AGULHAS NATIONAL PARK STATE OF KNOWLEDGE Contributors: T. Kraaij, N. Hanekom, I.A. Russell, R.M. Randall SANParks Scientific Services, Garden Route (Rondevlei Office), PO Box 176, Sedgefield, 6573 Last updated: 16 January 2008 Disclaimer This report has been produced by SANParks to summarise information available on a specific conservation area. Production of the report, in either hard copy or electronic format, does not signify that: . the referenced information necessarily reflect the views and policies of SANParks; . the referenced information is either correct or accurate; . SANParks retains copies of the referenced documents; . SANParks will provide second parties with copies of the referenced documents. This standpoint has the premise that (i) reproduction of copywrited material is illegal, (ii) copying of unpublished reports and data produced by an external scientist without the author’s permission is unethical, and (iii) dissemination of unreviewed data or draft documentation is potentially misleading and hence illogical. This report should be cited as: Kraaij T, Hanekom N, Russell IA & Randall RM. 2009. Agulhas National Park – State of Knowledge. South African National Parks. TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTE: TEXT IN SMALL CAPS PERTAINS TO THE MARINE COMPONENT OF THE AGULHAS AREA Abbreviations used 3 Abbreviations used............................................................................................................4 1. ACCOUNT OF AREA...................................................................................................4 1.1 Location ...................................................................................................................4 1.2 Proclamation & Size................................................................................................4 1.3 Boundaries ..............................................................................................................5 1.4 Controlling Authority ..............................................................................................5 1.5 Legislation ...............................................................................................................5 1.7 Infrastructure...........................................................................................................5 2. ABIOTIC CHARACTERISTICS....................................................................................6 2.1 Geology....................................................................................................................6 2.1.1 Geology..............................................................................................................6 2.1.2 Soils / Sediments ...............................................................................................6 2.2 Physiography ..........................................................................................................7 2.2.1 Topography........................................................................................................7 2.2.2 Drainage ............................................................................................................7 2.2.3 Bathymetry.........................................................................................................8 2.3 Physics.....................................................................................................................8 2.3.1 Climate...............................................................................................................8 2.3.2 Hydrology (flow / flooding / mixing) ....................................................................8 2.3.3 Oceanography (wave regime / estuary mouth dynamics) ..................................9 2.4 Chemistry.................................................................................................................9 2.4.1 Water chemistry.................................................................................................9 2.4.2 Pollution .............................................................................................................9 2.4.3 General chemistry............................................................................................10 3. BIOTIC CHARACTERISTICS ....................................................................................10 3.1 Flora .......................................................................................................................10 3.1.1 Phytoplankton / diatoms...................................................................................10 3.1.2 Algae................................................................................................................10 3.1.3/4 Aquatic & Semi-aquatic....................................................................................10 3.1.5 Terrestrial.........................................................................................................10 3.2 Fauna......................................................................................................................13 3.2.1 Zooplankton .....................................................................................................13 3.2.2 Aquatic invertebrates .......................................................................................13 3.2.3 Terrestrial invertebrates ...................................................................................13 3.2.4 Fish ..................................................................................................................13 3.2.5 Amphibians ......................................................................................................13 3.2.6 Reptiles............................................................................................................13 3.2.7 Birds.................................................................................................................14 3.2.8 Mammals .........................................................................................................14 4. HISTORY....................................................................................................................15 4.1 Archaeology ..........................................................................................................15 4.2 Palaeontology........................................................................................................15 4.3 Historical aspects..................................................................................................16 2 5. MANAGEMENT..........................................................................................................17 5.1 Management of vegetation ...................................................................................17 5.1.1 Burning.............................................................................................................17 5.1.2 Stocking rates ..................................................................................................17 5.1.3 Alien plant control ............................................................................................17 5.1.4 Rare Plants ......................................................................................................19 5.1.5 Vegetation Monitoring ......................................................................................19 5.2 Management of animals........................................................................................19 5.2.1 Introductions / Translocations ..........................................................................19 5.2.2 Culling..............................................................................................................19 5.2.3 Alien animal control..........................................................................................19 5.2.4 Rare / Threatened animals...............................................................................19 5.3 Resource utilization ..............................................................................................20 5.3.1 Water supply / abstraction................................................................................20 5.3.2 Plant harvesting ...............................................................................................20 5.3.3 Invertebrate collecting......................................................................................21 5.3.4 Fishing .............................................................................................................21 5.3.5 Vertebrate harvesting.......................................................................................22 5.4 Pathogens and diseases ......................................................................................22 5.4.1 Virology............................................................................................................22 5.4.2 Bacteriology .....................................................................................................22 5.4.3 Parasitology .....................................................................................................22 5.5 Environmental modification .................................................................................22 5.6 Zonation .................................................................................................................23 5.7 Park expansion/Conservation planning ..............................................................23 5.8 Social