The use of a botanical importance rating to assess changes in the flora of the Swartkops Estuary over time

Abstract

The Swartkops Estuary has the third largest salt marsh area in South Africa and conservation of this area is essential. Industrial and residential developments since 1939 have encroached into areas that were previously salt marsh and have reduced the botanical status of the Swartkops Estuary. Supratidal salt marsh was estimated to cover an area of approximately 40 ha before any development occurred, however presently only 5 ha remains (a reduction of 88%). The intertidal salt marsh was reduced in cover from 215 ha to 165 ha (a reduction of 23%). The reed and sedge communities and submerged macrophyte, Zostera capensis were affected by natural processes such as floods. This study showed that the supratidal salt marsh has been most affected by development and that which has survived remains vulnerable in terms of loss due to further developments. A means of assessing changes in estuarine flora over time using a botanical importance rating system was tested on the Swartkops Estuary.

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