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LANDSCAPING FEATURE

Bradypodion melanocephalum juvenile Photo: Adrian Armstrong Mystacidium capense in Hawaan Forest
Photo: Hilton Maclarty

Suburban tree planting at Manor Gardens in Durban KZN Dwarf Chameleon Photo: Suncana Bradley
Photo: Rita Tolmay
Swales Business Park. Although population D’MOSS provides a unique opportunity the National Association of Conservancies /
sizes have varied greatly since 2002 when to conserve many of eThekwini Stewardship of South Africa (NACSSA)
counts began, the trend since 2018 has Municipality’s threatened ecosystems and represents ±750 conservancies in South
been that of a decreasing population species. These include the endangered Africa. In total, these conservancies own
with a maximum of about 200 individuals KZN Sandstone Sourveld grasslands, and manage about three million hectares
counted in this year. Conservationists in the the critically endangered Brachystelma of land. Many conservancies host their
municipality aim to increase the potentially natalense (a small herbaceous plant), the own blogs and newsletters, organise
suitable habitat near Chameleon Park to endangered Oribi, Spotted Ground Thrush parties for removing invasive alien plants,
exceed 582 ha. This will only be achieved and Pickersgill’s Reed Frog. If protected engage in planting indigenous trees, and
through intense programmes for control of and managed, D’MOSS will also help invite experts on relevant field trips.
invasive alien plants. the province and the country to meet Botanical societies are the citizen science
Dwarf chameleons are frequently found biodiversity conservation targets. arm of SANBI and have many branches
in stands of Antelope grass (echinochloa throughout the country. In addition to
pyramidalis) and Guinea grass (Panicum Citizen science – the key to their publication of Veld and Flora , an
maximum) (see recent article on grassland sustainable conservation informative update on botanical activities
gardening in Landscape SA No. 134). Citizen science offers a platform for throughout the country, some areas host
You can encourage chameleons into landowners, professionals, amateurs and their own websites and through WhatsApp
your landscape by planting their desired interested members of the public to get chat groups, participants identify and
food grasses and host shrubs. These lizards involved with practical conservation. discuss local plants and associated wildlife.
are primarily insectivorous; they prey on Citizen scientists also actively contribute Let’s apply the rich pattern of all living
flies, grasshoppers, crickets, insect larvae to the identification and mapping of things to our next landscape or garden
and other small invertebrates. They catch biodiversity in the country. The data feeds project and watch it unfold.
their food by waiting in ambush for passing into online maps and atlas sites run by
insects or by patrolling through vegetation the South African National Biodiversity About the author
looking for prey. The chameleon has small, Institution (SANBI), as well as special Dr. Jonathan Foley is a lecturer,
rounded teeth which are not good for interest groups. landscape designer, writer and
chewing and biting; instead, they crush There are now nearly 100 conservancies consultant. He may be contacted on
prey using their jaws and swallow it whole. in KZN and the number is growing. Groundlevellandscapes5@gmail.com
Chameleons, it would seem, are another Currently, provincial conservancy
natural way to control insect pests. associations have been formed in seven of References have been omitted but may be
Ecologists emphasise the fact that the nine provinces. Through this network, obtained from Dr. Foley. n

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