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Obituary notice


Protea Atlas LogoLargest known colony of Ld levisanus Cape Flats Conebush desecrated at Milnerton Racecourse.

To all protea lovers out there, it is with a sense of personal bereavement that I report the very recent loss of several hundred endangered Ld levisanus plants killed in the course of "development".

For those who are unfamiliar with this curious species of tolbos, Ld levi is deemed to be "Endangered" by the Red Data Book for the Fynbos and Karoo Biomes. In 1985 the major strongholds remaining for this species were the N1-N7 traffic island complex and the Six BOD Natural Heritage Site (numbering a few hundred plants). A recently completed detailed survey of conservation priorities on the Cape Flats highlighted further populations at: Kenilworth Racecourse (+30 plants); Plattekloof Natural Heritage Site - beneath the Escom power lines (+26 plants), with some scattered plants extending northwards along the N7 and its turnoffs (? plants). The Simonstown Hackgroup (c/o Mr Pinker) know of +20 plants within Fish Hoek suburbia. Many attempts have been made by conservationists and local landowners to protect these colonies.

In view of the small size of these colonies, you can imagine the excitement of discovering a very extensive population within the Milnerton Race Course tracks in 1988 (See Pan 1:?). At Milnerton Ld levi appears fully within its element! A whole stand comprising thousands of plants "rubbed shoulders" within a few hectares, virtually as a closed canopy. A marginalist by nature, Ld levi appears to thrive in seasonally damp, slightly brackish sites, which border onto other vegetation types (either standveld or Renosterveld).

I immediately wrote to the race course management informing them of the critical importance of their 37 ha of natural vegetation as representing a critical refuge for endangered plants (of which Ld levi was but one) and as a now rare natural system in itself. I was informed that the mangement had the well-being of the fynbos at heart and would "let me know" of any developments likely to influence its future.

Earlier this year a colleague, after an aerial flight over Cape Town, told me of massive earthworks within the tracks. On visiting the race course I noticed that two - three ha in the cente of the Ld levi colony had "disappeared" through the excavation of a "drainage dam" aimed at keeping the tracks from flooding during winter. About R350 000 of koffieklip, loaded during the process, was used to defray the R500 000 track already constructed. Only time will tell if the earthworks will keep the tracks dry.

What is particularly vexing about the affair is that, in spite of prior knowledge, no attempt was made by management to incorporate any environmental input into the planning. This would have achieved a working compromise between conservation and development. For example, at the very least seeds of the Red Data Book plant species could have been collected. Negiotiations are now on track: the Wildlife Society is promoting a conservation mangement plan for the remainder of this very special natural remnant: the only significant area of fynbos remaining in Milnerton.

I will keep Protea atlassers informed of any future breakthoughs concerning conservation negotiations. In the meanwhile, if you are interested, you can see the area at first hand: Just ask management on site for permission to visit - but only during office hours on non-racing days.
Clive McDowell, Botany Dept, UCT

And we will keep Clive informed of any new colonies atlassers may discover. The Protea Atlas Project will greatly benefit from atlassers surveying the above colonies and looking for additional ones within greater Cape Town and its suburbs. Eds


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