Page 24 - Landscape135

LANDSCAPING FEATURE

Bradypodion melanocephalum adult male
Photo: Adrian Armstrong
Citizen science with botanical society members

infestations of invasive alien plants,
transformations of natural areas, as well
as woody plant invasions of remaining
grassland remnants. Rapid urbanisation
leads to habitat damage, degradation and
ultimate loss. According to the 2024 World
Population Review, Durban’s population is
estimated at 3,2 million. This is conservative,
and other sources estimate a count of
3.71 to 4 million for the greater combined
region.
Management interventions in the form
of the removal of invasive alien species,
periodic burning of grassland habitats, Bradypodion melanocephalum adult female Photo: Adrian Armstrong
removal of litter from streams, the
prevention of illegal harvesting of species,
and land invasion become key lines of Nature reserves are ideal field sites to from the mottled brown colour of the
defense in conservation. observe living systems and to see what female. Ritualised mating displays include
plants grow naturally in your area. Many head bobbing, expansion of the folds in
Nature reserves – islands of reserves have flora and fauna species lists the casque or hood, and posturing with
protection in a sea of suburbia that can be used together with field guides one of the forelimbs extended. These
Important nature reserves within the city in the region. displays frequently escalate into vicious
include Beechwood Mangroves (swamp fights that result in one of the contestants
forest and mangroves), Bluff Nature Chameleons and other being bitten or dislodged from the branch.
Reserve (wetlands and lowland forest) endangered champions This regionally endemic chameleon
Burman bush (coastal forest), Hawaan Chameleons are considered to be indicators has a range restricted to the coastal belt
Forest (coastal lowland forest), Kenneth of environmental health, and Durban has of KZN. The two vegetation types most
Stainbank reserve (grassland mosaic), its own champion, the KwaZulu Dwarf frequently inhabited by this chameleon
Krantzkloof (coastal scarp forest), Pigeon Chameleon (Bradypodion melanocephalum). are North Coast Grassland and South Coast
Valley (coastal lowland forest), Springside A small lizard, it is not more than 11 cm long. Grassland, both of which are classified as
(grassland and swamp forest), and Treasure The tail is as long as the body or marginally Critically Endangered. These vegetation
Beach (coastal grassland). These nature shorter in females, and the casque (helmet- types have been largely transformed by
2
reserves are managed by different agents like outgrowth on the head) is low and weakly sugar cane cultivation, urbanisation and
including the Natural Resources Division formed. Moving slowly as solitary individuals, timber farming. The population of this
of the eThekwini Municipality, Ezemvelo they are unsociable creatures and on chameleon is therefore threatened with
KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW), Wildlife confronting one of their kind, they turn their extinction, although its IUCN Red List
and Environmental Society of South Africa broadsides to each other and inflate their status has not yet been finalised.
(WESSA). These agents are often assisted bodies and throat for maximum effect. Males Some years ago, EKZNW initiated the
or encouraged by conservancies and open their mouths to display the brightly monitoring of this species in two localities
individual champions in various parts of coloured interior in a show of aggression. in Durban, namely Chameleon Park and a
the city. Male colouration does not differ much parcel of land within D’MOSS next to Edwin

22 Landscape SA • Issue 135 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za