By Bridget Johnsen | Project Leader
Due to the unseasonal fire over New Year 2024, much of the Paardeberg Fynbos had not yet deposited its seed for the botanical calendar year. Seeds were not yet mature, with many too immature to germinate, but mice and insects had also not yet been prompted to carry these seeds underground for winter ( one of the autumnal seed dispersal methods of this ecosystem).The intense fire meant that many immature offspring of rodents (and the adult rodents themselves) may have succumbed to the heat and smoke anyway.The strong winds thereafter in January, February and March, blew many seeds away before the winter rains could stimulate their germination. Those that weren't blown away also waited until the very late rains arrived only in July, then only to be washed away in the flood.
So it was inevitable that the alien "Port Jackson" Acacia spp emerged as dense plantations on many bare soil patches of the Paardeberg, once Spring came around. This was at its worst in the riparian areas. It is notable that recent research has demonstrated that for every ha of alien vegetation in riparian areas of mountains, water supply for agriculture is reduced by 10ha.There was absolutely no young Fynbos to out-compete the young emerging aliens. The absence of any natural mature Fynbos to utilise the abundant groundwater on the mountain, and poor Fynbos seed germination, meant limited young plants emerged to absorb the ongoing rain. Fountains arose all over the place,and streams appeared where never seen before.
Thankfully, your generous donations have enabled us to mitigate the reduction in water supply to farms due to alien vegetation infestation!! Our trusted JAH Alien Clearing Team were immediately called upon to take on the task of handpulling the young Port Jackson trees. See various pictures below. Initially we used just garden forks to assist with this task, but in the follow-up period, we have been using purpose-made "tree-poppers".... see the relevant link below. It is particularly important that the whole root of the plant is removed, and these are tough task-masters. Nonentheless, the job was well-executed (as photo's below demonstrate). We have had to follow up once so far, but the density has been manageable.
To date we have spent in excess of R85 000 on this task.... a welcome income too for the out-of-work team so reliant on our requests for their services. They have asked me many times to thank you on their behalf too for the jobs your donations provide! The income makes the difference of a daily meal for themselves and their families, for every month we can keep them in work. Our appreciation to you as donors is therefore sincere,ongoing and heartfelt. Thank you once again.
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By Bridget Johnsen | Project Leader
By Bridget Andrea Johnsen | Project Leader
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