Virginia pond project reaps rewards
The 38 hectare reserve which is home to several ponds has in recent times been affected by water lettuce or Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) and more especially, Kariba weed (salvinia molesta).
WHEN a handful of residents tackled a clean-up of the ponds in the lower half of the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve in December last year, they had no idea about the difference they would make to the environment and the ponds themselves. The 38 hectare reserve which is home to several ponds has in recent times been affected by water lettuce or Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) and more especially, Kariba weed (salvinia molesta).
The free-floating fern form dense mats and completely cover a water surface. According to Mariet Becker, the invasive weed clogs waterways at the reserve, reducing waterflow and reducing oxygen levels threatening indigenous aquatic plants and animal life.
“This all started in December last year. My husband, James and I often walk our dogs in the reserve and we’d noticed the build-up of the weed in the ponds. The ponds are home to turtles, crabs, fish and a rare species of tilapia. The weed 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. After eight months of weekly clean-ups we’ve managed to completely clear the weed from the ponds in the reserve. I thought we could make a difference but I certainly didn’t expect the results we’ve managed to achieve. If it wasn’t for the sponsors and our volunteers we would not have been able to achieve what we have,” she said.
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The efforts of the Beckers and a group of dedicated volunteers has also been welcomed by the City’s Parks departments. The lower half of the reserve has now been declared a conservancy. The City said the coastal lowland pond projects are a valuable remnant of coastal bush and extreme care is being taken to minimise the pressure of public usage on it.
One of the reasons the volunteers have made more of an impact in recent months is the fact that winter slows the growth of the Kariba weed. Becker said she fears the coming summer months as the invasive species thrives in the heat.
“We would love to see more people join our clean-ups and annihilate the weed before we hit the summer months. I urge residents who are interested to help us in our ‘pond’servation project as I like to call it,” Becker said.
Contact 082 444 1574 (Mariet) to join in.
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