Macassar Dunes Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Macassar Dunes Conservation Area is a coastal nature reserve
in Cape Town
, South Africa
.
” vegetation with its dense evergreen thickets, flowers, shrubs and trees. The last remaining forest
of the endangered White Milkwood tree
(Sideroxylon inerme
) on the Cape Flats is found on this reserve, and it is also home to the largest and highest dune system on the Cape Peninsula
. Many of the 178 plant species that can be found here burst into flower in spring time, covering the dunes with colour. Animal species found here include buck, tortoises, porcupine, hares, mongoose and a variety of bird species.
community in South Africa
was founded here by Sheikh Yusuf
of Indonesia
, who named the area after his home in Indonesia – the original Khoi name for the area was not recorded. The shrine (or “kramat”) of Sheikh Yusuf is located on a hill on the eastern edge of the reserve and is still a site of worship and pilgrimage.
(“Rooikrans”), sand-mining and the rapid spread of informal settlements which is threatening to engulf the nature reserve. Shacks built on the dunes destroy the vegetation that is holding the sands in place. Consequently masses of mobile wind-swept sand become a problem.
Areas that are infested with Acacia Cyclops
also burn much more easily, frequently and fiercely. These too-frequent fires reduce the ability of the indigenous vegetation to regenerate and are also a danger to the people of the neighbouring informal settlements.
However, community involvement in the management of the reserve is increasing. It is used by local people for hiking, whale watching, environmental education, school excursions and fishing. In addition, traditional healers gather plants and animals from the reserve to use in traditional medicine. The reserve also provides shelter for the communities from the strong winds and sand from the coast, as well as being a protection from storm damage and a source of fresh water.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Biodiversity
This conservation area conserves the unique local “Cape Flats Dune StrandveldCape Flats Dune Strandveld
Cape Flats Dune Strandveld is an endangered vegetation type. This is a unique type of Cape Strandveld that is endemic to the coastal areas in Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. -Habitat:Strandveld means “beach scrub” in the Afrikaans language...
” vegetation with its dense evergreen thickets, flowers, shrubs and trees. The last remaining forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
of the endangered White Milkwood tree
Sideroxylon inerme
Sideroxylon inerme is a Southern African coastal tree, with dense foliage, black berries and small, dainty white flowers. The tree's formal name means "Iron-wood" in Greek, referring to its very hard timber....
(Sideroxylon inerme
Sideroxylon inerme
Sideroxylon inerme is a Southern African coastal tree, with dense foliage, black berries and small, dainty white flowers. The tree's formal name means "Iron-wood" in Greek, referring to its very hard timber....
) on the Cape Flats is found on this reserve, and it is also home to the largest and highest dune system on the Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
. Many of the 178 plant species that can be found here burst into flower in spring time, covering the dunes with colour. Animal species found here include buck, tortoises, porcupine, hares, mongoose and a variety of bird species.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Khoi-khoi people who had lived at the Cape for centuries. In the 1600s under colonial rule, the first MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
was founded here by Sheikh Yusuf
Sheikh Yusuf
Abadin Tadia Tjoessoep , more commonly known as Sheikh Yusuf, was an Indonesian muslim of noble descent. In 1693 he was exiled to the Cape of Good Hope which resulted in his establishing Islam in the Cape.-Early and middle life :...
of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, who named the area after his home in Indonesia – the original Khoi name for the area was not recorded. The shrine (or “kramat”) of Sheikh Yusuf is located on a hill on the eastern edge of the reserve and is still a site of worship and pilgrimage.
Threats and Conservation
Unfortunately the local ecosystem is classified as endangered and what is left of it is under threat from alien invasive plants like Acacia CyclopsAcacia cyclops
Acacia cyclops, commonly known as red-eyed wattle or western coastal wattle, is a coastal shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae...
(“Rooikrans”), sand-mining and the rapid spread of informal settlements which is threatening to engulf the nature reserve. Shacks built on the dunes destroy the vegetation that is holding the sands in place. Consequently masses of mobile wind-swept sand become a problem.
Areas that are infested with Acacia Cyclops
Acacia cyclops
Acacia cyclops, commonly known as red-eyed wattle or western coastal wattle, is a coastal shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae...
also burn much more easily, frequently and fiercely. These too-frequent fires reduce the ability of the indigenous vegetation to regenerate and are also a danger to the people of the neighbouring informal settlements.
However, community involvement in the management of the reserve is increasing. It is used by local people for hiking, whale watching, environmental education, school excursions and fishing. In addition, traditional healers gather plants and animals from the reserve to use in traditional medicine. The reserve also provides shelter for the communities from the strong winds and sand from the coast, as well as being a protection from storm damage and a source of fresh water.
See also
- Biodiversity of Cape TownBiodiversity of Cape Town- Floristic region :The city of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom . - Vegetation types :...
- List of nature reserves in Cape Town
- Cape Flats Dune StrandveldCape Flats Dune StrandveldCape Flats Dune Strandveld is an endangered vegetation type. This is a unique type of Cape Strandveld that is endemic to the coastal areas in Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. -Habitat:Strandveld means “beach scrub” in the Afrikaans language...