The vegetation of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

Abstract

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, 7 750 ha in extent, occupies the southern end of the Cape Peninsula. Geologically, it is composed of sandstone beds of the Table Mountain Group of the Cape Supergroup. Topographically, it comprises an interior plateau bounded partly by hills and mountains which reach 360 m on the False Bay coast. Two structural formations, fynbos and broadleaved scrub, are recognized. Within fynbos, the two floristic categories, Inland and Coast Fynbos, reflect the two major soil types present. The flora of the Reserve, with 1 060 species (35% monocots, 65% dicots) comprises 40% of the flora of the Cape Peninsula. About 40 species are either endemic or rare and endangered to varying degrees. Alien woody plants that have invaded the veld over the past half-century are presenting a serious and costly management problem.