Page 13 - Waterfall City Issue 7 July 2024

conceive of the original Field Guide,
was also the driving force behind the
update.

Over the past year, our intrepid nature
enthusiasts have made some exciting
discoveries. A plethora of new plant
and animal life has been identified, and
you can find all this information and
photographs in our digital Waterfall
City Field Guide Update 2024. Organised
under the original Field Guide
headings, the update is a treasure
trove of new knowledge waiting to be
explored.

As we know, weather can have adverse
effects on all living things and in the
past year, Waterfall City experienced
some extreme weather conditions.
On 13 November 2023, a violent
and devastating hailstorm caused
considerable damage to the green
belts, with a large-spotted genet, as
well as many bird and insect species,
falling victim to the storm. And, despite
heavy rainfall in the summer months of
‘23, rainfall for the entire year was only
second highest at 1,004mm of the past
10 year period, positively and negatively
affecting our local biodiversity.

Despite this, many new species have
been identified, big and small, over
the year.

Plants
An astounding 18 additional species
of indigenous wildflowers have been
discovered. This is all thanks to the
tireless efforts of residents Elias and
Hildi van Dyk, who have been diligently
exploring and documenting the flora
on our estates.

Three new species of fungi and a
single lichen species were also found.
One is the unique-looking Clathrus
Transvaalensis, characterised by a
cream or pink-coloured receptacle.

Animals
At the time of publication, the
Field Guide only showcased the

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