A patch of coastal wetland that harbours rare and endangered plant species is set to disappear under a fairway of the expanded Hermanus golf course, writes Geraldine Gardiner of the Hermanus Botanical Society. Photographs: Christine Wakfer.

Tucked away between the busy Main Road of Hermanus and the towering forest of pines and gums is a wetland commonage bordering a quiet road called Flat Street. Two years ago it was filled with alien vegetation but hard work and dedication by volunteer hackers from the Hermanus Botanical Society have turned it into an extremely special ecosystem – a sensitive coastal wetland area supporting rare and diverse flora.

If you walk along the forest boundary in late summer you will meet up with a special small white erica called E capillaris, last seen in nearby Arc Street 40 years ago. Of course 50 years ago there was no forest and the wetland extended over the entire area.

Another massed stand of white ericaceae on the roadside was Erica subdivaricata followed by an abundant flowering of white Struthiola dodecandra.

The deep pink Erica laeta blooms for months, as does the Prince of Wales heath Erica perspicua, white and pink. Springtime in the wettest part sees the brilliant yellow peaflower Liparia angustifolia (formerly Priestleya and rare to the Fernkloof area) and the pale yellow of Moraea papilionacea.

A rare member of the Cyperaceae family which grows there in a single cryptically concealed stand is Chrysitrix capensis, its tiny flower protruding out of a bladelike leaf. Platycaulis major, a member of the Restionaceae family, abounds the forest edge. Watsonias, blue micranthus, white lachnea, a rare stilbe, the list is endless.

In fact, it answers exactly to the description given to it by the environmental report for the proposed golf course development drawn up in November 2001, recognising the botanical and ecological importance of this area. The report notes that it is “representative of a form of coastal flats fynbos that is becoming ever-rarer as a result of expanding development, particularly in the Hermanus area” and that “the wetland and coastal flats vegetation… represent remnants of threatened ecosystems that consequently have a high conservation value”.

The report also noted that the area was degraded through alien encroachment and constant mowing by the municipality. It recommended that the “least impact” option for development should be followed unless funding could be found for its rehabilitation.

The Hermanus Botanical Society started this rehabilitation. Aliens were attacked vigorously and mowing was stopped. The recovery has been nothing short of astounding. Species previously not present (including Red Data Book species) are being found on practically every exploratory walk. A number of plants represent the last remaining populations in the Hermanus area.

The municipality’s guidelines for environmental management state that the vacant municipal land that fits set requirements must form part of a “Protected Areas Network” and be given the highest possible conservation status. The Flat Street area qualifies comfortably for this. Local botanists were therefore appalled when, after meeting on site with the development’s environmental team in December 2004, they saw markers set up indicating that a fairway was in fact envisaged as running down the middle of the coastal flats area.

The situation was not improved when festive season dune buggy drivers raced along the most sensitive areas.

Hermanus Botsoc is determined to preserve the botanical and ecological riches of the Flat Street area for the future. Ideally it should be excluded from the golf course development. Certainly a fairway should not impinge on the most sensitive area. Attempts so far to discuss the matter with municipal officials have not been successful but negotiations with the development team are proceeding.

Anyone who would like to contribute to this initiative may contact Pat Miller on 028 313 0093 or Lee Burman on 028 312 3011.