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During the 1980’s scientists
first realized that Milnerton
Racecourse was botanically a
very important site. Whereas
much of the fynbos in this
coastal area had disappeared
under developments or as result
of the invasion of alien
vegetation, the fynbos within
the confines of the racecourse
was still relatively untouched. |
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What makes it relatively unique
is that it has an unusual geology
consisting of neutral to
slightly acidic sand on
ferricrete. This results in Cape
Flats Sand Fynbos with elements
of West Coast Strandveld with
exceptionally high diversity
relative to the size of the
conservation area. It is one of
the last natural habitats
situated on ferricretes, this
substrate type is fairly
localised (hence the name
Ysterplaat), but has been
largely built over. |
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There are 232 recorded plant
species in the MRCA; of these 12 have “Red
Data” status including
Cliffortia ericifolia,
Hermannia procumbens ssp.
procumbens, Leucadendron
levisanus, Acrolophia
bolusii and Lampranthus
stenus (largest known
population). |
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The MRCA represents the greatest
number of succulents
(Mesembryanthemaceae and
Aizoaceae) per unit area for any
remnant of similar size on the
Cape Flats or Peninsula. |
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Compare this to Rietvlei where
there are about 90 plant species
(in a reserve of more than 560ha), with no
threatened species recorded.
Another interesting fact is that
only 42 of the 232 species found
in the MRCA also occur in the
Rietvlei Wetland Reserve. This
area is more comparable to
Rondebosch Common where 230
plant species have been found on
60ha, of which 3 are threatened
species. |
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There are also two small
wetlands in the area – one just
south of Sandown Crescent in the
southern area and
one adjacent to The Met in the
northern area;
during winter several more small
temporary wetlands develop. All
of this provides a wonderful
habitat for a variety of bird
life, more than 70 species have
been recorded. Thus far at least
10 species of butterflies and
moths have been recorded. There
used to be a small population of
steenbok in the area, but they
seem to have disappeared; there
are a number of grysbok in both northern and
southern areas. |
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