South Africa
Information sheet for the site designated to the
List of Wetlands of International Importance
in terms of the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
especially as Waterfowl Habitat
COUNTRY
South Africa
DATE OF COMPILATION
Originally completed: February 1993
Updated: 1995-08-20REFERENCE NUMBER
Not yet available.
COMPILER
Originally compiled by:
Dr G de Graaff
National Parks Board
PO Box 787
PRETORIA
0001Tel (012) 343-9770
Updated by:
Dr N Hanekom
National Parks Board
PO Box 176
Sedgefield
6573Tel (04455) 31-302
NAME OF WETLAND
Langebaan Lagoon (Including the inshore islands Scaapen, Marcus, Malgas and Jutten).
DATE OF RAMSAR DESIGNATION
25 April 1988
GEOGRAPHICAL CO-ORDINATES
33°06' S
18°01' EMap number : 3318BB& AA Saldanha, 3318 AC Yzerfontein
GENERAL LOCATION
Langebaan Lagoon is situated on the west coast of South Africa. 100 km northwest of Cape Town, adjoining Langebaan.
AREA
West Coast National Park = C. 27 000 ha.
Langebaan Lagoon = C. 6 000 ha, which includes: The lagoon, intertidal sandflats, marshlands and Geelbek annex (5 7000 ha). Precincts of the lagoon (46 ha). The inshore islands: Jutten (43 ha). Marcus (17 ha) and Scaapen (19 ha). A section of Sixteen-mile beach bordering on the farm Stofbergfontein (100 ha, Figure 1).
9.1 Boundary integrity
No changes in the designated area's boundaries.
WETLAND TYPE
A (Shallow marine waters)
B (Marine beds)
D (Rocky shores)
E (Sand/shingle shores (including dune systems)
G (Tidal mudflats (including intertidal flats and saltflats)
H (Salt marshes)
J (Coastal brackish/saline lagoons)
Q (Saline/brackish lakes/marshes: seasonal/ intermittent)
T (Freshwater marshes/pools: seasonal/intermittent)ALTITUDE
Min = 0 m
Avg = 0 - 3 m
Max = 193 mOVERVIEW OF SITE.
The lagoon is large (C. 16 km long, 2-3 km wide) shallow (2-6 m deep) and tidal. It is entirely marine (salinities = 34 - 35%), having extensive intertidal sandflats and saltmarshes, where thousands of waders (Charadrii) congregate in summer. The reserve also includes four inshore islands, breeding sites for many "endemic" seabirds.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
13.1 Geology and geomorphology
The three major substrata are limestone, granite and sand - all of natural origin.
13.2 Origins
13.3 Hydrology
The lagoon, which is perennial and entirely marine, has a strong tidal exchange with no marked seasonal variation in flow.
13.4 Soil type and chemistry
Fine, unconsolidated quartzitic sand, poor in nutrients, underlies most of the lagoon.
13.5 Water quality
Salinity = 33 -35 %, water temperature = C. 13,5º- 21,2º C, dissolved oxygen = C. 5, 0 - 5,0 ml/l and chemical oxygen demand = C. 8,2 - 8,6 mg/l.
13.6 Depth, fluctuations and permanence
The average depth, which is 2 - 6 m, does not vary with seasons.
13.7 Tidal variations
Mean high water springs = 1,76 m above datum
Mean low water springs = 0,26 m above datum
Mean high water neaps = 1,26 m above datum
Mean low water neaps = 0,76 m above datum
Effective catchment area = c. 72 km2.13.8 Catchment area
13.9 Downstream area
The lagoon is an open marine system and the effects of freshwater flooding is small.
13.10 Climate
The ranges in the mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures are C. 8,7 - 17,1 ºC and 14,6 - 21,0 ºC respectively, while the mean annual precipitation is 250 mm, falling mainly in winter.
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
The main habitat and vegetation type of the lagoon are:
- A shallow marine aquatic system - having a soft substratum, which is unvegetated, except for large beds of the alga Gracilaria verrucosa near the mouth of the lagoon, and the Zostera capensis near the southern end of the lagoon.
- Unvegetated intertidal sandflats - consisting of unconsolidated sand.
- Rocky islands - having little soil cover and sparse vegetation in summer.
- Intertidal saltmarshes - with Chenolea - Salicornia dwarf succulent scrubland.
- "Supratidal" Marshes - with Juncus krausii sedgeland.
- Most of the plant communities bordering the lagoon are shrublands (dwarf restioid or evergreen) belonging to the West Coast Strandveld, a vegetation type which is seriously threatened by agricultural activities and urban development.
LAND TENURE
The entire subtidal and intertidal areas of the Langebaan Lagoon and approximately 70 percent of land along its perimeter form part of the West Coast National Park (National is the highest conservation status given to a park in South Africa). The remainder of land belongs to the South African Defence Force, Langebaan Municipality, private individuals and companies.
CONSERVATION MEASURES TAKEN
The West Coast National Park, which was established in 1985, administers the lagoon and most of the land along its perimeter according to a draft management plan. The lagoon is divided into three different utilization zones namely: wilderness, limited recreational and multi-purpose recreational areas (Figure 1). The wilderness zone includes the southern end of the lagoon and the inshore islands, which are the key refuge sites of the waders and breeding seabird populations respectively. Access to these areas is limited to a few scientists and participants of educational excursions organised by National Parks Board and it is restricted to certain sites. The limited recreation zone includes the middle reaches of the lagoon, where activities such as sailing and canoeing are permitted. The mouth region is a multi-purpose recreation zone for power boats, yachts, waterskiers and fishermen. However, no collecting or removal of perlemoen and crayfish is allowed in the lagoon. This legislation and protection of the waterfowl are effectively maintained by the National Parks Board.
CONSERVATION MEASURES PROPOSED BUT NOT YET IMPLEMENTED
The original management plan proposed that National Parks Board control the entire area from Donkergat in the west to Bokbaai in the east, and that an entrance gate be erected at the southern end of the park to control public access to the land bordering the lagoon. This proposal was submitted to Parliament but was never legislated. At present the only entrance or control gate is at the beginning of the Posberg Nature Reserve.
CURRENT LAND USE
Ramsar site
Langebaan lagoon is zoned into three utilization zone viz. wilderness, limited recreational and multipurpose recreational areas (Section 16 and Figure 1). The wilderness area safeguards the wader and breeding seabird populations against human disturbance. Traditional dragged netting for mullets, as well as recreational boating and fishing is allowed in the multipurpose - and to a lesser extent in the limited recreational areas.Surroundings and catchment
Langebaan and Club Mykonos have holiday accommodation and associate business, while the larger Saldanha town (15 km from Langebaan) has a large commercial fishing harbour and tow fish processing factories. The nearby Saldanha-Sishen terminal is used for loading iron ore and unloading crude oil, while Atlans Farms grows the alien mussel Mytilys galloprovincialis and oysters Crassotrea sp. from floating rafts anchored in Saldanha Bay. Casts of the alga Gracilaria verrucosa are collected from the beaches just north of the lagoon for commercial gain. Further inland several farms produce a variety of items, such as potatoes, wheat, sheep, cattle and pig.18.1 Resource utilization
Consumptive utilization
DISTURBANCES AND THREATS INCLUDING CHANGES IN LAND USE AND MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Ramsar site
Numerous factors have negatively impacted on the ecology of the lagoon. These are:- the building of a breakwater in the late 1970's between the mainland and Marcus island, which enabled predators to invade the penguins, swift, terns and bank cormorants colonies on the island,
- the collecting of guano on the inshore islands until the mid 1980's,
- ongoing military activities at Donkergat, near the mouth of the lagoon,
- the processing activities at Donkergat, near the mouth of the lagoon,
- the introduction of rabbits onto the inshore islands, (only Scaapen and Jutten islands have significant numbers left)
- the spread of the alien wattle Acacia cyclops and mussel Mytilys galloprovincialis into the wilderness zone,
- the construction of unapproved dwellings, house boats and a canal at Bokramsloot for the launching of boats at the southern end of the lagoon, and
- the cultivation of wheat at Oudepos.
Despite these activities the ecosystem is still intact and healthy.
Surrounding catchment
Farming activities inland do not significantly influence the lagoon system. However, the Saldanha-Sishen terminal has the potential of "causing" a major oil spill, as well as long-term, windblown, ore dust pollution, and thereby the food source of the waders. Likewise, commercial fishing activities in the seabird colonies, while recreational activities in the area could become a major disturbance factor.19.1 Present threats
HYDROLOGICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL VALUES
Langebaan Lagoon is a tidal marine system (salinities = 34 - 35%). No major rivers discharge into the lagoon, but fresh-water does drain from the surrounding catchment area and collects in the Juncus krausii marshes along the southern end of the lagoon. These marshlands and eelgrass beds in the lagoon act as sediment traps, and freshwater flooding after rain does not significantly effect the system. Water quality and "nutrient" transport in the lagoon is maintained by a strong tidal exchange of seawater. Current speeds in the middle section of the lagoon are about 20 cm per second, and approximately 12 percent of the volume of the lagoon-bay system is exchanged during a spring tide (Shannon & Stander 1977). Erosion along the banks of the lagoon is minimal, but unconsolidated sanddunes nearby have been "stabilized" through intensive planting of indigenous vegetation.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL VALUES
Activities within the West Coast National Park are related to "traditional" drift net fishing for mullets by a few local inhabitants, tourism, outdoor recreation, education excursions and research by scientists from nearby academic and research institutions. All these activities are regulated by National Parks Board, and except possible for power boating and fishing, they are "consistent with the maintenance" of the ecosystem. Outside the park the inhabitants of Langebaan and Saldanha are primarily fishermen, factory workers, military personnel and business persons, while those of Club Mykonos are holiday-makers or work in the tourist trade. Most of their activities are derived from non-sustainable exploitation, which can result in detrimental ecological changes.
The Langebaan area is also an important site in early history of Caucasian settlers in South Africa and there are numerous historical "monuments" such as the homesteads at Geelbek and Bottelary, the Presbyterian church at Churchhaven, the old "Postbox" at Posberg and die VOC beacon at Geelbek. Moreover, rich Pleistocene fossil beds are found near Elandsfontein (12 km east of the lagoon).
NOTEWORTHY FAUNA
Langebaan Lagoon supports approximately 37 000 birds in summer, of which about 34500 are waders (93% of these are Palaearctic migrants) with Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (59,2%), Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola (10,5%), Sanderling Calidris alba (8,3%), Knot Calidris canutus (8,1%) and Turnstone Arenaria interpres (5,7%) being the most abundant (Underhill 1987). In winter the numbers decline to about 10500 birds, which include approximately 3900 waders and 4515 flamingoes (Phoenicipterus ruber and P. minor) (Underhill 1987).
The inshore islands support large breeding colonies of "piscivorous" seabird which:
- are endemic to the nearshore regions of South Africa and Namibia (e.g. Crowned cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus (c. 372 nests), Bank cormorant P. neglectus (c. 146 nests) and the vulnerable Jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus (c. 1000 nests),
- breed only along the coast or islands of South Africa and Namibia (e.g. Cape gannet Morus capensis (c. 30000 adults) and Cape cormorant P. capensis (c. 8708 nests)) and
- are widespread (Swift tern Sterna bergii (numbers of fluctuate, 1984 = 3308 pairs) and kelp gull Larus dominicanus (c. 3056 nests) (Berruti 1989; Cooper et al. 1990).
Furthermore some 400 (or 12 percent of the world's population of) African black oystercatcher Haematopus moguini are found in the Langebaan area (Hockey 1983, 1985).
The invertebrate fauna of the intertidal mudflats are an important food source for waders. The snail Assiminea globulus, which comprises about 62,5 percent of the invertebrate biomass in the surface layers of the intertidal mudflats (Puttick 1977), is the major prey item of the dominant curlew sandpiper (Puttick 1980). The deeper burrowing mud prawn Upogebia africana is important to the kelp gull Larus dominicanus, grey plover Pluvialis squatarola, whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and common tern Sterna hirundo (Martin 1991), while the sand prawn Callianassa kraussi is the bait organism most frequently used by anglers in the lagoon (Wynberg 1991).
Fish populations in the lagoon are generally low, Gobies (Gobiidae) and clinids (Clinidae), pipefish (Syngnathidae) and Cape silverside Antherina breviceps are common in the weed beds, while shoals of the southern mullet Liza richardsoni and maasbanker Trachurus trachurus often frequent the deeper, sandier area of the lagoon (Dr G de Graaf in litt.). Other important fish species in the lagoon are the West Coast streenbras Lithognathus aureti, white stumpnose Rhadosargus globiceps, steentjie Spondyliosoma emarginatum, hottentot Pachymetopon blochii and sand shark Rhinobatos annulatus.
Compared with the more tropical regions of southern Africa, the South West Cape has a depauperate mammal fauna. Nevertheless the area surrounding Langebaan Lagoon has rodents (19 species), insectivores (11 species), carnivores (13 species) and antelope (10 species), and although the "populations" are small, the following Red Data Book Species have been recorded:
Vulnerable
Aardvark (Orycteropus afer),
Honey badger (Mellivora capensis),
African wild cat (Felis lybica),Rare
Bontebok (Damaliscus dorcas dorcas) and
Grant's golden mole (Eremitalpa granti)(Avery, Rautenbach & Randall 1990).
22.1 Species Counts
Species groups counted
All water birds.
Frequency of counts
Quarterly in Lagoon, monthly on islands.
Methods used
Complete census in lagoon, "nest" counts on offshore islands.
Date of last count
July 1995 in lagoon and August 1995 on islands.
Results
The most recent results available from the Avian Demography Unit (ADU) at University of Cape Town were for March 1995. A total of 29 026 birds of 57 species were counted. The most numerous species was curlew sandpiper (c. 14 000), followed by turnstone, grey plover and greater flamingo.
Maximum counts of pairs of seabirds breeding at the islands in the West Coast National Park in 1994, as supplied by the Sea Fisheries Research Institute, were as follows:
Malgas Marcus Jutten Schaapen Caspian African penguin 80 204 1349 0 0 Cape cormorant 3572 0 10029 264 0 Bank cormorant 72 23 52 0 0 Crowned cormorant 125 40 35 176 15 White-br. cormorant 0 0 0 0 0 Kelp gull 48 0 1020 5168 109 Hartlaub's gull 20 63 0 1103 0 Greyheaded gull 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian tern 0 0 0 0 14 Swift tern 0 407 1 81 0 Any trends:
Insufficient information was received about the waterbird counts on Langebaan Lagoon to assess whether any trends were apparent.
Census work of the breeding seabirds populations in the West Coast National Park suggest the following:
- Breeding populations of Cape gannet, African penguin, kelp gull, crowned cormorant and Caspian tern in the park are stable.
- Breeding populations of Cape cormorant, Hartlaub's gull and swift tern are variable, but apparently stable.
- Breeding populations of White breasted cormorants have undergoing a long-term decrease, while those of bank cormorants are stable, excepts at Malgas
Island where numbers are decreasing.
NOTEWORTHY FLORA
Extensive marshlands occur along the south-eastern edges of the lagoon. The dominant species (Arthrocnemum pillanssi var. pillanssi, Salicornia capensis and Disphyma crassifolium, Juncus krausii, Scirpus nodosus, Nidorella foetida, Senecio Haliminfolius, Typha capensis and Phragmites australis) are generally common in marshlands throughout the region. Most of the other plant communities bordering the lagoon belong to the West Coast Strandveld and the park conserves about 12 percent of this "threatened" vegetation type (Boucher & Jarman 1977 : Jarman 1986). The dominant plants include Atriplex semibaccata, Drosanthemum floribundum, Zygophyllum morgsana, Z. cordifoloum, Z. flexuosum, Rushia geminiflora, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Rhus glauca, R. longispina, Ehrharta erecta, E. calycina, Senecio floribunda, Rushia geminiflora, Euphorbia mauretanica, Salvia lanceolata, Willdenowia striata, Ericocephalus africanus, Putterlickia pyracantha and Euclea racemosa.
The iris Moraea loubseri is probably extinct from its natural habitat, while possibly threatened species are: Vanizijlia rostella, Hessea chaplinii, H. mathewsii, Felicia elongata, Pauridia longituba, Ferraria langebaanensis, Geissorhiza lewisae, Gladiolus gracilis var latifolius, Ixia purpureorosea, Romulea elliptica, R. saldanhensis, Watsonia hysterantha, Hyacinthus paucifolius, Lachenalia viridiflora, Oxalis subsessilis, O. burtoniae, Muraltia harveyana, Leucospermum tomentosum and Agathosma thymifolia (Boucher & Jarman 1977).
Over 71 species of marine algae (13 Chlorophyta, 10 Phaeophyta and 48 Rhodophyta) have been recorded in the Saldanha Bay-Langebaan Lagoon area. The more common species are Ulva spp., Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria pallida, Aeodes orbitosa, Gigartina radula, Gracilaria verrucosa and Porphyra capensis (Simons 1977).
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES
There are no research quarters or laboratories and visiting scientists generally hire accommodation from National Parks Board or private individuals.
24.1 Projects in Progress
Current research studies undertaken in the West Coast National Park cover:
Birds:
Title: Long-term study of demography and dietary changes of African Black Oystercatchers.
Researcher: Dr P.A.R. Hockey (University of Cape Town)
Duration: Long-term (1989- ) Title: The use of Cape gannets to provide ancillary information on the status of epipelagic fish stocks.
Researcher: Dr R.J.M. Crawford (Sea Fisheries Research Institute)
Duration: Ongoing (1978 - ) Title: Factors influencing the population dynamics of seabirds in the Benguela ecosystem.
Researcher: Dr R.J.M. Crawford (Sea Fisheries Research Institute)
Duration: Ongoing (1985 - ) Title: A study of the biometrics, longevity and migration of the waders at Langebaan Lagoon.
Researcher: Mr D. Whitelaw (Western Cape Wader Study Group)
Duration: Ongoing (1992 - ) Title: Movements, distribution and longevity of raptors in the South Western Cape.
Researcher: Dr A. Lombard
Duration: Ongoing (1989 - ) Title: Long-term survey of beached seabirds and mammals on 16 mile beach, West Coast National Park.
Researcher: Dr G. Avery, Museum Natural Scientist (South African Museum).
Duration: Ongoing (1977 - ) Title: Parasites of the Jackass penguins.
Researcher: Dr J.J. Brossy (UCT Medical School)
Duration: Ongoing (1991 - ) Mammals Title: Terrestrial mammal fauna of the West Coast National Park.
Researcher: Dr D.M. Avery (South African Museum)
Duration: Ongoing (1989 - ) Title: House rat Rattus rattus on islands in Saldanha Bay.
Researcher: Dr R.M. Randall (National Parks Board)
Duration: Ongoing (1988 - ) Reptiles: Title: Conservation status of the lizard fauna associated with the Atlantic Ocean Upwelling Zone in the Saldanha - Langebaan area.
Researcher: Ms Imke Cordes (University of Stellenbosch)
Supervisor: Dr P. le F.N. Mouton
Duration: 1993 - 1995 Vegetation Title: West Coast Park Ethnobotanical Survey.
Researcher: Dr N.P. Gericke (UCT Medical School)
Duration: Ongoing (1993 - ) Estuarine Title: Physiology and environmental controls of nitrogen fixation and denitrification processes in a salt marsh ecosystem: Langebaan Lagoon.
Researcher: Dr B.J. Tibbles (University of Cape Town)
Supervisor: Dr M I Lucas
Duration: Sections still ongoing (1989 - ) Archaeological Titles: Survey of natural and archaeological shell accumulations on coastal dunes in the West Coast national Park.
Researcher: Dr G. Avery (South African Museum)
Duration: Ongoing (1979 - ) Titles: Re-examination of specific identity of fossil oysters in Langebaan Lagoon and attempt to obtain materials appropriate for determining lower age of oyster accumulation.
Researcher: Mr J. Pether (South African Museum)
Duration: Ongoing (1993 - )24.2 Projects just completed
Birds
Title: Foraging ecology of African Penguins.
Researcher: Dr N.J. Adams (University of Cape Town)
Supervisor: Prof. W.R. Siegfried & R.P. Wilson
Duration: 1988 - 1991 Title: Foraging ecology and reproductive success of Cape Gannets.
Researcher: Dr N.J. Adams (University of Cape Town)
Supervisor: Prof. W.R. Siegfried
Duration: 1987 - 1991 Title: Monitoring of anchovy recruitment and penguin populations in the Benguela ecosystem.
Researcher: Dr N.J. Adams (University of Cape Town)
Supervisor: Prof. W.R. Siegfried
Duration: 1987 - 1991 Title: Energetics requirements at the far end of the migration route: a Langebaan Knot Study.
Researcher: Drs P. Wiersma & L. Bruinzeel (University of Groningen)
Duration: 1993 - 1995 Mammals Title: The role of the caracal, Felis caracal (Schreber 1777) as top predator in the West Coast National Park.
Researcher: N. Avenant (University of Stellenbosch)
Supervisor: Prof. J.A.L. Nel
Duration: 1990 - 1994 Title: Behavioural ecology and ecophysiology of small mammals in the West Coast national Park.
Researcher: Dr P. Cavallini (University of Stellenbosch)
Supervisor: Prof. J.A.J. Nel
Duration: 1987 - 1984 Title: Survey of vegetation and plants used by duiker, grysbok and steenbok in West Coast National Park.
Researcher: A. Heydenrych (University of Stellenbosch)
Supervisor: Dr C. Boucher
Duration: 1991 - 1994 Vegetation: Title: The effects of invasive Acacia cyclops on indigenous strandveld vegetation : Geelbek site.
Researcher: Dr M.C. Rutherford (Botanical Research Institute)
Duration: 1986 - 1991 Estuarine Title: Gracilaria verrucosa in Langebaan Lagoon.
Researcher: Dr R.J. Anderson (Sea Fisheries Research Institute)
Duration: 1990 - 1993 Title: Relationships between detritivores and microheterotrivores in aquatic systems : Langebaan Lagoon.
Researcher: Dr J. Harris, Zoology Department (University of Cape Town)
Supervisor: Dr M. Lucas
Duration: 1989 - 1993 Geology Titles: Geomorphology of Langebaan Peninsula.
Researcher: Prof. M. Marker (Knysna)
Duration: 1993 - 199424.3 New findings
In recent years, Cape anchovy Engraulis capensis has been the most important food for four seabirds in South Africa - African penguins Spheniscus demersus, Cape gannet Morus capensis, Cape cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis, and swift terns Sterna bergii. Numbers of chicks fledged by African penguins, occurrence of anchovy in the diet of Cape gannets and numbers of Cape cormorants and swift terns that attempted to breed was significantly related to abundance of anchovy. African penguins and Cape cormorants abandoned nests when anchovy were scarce and deferred breeding until anchovy became more plentiful. Survival of immature African penguins in a period of anchovy scarcity was enhanced by availability of South African sardine Sardinops sagax as an alternative food. The "breeding success" of these birds were very low during 1989 and 1990.
ELISA tests suggested that the vast majority of African penguins brought to SANCOB during the summer months contract avian malaria. About 25 - 40% of the birds show clinical infection, suggesting that the remaining 60 - 70% of the penguins develop subclinical infection and show some immunity to the disease. This means that virtually all penguins released for SANCOB onto Robben Island during the summer months are infected with plasmodium and therefore, can possible transmit the disease via mosquitos to any or all other birds in the colony. This hypothesis will be checked during 1995.
Following an "epidemic" of avian cholera in 1992, numbers of both chick and adult African black oystercatchers Haemotopus moquini on Jutten and Malgas islands have returned to the pre-cholera densities. However, numbers of adult oystercatchers (62) at Marcus Island were lower than those recorded in 1992 and 1993 (80), and markedly less (c. 50%) than the populations of the early 1980's. Moreover, for the third consecutive year no oystercatcher chicks were recorded on Marcus Island, while large swift tern and Hartlaub's gull colonies have moved away from the island. These phenomena are probably a result of predators, which, despite a barrier wall, continue to gain access to the island.
Red knots Calidris canutus are apparently able to adjust their metabolism, depending on ecological conditions and food types encountered.
24.4 Proposed new projects
Researcher: Dr D.L. Roberts
Institution: Council for Geoscience
Title: Stratigraphy and geochronology of Cenozoic strata in the Langebaan area.
Key questions: Refine the chronology of various stratigraphic units, and infer palaeoenvironmental conditions such as sea level and climatic fluctuations.
Funded: Council for Geoscience.CURRENT CONSERVATION EDUCATION
The Langebaan Lodge and Geelbek Centre are managed by the National Parks Board. The former has an environmental information office and a permanently employed information officer to show films, produce brochures, lead educational trails and inform the public about the uniqueness of the area. National Parks Board organises boating and canoeing trips around Schaapen Island, as well as hiking and educational excursions. Geelbek Centre is an environmental centre with overnight facilities, and is used to host conferences, show educational films and videos and serve as an assembly point from which the public are taken on educational excursions.
CURRENT RECREATION AND TOURISM
The Langebaan Lagoon - Saldanha Bay area is a popular holiday mecca, and restaurants and accommodation are available at the West Coast National Park, Langebaan village and Club Mykonos. The National Parks Board has "Educational" boating, canoeing and hiking excursions for their visitors, while the general public can sail, boat, water-ski and fish in the multi-purpose recreational zone of the lagoon. No new, major developments are apparently planned for the immediate future.
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
JURISDICTION
The entire inter- and subtidal lagoon and approximately 70 percent of the land on its immediate perimeter is controlled by National Parks Board and private contractual parks. The rest is owned by the South African Defence Force, Langebaan Municipality, private land owner and companies.
REFERENCES
ADAMS, N.J. 1994. Patterns and impacts of oiling of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus: 1981 - 1991. Biological Conservation 68: 35-41.
ADAMS, N.J., ABRAMS, R.W., SIEGRIED, W.R., NAGY, K.A. & KAPLAN, I.R. 1991. Energy expenditure and food consumption by breeding Cape Gannets Morus capensis. Marine Ecology Progress Series 70: 1 - 9.
ADAMS, N.J., & C.R. BROWN. 1990. Energetics of moult in penguins. IN: Davis, L.S. & J.T. Darby (Eds), Penguin Biology, pp. 297-315. San Diego: Academic Press.
ADMAS, N.J., SEDDON, P.J. & VAN HEEZIK, Y.M. in press. Monitoring of seabirds in the Benguela upwelling system: can seabirds be used as indicators and predictors of changes in the marine environment? South African Journal of marine Science.
ADAMS, N.J. & C.B. WALTER. 1991. The occurrence of second clutches after successful breeding by Cape Gannets Morus capensis. Colonial Waterbirds 14: 173-175.
ADAMS, N.J. & C.B. WALTER. 1993. Maximum diving depths of Cape Gannets Morus capensis. Condor 95: 734-736.
ADAMS, N.J., WALTER, C.B. PLOS A. & NAVARRO. (manuscript). Foraging of radio-tagged Cape Gannets (Morus capensis) from Malgas Island, Southern Benguela Upwelling System, South Africa.
AVENANT, N.L. & J.A.J. NEL. 1992. Comparison and the diet of the yellow mongoose in a coastal and Karoo area. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 22: 89-93.
AVENANT, N.L. 1993. The caracal, Felis caracal Schreber, 1776, as predator in the West Coast National Park. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, University of Stellenbosh.
AVERY, D.M. 1992. Ecological data on micromammals collected by barn owls Tyto alba in the West Coast National park, South Africa. Israel Journal of Zoology 38: 385-397.
AVERY, D.M., RAUTENBACH, I.L. & RANDALL, R.M. 1990. An annotated check list of the land mammals fauna of the West Coast National Park. Koedoe 33 (1): 1 - 18.
AXELSON, E. 1977. A summary of the history of human settlement at Saldanha Bay. Transaction of the royal Society of South Africa. 42 (3 & 4): 215 - 221.
BARKAI, A. & BRANCH, G.M. 1988. Contrasts between the benthic communities of subtidal hard substrata at Marcus and Malgas Islands: A case of alternative stable states? South African Journal of marine Science 7: 117 - 137.
BERRUTI, A. 1989. Resident seabirds. In. Oceans of Life off Southern Africa. Payne, A.I.L. & Crawford, R.J.M. (Eds). Vlaeberg Publishers, Cape Town: 257 - 273.
BERRUTI, A. UNDERHILL, L.G., SHELTON, P.A., MOLONEY, C. & R.J.M. CRAWFORD. (In press). Seasonal and inter-annual variation in the diet of two colonies of the Cape Gannet Morus capensis between 1977/1978 and 1989. Colonial Waterbirds.
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REASONS FOR INCLUSION
1a: The wetland is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland, characteristic of the appropriate biogeographical region
2a: It supports an appreciable assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species or subspecies of plant or animal, or an appreciable number of individuals of any one or more of these species;
2b: It is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of a region because of the quality and peculiarities of its flora and fauna
2c: It is of special value as the habitat of plants or animals at a crucial stage of their biological cycle;
2d: It is of special value for one or more endemic plant or animal species or community
3a: It regularly supports 20 000 waterfowl
3b: It regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl, indicative of wetland values, productivity or diversity
3c: Where data on populations are available, it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterfowlOUTLINE MAP OF SITE
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