Silting in the Richards Bay Nature Reserve, Natal

Abstract

An investigation into the rate of silting in the Richards Bay Nature Reserve indicates that accelerated silting in the reserve is due to a disturbance of the equilibrium during development of the harbour. The most important reasons are probably the construction of a berm which divides the estuary into two parts, the cutting of an artificial exit into the sea, and farming malpractices in the catchment area. The rate of silting has increased to such an extent that approximately 36,14 percent of the reserve had already been silted up during the first 11 years after construction of the berm. A projection of the present rate of silting suggests the possibility that the reserve may be completely silted up within about 29 years. A rapid increase in plant colonization indicates the same tendency.