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Afrikaanse Inligting
Proteas in Literature: Southern African Game & Nature Reserves
Chris and Tilde Stuart's Guide to Southern African Game & Nature Reserves
(Struik, 1989) is a worthwhile companion for atlassers to use in planning their
atlassing. Why? Well, the starting point for planning any conservation programme
is to know what is conserved. Alas, we do not even know that (with the exception
of big mammals, of course!). Thus bird and protea atlassers could contribute
immeasurably to conservation, if they merely recorded the species which occur in
our many reserves. It is in the nature reserves and our own suburban
neighbourhoods that the key localities for current and future conservation can
best be covered by atlassers.
I have a few comments regarding the Proteaceae in this book:
p 15: No mention of Proteas for the Barberton Nature Reserve (#4)? Why else was the reserve established? I trust that the famous proteas are included in the conserved area?
p 64: "(Suikerbos) from which the [Suikerbosrand (#64) Nature] reserve takes its name, is a common sight".
We are not told which Sugarbush it is. Sugarbush and Suikerbos are generic terms equivalent to Protea, and do not refer to any particular species. Which species (other than Protea caffra caffra Highveld protea) occur in the reserve?
p 192: The Suurberg Pincushion is one of "several rare plant species" which grow in the Suurberg National Park (#208). Unfortunately, no scientific name has been given, and I am at a loss as to which species it might be. According to data at my disposal, only Leucospermum cuneiforme, the Wart-stemmed cylindric-pincushion occurs in the Suurberg. This species occurs from near Greyton, in the Riviersonderend Mountains, to the Qolora golf course, north of the Kei River Mouth, so it can hardly be considered rare. The most widespread of the Pincushions, it is, naturally, a resprouter.
p 209: "as well as the endangered Leucospermum glabrum in De Vasselot" (#231).
The Outeniqua TREE-PINCUSHION is listed in the 1985 Red Data Book for plants as "Critically Rare" (i.e. localized or sparse in distribution, but under no threat), not "Endangered" (i.e. in immediate danger of extinction if factors causing its decline continue). The species was removed from the Red Data Book by Sue Tansley in 1987, so that it must now be considered "not threatened". If the new plans to use the Tsitsikamma mountains as a triple-lane fire break, each to be burned every nine years comes into effect, the species may have to be replaced in the Red Data Book as "Vulnerable".
We saw the species in the reserve during the Eastern Cape Atlassing meet in January this year, occurring on slopes very much drier than typical for the species. This is a 10˙km eastwards range extension of the distribution given in Rourke (1972).
p 223: The use of "Protea" for the Protea Family (Proteaceae) rather than the genus is unfortunate. However, even the Protea Atlas is following this fashion.
Thus, there are not 25 Protea species in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (#244). Rather there are: 1˙Diastella, 2˙Leucospermum, 3˙Mimetes, 4˙Serruria, 7˙Leucadendron, and 7˙Protea species (using Hugh Taylor's list of species for the reserve (1984; South African Journal Botany 51: 1-13)).
p 229: The Durbanville Nature Reserve (#252) is a planted wild-flower garden. It therefore cannot "protect[s] 6ha of mountain fynbos (heath)", although many Fynbos species are grown there. The Proteaceae collection is quite interesting, not the least for the number of Cape Sugarbirds attracted there from "who knows where".
p 233: Although a "small part of it [Helderberg Nature Reserve #259] has been cultivated to familiarize visitors with the species they can expect to see in the nature area", visitors should note that very many species which do not occur in the nature area are also planted. In fact, this is an ideal area for learning the GISS of the groups within Protea: it is second only to Kirstenbosch. Beware though, this area of the reserve is ideal for masochistic Proteaphiles who wish to get to grips with hybrids!
p 245-6: The Tygerberg (#276) and Werner Frehse (#279) Nature Reserves do not protect any Coastal Fynbos, but Renosterveld. Thus do not expect to find any members of the protea, erica or restio (Cape Reed) families which characterize fynbos if you visit these reserves. The reserves are well worth the visit anyway, as Renosterveld has an exciting array of bulbs and orchids in spring.
Can you identify the species on the cover (3 of them in the lower right hand photograph) and on plate 134? What features distinguish Protea petiolaris (plate 185) from any of the South African species? Answers on page 16.
Tony Rebelo, Bellville
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