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Umbogintwini, South Africa
Habitats on the Umbogintwini Site
 There
are a number of habitats on the Tioxide production site. Most of these
have been man-modified, but some wilder areas do remain. The main habitats
represented are:
- Wild scrub and woodland.
- Landscaped areas with mainly exotic
shrubs and other plants.
- Short mown grass.
- Building and other structures.
There are no significant wetland habitats in the production area,
but storm water from the site is discharged via the Umbogavango lagoons
a man-made wetland designed to treat waste water from the AECI complex
and a designated wildlife reserve.
Scrub and Woodland
This wilder habitat is mainly found in the vicinity of the sports field
and in the area surrounding the sites freshwater tanks. Wooded areas
are also present beyond the grass verges bordering some of the site
roads. Although they are generally allowed to grow wild these bush
thickets are a mixture of both indigenous trees and shrubs and exotic
species. A botanical survey of the whole Umbogintwini site was carried
out nearly 20 years ago (Ward ND) but this needs to be up-dated.
No detailed botanical recording was done during the brief site visit
in May 2000 but it was noted that the woodland and scrub vegetation
consisted of a mixture of indigenous and exotic species. The indigenous
species such as Acacias, white pear (Apodytes dimidiata) and wild
figs (Fiscus) were more abundant in some areas than in others with
the woodlands around the freshwater tanks being one of the better
areas. Exotics such as lantana (Lantana camara), blue gum (Eucalytus
globules) and Barbabos gooseberry (Pereskia aculacta) were present
in a number of areas.
The woodland and scrub habitats hold the largest bird populations within
the production site and species such as Tamborine Dove, Black-headed
Oriole and Collared Sunbird were noted.
Banded Mongoose was common in this habitat as was Vervet Monkey, however,
Blue Duiker, whilst present is rather scarce and not often seen.
Landscaped Area
These more formal garden areas were located around the main administration
buildings and visitor reception areas and consisted of mainly horticultural
varieties of indigenous and exotic plants. The wildlife interest
in these habitats was considerably less than in the wilder areas
of the site but they did attract a number of butterflies and birds
such as starlings and sunbirds.
Short Mown Grass
Short cut lawns are a regular feature of most industrial sites across
the world, especially around the main administration buildings and
visitor reception areas. On the Tioxide site the grass verges between
site roads and more densely bushed areas are also closely cut.
This policy is understandable since it gives the appearance of a neat
and well cared for site.
Although not totally devoid of interest such sites generally have
low biodiversity and wildlife value. On the Tioxide property Cape Wagtails
and African Pied Wagtails were regularly recorded feeding on these
grassed areas that also attracted a few Blacksmith Plover. The boundaries
between the short mown and areas of longer grass were much used by
Bronze Manikins.
Banded Mongoose is common on the site and the animals seemed to favour
the cut grass verges bordering the wooded parts of the site. These
animals were tolerant of vehicles using the site roads but would not
allow a close approach on foot and quickly dispersed into quite thick
cover. Vervet Monkeys are also common and these animals also were often
seen in the grass areas near trees. Blue Duiker also occurs at Umbogintwini
and company employees reported that at times this animal is also be
seen on the grass verges, although it rarely strays far from thick
cover. Old reports also mention Red Duiker but the present status of
this antelope on the Umbogintwini site is unknown.
Building and other Industrial Structures
As would be expected these areas are of the least wildlife interest,
although a detailed survey of the production areas has not been carried
out. Some birds such as wagtails perch on the buildings and could
possible nest on some of the plant structures. Occasionally larger
birds such as Long-crested Hawk Eagle might also use a building or
structure as a convenient perch and birds such as swallows and swifts
hawk insects over the production areas.
Vervet Monkeys have become used to plant staff and at times venture
into the working areas of the site. In such areas the animals are a
nuisance and are discouraged. The feeding of monkeys on the site is
forbidden. |
