Murray Park is once again under the environmental spotlight as a potentially harmful alien plant species of water hyacinth is lurking on the waters of Alexander Dam.
The Advertiser, who noticed the hyacinth when visiting the park recently, asked environmentalists Ron Burrows and Stan Madden to investigate the spread of hyacinth at the park.
This specific water plant is listed by law as a noxious weed in several countries as it is the most widespread and damaging aquatic plant species found in Africa.
According to Madden and Burrows, this water plant species has become a pest in areas such as the Vaal Dam and the Kruger National Park, but it has spread far and wide. East Randers will remember how the plant spread and covered various dams in Benoni and Boksburg a few years ago.
The spread of hyacinth, as with other invasive alien plant species, isn’t easy to manage or easy to reverse and it can have an adverse effect on a region’s biodiversity.
“Hyacinth can cause extensive environmental problems and should be dealt with immediately before it gets out of hand,” says Madden.
Burrows says that although it is winter and the plant is now dormant, as it is on a body of water and in the sun, photosynthesis can still take place, which means the plant can spread over the whole of Alexander Dam within two to three months, threatening the dam’s biodiversity.
Metro spokesman Sam Modiba says the metro is aware of the problem and has deployed a team to sort out the hyacinth before it becomes a problem.
“It is on the work schedule for the team. They are currently working at the Kleinfontein and Brakpan dams.
“Infestation in the four dams in Springs is too big for the team to physically remove it, therefore herbicide will be used to control it, arrest and remove those that are close to the outlet”, said Modiba.
