Stellenbosch University
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Tygerberg returns to its natural roots with water-saving, endemic plants
Author: Ilse Cilliers
Published: 13/10/2017

​The Tygerberg campus of Stellenbosch University (SU) is moving towards a landscape that echoes the original endemic plant growth in the area. By increasing the proportion of endemic plants on campus, a landscape will be created that can survive solely on rainwater, thereby increasing the sustainability and biodiversity of the campus.

According to Meg Hamilton, Environmental Specialist in the Facilities Management Division at SU, the Tygerberg campus is located on loose, uncompacted sand on a bedrock of Malmesbury shale. “The plants that are endemic to this area are known as Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF). Due to rapid urbanisation, only 15% of this vegetation remains, with just 5% in good condition," she says.

What makes CFSF particularly important to this region is that they are endemic, and not merely indigenous. “Indigenous plants can be found anywhere in South Africa and are not necessarily water-hardy. Endemic plants, however, are from the immediate local area, which means they can handle the local weather conditions. For example, plants in the Western Cape have to be able to grow in hot, dry summers and wet winters. The CFSF plants are not only adapted to our weather, but also to the soils in the region. Most importantly, the pollinators and ecosystems that support the CFSF are local residents as well," says Meg.

Sourcing the CFSF plants for the campus landscape presented a slight challenge, as commercially available species are rather difficult to come by. The landscaping team at Tygerberg approached several Cape Town nurseries, as well as nurseries in George to locate the various plants. In certain instances, species were not available and hybridised versions of the same plant had to be selected. “We also asked permission to take cuttings from several local nature reserves to grow and increase the diversity of the existing species," she adds. The resulting CFSF plant palette includes various plant types, such as shrubs, bulbs, groundcovers and restios (rush-like plants). Some of the plants included in the landscaping at Tygerberg thus far are ericas, watsonias, crassulas, proteas, serrurias, pelargoniums and salvias, to mention just a few.

One of the main features of the new landscaping on Tygerberg is a 2.5km eco walk for students and staff to jog or walk along as they traverse campus. Another recent project was the planting of endemic species in front of the new Education building. The plant palette used here echoes the plants used on the eco walk. In addition, the long-term plan is to remove lawn areas on campus that are not used and to replace them with more sustainable, water-saving landscapes.

While newly planted landscaping requires some water to become established, the endemic plants that have been selected for Tygerberg will eventually survive solely on the natural rainfall patterns in the area. “At Tygerberg, we are allowing nature to take her course and learning from the lessons she is applying, in that plants that don't survive the drought will be replaced with more tolerant species. We are also mulching the garden areas to try and conserve the moisture in the soil and improve the organic content in the soil," says Meg.

An added benefit of a local plant palette is that local pollinators (such as butterflies) are attracted to the area and, along with them, local predators like birds, lizards and owls too. It is hoped that this increase in local fauna will increase the area's biodiversity over time. In the meantime, a trip to Tygerberg's eco walk and the proudly local landscaped areas is well worth the visit.