachystelma rubellum

Brachystelma cf pygmaeum in fruit

Brachycorythis pubescens

This brought us to the edge of the Msikaba gorge at the bridge site and marked the end of the survey for the second day. We were fortunate to be able to drive to the top of the large waterfall shown above and it proved to be every bit as impressive as it appeared from a distance.

Back at Drifters camp we were privileged to get some beautiful evening light on the cliffs in the estuary.

Evening light on the cliffs in the Msikaba estuary

On day three we packed up and headed to the north bank of the Msikaba and drove to the start of the haul road. As this section is close to rural dwellings, the grassland has been transformed to a greater extent than seen on the approach to the southern bridge site, much of this transformation through subsistence agricultural activities.

We walked the staked alignment of the haul road for two kilometers and found no species of conservation concern apart from isolated Eriosemopsis subanisophylla. At the two kilometer mark we reached the edge of a forested patch, parts of which are infested with the invasive alien Solanum chrysostrichum. However, since we did not have extensible equipment for collecting leaf specimens to identify some of the taller trees, this last section to the northern bank of the Msikaba River will have to be done on a follow-up visit.

Participants: Anne S, Bjorn W(SE JV), Gail B-W (SE JV), Graham G, Kate G.