Stone age people in a changing south african greater cape. Its formal title is the cape south africa floristic region. Hike over treecovered hills and around glistening lakes on. Sustainable living book, which is being integrated as a resource into the. This biodiversity hotspot in the western cape, known as the hottest hotspot, has the highest concentration of plant species in the world. Plants of the greater cape floristic region, volume 1. The cape floral region cfr is located in southwest and southern south africa between the coast and the cederberg and swartberg mountain ranges, mostly in western cape province.
Table mountain national park, for example, has more plant species in a mere 22 000 hectares than the british isles or new zealand. The cederberg wilderness area established under forest act 122. Considered the fifth floral kingdom, this relatively small region at the southwestern tip of africa is home to about 9,000 vascular plant species, 69 percent of which are endemic. Pdf histories of fire in south africas cape floral region. The northern cape is the largest province in south africa. The cape floristic region in south africas western cape is home to the worlds smallest floristic kingdom there are six in total, which includes the unique fynbos biome, and supports nearly 9,000 species of plants, of which around 69% are. The property is a highly distinctive phytogeographic unit which is regarded as one of the six floral kingdoms of the world and is by far the smallest and relatively the most diverse. Free single supplements on every departure, limited availability reserve now. The cape floral region, in the southwest corner of south africa in the western cape, consists of clusters, spanning 1,094,741 hectares. The cape floristic region cfr is an appropriate recipient of cepf investment for. The cfr, less than a third of the size of the uk, has 8,600 species.
One of only six floral kingdoms in the world and unique to this small area, the region supports over 9,000 plant species, 70% of which are found. The cape floral region see map above is one of the biodiversity wonders of the world. Cape floral region protected areas fiona mcintosh on. This first complete account of all the bulbous plants of the cape floral region is an essential aid to the identification of all species presently in cultivation as well as the many others that are potentially valuable horticultural subjects. The earlier you reserve, the more you can save with smartpay. Cape flower region simple english wikipedia, the free. What to know about world heritage site, the cape floral region. Cape flora region department of sports, arts and culture.
The cape floristic region cfr is one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth. Tipping of local guides and drivers excluding city hostregional expert. Dates and history of establishmentdate s and history of establishments and history of establishment each reserve within the cape floral region has had a long history of increasing protection of differing types before final gazettement. Histories of fire in south africas cape floral region.
It is the only floristic region of the cape south african floristic kingdom, and includes only one floristic province, known as the cape floristic province the cape floristic region, the smallest of the six recognised floral kingdoms of the world, is an area of extraordinarily high diversity and. The cape floral region has been recognised as one of the most special places for plants in the world in terms of diversity, density and number of endemic species. The citys population estimate was 165,831 for 20 and 189,343 for 2018. Buy now this is a comprehensive history of a portland suburb from the 1500s to the early 20th century. Even in mountain areas, where agriculture is limited by poor soils, rooibos tea. The cape flower region is a nature area near the south end of south africa. Natural heritagethe cape floral region takes up only 0. Indeed, it is said that there are more species on the top of table mountain than in the entire uk. Cape floristic region, south africa tourist information.
Maps and satellite images of the cape floral region protected areas world heritage site downloaded from. The region is the smallest of the six flower kingdoms of the world, as recognised by ronald good. The cederberg is part of the cape floral region, recognized as a unesco world heritage site for its incredible biodiversity of endemic flora, or fynbos. Threeday family itinerary for cape town cape town travel. The species density in the cape floral region is also amongst the highest in the world. Cape flora floristic region, south africa britannica. Information about the cape floristic region biodiversity hotspot was developed using the ecosystem profile pdf 1. The color encyclopedia of cape bulbs workman publishing. The vegetation is incredibly diverse, home to 20 percent of africas plant species. The cape floral region of south africawhich accounts for only onehalf of one percent of africahas the worlds widest variety of plants packed into such a small area. Pdf the cape floristic region in south africas western cape is home to the. Each reserve within the cape floral region has had a long history of.
This makes it one of the richest areas for plants in the world and one of the globes 18 biodiversity hot spots. One of its most remarkable and best kept secrets is the incredible diversity of plant species found in the cape floral kingdom or the cape floristic region on the countrys western cape. Its a long way to africa, so, while youre here, seize the opportunity to experience all the colors of the rainbow nation in cape. The region was named wilderness when a man from cape town bought land here to fulfil a promise to his wife that they would live surrounded by nature. The human origins story palaeoanthropology is often set in the african palaeotropics, yet the greater cape floristic region gcfr plays an internationally.
Cape point falls within the cape floral region, a world heritage site, and is home to nearly 20 percent of africas flora. Recognised historically as the cape floristic kingdom or region. The site displays outstanding ecological and biological processes associated with the fynbos vegetation, which is. A serial site in cape province, south africa made up of eight protected areas, covering 553,000ha. The number of species per genus within the region 9. The greatest threat to biodiversity in the cape floristic region hotspot is agricultural and urban expansion. The collection of protected areas adds up in a synergistic manner to present the biological richness and evolutionary story of the cape floral region. Enjoy a full day tour to the cape winelands, and discover why connoisseurs travel from around the globe to explore south africas unique wine regions. The western cape is the home of the cape floral region, by far the smallest of the worlds floral kingdoms and the only one to fit within one country. Their vision is to bring about a sustainable increase in the demand for, and supply of, high valuehigh quality fynbos products to discerning international markets to the benefit. History and development of the groot winterhoek wilderness area. Maps and satellite images of the cape floral region.
Cape floral region protected areas unesco world heritage. It is one of the worlds most unique regions in terms of plant diversity, and 70% of the plant species do not grow anywhere else in the world. However, their geological histories, different climates, and different levels of threats. Jordan has made superb use of official records of the town and its various organizations, the portland newspapers and the manuscript collections of the maine historical. Distribution and status of the geometric tortoise, psammobates geometricus, in south africa. Grootbos private reserve, cape floral region, south africa. When a seed falls from the pincushion protea, this is just the beginning of its journey of life. Goods 1974, the geography of the flowering plants south african kingdom, and in relation to its size one that has perhaps the most remarkable and richest flora in the world. Have a brief hike around the vegetation and keep your eyes open for wildlifeseafowl, ostrich, and chacma baboons are all common here. Although the southern right whale is the most prolific. There are about 2500 species, and an unusually high proportion of the genera and species e. Cape floral region south africa african world heritage. The primary vegetation type of the western cape is fynbos, a term derived from dutch and afrikaans words meaning fine bush, which typically grows on fairly nutrientdepleted mostly sandstonederived acidic soils and is dominated by sclerophyllous, that is, evergreen, hardleaved, flowering shrubs, many of which are proteas, ericas, cape reeds restios, and geophytes bulbed plants. It is also the most southerly point within the cape of good hope reserve of table mountain national park.
Robben island seen from the sea, and cape floral region including table mountain all transfers between your base tour and your extension, as well as baggage handling where permitted and internal transfers. Welcome to cape flora south africa has an abundance of indigenous flora, across the entire region, ranging from the cape floral kingdom to succulents in the karoo, among a diverse range of others. The story of south africas wild flowers, and the people who found. The cape floral region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world. Drying climate in cape floral region, south africa. The cape boasts a combination of mediterranean like weather conditions and internationally acclaimed terroir, that continues to set high standards for growing top quality wines. It was on this island, that nelson mandela spent the bulk of his 27 years in prison. One of the main reasons to visit this town is to explore wilderness national park. The cape floral region has been called the worlds hottest hotspot for plant diversity and endemism. In 2004 the cape floral region a protected area measuring 553 000ha was declared a world heritage site by the united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization unesco. The generation of revenue from tourism, whether as hiking activity and gate receipts or ecotourism or more general tourism to which the beauty of the western cape and the cape floral region is a compelling backdrop. The cape floral region table mountain aerial cableway. It is the only floristic region of the cape south african floristic kingdom, and includes only one floristic province, known as the cape floristic province. Cape floral region world heritage site pictures, info.
Cape flora, a scrubland vegetation found along a narrow strip of the extreme southern coast of south africa, composed of many species of broadleaved evergreen shrubs, especially plants of the family proteaceae brownish or grayish shrubs often containing oil or resin. Cape floral region protected areas south africa the cape floral region is of. The cape floral region is a world heritage site and one of the richest plant areas in the world, comprising less than 1% of the african continent, yet sustaining 20% of its flora. The duras room is an homage to cap ferrets fishermens cottages bleached wood, exposed beams. The bushmans kloof wilderness reserve protects 18,000 acres in the region, and serves as the steward for the propertys more than documented bushman rock art sites. The magnificent cape floristic region is, as its name implies, situated in the western cape and parts of the eastern cape provinces of south africa. The flora of the southwestern tip of africa is one of the richest in the world. Data book status in the south african plant red data book hiltontaylor 1996. The cape floral region protected areas currently comprises a serial property of eight protected areas covering a total area of 553,000 ha, and includes a buffer zone of 1,315,000 ha designed to facilitate functional connectivity and mitigate the effects of global climate change and other anthropogenic influences. The cape floral region is a truly unique ecosystem of the fynbos. The cape floristic region cfr is one of the most biologically diverse. Kirstenbosch provides a birds eyeview of the different fynbos that thrive across different habitats, and it would be best to start ones travel here i, however, started with the baviaanskloof moving towards table mountain then going up to the cederberg, making the botalnical. Integrating the social and environmental in history. The rich diversity of the cape floral region contributes to south africa having the thirdhighest level of biodiversity in the world.
Robben island, in table bay, near cape town, was used for centuries as a prison and is now an essential stop for visitors to the region. The potential to generate value from the cape floral regions function as a storehouse of genetic variation. Cape flora sa, is a nonprofit company npc established in 2005 with the purpose of identifying and addressing the strategic needs of the fynbos and protea industry. The cape floral region is one of the richest areas for plants than for any similar sized area in the world. Cape flora is a distributor and exporter of south african indigenous seeds. Agricultural land use has already consumed 26 percent of the hotspot and has devastated lowland areas. A guide to cap ferret, the cape cod of france the new. Like table mountain and kirstenbosch, cape point falls within the cape floral region, a world heritage site. Hermanus originally called hermanuspietersfontein, but shortened in 1902 as the name was too long for the postal service, is a town on the southern coast of the western cape province of south africa.
The site displays outstanding ecological and biological processes associated with the fynbos vegetation, which is unique to the cape floral region. Finish your final day on a high note at the spectacular cape point nature reserve. This bright pink south african flower stands out amidst the green surrounding it but its been a long wait to get to this point. Nomination of the cape floral region, south africa, as a world heritage site 2003. Map of the area covered by the cape floral region protected areas showing principal towns and road network from the map. The ultimate guide to driving the cape peninsula in a day. This flora makes up its own floristic region and includes more than 1,500 genera, 30 percent of which are native nowhere else. South africa has a long history of conservation and enjoys the. The cape floristic region is one of the six floral kingdoms in the world. Cape flora supplier of indigenous cycads, strelitzias. With an area of 120 square miles 310 km 2, cape coral is the largest city between tampa and miami.
About the destination of grootbos private nature reserve. Its plant species diversity, density and endemism are among the highest worldwide, and it has been identified as one of the worlds 18 biodiversity hotspots. Founded in 1957 and developed as a planned community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. Its flora is so diverse and unique that it warrants classification as one the worlds six principal floristic regions. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter to spring seasons, and is a popular retirement location, too.
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