UWC nature reserve marks growth in fauna, flora

The number of documented biodiversity species at the UWC Cape Flats Nature Reserve grew by over 200 species in two years, the university says.

The species grew from 558 in October 2022 to 769 in October last year, the university said in a statement.

“This growth highlights the reserve’s critical role in conserving vulnerable and threatened species while fostering a thriving ecosystem within an urban environment,” the statement said.

The latest 2024 biodiversity survey of the reserve revealed an increase across multiple species categories.

The current species count includes: 130 birds; 270 flora; 62 fungi, lichens, mosses and liverworts; 246 insects and arachnids; 27 mammals; and 34 reptiles and amphibians.

Among these, 14 plant species remain under threat as per the data of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which estimates that one in four plant species in the country is of conservation concern.

Rapid urbanisation, habitat destruction, and the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides continue to endanger plant and animal life. In urban areas, rodenticides pose additional threats to non-target wildlife species, the statement said.