Fynbos
Cape Floristic Region
Better known for being the home of Table Mountain which guards the city of Cape Town day and night, the Cape Floristic Region or the Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest, but richest plant kingdom in the world. It is one of only six plant kingdoms across the globe and home to more than 9000 plant species of which 6200 are found nowhere else in the world. It is also fully contained within South Africa.
There are two distinct vegetation types. The first is Fynbos which covers 80% of the total land area which is about 90 000km². The second vegetation type is known as renosterveld and is largely located in the lowland areas.
This region stretches from the Cederberg in the north west, around the Western Cape coast into the Eastern Cape. Although it is better known for its plant species, plenty of animal, reptile and bird species are also found in this region. Its beauty, diversity and importance have given this area, World Heritage status
Despite its diversity and importance of providing ecosystem services such as water purification and erosion control, this region has been severely damaged by urban and agricultural development, invasive alien species (both plant and animal) and too frequent fires. Less than 20% of this region is pristine area which exists in disconnected fragments that cannot maintain the ecological processes required for species survival.
This region has therefore obtained the dubious global recognition as a leading site for species extinctions.
WWF has established a strong partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.) Programme which provides an umbrella framework and strategy for co-ordinating conservation action.
The Table Mountain Fund, managed by WWF, also contributes directly to the CAPE strategy. It was established in 1998 as a capital core fund for conserving Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula. Thanks to TMF, more than 50 projects are currently being implemented.
This region stretches from the Cederberg in the north west, around the Western Cape coast into the Eastern Cape. Although it is better known for its plant species, plenty of animal, reptile and bird species are also found in this region. Its beauty, diversity and importance have given this area, World Heritage status
Despite its diversity and importance of providing ecosystem services such as water purification and erosion control, this region has been severely damaged by urban and agricultural development, invasive alien species (both plant and animal) and too frequent fires. Less than 20% of this region is pristine area which exists in disconnected fragments that cannot maintain the ecological processes required for species survival.
This region has therefore obtained the dubious global recognition as a leading site for species extinctions.
WWF has established a strong partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.) Programme which provides an umbrella framework and strategy for co-ordinating conservation action.
The Table Mountain Fund, managed by WWF, also contributes directly to the CAPE strategy. It was established in 1998 as a capital core fund for conserving Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula. Thanks to TMF, more than 50 projects are currently being implemented.
Fynbos on Table Mountain
Useful links
Fynbos
Did you know?
The Cape Floristic Region has World Heritage Status.
