SABI Magazine SABI Magazine June July 2017 | Page 37

Research
populations at Vergelegen. These
have grown rapidly in number
and species diversity, thanks to an
extensive programme of clearing
invasive alien vegetation and
facilitating land rehabilitation.
To help monitor the post-clearing
ecosystem recovery, Vergelegen
conducts monthly bird counts,
identifies wild flowers and (using
infra-red camera systems) monitors
wildlife movement. Species such as
the Cape leopard, caracal, grey
rhebok and spotted genet are
regularly viewed on the footage,
reports Jacques van Rensburg,
Vergelegen’s
environmental
project manager.
Largest conservation
The farm’s alien vegetation control
programme is believed to be
the largest private conservation
undertaking in the country. Since
the programme was launched in
2004, 2000 hectares of a planned
total of 2200 hectares have been
cleared, says Tooth.
“This project has not only
created at least 230 jobs and
many opportunities for worker
training, it has supported a
habitat for numerous species of
mammals, birds, amphibians and
insects to thrive.”
In recognition of its commitment to
conserving the Cape’s biodiversity
for future generations, Vergelegen
was the first local wine farm to
receive
championship
status
in the Biodiversity and Wine
Initiative (2005). It also received
a Mail & Guardian Greening
the Future award.
Some of the farm’s habitats and
inhabitants that are exciting the
scientific community include:
œ œ Mammals: Animals include
numerous antelope species,
Cape leopard, caracal,
honey badgers, snake
weasels, silver foxes and
spotted genet;
œ œ Bontebok: Once considered
the rarest antelope in
the world, these thrive at
Vergelegen and now number
34 animals.
eventually vines become
uneconomical and must be
uprooted.
œ œ Birds: The estate has
recorded at least 145
bird species, with frequent
sightings of Verreaux eagles,
fish eagles and malachite
sunbirds. Secretary birds
and blue cranes breed on
the farm and visitors include
steppe buzzards from Russia
and yellow-billed kites from
North Africa;
œ œ Plants: At least 279 plant
species have been recorded
on the farm, including 22 on
the Red Data List;
œ œ Wetlands: Eighty hectares
of rehabilitated wetlands host
Wachendorfia, Watsonia
and Aristea, varieties
of Ericas and endemic
Leucodendrons.
œ œ Lourens River: This is the
only South African river that
is a protected area, and 10
kilometres (of a total 20 km)
run through the estate.
œ œ Vineyards: A pioneering
project to eradicate leaf
roll virus began in 1999.
Leaf roll virus diminishes
the quality and volume of
South African harvests and
œ œ Cape Leopard Trust (CLT):
The estate makes up a
portion of the CLT’s Boland
Project study area, which
stretches over 3000km².
œ œ Renosterveld: Some 140
hectares of rehabilitated land
is renosterveld, of which only
4% remains in South Africa.
“The size and variety of
Vergelegen’s plant, fauna and
bird populations are proof
that land degradation and
threatened extinction can be
reversed,” says Tooth.
“It has been a rich journey of
discovery working with scientists
and environmental experts. We
are happy to share our learnings
with farmers, educators and other
stakeholders who want to learn
more about sustainable farming
and investing in the land for
future generations.”
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