Local newsNews
A pretty winter picture despite cold, drought and fires
Definitely a win species as far as erosion and exposed areas are concerned.
Platycarphella parvifolia is proving to be a delightful wetland character! It is one of three platycarphella species known in the country with Platycarphella parvifolia being less known.
What Parysenaars might not know is that this indigenous flower is found all around the wetlands scattered among the incredible biodiverse grasslands in our area with the species already being documented multiple times in the wetland particulary around the veld next to the new Dome Primary School.
What makes these little ground covers quite interesting is that they are one of the few flowers flowering during the harsh July/August winter period where they endure extreme cold, drought and fires.
Pollinators seem to be all over them. During summer months they form dense clumps next or even inside puddles of water. Surprisingly you tend to spot them in areas next to heavy foot traffic and overgrazed by livestock.
Read more about the species at https://pza.sanbi.org/platycarpha
Why the need to conserve wetlands?
Wetlands in South Africa cover 2.4% of the country’s surface, but 48% of wetland ecosystem types are critically endangered. As a result, the country has lost approximately 50% of its original wetland area.
- An initiative to rehabilitate the neglected natural wetland area in the center of Parys, to transform the underutilized area into a sustainable wetland ecosystem that will be accessible and safe for all communities, is already underway, and the first phase of the project will be completed within the next three years.
- The wetland offers enormous tourism potential with cross-country and cycling routes being developed here, and will also be used by schools as a conservation and educational site.
- The wetland area stretches from Tumahole down to the bottom of the Mimosa Gardens, and starts at a natural fountain behind the Viva Filling Station in Parys’ industrial area, says Leida Schuman, one of the volunteers involved in the project. She explains that the wetland is also a main pedestrian route for people walking daily between Tumahole, Schonkenville and Parys. It connects schools, the industrial area of Parys and residential areas.
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