Nurseries of the environment

Abstract

Estuaries, the places where rivers meet the sea, are among the most productive yet threatened habitats in South Africa. EXAMPLE OF AN ESTUARY: ST LUCIA The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park on the KwaZulu-Natal coast is a United Nations World Heritage Site. Like many tidal estuaries, Greater St Lucia has diverse wildlife reflecting the concentration of diverse ecosystems. Among the animals to be found there are the white-backed and pink-backed pelican, flamingos, fish eagles, and some 530 other bird species. Two sea turtle species use the beaches for laying eggs. It is also home to the largest population of hippopotamus in South African parks. The estuary is the largest in Africa and boasts, among other attractions, the world’s largest forested sand dunes. It is the only park on the continent where you can find hippopotamus, crocodiles and sharks all in the same area. Swamps along the border of the lake, and ‘sponge’ areas are fed by water seeping through the dunes. These provide critical refuge to freshwater life when the lake salinity (salt content) is particularly high.

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