Flat Crown Traditional Cache
Hidden : 11/22/2013
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


A cache in the Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct. (GGEP )





This is part of the GGEP series of caches we have placed. It will be a quick grab on your way to the next cache. Enjoy the peace, fresh air and the bird life as you walk through the gorge.

Giba



Forest



The forests in this part of the world are known as Scarp Forests, although they have close associations with both Coastal and Afro-montane forests, and are usually associated with rugged terrain above 400m asl, in areas protected from fire. They are classified as threatened by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and are protected legally by the National Forests Act of 1998.

Giba



Scarp Forests, and most forests in general, have three basic structural layers to them, the canopy, mid-canopy and under-storey layers. Maintenance of this general structure is extremely important as any damage to this can cause a new succession of unwanted plants colonizing and transforming the system. By damage to the system I mean the removal or ring-barking of trees in particular. This practice has become common practice in many forests in the greater Durban area which has left many highly degraded forests and very few functional ones. Fortunately Giba’s forests are generally in a good condition but the initial stages of degradation have become evident in the last few years.

Giba



Ring-barking of indigenous forest trees causes serious ecological damage to these habitats

Commercial muthi harvesting –traditional muthi harvesting carried out by trained nyangas utilises sustainable harvesting techniques and has little negative impact on the natural environment. The commercial form of this practice, however, has dire consequences to the environment and, if not controlled, can lead to the destruction of entire habitats. In Giba, the forest habitats are under the greatest threat from this activity.

Giba


Ring-barked forest tree

Giba


Commercial muthi harvesting bust – 2007

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

10 zrgref bss gur genvy HE

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Attributes

No attributes available

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