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065 | 068 - EditThe mangroves of the Durban harbour

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Bayhead Natural HeritageThe Bayhead Natural Heritage Site protected since 1995 is a 20-hectare open estuary nature reserve, which inhabits the mangroves and coastal grassland within the harbour.

Only a few-hundred plant species can be found in most mangrove forests around the world (the rain forest has thousands). Three species of mangrove can be found within the reserve namely the red, black and white mangroves. Although they are themselves few in species, the ecosystem these trees create provide a home for a variety of other organisms.

A moderate number of Palaearctic shorebirds can be seen in summer and the Mangrove Kingfisher is sighted during winter. The regenerating big claw fiddler crab can be seen on the intertidal mudflats.

MANGALED & UPROOTED

PREFACEIn the heart of the Port of Durban lies a pocket of mangrove trees, once the largest mangrove swamp in the province; now completely surrounded by industrial development. TNPA, custodians of the Bayhead mangroves, team up with local environmental and community groups to raise awareness on the importance of the self-sustainable estuarine mangal.

The mangroves of the Durban harbour, Edit

1. Bayhead Natural Heritage Site

2. Kingfisher

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Mangroves an intelligent speciesNot many plant species can make it in the mangal. Each mangal presents a unique set of environment challenges and the mix of species is partly determined by the toler-ance of individual species to the physical conditions. To be accepted in their intertidal habitat mangroves have to overcome prob-lems of extreme salinity levels, low concen-trations of dissolved oxygen in the high salt water and floods.

The mangrove response to high salt is suberin - a wax substance on the root, which is highly impermeable to exclude salt from the rest of plant. The scarcity of fresh water available in salty intertidal soils calls for an intelligent solution of limiting the amount of water the mangroves lose through their leaves. High tide brings in salt water that is low in oxygen and rich in bacteria. The bacteria liberate phosphate, sulphides and methane chemicals, which make the soil less nutritious and harmful to plants and fish.

The Red mangroves’ stilted roots prop the trees above water level and the lenticels found on the bark allow them to breathe and absorb carbon dioxide directly from the air (rather than from the soil) and other nutri-ents such as iron, from the inhospitable soil.

Black mangroves can be found on higher ground and make many straw-like root structures, which stick up out of the soil, also covered in lenticels. The carbon fixed

in mangroves is important in coastal food webs.

Protecting our way of lifeGlobal warming has presented real threats of climate change. High rising sea levels and changing weather patterns will bring foreign natural phenomenon (hurricanes and tsunamis) to previously tranquil shorelines.

Mangrove swamps are effective pro-tectors of coastal areas from erosion, and serve as a first line of defence against storm surges and tsunamis. The mangroves’ massive root systems are efficient at dis-sipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water to help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles when the tide ebbs.

Commercial interests have seen half of the world’s mangroves disappear over the last several decades. The irony is that this coastal biome, threatened by commerce, host commercially important fish and crustaceans while supplying food and medi-cine through their bark, leaves and fruits.

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1. The mesh oxygen producing structure of mangroves offers a quiet marine

region for young organisms. The permanently submerged areas of the root

host algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and moss animals which require a

hard surface for an anchored filter feed surface created by the sediments

caught by the mesh.

2. Shrimps and mud crustaceans such as the fiddler crab use the muddy

bottoms of the mangrove swamps as their home.

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TNPA balances profit and sustainabilityTransnet’s important role in investing in a booming economy through an efficient freight transport infrastructure has seen the Port of Durban develop over the decades to respond to South Africa’s demand for commodity exchanges.

The Transnet Market Demand Strategy (MDS) aims to continue this needed devel-opment that will minimise congested con-tainer traffic outside the port and enable service to new age giant vessels.

The importance of Transnet’s business does not shadow their responsibility to the environment they depend on to operate.

A midst various social and environmental partnership programmes is the Port of Durban’s Bayhead natural heritage site. The site is home to the endangered mangroves and has a well-appointed educational centre, which unfortunately has been very under-utilised. In response, Transnet approached non-government environment

Edit , The mangroves of the Durban Harbour

organisation Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (WESSA) KZN, conservation group Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and biodiversity research organisation South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), to assist with a special re-launch event, which took place on Monday 19 March 2012. The event was attended by around 50 guests including 12th grade life science students from The Durban Academy and Sithengile Secondary.

The programme aims to bring awareness to the endangered mangrove ecosystem and educate on the importance of coastal biodi-versity conservation efforts.

The heritage site is located on Breede Road at the Langeberg Road entrance to the Durban harbour. Other facilities include bird hide, and a raised boardwalk through the mangroves.

Useful links:WESSA KZNwessa.org.zaEzemvelo KZN Wildlifewww.kznwildlife.comSANBIwww.sanbi.org

Other mangrove heritage sites in KZN:Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve Size: 76-hectareManaging Agency: Ezemvulo KZNFacilities: Guided and self guided trails; Picnic areas; Braai facility; Environmental Education Centre; Educational group toursOpening Hours: By appointment onlyDogs: Not allowedLocation: Durban North

For more information on the Bayhead Natural

Heritage Site contact Miriam Hafajee, Transnet’s

Environmental Manager at Miriam.Hafajee@

transnet.net or on +27(0)31 361 8715.

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Durban City, Edit

Eat & Drink near BayheadWilson’s Wharf John Dory’s14 Boatman’s Road, Unit 21, Wilson’s Wharf, 4001+27(0)31 304 7669www.johndorys.co.za

Travel time from Bayhead: 15minsKnown for: Family seafood & grills while overlooking Durban harbour

Roma Revolving Restaurant Victoria Embankment, Durban 4001+27(0)31 337 6707www.roma.co.za

Travel time from Bayhead: 16minsKnown for: Excellent views of City of Durban and traditional Italian cuisine

Capscium Restaurant - Britannia Hotel1299 Umgeni Road, Durban, 4001+27(0)31 303 2266www.roma.co.za

Travel time from Bayhead: 18minsKnown for: Rich seafood curries and famous the Durban bunny chow

Stay near BayheadHilton Durban12-14 Walnut Road, Durban 4001+27(0)31 336 8100www3.hilton.com

Travel time from Bayhead: 20mins

Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel63 Snell Parade, Durban 4000+27(0)31 362 1300www.tsogosunhotels.com

Travel time from Bayhead: 23mins

PORT CITY GUIDE MANGROVE COAST

PREFACEAfter your visit at the Port of Durban or from you experience at Bayhead Natural Heritage Site learning about the mangroves you will want to serve your appetite with what the City of Durban has on offer.

Sea creatures near BayheaduShaka Marine World1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban 4001+27(0)31 328 8000www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

Travel time from Bayhead: 21minsTheme Park Sections: uShaka Sea World (conservation), uShaka Wet ‘n Wild (water park), uShaka Beach (access from amuse-ment park), and uShaka Village Walk (Afri-can village designed market place)

History near BayheadPort Natal Maritime MuseumVictoria Embankment, Durban 4001

Visiting hours: 08:30 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday11:00 to 16:00 Sundays and Public HolidaysClosed: Good Friday and Christmas DayTravel time from Bayhead: 15mins

City of Durban +27 (0)31 304 4934 | www.durban.gov.zaKZN Tourism Authority+27 (0)31 451 6666 | www.zulu.org.za