Residents tackle Virginia Bush reserve’s clogged ponds
Water lettuce has clogged several ponds at the 38 hectare reserve.
A HANDFUL of residents tackled a clean-up of one of the ponds in the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve on Saturday. The 38 hectare reserve is home to several ponds which in recent times has been affected by water lettuce or Pistia stratiotes (Araceae). The floating plant commonly forms large infestations which negatively impact the native environment as well as the fish and turtles.
James Becker, a local resident, and his wife, Mariet Becker, along with four other friends tackled the clean up using a rubber hose and a rake with a string attached to it.
“We often walk our dogs in the reserve and we’ve noticed the build-up over the last few months. The ponds are home to turtles, crabs, fish and a rare species of tilapia using the bonds. The lettuce forms dense carpets of vegetation on the water surface, blocking sunlight from reaching submerged plants and reducing the oxygen exchange at the water’s surface.
You may be interested in: Virginia Airport development bid rejected
“It would also negatively impact on the fish in the pond who won’t survive if this is left alone. We’ve decided to try and do this on a monthly basis. We tackled one pond in the clean-up and hope to get to the others around the reserve,” he said.
The floating plant also provides a breeding place for mosquitoes and bilharzia-carrying snails.
There is another clean-up scheduled for this Saturday. “If the community are keen to assist, they’re welcome to come and go throughout the day as it will be an all day affair. All they need is a rake and drinking water,” Becker said.
Contact 082 444 1574 (Mariet) to join in.
Do you want to receive news alerts for the Durban North and uMhlanga areas via WhatsApp from Northglen News? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (only) to 060 532 5532.
For more news follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follows us Instagram.
