Nature and Environment | 

Atlantic Beach boasts a rich abundance of different species of fauna and flora. While the nearby nature reserve features bontebok, springbok, zebra and ostrich, the Estate lies in an area of rare, pristine strandveld vegetation (strandveld is a type of fynbos).

Flora

The Atlantic Beach Golf Estate contains good quality dune thicket, of which the mobile coastal dunes and steep slopes of the dentral dunes are highly sensitive. Inland, pockets of tall dune thicket occur on the higher dunes with deep sand. Dune thicket typically occurs on coastal dune sands and is characterized by dense and often spinescent and woody shrubs. 

A number of Milkwood (Sideroxylon inreme) clumps are found in the central dunes, with several individuals of this protected tree species scattered throughout the Estate. About 350 plant species occur on the site, reflecting a typical West Coast dune system. Of these, three are on the Red Data list (i.e. Otholbium fruticans, Psoralea repens and Euphorbia marlothiana)

 

 Download: ABHOA.Plantlist.Rev2.020609.pdf

www.biodiversity.co.za

www.bca.org.za

www.capetown.gov.za

 

Fauna

The west coast is known as an area of execptional endemism and species richness for vertebrate groups, such as legless skinks, repltiles, tortoises and golden moles. The majority of mammals found in the area are small rodents and insectivores. Grysbokkies (Ruphicerus melanotis) are common on the estate and springbok have been introduced and are thriving. Over 120 bird species occur on the estate. Dune thicket generally supports a higher diversity of bird species than adjacent fynbos types.
(See attached Mammal list, Reptile list, Amphibian list, Bird list)

Archaeology

Late Stone Age (LSA) shell middens are known to occur in the frontal dunes between Paarden Eiland and Melkbosstrand. These consist of layers of shells, stone tools, ostrich eggshells and Khoisan pottery. There are numerous historical accounts of Khoi populating the Table Bay coastline before and shortly after the arrival of the Dutch in 1652. Important sites dating to this period have been located and excavated in Melkbosstrand. No less than 13 Khoisan burial sites have been uncovered by earthworks from the coastal dunes of the developed area. Archaeological sites may therefore be located on the protected dunes or behind dune ridges, in dune blowouts, or in wind deflated basins. Such sites are protected by law and may not be disturbed.