Post by Choi, Janelle Ye-Lim

From the 20th to the 23rd of September, the Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB) 2024 united people from around the world to spend time in nature and with community. In more than 82 areas across 21 countries in the Southern Hemisphere, thousands of citizen scientists embarked on a mission to record the biodiversity in their regions and outcompete others.  On the morning of the 21st of September, 15 citizen scientists from around Cape Town congregated at the Retreat Civic Centre to observe the species diversity along the southern dunes of Princess Vlei.
   The GSB 2024 event at Princess Vlei was as much about capturing a snapshot of the Vlei’s biodiversity as about connecting with people in the community. The day kicked off with introductions as we went around in a circle sharing our names, professions, and what drew us to the event. We were a group of volunteers, professionals in the environmental management space, six-year-olds, professors, and students, united by our appreciation for nature

As we walked along Toring Road, Princess Vlei Forum’s Biodiversity Project Manager Denisha Anand, shared the history of the land. The land south of Princess Vlei is covered in Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (CFDS) and was the only area deemed worthy of conserving by an Environmental Impact Assessment of Princess Vlei. The CFDS vegetation type is endangered as a result of urban sprawl, sand mining, illegal dumping, and poor management. The Princess Vlei Forum has worked to protect and conserve this area in addition to the remaining 110 hectares that compose the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area. With no other similar veld types in Cape Town, the group had an exciting time snapping photos of the many plants, insects, and critters who call the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld home.

Emma Oliver shared instructions on recording observations on iNaturalist, an online platform that allows people to share biodiversity information and learn about nature. By capturing a photo of a wild organism, uploading the geotagged image to iNaturalist, and selecting a best guess for the species of the organism, the observation is shared to the community. Any observation can be uploaded with a guess of the organism’s taxon, but when a species is identified and verified by two out of three identifiers, the observation is upgraded to research grade status.
 Across the Southern Hemisphere, the biological survey that citizens conduct by taking photographs of wildlife provides insight into the range, diversity, and richness of species. The involvement of  citizen scientists in the monitoring of invasive and native species allows organizations and governments to devise more accurate environmental management plans and conservation policy.

Princess Vlei Forum’s GSB 2024 event was a success with 177 observations and 75 different species observed! Downy Drumsticks, Zaluzianskya villosa, a plant endemic to South African and found on the sandy flats and lower slopes of the Western Cape. Participants were excited to see the Strandveld Trumpet Bobbejaantjie, Babiana tubiflora, which is found in the West Cape province of South Africa and has tolerated severe habitat loss. Aided by binoculars, Professor Todd Vision observed birds flying above the water, though they were not identified. The call of a bird was uploaded to iNaturalist and identified as the Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris. As we made our way back to the Retreat Civic Centre from the banks of the Vlei, the petals of the Blue Afrikaner, Gladiolus carinatus, were spotted. As the group marveled at the beauty of the natural world, shared conversations, and enjoyed some oranges and apples, the event came to a peaceful close.

    In the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area community on iNaturalist, 400 species have been observed with over 1,700 total observations. Join the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area community on iNaturalist! Anyone with access to a phone can share data to a community of nature lovers and contribute to the growing scientific knowledge of biodiversity. To be counted in the GSB2024 competition, participants have until October 7th to submit all observations!
   The Great Southern Bioblitz effectively engages communities in citizen science with a fun, competitive twist. Currently, Cape Town sits in third for the most observations recorded during the GSB 2024! This annual, international event has a lasting impact as community members end the day equipped with knowledge of how to upload to iNaturalist and continue engaging in the recording of biodiversity. Thank you to all who participated in the GSB 2024, and we look forward to seeing which region comes out on top on October 7th! View the results on the iNaturalist Community: Great Southern Bioblitz 2024 Umbrella!

On Sunday, September 1st, about 15 community members gathered to celebrate the first signs of spring with a walk around the southern shore of Princess Vlei to Little Princess Vlei. People from all walks of life, including their furry friends, came together to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the Vlei. They met at the braai area, where they shared conversations under a blue sky dotted with scattered clouds and a refreshing, chilly breeze.
The tour, guided by Emma Oliver, Bridget Pitt, and Denisha Anand, members of the Princess Vlei Forum, provided a wealth of information on the ongoing restoration efforts at the site. They also shared intriguing details about the local animal and botanical species.
The walk was attended by Chief Hennie Van Wyk and Jeanette Isaacman of the Gorochouqua House. Chief Hennie is a founding member of the Princess Vlei Forum, and one of the leaders in the fight against the shopping mall. Their presence was a reminder of the rich and complex history of this vlei.

As the sun shone on Princess Vlei, white rain daisies and yellow bietou flowers, both native to South Africa peppered the sandy banks. Among the abundant flowering plants, pops of bright blue and violet could also be spotted as the group walked from the meeting point to Little Princess Vlei. These vibrant flowers belong to the common water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes, and while beautiful in color are an invasive species. Invasive species are harmful as they outcompete indigenous species for resources and lack natural predators to control population growth. Originally native to South America, the invasive water hyacinth is widespread in freshwater ecosystems throughout South Africa. Additionally, common water hyacinth reproduces rapidly and possesses the ability to double in population in just two weeks. Large amounts of water hyacinth around a wetland can gather in waterways blocking sunlight and lowering oxygen levels.
At the Princess Vlei Forum, alien species clearing has become an integral process in the restoration of native Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Cape Flats Sand Plain Fynbos, and Cape Freshwater Lowlands. Young children and adults alike wandered around the Vlei clearing common water hyacinth by pulling them out by the roots.

Nearby, thistle sugarbush, or Protea scolymocephala, grew in several patches—an example of a successful restoration project. This sandveld species is endemic to the Western Cape and was classified as endangered in 2019. Several years ago, members of the Princess Vlei Forum scattered seeds in an area lacking native vegetation. Now, in the Greater Princess Vlei Conservation Area, more than ten observations of thistle sugarbush have been recorded on the citizen-science app, iNaturalist.
     Weaving through the sandy dunes, several individuals with trash bags kept an eye out for plastic bags, bottles, and other litter along the walk. As stewards work to protect vulnerable and endangered species around the wetland, litter clearing creates an environment where animals and plants can thrive without disturbance. Among these threatened species is the endangered  Western Leopard Toad, Habitat fragmentation and loss due to urbanization and agricultural expansion have led to the population’s decline.  The group listened for the call of the Western Leopard Toad as they walked around the wetland.
Trekking through to Little Princess Vlei, the group stopped at a small hill that overlooked a field of flowers and indigenous vegetation on one side and a view of the water on the other. Carefully stepping over mounds of loose soil created by the Cape mole-rat, endemic to South Africa, the group breathed in the fresh spring air and relaxed to the joyful chirps of birds circling the Vlei.
     Princess Vlei is a public space meant to be enjoyed by all community members. These spring walks are just one of the ways the Princess Vlei Forum is seeking to create space for community building in an outdoor classroom. A big thank you to all who came out and we hope to see you at our next community event!