Umtiza Nature Reserve

The Umtiza Nature Reserve is one of two forest nature reserves in the greater East London Coast Nature Reserve.[2] It is named after Umtiza listeriana, a rare and protected legume found within the reserve. The Buffalo River borders the northern part of the reserve, and includes the remaining Umtiza Forest on the southern banks of the river.[3] The Buffalo Pass traverses the entirety of the reserve and the surrounding Controlled Forest Area.

Umtiza Nature Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
LocationSouth Africa
Nearest cityEast London, Eastern Cape
Coordinates33°01′01″S 27°48′28″E
Area
  • Umtiza Nature Reserve: 5.67 km2 (2.19 sq mi)
  • Grey Dell and Fort Grey Controlled Forest Area: 1,858.48 hectares (4,592.4 acres)
World Database on Protected Areas[1]
Designated5 July 1985 (1985-07-05)
AdministratorEastern Cape Parks & Tourism
TypeForest Nature Reserve
StatusOpen all year
Hiking trailsThree
WDPA ID555563541
WebsiteBuffalo City Tourism

History

The Fort Grey State forest which is found south of the current reserve, was proclaimed a protected forest prior to the Union of South Africa.[4] In 2020, an area of 1,858.48 ha (4,592.4 acres) surrounding the reserve, which include the Grey Dell and Fort Grey forest areas, and private farmland, were declared a Controlled Forest Area to prevent deforestation and rehabilitate the remaining Umtiza Forest.[4]

Biodiversity

A variety of wildlife is found within the reserve.

Birds

There are 30-40 bird species in the reserve,[5] including:[3]

Mammals

Samango monkeys along with bushbuck, common duiker, blue duiker, tree dassies[5] and porcupines can be found in the reserve.[6]

Vegetation
Umtiza listeriana flowers at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.

The reserve is one of the last refuges of the vulnerable Umtiza listeriana.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Protected Area Profile for Umtiza Nature Reserve". World Database on Protected Areas. UNEP-WCMC. 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  2. "FOREST NATURE RESERVE - Gazetted Name: Umtiza Nature Reserve" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  3. "Umtiza Forest Reserve, Eastern Cape". www.sa-venues.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. Creecy, Barbara Dallas (2020). Declaration on the intention to declare the Grey Dell and Fort Grey forests areas as a Controlled Forest Area (PDF). Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. pp. 5–8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  5. "Hiking the Umtiza Forest Reserve, East London". Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  6. Tourism, Buffalo City (23 June 2020). "Discover: Umtiza Nature Reserve". Buffalo City Tourism. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  7. "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
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