Influence of sedimentological and hydrological processes on the distribution of salt marshes in the Keurbooms Estuary, Western Cape
The project assess the influence of sediment dynamics on the distribution of the salt marshes in the Keurbooms estuary. This is a student project lead by MSc candidate Mr Athi Mfikili, supervised by Manager of SAEON Elwandle Node, Dr Tommy Bornman. Read more..
The project assess the influence of sediment dynamics on the distribution of the salt marshes particularly the Spartina maritima species in the Keurbooms estuary. The Keurbooms Estuary lacks well developed intertidal areas as a result salt marshes are not extensive and the S. maritima is limited in distribution only restricted in the Bitou channel and the confluence covering an area of approximately 7 ha. We then hypothesized that the limited S. maritima area in the estuary is attributed to the lack of fine sediment supplied by the sea and the two channels, the Bitou and Keurbooms. Based on our hypothesis, sediment samples from the bottom and surface and sediment deposition within the S. maritima have been monitored from the study period while water column parameters were also monitored.
- Student: Mr Athi Mfikili (MSc, Botany Dept., NMMU)
- Supervisor: Dr Tommy Bornman (SAEON Elwandle Node)
- Co-supervisor: Dr Derek Du Preez (Botany Dept., NMMU)
- Collaborator: Prof Maartin de Wit (AEON, NMMU)
- Period: 2014/03/20-2015/12/15
