DONKEYTRAIL – FAST FACTS
1) CALITZDORP & GROENFONTEIN
2) ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY
3) SWARTBERG NATURE RESERVE
4) GAMKASKLOOF
5) THE MOUNTAINPASSES
1)CALITZDORP & GROENFONTEIN
History of Calitzdorp
This fertile valley was originally a lake. The soil is mainly alluvial and agricultural crops are grown 1 km on either side of the rivers (Nel’s and Gamka – lion in khoi). Early writings prove that the kh
oi called Kannaland ‘the valley with no grass’. Evidence of early San and Khoi peoples are evident in numerous rock paintings found In the surrounding mountains. In 1821, land was granted to JJ and MC Calitz who named it Buffelsvlei. This name was derived from the local vegetation and animals found here. In 1853, the Calitz’s donated land for a church and school to be built, as Oudtshoorn proved to be too far to travel for their monthly ‘Nagmaal”. In 1910, the population was 4000 and a larger church and school were needed. Both buildings were completed in 1912 The church has a neo-Byzantine style with a Marseilles roof. It is a good example of the sandstone architecture of the ostrich-era In the little Karoo. Also in 1912 , building commenced on the old Standard Bank building , presently housing the museum , and the Calitzdorp dam. This dam wall was the first of many to be built in South Africa ,using cement. Subsequent drought , the great flu epidemic, and the collapse of the ostrich feather industry ,played havoc amongst the community. New hope however, came to Calitzdorp in the form of a Railway line (in 1924) and Electrification (in 1937 ), as well as the construction of the first cement road between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn ( also a first for South Africa ). The new R62 was built in 1978. Today , this Klein Karoo thriving community is known as the "Port Wine Capital of South Africa" , and the "Fruit Basket of Kannaland" . Original Church
Geology of Calitzdorp and Environs
A study of the past establishes a set point in history from which we can perceive our present state in Time, and perhaps look forward into the future using it as a reference. During the early Cretaccous Period the ancient super continent of Gondwana split up and Africa was finally separated from South America, Australia, India and Antarctica, standing alone for the first time. In a period characterized by warm humid conditions with lush vegetation and the big lizards, the earth crust underwent major change as it stretched and split. It was accompanied by violent earthquakes and torrential downpours as rocks fractured and ruptured along the fault lines. Crustal extension was also responsible for the formation of elongate basins such as the Oudtshoorn Basin of the Eastern Little Karoo which extends as far west as Calitzdorp. This basin developed mainly along a deep fracture running from East to West along the base of the Swartberg called the "Kango Fault" (also an important ground water conduit). The basin floor subsided mainly along it's Northern Margin, as rocks were crushed and fractured along the Kango fault line. Accompanying this, rejuvenated rivers on the new highlands of Gamkasberg and Rooiberg as well as from the uplifted area to the North, flowed into the Oudtshoorn basin. They carried with them vast amounts of scree and rock, fractured from the Table Mountain sandstone and Quartzite's from the mountain chains surrounding the Little Karoo, and deposited the on the emerging lake shores. These course continental sediments are unique in being one of the first truly African sediments, having been laid down during the time that the African continent was being formed. They were previously known as Enon Conglomerates but are now called the "Buffelskloof Formation", after a nearby farm. The rounded cobbles and pebbles were laid down in silica rich gravels and sediments and are known as conglomerates. The angular rock scree on the slopes covered by these same sediments are known as Breccias. Along the Northern shores the sediments are rich in an iron mineral called Hematite which oxidized in the warm humid climate to a reddish colour , giving Red Stone Hills it's name. Originally this belt of red, gravel sediments formed the Nothern margin of the Oudtshoorn basin but 100 million years of erosion has left isolated koppies in a band stretching from De Rust almost to Calitzdorp. Initially eroding quite quickly, they formed an outer crust which was somewhat more resistant. However weathering has broken through some of this resulting in small caves and overhangs as well as a rather spectacular Hole-in-the Wall. Due to the highly oxidizing conditions prevalent at the time of their formation, fossil remains are virtually non existent although found elsewhere in other Cretaceous deposits on the shores of the ancient Kango basin as well as in older Jurassic deposits. This has resulted in some difficulties in establishing the exact age of these deposits of red gravel. Incredibly, there are two examples of relict species that have lived on from these ancient times for an uninterrupted span of 100 million years. A Gymnosperm in the form of the cycad "Encephalartos horridus" is still found in secluded valleys and an ancient fish species is still found in perennial streams in the foothills of the Swartberg near Calitzdorp. Why are Port-wines of Calitzdorp so good? Port-grape varieties prefer a hot, dry, climate such as that of Calitzdorp. There are quite a lot of similarities between the climate of Calitzdorp and the Douro valley in Portugal. The poor, well-drained soils of Calitzdorp, where vines struggle to ripen, are very suitable for port - wine production. These port-wines are produced from internationally recognized varieties such as Tinta Barocca and Touriga Nacional. A blend of these varieties enhances the aroma-intensity, depth and complexity of these port-wines. Last, but by no means least the dedication of the port-makers is pivotal in the production of these prizewinning port-wines, made in the classic tradition of a high alcohol and relatively low sugar content. Courtesy of Geoff Wyatt-Goodall
www.calitzdorp.co.za
1) ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY
The most remarkable places on earth are also the most threatened – these are the hotspots, the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal on earth. The Cape Floristic Region is the only hotspot to encompass an entire floral kingdom. to qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total) as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat. existence of 34 biodiversity hotspots, each holding at least 1,500 endemic plant species, and having lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat extent. Overall, the 34 hotspots once covered 15.7 percent of the Earth’s land surface. In all, 86 percent of the hotspots’ habitat has already been destroyed, such that the intact remnants of the hotspots now cover only 2.3 percent of the Earth’s land surface. HOTSPOTS SCIENCE
Life on Earth faces a crisis of historical and planetary proportions. Unsustainable consumption in many northern countries and crushing poverty in the tropics are destroying wild nature. Biodiversity is besieged. Extinction is the gravest aspect of the biodiversity crisis: it is irreversible. While extinction is a natural process, human impacts have elevated the rate of extinction by at least a thousand, possibly several thousand, times the natural rate. Mass extinctions of this magnitude have only occurred five times in the history of our planet; the last brought the end of the dinosaur age. In a world where conservation budgets are insufficient given the number of species threatened with extinction, identifying conservation priorities is crucial. British ecologist Norman Myers defined the biodiversity hotspot concept in 1988 to address the dilemma that conservationists face: what areas are the most immediately important for conserving biodiversity? The biodiversity hotspots hold especially high numbers of endemic species, yet their combined area of remaining habitat covers only 2.3 percent of the Earth's land surface. Each hotspot faces extreme threats and has already lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation. Over 50 percent of the world’s plant species and 42 percent of all terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots. The Succulent Karoo of South Africa and Namibia boasts the richest succulent flora on earth, as well as remarkable endemism in plants, with 69 percent as endemics. Reptiles also show relatively high levels of endemism in the region. It is also one of only two entirely arid ecosystems to earn hotspot status, and is home to the mysterious tree-like succulent, the halfmens, as well as many unique species of lizards, tortoises and scorpions. Grazing, agriculture and mining, especially for diamonds and heavy metals, threaten this fragile region. Fortunately, low population levels have allowed for greater preservation in the Succulent Karoo when compared to other more densely populated regions. Hotspot Original Extent (km 2) 102,691
Hotspot Vegetation Remaining (km 2) 29,780
Endemic Plant Species 2,439
Endemic Threatened Birds 0
Endemic Threatened Mammals 1
Endemic Threatened Amphibians 1
Extinct Species† 1
Human Population Density (people/km 2) 4
Area Protected (km 2) 2,567
Area Protected (km 2) in Categories I-IV* 1,890
†Recorded extinctions since 1500. *Categories I-IV afford higher levels of protection. OVERVIEW
Stretching along the Atlantic coast of Africa, from southwestern South Africa into southern Namibia, the Succulent Karoo hotspot covers 102,691 square kilometers of desert. Some pockets of this hotspot are scattered within the Cape Floristic Region Hotspot, which borders it to the south. In fact, the Succulent Karoo exhibits a particularly strong floristic affiliation with the Cape Floristic Region, to the point that some have argued convincingly for the region’s inclusion as part of a greater Cape Flora. The Succulent Karoo, which consists primarily of winter rainfall desert, is one of only two hotspots that are entirely arid (the other is the newly recognized Horn of Africa). The region is commonly divided into two zones. The first, Namaqualand, extends along the west coast of South Africa and southern Namibia. It is a winter rainfall desert with a mild climate moderated by cold Atlantic Ocean currents. The mild climate has contributed to the evolution of a rich array of endemic species. The second zone, the Southern Karoo, experiences peaks of rainfall in spring and autumn and has more extreme climate variations than the Namaqualand desert. Dwarf shrubland dominated by leaf succulents is found throughout the hotspot. These drought-adapted plants have thick, fleshy leaves or stems for water storage. In the Succulent Karoo, there are about 1,700 species of leaf succulents, and this dominance is unique among the world's deserts. The recent and explosive diversification of the Mesembryanthemaceae, the largest group, has been described as an event unrivaled among flowering plants. Stem succulents are also found here (around 140 species), as are seasonal bulbs and annuals that display magnificent spring blooms in the open spaces between the shrubs, particularly during the spring in the Namaqualand. Hilly areas in the southern Karoo are dotted with evergreen shrubs and tall aloes. CENTRAL LITTLE KAROO
The Central Little Karoo lies in the valley between the Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges in the south of the Succulent Karoo Hotspot. Extensive plains, arid foothills and rugged rocky ridges include a wide range of microhabitats with extreme seasonal and diurnal temperature fluctuations (up to 28°C difference between day and night). There are 1,325 species in this 51,000-hectare area, including 182 Succulent Karoo endemics and 92 Red List species. Although unique and rare species are found throughout the Central Little Karoo landscape, many of the endemics are concentrated along veins of weathered quartz, where patches of white pebbles provide camouflage and moderate the temperature for "stone plants." Much of the vegetation in the important river corridors has already been transformed for agriculture- principally lucerne, but also vines and deciduous fruit. Ostrich ranching is however the greatest pressure on biodiversity in this priority area due to Ostriches' ability to survive on even the driest veld. Unfortunately even moderate numbers of Ostrich can dramatically degrade Karoo vegetation. For each of SKEP’s priority regions, strategies were developed by stakeholders representing conservation, farming, mining tourism and local government, education and law enforcement. The conservation of the Central Little Karoo is being addressed through collaboration with a larger initiative to conserve biodiversity and improve land and water management in the Gouritz River watershed. The Gouritz Initiative aims to promote sustainable land-use and conserve the unique biological diversity of the Little Karoo and Central Cape Floristic Region and uses the frameworks of SKEP, C.A.P.E. www.capeaction.org.za, and STEP cpu.uwc.ac.za to guide its activities. The 2004/2005 strategy for the Central Little Karoo priority region is summarized in an annual strategy document. This document is a living document and priority actions and strategic emphasis will evolve over time. For more information on the Gouritz Initiative, browse to www.gouritz.com
Download the "Little Karoo strategy" document. Biodiversity Hotspots
In a world where conservation budgets are insufficient given the number of species threatened with extinction, identifying conservation priorities is crucial. British ecologist, Norman Myers, defined the biodiversity hotspot concept in 1988 to address the dilemma that conservationists face: what areas are the most important for preserving species? Two factors are considered for hotspot designation. Hotspots are regions that harbour a great diversity of endemic species and, at the same time, have been significantly impacted and altered by human activities. Plant diversity is the biological basis for hotspot designation; to qualify as a hotspot, a region must support 1,500 endemic plant species, 0.5 percent of the global total. Existing primary vegetation is the basis for assessing human impact in a region; to qualify as a hotspot, a region must have lost more than 70 percent of its original habitat. Plants have been used as qualifiers because they are the basis for diversity in other taxonomic groups and are well-known to researchers. Typically, the diversity of endemic vertebrates in hotspot regions is also extraordinarily high. The hotspot concept targets regions where the threat is greatest to the greatest number of species and allows conservationists to focus cost-effective efforts there. The 25 biodiversity hotspots contain 44 percent of all plant species and 35 percent of all terrestrial vertebrate species in only 1.4 percent of the planet's land area. Biodiversity
Stretching along the Atlantic coast of Africa, from southwestern South Africa into southern Namibia, the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot covers 116,000 square kilometers of desert. It is one of the 25 richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth. These biodiversity hotspots cover only 1.4 percent of the planet yet contain 60 percent of all terrestrial species diversity. The Succulent Karoo boasts the world’s richest succulent flora, as well as high reptile and invertebrate diversity. Compared to other hotspots, the vegetation remains relatively intact. A sparse population (only 300,000 people) and the fact that more than 90 percent of the hotspot is used for natural grazing have eased the conversion pressures on this region. However, only 30,000 square kilometers of the original vegetation remains in a relatively pristine state. www.skep.org
www.biodiversityhotspots.org
2) SWARTBERG NATURE RESERVE
Swartberg Nature Reserve
