Vlei
A vlei /ˈfleɪ/ is a shallow minor lake, mostly of a seasonal or intermittent nature. It even might refer to seasonal ponds or marshy patches where frogs and similar marsh dwellers breed. Commonly, vleis vary in their extent, or even in the presence or absence of water, according to the fall of rain or dryness of the season.[1] In terms of water salinity, vleis may be freshwater, saltwater, or brackish.[1] Over time a vlei may degrade into a salt pan or clay pan, such as Dead Vlei.
Vleis of various types can be of considerable local ecological importance, harboring many endemic and migratory species. Most vleis are too minor to be granted recognition in the form of a name. However, some major vleis are accorded names, for example Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei in the Cape Peninsula, which are permanent bodies of water. Indeed, Rondevlei is home to hippopotamus. The term is the basis of various biological common names such as "vlei rat" for rodents in the genus Otomys, "vleiroos" (literally "marsh rose"), vleikuiken" (literally "vlei chick")[2] and vlei frog.
The word "vlei" is used predominantly in South Africa. It is an Afrikaans word derived from Dutch "vallei" (valley). In Afrikaans, however, its meaning changed into "shallow minor lake".
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Compendium of South African history and geography", by George McCall Theal, Edition: 3 - 1877, [http://books.google.com/books?id=zVSVsyjwl4UC&pg=PA9&dq=%22vlei+is%22#v=onepage&q=%22vlei%20is%22&f=falsep. 9]
- ↑ Bosman, D. B.; Van der Merwe, I. W.; Hiemstra, L. W. (1984). Tweetalige Woordeboek Afrikaans-Engels. Tafelberg-uitgewers. ISBN 0-624-00533-X.