Protected natural area in Cape Town, South Africa
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) protected natural area in Cape Town, South Africa, located on the city's northern outskirts. This reserve protects an important part of Cape Town's natural and cultural heritage, including the Atlantis Aquifer. It is adjacent to the Koeberg Nature Reserve.
Biodiversity
The conservation area consists of two priority nature sites, the Silwerstroomstrand Conservation Area and the Atlantis Dunefields. They protect a patch of Atlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type, as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld. Both vegetation types are endangered. The local landscape consists of sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and outcrops, as well as mobile dunes. Among the many animals that can be found in this reserve is the globally threatened black harrier, the caracal, the steenbok, the Cape grysbok and a variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.[1][2]
Vegetation
The endemic and vulnerable Leucospermum parile is found in the Atlantis Sand Fynbos region. And the critically endangered Erica margaritacea is also found here.[3]
Mammals
There are possible 83 species of mammal that occur in the reserve, with 16 endemic to South Africa. The endangered white-tailed rat is found here.[4]
Recreation
The conservation area is host to various recreational activities, including sand-boarding, camping and whale watching, and the reserve is also used for film shoots, quad biking and picnics.[5][6]
