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MANGALED & UPROOTED PREFACE In the heart of the Port of Durban lies a pocket of mangrove trees, once the largest mangrove swamp in the province; now completely surrounded by industrial development. TNPA, custodians of the Bayhead mangroves, team up with local environmental and community groups to raise awareness on the importance of the self-sustainable estuarine mangal.
Bayhead Natural Heritage The
Bayhead
Natural
Heritage
Site
protected since 1995 is a 20-hectare open estuary nature reserve, which inhabits the mangroves and coastal grassland within the harbour. Only a few-hundred plant species can be found in most mangrove forests around the world (the rain forest has thousands). Three species of mangrove can be found within the reserve namely the red, black and white 1.
Bayhead Natural Heritage Site
mangroves. Although they are themselves
2.
Kingfisher
few in species, the ecosystem these trees create provide a home for a variety of other organisms. A moderate number of Palaearctic shorebirds can be seen in summer and the Mangrove Kingfisher is sighted during winter. The regenerating big claw fiddler crab can be seen on the intertidal mudflats.
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Mangroves an intelligent species
in mangroves is important in coastal food
Not many plant species can make it in the
webs.
mangal. Each mangal presents a unique set of environment challenges and the mix of
Protecting our way of life
species is partly determined by the toler-
Global warming has presented real threats
ance of individual species to the physical
of climate change. High rising sea levels
conditions. To be accepted in their intertidal
and changing weather patterns will bring
habitat mangroves have to overcome prob-
foreign natural phenomenon (hurricanes and
lems of extreme salinity levels, low concen-
tsunamis) to previously tranquil shorelines.
trations of dissolved oxygen in the high salt water and floods.
Mangrove swamps are effective protectors of coastal areas from erosion, and
The mangrove response to high salt is
serve as a first line of defence against
suberin - a wax substance on the root, which
storm surges and tsunamis. The mangroves’
is highly impermeable to exclude salt from
massive root systems are efficient at dis-
the rest of plant. The scarcity of fresh water
sipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow
available in salty intertidal soils calls for an
down tidal water to help prevent erosion by
intelligent solution of limiting the amount
stabilizing sediments with their tangled root
of water the mangroves lose through their
systems as the tide comes in, leaving all
leaves. High tide brings in salt water that
except fine particles when the tide ebbs.
is low in oxygen and rich in bacteria. The
Commercial interests have seen half of
bacteria liberate phosphate, sulphides and
the world’s mangroves disappear over the
methane chemicals, which make the soil less
last several decades. The irony is that this
nutritious and harmful to plants and fish.
coastal biome, threatened by commerce,
The Red mangroves’ stilted roots prop
host commercially important fish and
the trees above water level and the lenticels
crustaceans while supplying food and medi-
found on the bark allow them to breathe and
cine through their bark, leaves and fruits.
absorb carbon dioxide directly from the air (rather than from the soil) and other nutrients such as iron, from the inhospitable soil. Black mangroves can be found on higher ground and make many straw-like root structures, which stick up out of the soil, also covered in lenticels. The carbon fixed
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1.
The mesh oxygen producing structure of mangroves offers a quiet marine region for young organisms. The permanently submerged areas of the root host algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and moss animals which require a hard surface for an anchored filter feed surface created by the sediments caught by the mesh.
2.
Shrimps and mud crustaceans such as the fiddler crab use the muddy bottoms of the mangrove swamps as their home.
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C CITY Edit , The mangroves of the Durban Harbour
Useful links: WESSA KZN TNPA balances profit and sustainability
organisation Wildlife
Transnet’s important role in investing in
Society of SA (WESSA) KZN, conservation
a booming economy through an efficient
group
freight transport infrastructure has seen
biodiversity research organisation South
the Port of Durban develop over the
African
decades to respond to South Africa’s
(SANBI), to assist with a special re-launch
demand for commodity exchanges.
event, which took place on Monday 19
Ezemvelo National
and
KZN
Environment Wildlife
Biodiversity
and
Institute
The Transnet Market Demand Strategy
March 2012. The event was attended by
(MDS) aims to continue this needed devel-
around 50 guests including 12th grade life
opment that will minimise congested con-
science students from The Durban Academy
tainer traffic outside the port and enable
and Sithengile Secondary.
service to new age giant vessels.
The programme aims to bring awareness
The importance of Transnet’s business
to the endangered mangrove ecosystem and
does not shadow their responsibility to the
educate on the importance of coastal biodi-
environment they depend on to operate.
versity conservation efforts.
A midst various social and environmental
wessa.org.za Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife www.kznwildlife.com SANBI www.sanbi.org Other mangrove heritage sites in KZN: Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve Size: 76-hectare Managing Agency: Ezemvulo KZN Facilities: Guided and self guided trails; Picnic areas; Braai facility; Environmental Education Centre; Educational group tours Opening Hours: By appointment only Dogs: Not allowed Location: Durban North
partnership programmes is the Port of
The heritage site is located on Breede Road
Durban’s Bayhead natural heritage site. The
at the Langeberg Road entrance to the
For more information on the Bayhead Natural
site is home to the endangered mangroves
Durban harbour. Other facilities include bird
Heritage Site contact Miriam Hafajee, Transnet’s
and has a well-appointed educational
hide, and a raised boardwalk through the
Environmental Manager at Miriam.Hafajee@
centre, which unfortunately has been
mangroves.
transnet.net or on +27(0)31 361 8715.
very under-utilised. In response, Transnet approached non-government environment
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PORT CITY GUIDE MANGROVE COAST PREFACE After your visit at the Port of Durban or from you experience at Bayhead Natural Heritage Site learning about the mangroves you will want to serve your appetite with what the City of Durban has on offer.
Eat & Drink near Bayhead
Stay near Bayhead
Wilson’s Wharf John Dory’s
Hilton Durban
14 Boatman’s Road, Unit 21,
12-14 Walnut Road, Durban 4001
Wilson’s Wharf, 4001
+27(0)31 336 8100
+27(0)31 304 7669
www3.hilton.com
www.johndorys.co.za
Travel time from Bayhead: 20mins
Travel time from Bayhead: 15mins Known for: Family seafood & grills while
Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel
overlooking Durban harbour
63 Snell Parade, Durban 4000 +27(0)31 362 1300
Roma Revolving Restaurant
www.tsogosunhotels.com
Victoria Embankment, Durban 4001
Travel time from Bayhead: 23mins
+27(0)31 337 6707 www.roma.co.za Travel time from Bayhead: 16mins Known for: Excellent views of City of Durban and traditional Italian cuisine Capscium Restaurant - Britannia Hotel 1299 Umgeni Road, Durban, 4001 +27(0)31 303 2266 www.roma.co.za Travel time from Bayhead: 18mins Known for: Rich seafood curries and famous
Sea creatures near Bayhead
the Durban bunny chow
History near Bayhead Port Natal Maritime Museum Victoria Embankment, Durban 4001
uShaka Marine World
Visiting hours:
1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban 4001
08:30 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday
+27(0)31 328 8000
11:00 to 16:00 Sundays and Public Holidays
www.ushakamarineworld.co.za
Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day
Travel time from Bayhead: 21mins
Travel time from Bayhead: 15mins
Theme Park Sections: uShaka Sea World (conservation), uShaka Wet ‘n Wild (water park), uShaka Beach (access from amusement park), and uShaka Village Walk (African village designed market place)
City of Durban +27 (0)31 304 4934 | www.durban.gov.za KZN Tourism Authority +27 (0)31 451 6666 | www.zulu.org.za
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