Sandblasted Ventifact facets on The Wild Coast The WWF ... - FGASA

fgasa western, eastern and northern cape regions newsletter no.5 | january 2011 

<strong>Sandblasted</strong> <strong>Ventifact</strong> <strong>facets</strong> on 

The Wild Coast 

The WWF Marine Protected 

Areas Forum 

Lessons on love on the 

Oystercatcher Trail 

Life at the margins of the 

continents 

A Newsletter from Namaqualand 

photo by Eve Watson

Field Guides Association of South Africa 

January 26th 2010 

Good morning 

I have now formally handed over the Western Cape/Namaqualand coordinator role to Eugene 

Fuhri. This will appear in the next FGASA newsletter this week. Northern Cape now have a 

regional body. Namaqualand is rather different and is in fact an extension of the Fynbos biome. 

It also includes a large marine component which differentiates it from the Kalahari. 

The last five years have been exciting. The year our membership dropped to 1 200 and the pessimist rats 

(including most FGASA committee members) jumped ship was the ‘Tipping Point’ that changed the face of 

FGASA. That was the year FGASA decided to enhance standards rather than join the mediocre operators 

out there. One committee member told me ‘ I want to have no part of this bankruptcy.’ 

Thank you for your leadership, enthusiasm and loyal support. You make being a member exciting. 

I now look forward to helping put FGASA education on a new level. 

Yours sincerely 

Louis Willemse 

Contents 

Another word or two... 

Eugene Fuhri . Level 3 SKS DA . Accredited FGASA assessor 

Each new year comes with its unique changes. From Governments and businesses, to climate and 

human perceptions – for the better part we accept them and adapt accordingly, we alter our own thinking 

and behaviour evolving to better suit our environment. As guides, it’s our responsibility to inform and 

educate people from all walks of life, to ensure that we can allow for sustainable utilisation of all the 

resources made available to us. 2010 was a mixed year for most, the emotion of the World Cup Soccer to 

that of the economic recession. Wildlife didn’t fare much better, from rampant rhino poaching, depletion 

of fishing stocks and the horror of reading about 750 wild African grey parrots, dying in transit. 

FGASA Western Cape is not without its changes. Louis will be sorely missed as FGASA Western Cape 

Volunteer Coordinator, his charm and wit at meetings added fun and flair, and his driving force and 

energy in getting our section truly grounded and focused while enthusiastically inspiring so many. 

I have together with Mark Heistein, Mariana Delport and Eve Watson agreed to take FGASA Western 

Cape to further heights by ensuring the standards and principles that FGASA has endorsed are upheld. 

FGASA also needs a firmer foothold in the Western Cape guiding community which we seek to pursue. 

I have come from a lodge environment and have quickly realised how unique guiding in the Western 

Cape truly is. We have a lot more to offer tourists in terms of bio-diversity and it takes a unique guide to 

open up this world of amazing cultural and natural heritage to visitors. 

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Louis for his hard work, dedication and input that he 

has given to FGASA Western Cape for the last five years, and would like to thank him further for his 

committment to guiding and education. 

I know, with the foundation which Louis and Tony have built, the association can only grow from 

strength to strength and together we can build the membership and reputation of FGASA guides globally. 

The next meeting will be held on 4th June, until then Happy Guiding and Happy Learning. h 

<strong>Sandblasted</strong> <strong>Ventifact</strong> <strong>facets</strong> on The Wild Coast 3 

The WWF Marine Protected Areas Forum 4 

Lessons on love on the Oystercatcher Trail 7 

Life at the margins of the continents 9 

A Newsletter from Namaqualand 12 

2 “What’s happening” from FGASA Western, Eastern and Northern Cape


<strong>Sandblasted</strong> <strong>Ventifact</strong> <strong>facets</strong> 

on The Wild Coast 

Alan Fogarty 

FGASA voluntary co-ordinator Eastern Cape 

On the east coast is the Cwebe/Dwesa conservation 

complex with over 3000 km of beautiful, remote 

and rugged coastline truly earning the 

title “The Wild Coast”. 

We stayed at 

the Haven Hotel, a 

colonial relic that offers friendly, family 

fun and great value for money, one of the best kept secrets 

in South Africa – well worth the roughly 80 km trip on Transkeinian, 

boneshaker roads. 

Setting off on a walk we were advised to look out for some rocks of 

interest because they had been dramatically shaped by the wind. We past 

the promontory, and an obvious conical shaped hill, itself, a huge midden 

of shell and other remnants from ancient past inhabitants. 

Crossing the penisula to the expansive beach on the far side we used 

a low sandy ridge packed with dark black dolerite rocks. While looking at 

them it occurred to me that the rocks where cut on different planes or <strong>facets</strong> 

and worn down, I assumed by abrasion while under a great weight as in the 

moraine of a glacier and not as was mentioned, at the hotel, by the wind. 

I took some video footage and photos to illustrate my theory of the origin of these curious rock 

formations, in a debate with Grant, the owner, over a beer that evening. He was adamant the <strong>facets</strong> had 

been cut into the rock by wind. I was equally adamant that they were a deposit from a long forgotten 

glacier or ice sheet that had transported the materials from some far off source to be deposited here 

on this remote coastline. 

Well I was wrong, I had a temporary victory when I showed the photographs to him and my powers 

of persuasion convinced him – erroneously, as it transpired – they were indeed shaped by the wind. 

I sent photographs to the renowned geologist Professor Izak Rust to see if he could, cast light on 

their origins. I quote from his reply to my mail. 

“Not glacial striae on a glacial pavement but sandblasted 

ventifact <strong>facets</strong> cut on Karoo dolerite. Really, really superb 

examples! By far the best I have seen in a long time and almost 

certainly the best in South Africa. They are just as good as the best 

I have seen in the Namib and in Antarctica”. 

Professor Rust goes further in his next e-mail. 

“Wow! Totally spectacular. You MUST simply write a short 

article for FGASA Field News. 

These ventifacts are absolutely superb examples. World-class, 

in fact. In fact, it may be useful to write a short report in the 

Geological Society GEOBULLETIN.” which he offered to help me 

write. 

It’s easy to get lost wandering around these beautiful rocks 

and thankfully the rough boneshaker roads are the guardians of 

these last bastions of paradise. h 

“What’s happening” from FGASA Western, Eastern and Northern Cape 

3 

3


4 

The WWF Marine 

Protected Areas Forum 

Mark Heistein November 2010 

The WWF Marine Protected Areas Forum was 

attended by about 120 people from 13 organizations 

and 7 countries. West Coast National Park provided 

the perfect setting for managers of marine protected 

areas as well as scientists to meet to discuss issues and 

concerns of common interest. 

The forum was originally set up 4 years ago as 

a communication forum for MPA managers to cross 

pollinate information and streamline efforts. It has, 

however, grown into a forum of not only MPA managers 

but scientists from both the Natural and Social Science 

fields. There is a growing awareness that without 

interaction and beneficial activities with the local people, 

in or around the parks, these marine protected areas 

would not work long term and would not be sustainable. 

Sustainability should be looked at holistically and include 

plans to ensure economic security for local communities. 

Otherwise the resources would be plundered for survival. 

Although MPA managers were not trained in Social 

Sciences, it is now becoming more part of the duties they 

have to perform on a daily basis: hence the inclusion of 

professionals in this field. 

Very interesting comparisons were discussed and 

unique situations pertaining to each protected area 

were aired. These ranged from Tanzanian parks 

that have over 12000 people living inside them, to 

the new Namibian park that has no-one apart from 

researchers. Some parks, such as with Koekelberg, 

had huge poaching problems and conflict with the 

locals, while others such as in the Seychelles and parts 

of KZN, had good communication and co-operation 

from local people. 

It was amazing to see some of the research and 


depth of knowledge exposed at the forum. 

There is co-operation between Sanbi Marine 

Department, run by Dr Kerry Sink and oil companies 

in the transfer of information. Given the equipment 

and finances the companies have, they have sea floor 

pictures and information that would otherwise not be 

in the public domain. 

Several presentations were given by Dr Alan 

Boyde, from DEA – Oceans to Coast who tackles the 

problems from a financial and government point of 

view, as well as many of the Park Managers from some 

of the 20 declared MPAs in South Africa and others 

in neighbouring countries. Comparisons of methods 

and attitudes to law enforcement brought about both 

laughter and shock. 

The importance of MPAs in securing sustainable 

food resources, while at the same time creating 

socio- economic benefit and conserving biodiversity 

was expressed. It is a complex, diverse and difficult 

task, requiring knowledge and co-operation from a 

multitude of experts. 

The new Small Scale Fisher Policy, which attempts 

to embrace the needs of subsistence fishing, was cause 

for major concern as it would bring greater pressure on 

the limited resources to control illegal fishing, as well 

as setting precedence for further application to occupy 

MPA areas, for a multitude of other reasons. It would 

open accessibility to other organisms apart from fish 

and create a problem of identifying individuals from 

outside as against those that claim to have historical 

rights. This will take some very clever negotiations and 

lateral thinking to find a solution. 

How does one tell the difference between legitimate 

local fisherman and chancers from outside In the 

word of a local fisherman: “We smell of fish and don’t 

have fancy cars.” It was also said by one of the local 

fishers, “if you take the food from my table, there will 

be trouble.”


However, there is an 

understanding amongst all 

parties that resources need 

to be protected for future 

generations. Alternative 

activities and income 

generating businesses need 

to be looked into to alleviate 

the necessity to fish and 

broaden the income base. 

Without public, business 

and government support it would be impossible. 

FGASA guides have a responsibility to engage and 

become part of this process. 

Many of the parks are a 

combination of both terrestrial 

and marine environments, both 

of which supply the resources to 

enhance tourist activities which, 

to us guides, are the raw material 

to earn a living. 

Guiding in these areas 

supplies upliftment, poverty relief 

and another option to survive from 

“No take out” resources, helping 

in turn to save this depletion of 

resources. It is a guide’s obligation to make the local 

and international visitors aware of the fragility of these 

ecosystems and the need to support MPAs to secure 

them in perpetuity. 

I had many discussions with managers, scientists 

and educationalists, both formally and informally. 

(Weather was perfect and the beers were cold!) All 

said that their doors are open and they 

would welcome a visit or request for advice 

at any time. So, to all you guides out there: 

Grab this opportunity with both hands, get 

out there, spend a couple of days with these 

managers and learn firsthand how committed, 

dedicated and knowledgeable they are. 

Delfrenso Lang gave a humorous and 

inspirational talk on how becoming a Fgasa 

guide has changed his life, and way of thinking. 

He did, however, bring a possible new angle 

to guiding by ending his tours 

with a ‘massage’ rather than 

a ‘message’ - which may 

encourage more applicants 

in future! 

Peter Chadwick explained 

how the Fgasa Marine 

Guiding Course has been 

recognized as the entrance 

level to obtaining a 

Marine Protected Areas 

management certificate, 

which has been acknowledged 

worldwide. Laurence Sisitka explained the process 

and the standards involved in the WIO-Compass project 

and the courses. This course opens the door for long 

term carriers in marine related industries. The course 

Outnumbered by poachers 

It takes brave unarmed people to tackle a boatload of drug driven poachers. 

is available to all, 

not only those who 

want to go into MPA 

management, and 

would certainly enhance 

any guide’s knowledge 

and skills, but it is not for 

‘sissies’ or those without 

commitment. You will be 

grilled! 

The Langebaan 

Lagoon was explored with 

the help of Parks Board 

personnel and boats. A 

great time was had by all. 

The threatened gannet 

colonies on Dyer Island 

were visited. These now 

need protection from 

pelicans after the latter’s feeding 

habits changed. This change came 

about when chicken farmers, 

having hundreds of one-day-old 

chicks to dispose of fed them to 

pigs in the open. The pelicans had 

access to these carcasses and so 

learnt to find easy food. They now 

predate on gannets’ eggs and 

young instead of other natural food 

sources. This is a perfect example 

of how fragile some ecosystems can 

become. The island also houses only 

seven Bants Cormorant nests. A tiny 

population! Protection from Pelicans 

is carried out by volunteers who are 

stationed permanently on the island 

during breeding season. 

The forum was well run in an informal 

but professional manner, and many contacts 

and new friends were made. Thank you 

to Peter Chadwick, WWF, Honda Marine, Department 

of Environmental Affairs and all those who participated 

in making it such an inspiring experience. h 


5


Report back 

FGASA Western, Eastern 

and Northern Cape 

Year End meeting 

Held on Saturday 4th of December at Tygerberg 

Reserve. The theme was heritage where the 

guest speakers presented their topics with an 

holistic view of heritage, guaranteed to enhance 

the quality your guiding. 

Dr John Compton, Earth heritage; Dr John 

Manning, Natural heritage, Dr Mathilde Burden, 

Cultural heritage 

Delfrenzo Laing presented a lively and most 

inspiring talk of his first year in guiding at De 

Hoop Reserve. Here is a young man who has 

“taken the bull by the horns”, wishing to make 

a difference in his life has made the most of 

opportunities given him. He can equally give 

motivational talks and I’m sure effect change in 

many other young people’s lives. The youth are 

without a doubt our future... 

Please diarise 

the next meeting 

for FGASA Western, Eastern 

and Northern Cape 

4th June 2011 

Saturday 

We’ll keep you posted on the programme and our guest 

speakers, so watch this space for all news and updates. 

Well done, I applaud you Delfrenzo! h 

Advertising Rates 

The editorial team for FGASA in the 

Western/Northern/Eastern Cape are 

now offering an opportunity to advertise 

in the smalls section at the end of each 

newsletter. Here is an ideal opportunity 

to be noticed by the industry because the 

considerable database will ensure wide 

coverage and distribution. 

Presently we are supporting specialists 

in their fields, FGASA accredited guides, 

affiliated accommodation establishments 

and guiding companies. 

Size: Strip 88mm x 49mm – ¼ page adverts 

Cost: R350.00 only per advert (material 

supplied). 

If anyone would like to place a full page 

advertorial with photos, for a quote, 

please contact: 

Eve Watson at evegoedh@iafrica.com 

083 280 0015 

Opportunity 

Knocks 

Guides on the Job 

Don’t miss this chance 

Are there any guides who are interested in having their 

names on the list that Mark Heistein will be sending to the 

tour operators, he deals with, in Germany, Holland and 

England. He is leaving on a trip to promote his business 

and his passion in tourism of South Africa. 

Please supply all your details 

Name, Area, Qualifications, e-mail address 

and contact numbers. 

Send to info@ottersbendlodge.co.za 

Cheers for now 

Mark Heistein 

Otters Bend Lodge . Dassenberg Road . Franschhoek 

Telephone 021 876 3200 

6 

Please submit articles you believe will be of interest to our readers 

and your letters will be welcome to encourage enthusiasm and debate 

so please send in your comments 

“What’s happening” from FGASA Western, Eastern and Northern Cape


Lessons on love on the 

Oystercatcher Trail 

Lindy Warren 

The band of delegates 

attending the 4th FGASA (Field 

Guide Association of South 

Africa) Marine Guide training 

course, stepped onto a concord 

of learning. Who are we and 

why such importance on training 

marine guides 2010 is the 

International Year of Biodiversity – 

well they got that right! The team 

bios made for interesting reading, 

not to mention the range in age, 

origin and “species classification”. 

The trainees were 

under the tutelage of 

an illustrious team of 

experts, namely: 

Facilitator and tour 

guide, par excellance, 

Louis Willemse; Dream 

lecturer and marine 

scientist Dr Deborah 

Robertson-Andersson; 

Master geologist Dr DeVille 

Wickins; and snake specialist and 

charmer Dr Tony Phelps. 

These experts were further 

aided and abetted by Kyle Brown 

(PhD student Archaeologist on the 

Pinnacle Point dig), Aiden Beck 

(Conservation Manager), Willie 

Komani (Oystercatcher tour guide) 

and Fred Orban originator of the 

Oystercatcher Trail. 

Delegates and attendees from 

all walks of life included Riek 

Basson, Schalk Pretorius, Mark Hill, 

Gavin Kode and Lindy Warren (the 

only female in the group) … 

FGASA made use of the world 

renowned Oystercatcher Trail for 

the course practical activities, while 

the 5-star Sandpiper Cottages 

afforded the team the very best 

in country living. The facilities, 

accommodation and catering were 

off the scale and no single article 

could be worthy in acclaiming their 

virtues. You have to experience 

them yourself. 

The weather was of little 

consequence as the trainers and 

crew alike spent the daylight 

hours and most of those between 

sunset and sunrise in the lecture 

hall, at their technology stations, 

completing the challenging 

assignments. 

Why this location, 

you may ask The Mossel Bay 

coastal zone or Agulhas Bioregion 

is a transitional area linking the 

Natal and South Western Cape 

bioregions and is dominated by 

the Agulhas current and broad 

Agulhas Bank. 

The significance of the area 

does not rest there – the Pinnacle 

Point Archaeological dig is of 

International Heritage significance, 

the envisaged formation of Marine 

Protected Areas (MPA), the growth 

in the number of Conservancies 

fighting to stave off development 

and the ever encroaching 

industrial 

realities that 

face our 

countryside. 

The 

conservation 

stalwarts are 

tenacious, 

often raising 

the ire of 

industry and 

corporates yet 

forging ahead to 

ensure a legacy for 

future generations. 

The geology is 

remarkable and 

evidenced by the 

Vlees Bay Graben, 

vertical burrows, 

tidal deposits and 

Robberg Formation 

dominating the 

Cape St Blaize bay area. 

The Heritage sites allude to 

the dedication of the scientific 

community and they slowly 

uncover layer by layer the past 

and patch together the story of the 

Strandlopers, who lived here some 

160 000 years ago. We almost 

mastered the art of cutting our 

own tools, much like these Late 

Stone Age people, and a “factory 

site” exists along the trail where 

some level of “mass production” 

of tools took place. Mock 

archaeological practice can keep 

children and adults busy for hours 

at the Mossel Bay Museum. 

Back to the lesson on love. 


7


The reason for life in nature 

across terrestrial and aquatic 

environments is survival, more 

importantly the need to reach the 

age of procreation or more simply 

making babies! Organisms and 

plants must eat enough, remain 

alive and add to the recruitment 

of their species… That is it! No 

studying, no fast cars and high 

flying careers for these living 

entities. 

There is another bizarre reality 

too. From conception or even 

before until the days after death, 

you, as a plant or organism, are 

potentially someone’s supper. 

This extends the importance of life 

beyond babies and seeds – you 

add to the Food web and to the 

flow of energy in the ocean 

As you may imagine the lesson 

content across all ecosystems 

placed great emphasis on sex in 

the sea. Yes, you read correctly! 

Lessons can be fun when they 

extend to the mating rituals 

and mating positions of frogs 

demonstrated hilariously on the 

all-surface tennis court at the 

Sports Centre. 

A visit to the Fransmanshoek 

Conservancy provided a lesson 

in communication as the juvenile 

Humpbacks lob tailed their 

messages to their mother. 

The Rocky shore excursion 

revealed 3 species of barnacles. 

Notably these sessile animals 

have the longest penis in relation 

to body size in the world, with 

a range from 8 to 30 times 

their body length. They can also 

multitask, feeding with their feet 

and mating at the same time. 

Dolphins enjoy casual and 

recreational sex just as much 

as we do. Dolphins indulge in 

foreplay and sadly, copulation lasts 

all of 20 seconds. 

Sea Horses, among the greatest 

dads in the animal kingdom, 

have an intimate mating ritual, 

embracing for a while with their 

heads over each other’s shoulder. 

They copulate rapidly and the 

female lays her eggs in the male’s 

abdominal pouch. The male is left 

with the responsibility of nurturing 

the eggs for up to 6 months after 

which he gives birth to 200 babies 

and he can do this more than once 

a year. Choosing a good mate 

is made easy as the pot bellied 

males pump water into their 

pouches to show the female what 

good fathers they are. 

Love is not always kind, as 

indicated in sharks. Due to the 

roughness of mating, female 

shark skin is 3 times thicker than 

that of male sharks. Male sharks 

bite females and try to flip them 

over, this makes the females lose 

consciousness. Mating usually 

takes place in a current with the 

male keeping both facing into 

the current – time and place is 

important. 

Oystercatchers, the mascot of 

the trail, are a success story when 

it comes to loving and mating. 

Of the 10 species worldwide, 

most occur in the Southern 

Hemisphere, one of which breeds 

in South Africa. They mate for life, 

something that humans fail at 

dismally. Choosing a home is not 

what we would call a great skill as 

they nest on exposed sand, rocks 

or amongst dried kelp or stone. 

Position, position, position, as 

any estate agent will tell you, IS 

important. Unfortunately, selecting 

a beach house in the case of 

Oystercatchers could mean the 

next spring high tide could see 

your eggs taking to the Agulhas 

Current en route to the greater 

Indian Ocean. 

There is no need for flashy 

clothes when dating in the marine 

environment. The squid does it 

all in technicolour as the males 

colour themselves “pretty” as they 

change colour and texture of their 

skin. Having 8 arms and suckers 

helps to hold onto your chosen 

lady and in the Paper Nautilus the 

male often lives in the shell of the 

female, as a parasite and is really 

very tiny. No divorce settlement is 

needed, as the female usually dies 

once she has reproduced. 

If its number of offspring you 

are considering, Sunfish produce 

3 million eggs and the brainy 

octopus some 180 000. 

So if you need help on house 

hunting, parenting, sex and happy 

families – consult the ocean. 

Better still, book yourself on the 

Oystercatcher Trail and be guided 

by a FGASA trained and certified 

Marine guide. The tranquility, 

beauty and lessons from the 

environment may just be that 

elusive manual for life that you 

have been searching for. h 

The Oystercatcher Trail is not just a walk. 

It’s a love affair with Nature 



Life at the margins of 

the continents 

An examination of the intertidal marine life 

of the southwestern Cape 

Gavin W. Maneveldt 

Department of Biodiversity and Conservation 

BiologyUniversity of the Western Cape 

Imagine surviving in an environment that is 

neither truly marine nor truly terrestrial. That area 

just beyond the low-water mark of neap tides 

along the seashore is an example of just such an 

environment. The organisms living here have to cope 

with the combined extremes of both land and sea 

environments: salt spray, immersion in salt water, 

emersion in air, drenching by heavy rainfall, heating 

by the sun, freezing winter temperatures, unstable 

substrates (such as sand, gravel or boulders), and 

exposure to strong winds. Just how do they cope 

Animals generally find it easier coping in this harsh 

environment because among other ways, they can 

simply get up and move when the going gets too 

tough. Plants (both terrestrial and marine) on the 

other hand, have to either tolerate, or succumb to it. 

The following is an account of 

some of the astonishing 

ways in which both 

plants and animals from 

a typical southwestern 

Cape shore have evolved 

to adapt and cope in the 

harsh environment of the 

intertidal zone. 

Flora 

For terrestrial plants living 

on or near the seashore 

(we will call them maritime 

plants) the main problem is how to survive 

in a salty environment. A characteristic feature of 

many of these plants is succulence. Maritime plants 

have to store lots of fresh water in their tissues, as 

seawater is too salty for them to use it directly, and 

they must store it whenever it is available. Such 

plants are often subjected to the desiccating effects 

of salt laden wind that deposit toxic salts on them, 

they get blasted by sea sand or buried in it, and are 

subjected to intense solar radiation both direct and 

reflected. To top it all, they grow in organically poor 

soils that have little water holding capacity. 

Maritime plants use a variety of mechanisms to cope 

in this saline environment. Some can selectively 

control salt absorption at the root level. Others 

secrete excess salt via salt glands on the surfaces of 

leaves. Some, like glassworts and the soutbossie 

Chenolea diffusa, concentrate salt in their tissues, 

Heydrichia cherry-red 

diluting the salt by storing it in their succulent parts 

(they compartmentalize the salt in parts of the plant 

where high salt concentrations will not affect normal 

metabolism). Glassworts with their waterproof bodies 

are so tough they are one of the few flowering plants 

that can truly be said to live in salt water as many are 

covered by the sea at almost every high tide. Some 

glassworts can even tolerate salinity concentrations of 

up to 75 parts per 1000. Considering that the ocean 

is on average only about 33 parts per 1000, 

one can readily appreciate the resilience of 

these plants. 

This environment is also a prime 

habitat for the establishment of lichens 

(composite organisms consisting of a 

symbiotic association of a fungus with 

an alga), which are able to survive 

extremes of heat, cold and drought. 

They are able to survive in this hostile 

environment because of their ability to 

dry out completely, shutting down their 

metabolism when conditions become 

too severe. It is also believed that their 

complex chemistry allows them to control light 

exposure, repel herbivores, kill attacking microbes 

and discourage competition from true plants. These 

are important adaptations for life in this marginal 

habitat. 

Seaweeds too have a hard time surviving in this 

environment for they have to cope with problems 

(desiccation stress and temperature extremes) 

associated with prolonged exposure to air. All 

the vital functions of life such as respiration, 

photosynthesis, growth and reproduction must be 

adapted to two completely different environments. 

Porphyra or purple laver, an abundant seaweed 

on rocky substrates within this zone, is able to lose 

almost all its body fluid, drying out to a crisp, paper 

thin film only about 10 % of its original mass. For 

this very reason, it is often also called cellophane 

seaweed. While many other seaweeds would die 

if they lost this much turgidity, this species readily 


9


recovers once re-hydrated. Often this seaweed has 

to rely on salt spray for re-absorption of valuable lifegiving 

seawater. This species has a remarkable rate 

of recovery, with some plants having been reported 

to remain dried out for several days to weeks. Thin 

seaweeds like Porphyra also lose their water content 

very fast, but overcome the problem by growing in 

dense populations where they can cover and shade 

each other when exposed. 

Other seaweeds, less 

tolerant of desiccation 

stress, survive in high 

shore tide pools. 

Here, however, they 

have to cope with 

salinity stress as these 

tidepools become 

extremely saline under 

hot, dry conditions 

and tend toward fresh 

water under rainy 

conditions. The few 

seaweeds (mostly green 

seaweeds like Ulva and 

Monostroma) adapted 

to this environment have 

a high salinity tolerance 

ranging from as little as 3 

parts per 1000 to as much 

as 115 parts per 1000. 

They are able to regulate 

the amounts of dissolved 

internal salts, keeping their internal osmotic pressures 

somewhat higher than the surrounding medium. This 

process prevents loss of water to the surrounding 

saline environment allowing them to maintain a fairly 

constant turgidity. 

Surprisingly, besides mangroves (tropical and 

subtropical trees and shrubs that grow in salty coastal 

habitats), there appear to be no true plant specialists 

within this environment. Some terrestrial plants such 

as Sarcocornia (glassworts) are saltmarsh plants while 

others like Tetragonia fruticosa (sprawling duneweed 

or kinkelbossie) are early colonizers of sandy, 

calcareous areas typical of beach dunes. The reason 

that these plants survive in this harsh environment 

is probably a combination of two factors: a greater 

tolerance of extreme conditions; and reduced 

competition from other terrestrial plants that can 

otherwise not survive here. 

Fauna 

Unlike plants, animals generally find it “easier” to 

cope in this harsh environment because they can 

simply get up and move. Mobility, however, is an 

abstract concept because different animals move at 

different paces. High up on the shore is found the 

little African periwinkle from the genus Afrolittorina. 

For a marine snail, juveniles of this little winkle are 

only ever immersed in seawater three to four days 

Marine Week at Cape Agulhas 

Professor Gavin Maneveldt and Emmerentia de Kock, (head of People and 

Conservation, Agulhas National Park), exploring the rocky shores at low 

tide. In spite of the inclement weather, the public turned out in a large 

group, curious to comb the sea edges and find out about the fascinating 

and abundant life found there. 

every fortnight during high-water of spring tide 

events. Juveniles are particularly susceptible to wave 

action and so remain high up on the shore. The snail 

is able to survive in this environment and reduce 

water loss by: aggregating in high numbers; hiding 

in cracks and crannies during times of high light 

intensities and temperatures; cementing themselves 

to each other and the rocky substrate during hot, dry 

conditions by only a thin 

mucilaginous thread; and by 

feeding only during night time and 

under overcast conditions. 

Lower down the shore is an 

assortment of limpets and false 

limpets (low conical-shelled 

snails), all competing with one 

another for food and space 

in this environment of limited 

resources. All have a large, flat, 

muscular foot, an appendage 

that is of vital importance for 

strong attachment in the harsh, 

exposed, wave-beaten intertidal 

zone. To reduce resistance 

limpet shells are streamlined. 

But, even among these snails, 

differential susceptibilities to 

the conditions in the intertidal 

zone cause different species to 

zone themselves at different 

heights on the shores. Some 

zones are so well delimited by certain species of 

limpets that entire zones have been named after 

them. One such example is the cochlear-zone, so 

named because the territorial, gardening limpet 

Scutellastra cochlear dominates this zone, often in 

numbers in excess of 3000 individuals per square 

metre. 

A host of other animals live on the mid to low shore. 

Some, like barnacles are sedentary and cannot 

move. These highly modified crustaceans (related 

to crabs, sea lice, shrimps and rock lobsters) once 

started life as free-swimming shrimp-like larvae. 

With time, the larva searches for a place to settle 

and then cements itself, head-first, to the place it has 

chosen. The larva then undergoes metamorphosis 

into a juvenile barnacle, encasing itself in a hard, 

heavily calcified shell. Still fixed upside down by its 

forehead, the animal is forced to use its feet, which 

have now become modified into long feathery limbs, 

to capture and trap microscopic food particles. Here 

this barnacle will grow and remain for the rest of its 

natural life, well adapted to its intertidal environment 

and protected from the elements. 

Similarly like many seaweeds, those animals less 

tolerant of desiccation stress and wave exposure 

have to confine themselves to intertidal rockpools. 

Here too, however, they have to cope with salinity 

stress, but also high light stress (intensity). Similar to 

seaweeds, rockpool animals are also able to regulate 



the amounts of dissolved internal salts, keeping their 

internal osmotic pressures somewhat higher than the 

surrounding medium. This way they do not loose 

precious body fluids to the surrounding environment. 

Sea urchins are particularly susceptible to high light 

intensities. They overcome this by literally shading 

themselves with bits of seaweed, shell and stone, 

creating what appears to be little umbrellas, using 

their little tube feet to manoeuvre these shades. As a 

consequence of this action, barefoot beachcombers 

are often pieced by sea urchin spines largely because 

the urchins become nearly invisible when shaded in 

this way. 

While many intertidal animals are very obvious (once 

you know what you are looking for), there are a 

host of animals that are also very cryptic. Most will 

simply hide from plane sight, but there are those 

that are blatantly exposed and yet, nearly invisible 

to the naked eye. These animals employ a kind of 

mimicry or camouflage. Once such example is the 

dwarf cushion sea star Patiriella exigua. The dorsal 

surface of this sea star is made up of hundreds of 

mosaic-like tiles and spots and it is these colours 

and patterns that assist the sea star to camouflage it 

from predators. Also, they have a bony, calcified skin, 

which not only protects them from predators, but also 

provides protection against the harsh environment 

of the intertidal zone. While most sea stars are 

carnivorous, the dwarf cushion sea star is one of the 

few completely herbivorous sea stars. As a matter 

of interest, sea stars 

are often 

referred to 

as starfish. 

However, 

the sea star 

is not a 

fish; it’s an 

echinoderm, 

closely 

related to sea 

urchins and 

sand dollars. 

The examples 

presented 

here are but a 

few of the many ways in which those organisms living 

along the margins of the land survive this seemingly 

hostile environment. But, perhaps this environment 

with all its extremes is not as stressful as one might 

imagine it to be. These conditions may actually be 

less stressful to the organisms living here compared 

with those in places where they do not occur. These 

same “stressful” conditions could possibly have 

prevented these species’ demise by limiting the 

occurrences of potentially competitively dominant 

species that might otherwise have excluded them. 

Whatever the case may be, these organisms have 

long lived under, and evolved to these changing and 

variable conditions.h 

A formidable team 

the FGASA Honorable SKS’s 

for our area 

Patrick Cardwell – Birding 

Deborah Robertson Andersson – Marine 

Gavin Maneveldt – Marine 

Peter Chadwick – Conservation 

Cameron McMaster – Wild flowers 

Annelise Le Roux Botany – Namaqualand 

Dr Graham Williamson – Botany Arid areas 

Dr Geoff Tribe – Insects 

Dr Izak Rust – Rocks and Stones 

Dr David McDonald – Botany 

Do you want to be a self-employed 

Nature, Culture and Marine guide rather 

than just an employee 

If you: 

• Are a natural pro-active leader and entrepeneur 

• Administratively competent and an excellent organiser 

• Love working with and serving people 

• Are passionate about our natural and cultural heritage 

• Have at least a Matric certificate with maths, science or 

geography. 

We can help you achieve this goal. 

Please email your CV to louisfieldguide@kingsley.co.za 

Newsletter design & DTP by 

Eve Watson Design 

For all your e-design & print requirements 

083 280 0015 / 021 788 5141 

evegoedh@iafrica.com 

FGASA Level 1 Nature, Marine & Cultural Guide 


11


A Newsletter from 

Namaqualand 

Bruce Wessels 

Here is found the richest diversity of desert plants in 

the world, the reason for this is because of the unique 

Firstly I would again like to 

thank every-one who visited Back 

to Basics Backpackers, it was 

wonderful having you all here. 

Things have not changed much 

since you have left except for the 

numerous numbers of people who 

have started to catch crayfish in 

the area; the season opened on 

the 15th November (to 15th April). 

The minimum size of the 

crayfish or West Coast Rock lobster 

(Jasus lalandi) is 80mm from the 

tip of the front horn to the end 

of the carapace. A maximum 

of 4 per person per day and 

catching may only take place from 8am to 4pm, no 

nighttime collecting is allowed, needless to say that 

there are people (and I have seen it many times), 

who disregard this regulation. These animals are 

extremely slow growing and and thus numbers are in 

decline due to over fishing. The 80mm male crayfish 

are about 7 years old! The females take longer to 

mature and females with a carapace of 80mm can be 

as old as 12 years old! Their life cycle is an interesting 

and complex one that takes about ten months to 

complete. After fertilization the eggs are attached by 

curly stalks to the female’s pleopods. These take 80 – 

90 days to hatch, these small (about 1.5mm) spiderlike 

larvae (naupliosoma larvae) are helpless and drift 

with the currents. Once these larvae molt they are 

transformed into phyllosoma with flat leaf like bodies 

and long spindly legs, which aid in the prevention of 

the hatchlings sinking, thus minimizing the energy 

spent on swimming. The larvae go through about 

11 molts each time becoming bigger and more 

complex, after about 7 and a half months floating 

between the plankton adrift on the ocean currents, 

they metamorphose into small peurulus larvae, which 

settle on the bottom of the sea in shallow waters. It is 

now that the larvae look like small crayfish, but their 

bodies are soft and almost transparent. This long and 

complex life cycle is why no one has yet succeeded in 

rearing any of the southern African species. 

An introduction to Namaqualand 

Most of the succulents occur in the Succulent 

Karoo Biome (look up total area of succulent karoo). 

What is Namaqualand This area is a botanical 

oddity in the sense of the plant life that occurs here. 

Many species occurring here have unique and special 

adaptations for survival in this harsh environment. 

climate that dictates the life cycles of these plants – most 

of which are under appreciated if at all appreciated. 

Namaqualand has a low winter rainfall, usually 

a soft, soaking, penetrating rain of more or less 

150mm per annum. The northern parts receiving less 

than 50mm per year and the Kamiesberg peaks in 

the east, receiving more than 400mm per year. 

Namaqualand has about 3000 species, 648 

genera and 107 families of plants. Most of which are 

succulents. 

Some 1700 species of leaf succulents grow in the 

succulent Karoo, of these, 700 species are dwarf species 

with many being endemic to the area. It is overall the 

richest concentration of succulents in the world. 

One will find geophytes or seasonally active plants 

that store their reserves below ground – like bulbs, 

rhizomes and tubers. 

The vegetation here is short, squat, rounded shrubs, 

many barely even knee-high. There is a predominance 

of plants with succulent leaves making this vegetation 

unique. 

Most species occurring here are shallow rooted, 

compact with relatively small succulent evergreen 

leaves. Their stature varies from ankle height to a few 

meters in height – most species are less than 50mm tall. 

The top ten families are; Asteracea (daisies), 

Mesembryanthemum (vygies), Poacea (grasses), 

Scrophulariacea (nemesias and diascias), Iradacea 

(irids), Fabacea (pea-shrubs), Crassulaceae (Crassulas 

and Tylecodons), Hyacinthaceae (Lachenalias). 

The most widespread and common species being 

Ruschia, Drosanthemum and Leipoltdia. Other 

important species are Tetragonia (Aizoaceae), Othonna 

(Asteracea) and Zygophylums (Zygolphylaceae). 

Stem succulents have swollen stems to store their 



water during dry seasons e.g. Tylecodons. 

The largest of this group is the Stapeliad family, 

which are inconspicuous and very difficult to find. The 

plants are widely scattered over large areas and grow 

under the canopy of the larger shrubs in the area. 

Another large group is the Euphorbia family, which 

are conspicuous and some dominate large expanses 

of the Richtersveld. 

Dwarfism distinguishes Namaqualand. 

Euphorbias, Crassulas, and Anacampceros are the 

oddest of dwarf succulents. They have adapted to 

become the most compact and enduring forms, 

inducing a sense of sheer delight with a desire to 

touch and stroke but an unfortunate lust to collect. 

Charismatic Succulents: Mesembs, aloes 

and crassulas. 

What is a succulent 

Von Willert et al. (1992) represents the only source we 

know of that attempts a concise description. They define 

a succulent as 

any plant that 

possesses a 

succulent tissue, 

and further 

specified a 

succulent tissue 

as “... a living 

tissue that... 

serves and 

guarantees a 

...temporary 

storage of 

utilizable water, which makes the plant... temporarily 

independent from external water supply...”. The authors 

recognized a subcategory of xerophytic succulents, 

which excludes halophytic succulents (salt-tolerant plants 

that often grow in saline wetlands) and most geophytes 

(plants with their perennating organs below ground, e.g., 

potato, Jatropha macrorhiza, and most plants that are 

colloquially called “bulbs” in horticulture). 

Astonishing Aloes: 

Aloes form a conspicuous part of Southern Africa 

flora. Although easily recognised they are sometimes 

confused with other plants. Conservation laws 

protect most species 

in all provinces but 

unfortunately illegal 

collecting, industrial 

expansion, agriculture 

and mining activities 

threaten certain aloes. 

Aloe dichotoma 

This species is 

characteristic of 

Namaqualand. 

A distinctive tree 

that has smooth 

branches, the bark on the trunk is golden brown and 

forms uneven scales. The crown is densely rounded 

as a result of repeatedly forked branches. 

The scientific name is derived from the distinct 

forked branches. 

The common name is derived from the age-old 

use of hollowed out stems used as quivers by the San 

people. Their name for this tree is Choje. 

Magic Mesembs: 

This family of plants is highly diverse in form and 

stature. They grow in many different habitats from 

rock crevices, salty flats 

and saline wastelands. 

Besides grazing 

these plants form an 

important role in the 

domestic context, 

used for making soap, 

poultices, preserves 

and to an extent as 

stimulants. 

Their visual 

appearances are 

astounding, especially the species that use mimicry 

to look like the surrounding rocks and stones e.g. 

Agyroderma delaetii. These species however give 

themselves away in springtime with massive floral 

displays which bedazzle the observer. 

Agyroderma 

The name Agyroderma is derived from the Greek 

words agyros (silver) and derma (skin). This describes 

the silvery, grey-green 

skin of the leaves. The 

vernacular or common 

name is “bababoudjies” 

or “baby’s bum”. 

These plants 

are compact, dwarf 

succulents, tufted or 

single-bodied, rarely 

sunken into the ground. 

The silvery to greygreen 

leaves are more 

or less rounded or 

thumb-shaped. 

The flowers are 

yellow, purple, red or 

rarely white. 

These plants are easily recognisable by their 

rounded, highly succulent leaf pairs. 

Mesembryanthemum or 

‘vygies’ 

This name is derived from 

the Greek words mesos (in 

the centre), embryon (pistil 

or embryo) and anthemum 

(flower) meaning, a flower 

with a pistil or embryo in the 

centre. 

However the name 

Mesembryanthemum was 


13


originally coined for this genus. The name referred to 

the flower that opens during midday. Most species are 

covered with 

conspicuous 

water cells 

called bladder 

cells. 

Most of the 

vygies reproduce 

sexually, 

pollinated by 

insects that 

travel short 

distances to 

other flowers 

and the seeds 

don’t get dispersed too far from the parent plant. 

These species are short lived growing only to be 

2-5 years old and because of their small size they have 

large populations. 

Most of the small vygies are not very drought 

tolerant, and unusual severe droughts cause them 

to die en masse, but this provides opportunities for 

genetic novelties to arise. Limited gene dispersal, 

short germination times and periodical population 

reducing catastrophes, select plants with new genes 

enabling the vygies to occupy various niches. 

Conophytum 

One of the largest groups of succulents, Conophytum 

minutum. The origin of this name is from the Latin word 

‘conus’ for cone and ‘phytum’ for plant – meaning, cone 

plant. Dwarf cushions or clusters of conically united 

leaves may distinguish this species from other species. 

These plants are active mainly in autumn and winter 

drying out to just an inert papery husks protecting the 

next seasons leaves from the hot, dry sun. 

Drosanthemum 

Drosanthemum is derived from the Greek word 

‘drosos’ (dew) and ‘anthos’ (flower), describing the 

glittering water cells on the leaves of many of the 

species. These are low growing to erect shrubs, most of 

which are short-lived with easily 

dropping leaves that are covered 

by large water cells which glisten 

in the sun. 

The white, orange, purple 

and yellow flowers occur in 

clusters and very rarely solitary. 

Threats: many species here 

are very specialized and any 

change in their environment will 

usually affect them adversely. 

The larger shrubs in the 

area will protect and “nurse” 

seedlings of other plants and 

many rely on these larger shrubs for germination and 

survival of seedlings. 

Overgrazing is a large contributing factor to 

the loss of these larger shrubs, reducing cover 

and robbing plants of shade and protection. 

Indiscriminate over grazing at the wrong time of 

year can lead to the 

disappearance of an 

entire seedling crop. 

Stone plants are 

easily trampled on by 

livestock, eradicating 

them in certain areas 

because they are 

usually restricted to 

small areas. 

Crazy Crassulas: 

This family is 

composed of large 

number of annual and 

perennial species, with 

more or less succulent 

leaves. 

Many species keep 

to the shady aspects 

of southern slope, 

overhanging rocks and 

other larger plants. 

Some species have highly specialised adaptation 

for desert living. 

Tylecodon paniculatus 

This species has a thick, soft succulent stem 

covered by a papery yellow-brown bark. The leaves 

are succulent and not often consumed by livestock. 

If eaten it causes severe stomach cramps called 

“krimpsiek” and can also lead to death. 

Cotyledon orbiculata 

An evergreen succulent, about 50cm in height. 

Hunters used the flower stalk as a flute to make 

a pe-pe noise like that of a young klipspringer. The 

adults would be attrached by the sound coming to 

investigate, making them easy targets. 

If eaten by livestock it causes severe stomach 

cramps and can led to death. 

Crassula deceptor 

A dwarf succulent, growing to 

about 8cm high. The widely eggshaped 

leaves are sharply pointed 

to round tipped. 

Found in non-alkaline soils, on 

gentle slopes or on rocky outcrops 

surrounded by quartz stones. 

Threats to 

these plants: 

Humans pose 

an enormous 

threat to some 

succulent plants 

mainly in the 

form of illegal 

collecting. 

Most small 

flowering stone 

plants can reach 

ages of 50 years 



and “recruitment” can maybe only happen twice in 

the plants lifetime. Recruitment is not to be confused 

with germination but is rather a critical growing stage 

determined mainly by rainfall patterns. 

A collector can easily collect an entire population 

of plants in one single field excursion wiping out 

future generations. 

An abundance of Kraalbos (Galenia 

africana), Asbos (Psilocaulon spp.), Soutslaai 

(Mesembryanthemum 

geurichianum) and 

Swartstamvy (Ruschia robusta) 

indicate that an area has 

been over utilised through 

grazing or other disturbances. 

Conservation: 

Through knowledge comes 

understanding, awareness 

and caring but unfortunately 

not enough is known about 

many succulent plants/Succulent 

Karoo. 

Goegap Provincial Park, 

Namaqua National Park 

and Provincial parks in the Knersvlakte vary in 

conservation status but they all provide opportunities 

for eco-tourism, recreation and education. 

Good working relationships need to be built up by 

the Parks board and surrounding farmers to help protect 

these very special natural treasures of Namaqualand. 

Crayfishing and fishing: 

Fishing is not very good along the west coast, 

permits are needed and the main catch off the coast 

are Hottentots or Kaapse Galjoen. 

These fish prefer clear and warmer water 

temperatures before taking the bait of anglers, and 

they are an important source of food for some of the 

local inhabitants of the west coast. Bag limits of 10 

fish per permit holder are in place. 

One of the other interesting sea creatures is Desis 

formidabilis or the Intertidal spider. 

The intertidal spider is one of two southern African 

species which have colonised the rocky shores. Desis 

formidabilis is the largest and has large fangs that are 

almost one third of the total body length, hence its 

specific name. 

Both species make a web under an empty limpet 

shell or in empty barnacles, cementing the shells 

securely to the rocks so to trap bubbles of air when 

the tide rises. In this nest the eggs are laid and the 

juveniles spend most of their early lives. Empty shells 

are often in short supply and the spiders compete 

fiercely for them, larger spiders will evict smaller 

ones from shells and females will never share their 

shells with other females, due to direct competition in 

rearing the young. The spiders emerge at night when 

the tide is low, preying on isopods and amphipods. 

It is interesting to note the two species of spider 

although they feed on amphipods and isopods they 

don’t eat the same species of amphipods or isopods. 

This may reduce the competion for food between the 

two species. 

When the spider finds itself stranded from its nest 

when the tide rises, they are able to survive under 

water for a few hours even without the protection 

and air sac from its nest. This is made possible by a 

velvety mat of waxy hairs on its abdomen and keeps 

it dry creating a film of air beneath the hairs and 

from this film the spider is able to breathe. This film 

of air is more than just a reservoir of oxygen, and 

acts like a physical gill, the principle operates as 

follows; air contains 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen. 

As the spider uses up the oxygen in the air film, 

the percentage of oxygen drops leaving a higher 

percentage of nitrogen. If the surrounding water is 

saturated with oxygen (as it usually is in the intertidal 

zone) then it too will have a 20% oxygen and 80% 

nitrogen concentration, resulting in oxygen diffusing 

from the water across to the air film on the spider’s 

abdomen, thus enabling the spider to breathe while 

submerged for a few hours until the nitrogen has 

been lost to the surrounding water causing the film to 

collapse. 

Desis is parasitised by an intertidal wasp, 

Echthrodesis lamorali which lays its eggs in the spider. 

This wasp is the only known intertidal member of the 

wasp family Scelionidae and is wingless and covered 

in hairs, which might prevent wetting and acts as a 

physical lung. 

Thus it is that the few spiders that have succeeded in 

inhabiting the intertidal zone have not only developed 

remarkable habits and specialized respiratory 

adaptations to allow them to live in this challenging 

environment but their very presence has a profound 

influence on a number of other species. h 


15


Field studies during the flower season, 

who could ask for anything more 

MArine and 

Succulent Karoo 

CoursE 

Afritracks offer a FGASA Marine and 

Succulent Karoo NQF 4 Biome course 

in the Namaqualand and Richtersveld 

National Parks during August 2011. This is 

normally the height of the flower season. 

An absolute bonus! 

The course is aimed at qualified guides and 

persons suitably qualified or prepared. 

Direct enquiries to Louis Willemse principal 

trainer: louisfieldguide@kingsley.co.za 

Winelands Experience 

Tours, Transfers & Car Hire 

Tel 021 876 4042 . email: info@winelands.travel 

Winelands Experience is looking for 

freelance FGASA qualified tour guides to be 

involved with the development of Nature 

Tourism in the Winelands region. 

In addition to the FGASA qualification, 

knowledge / qualification in wines would be 

an advantage but not essential. 

Guides with their own guided tours would 

be very welcome to discuss the marketing of 

these tours with us. 

Winelands Experience has 5 vehicles which 

can take from 3 to 13 passengers. Applicants 

with their own vehicles are welcome to 

discuss working in association with Winelands 

Experience providing both Tour and Transfer 

services. 

Interested parties should send their CV to 

Bill Morris. Email: bill@winelands.travel

Sandblasted Ventifact facets on The Wild Coast The WWF ... - FGASA

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