FW: CRC Seminar: 26 February 2026 (12h00) the New kid on the block. Agulhas Plain Ramsar wetland
Elma Marais
Good day, please take note of the Cape Research Centre Webinar on the Agulhas Plain Ramsar Wetland site, tomorrow from 12h00 to 13h00. See the attached and below email.
Kind regards,
Elma Marais
Elma Marais
Southern African Wildlife Management Association
Ph: +27 713523226
Email: off...@sawma.co.za
Website: www.sawma.co.za
From:
Zishan Ebrahim <Zishan....@sanparks.org>
Sent: 19 February 2026 16:22
Subject: CRC Seminar: 26 February 2026 (12h00) the New kid on the block. Agulhas Plain Ramsar wetland
Good afternoon Colleagues.
South Africa’s 32nd Ramsar Wetland site is being established: The Agulhas Plain
· https://www.ramsar.org/news/south-africa-designates-agulhas-plain
Dr. Ruth-Mary Fisher, of SANParks’ Cape Research Centre (CRC), will present next week Thursday.
MS Teams event page: Register to receive a email reminder 1 hour before the event.
Seminar topic: Agulhas Plain Ramsar Wetland site
Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00 - 13:00 (UTC+02:00)
Venue: Online and at the Cape Research Centre (Tokai Road, Cape Town)
Attached: Outlook calendar event
Summary:
The Agulhas Plain Ramsar Site consists of the Agulhas National Park (ANP), including the Soetendalsvlei portion managed by CapeNature. It is located on the Agulhas Plain in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape, South Africa. This plain is situated on an ancient wave-cut platform and is a relatively flat coastal lowland landscape, some areas of which are below sea level. The site falls within the Fynbos Biome of the Greater Cape Floristic Region, is a Key Biodiversity Area and is part of the UNESCO Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site due to its natural biodiversity and ecological processes (SANParks 2020). This Ramsar site has more than 960 plant species, 144 birds, 68 mammals, 33 amphibians, and 8 fish species. Large numbers of these species are endemic, highly threatened, and dependent on wetlands (SANParks BIMS 2025). This 23 984 ha Ramsar site supports amongst the highest diversity of wetland types within South Africa, to a total of 8 127 ha. Numerous seep, channelled valley-bottom and depression wetlands occur throughout the site, including the Ratel River Estuary. The depressions range from permanently to seasonally inundated while their water quality ranges from fresh to brackish and saline (SANParks 2020). The Soetendalsvlei is mapped as a freshwater lake (depression) and is the second largest freshwater lake in South Africa, after Chrissiesmeer. This site is not only highly significant for biodiversity but is also a site of significant cultural value due its deep Khoisan heritage (stone tools, middens), rich maritime history (numerous shipwrecks, iconic lighthouse since 1849, historic saltworks) and remnants of early European settlements.
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CRC Seminar: the New kid on the block. Agulhas Plain Ramsar Wetland siteYou’ve been invited to:
CRC Seminar: the New kid on the block. Agulhas Plain Ramsar Wetland site Dr. Ruth-Mary Fisher, of SANParks’ Cape Research Centre, will introduce South Africa’s 32nd Ramsar Wetland: The Agulhas Plain Register to receive an email reminder 1 hour before the event Title
About the presenter Ruth-Mary is the Freshwater Scientist for the Cape Parks, including Namaqua NP and advised on the Freshwater Objectives for the new Grasslands NP. Her focus is on wetland mapping, monitoring river health and groundwater. She completed her PhD her thesis on soil hydrophobicity in pristine fynbos, how woody invasive alien plants affect it, how prescribed burns and drought affects it and how post-fire fynbos vegetation succession is affected by soil hydrophobicity and drought from Stellenbosch University in 2025. Venue: Online (MS Teams) and in person.
Summary
The Agulhas Plain Ramsar Site consists of the Agulhas National Park (ANP), including the Soetendalsvlei portion managed by CapeNature. It is located on the Agulhas Plain in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape, South Africa. This plain is situated on an ancient wave-cut platform and is a relatively flat coastal lowland landscape, some areas of which are below sea level. The site falls within the Fynbos Biome of the Greater Cape Floristic Region, is a Key Biodiversity Area and is part of the UNESCO Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site due to its natural biodiversity and ecological processes (SANParks 2020). This Ramsar site has more than 960 plant species, 144 birds, 68 mammals, 33 amphibians, and 8 fish species. Large numbers of these species are endemic, highly threatened, and dependent on wetlands (SANParks BIMS 2025). This 23 984 ha Ramsar site supports amongst the highest diversity of wetland types within South Africa, to a total of 8 127 ha. Numerous seep, channelled valley-bottom and depression wetlands occur throughout the site, including the Ratel River Estuary. The depressions range from permanently to seasonally inundated while their water quality ranges from fresh to brackish and saline (SANParks 2020). The Soetendalsvlei is mapped as a freshwater lake (depression) and is the second largest freshwater lake in South Africa, after Chrissiesmeer. This site is not only highly significant for biodiversity but is also a site of significant cultural value due its deep Khoisan heritage (stone tools, middens), rich maritime history (numerous shipwrecks, iconic lighthouse since 1849, historic saltworks) and remnants of early European settlements. Venue: Online (MS Teams) and in person.
Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00 - 13:00 (UTC+02:00) Harare, Pretoria
We look forward to having you attend the event! |
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SANParks
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Zishan
Spatial / Geographic Information Systems
Cape Research Centre
SANParks
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