A Contribution to the Ecology of the Umlalazi Estuary

Abstract

The UmIalazi river in Zululand is undergoing large scale changes due to deposition of mud from cultivated areas and a simultaneous rapid colonisation by mangroves chiefly Avicennia officinalis. The result is that open mud banks are being consolidated, shallows are changing into mangrove swamps and eventually into dry land. Much useful information can, be obtained from the study of aerial photographs and in the case of the Zululand coastal rivers we are fortunate in having two series of photographic surveys by the Trigonometrical survey.