Long-term trends in the breeding populations of waterbirds (1951–1985) at a sewage treatment plant

Abstract

Long-term (1951–1985) data on the breeding waterbird populations and habitat modifications at Cape Flats sewage treatment works (Strandfontein) and Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary (Rondevlei) were assessed to establish the main factors affecting the breeding species richness and nest abundance. Fifty-two 'water-associated' breeding species were recorded in the Zeekoe River catchment waterbodies, 46 (88.5%) at Strandfontein, 38 (73.1%) at Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary (Rondevlei), 33 (63.5%) at Zeekoevlei and ten (19.2%) at Princess Vlei. Thirteen (25.5%) of the species were unique to Strandfontein and five (9.8%) to Rondevlei. Sorenson's similarity indices indicated high similarity (C_s = 0.81) in species richness and low similarity in nest abundance pattern (C_N = 0.10) for the paired sites Strandfontein-Rondevlei. The lowest breeding species richness (11 species) was in winter (June) and the peak (42 species) was in spring (October). Twenty-four species joined the breeding population of Strandfontein during 1959–1976 (during which time pond water surface area increased 2372%). The mean breeding species richness increased significantly (χ ² ₂ = 14.42, P <0.001) at Strandfontein during three distinctive periods: 1951–1958 (pre-construction), 1959–1976 (construction) and 1977–1985 (stabilization). At Rondevlei there were no significant differences in breeding species richness during the same periods. However, there were significant differences in the nest abundance pattern between these grouped years, both at Strandfontein (χ ² ₂ = 1472.2, P <0.001) and at Rondevlei (χ ² ₂ = 60.28, P <0.001). It is suggested that the same pool of species use the heterogeneous habitats at all the sites in the catchment according to their availability. The remarkable increase in species richness and nest abundance at Strandfontein after the late 1970s is attributed to higher habitat structural complexity, broad habitat types, stabilization and maturation of pond water and the subsequent increase in food diversity and availability. The decrease in Rondevlei nesting populations after the 1960s is probably related to fluctuations in water levels, cover of mudbanks with vegetation and high density of alien fish. A multipurpose management concept for conservation is proposed for the Zeekoe River catchment area. Strandfontein provides the greatest diversity of aquatic habitats not available elsewhere in the catchment (habitats for rare breeders such as Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Red-billed Teal and some plovers) Rondevlei has a complementary habitat spectrum (suitable for Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus, and reedbed species). Zeekoevlei provides a large area of reedbed habitat for colonial breeding species (African Spoonbill and herons) and Princess Vlei is suggested for attracting Laridae.