Zuko Komisa
If you’ve made your way to the Hartbeespoort Dam recently, there’s a plant you may have noticed that is growing everywhere.
It’s called the Hyacinth plant, an invasive and rapidly spreading plant that creates thick mats on the water’s surface. The plant has become a persistent threat to Hartbeespoort Dam.
These mats disturb the environment, reduce oxygen levels and block sunlight. Additionally, the hyacinth interferes with leisure pursuits like fishing and boating, which affects local tourism.
Dr Kelby English from the CBC at Rhodes university, helps Kaya 959 listeners make sense of the situation affecting the much loved dam.
Listen to the full conversation here:
According to Dr Kelby English, the infestation has been managed using a variety of techniques, such as biological control agents, herbicides and mechanical removal. However, it is challenging to totally eradicate the hyacinth due to its persistence and quick growth.
Even while this approach has had some success in lessening the plant’s coverage, the infestation still poses a serious problem for the dam and the local residents.
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