Cape Town’s unique and amazing biodiversity

Cape Town is the most biodiverse City in the world! This may seem like quite a claim – but in Cape Town this bold statement is indeed backed up by hard facts and evident in the incredible natural beauty.

The City, which covers approximately 2451 km2, is home to over 3000 plant species and 20 distinct vegetation types.  Astonishingly, seven of these vegetation types and almost 200 plant species occur only within the City boundaries and nowhere else in the world. The extremely high biodiversity richness is dictated by a variety of soil and habitat types. Consequently, the mountainous areas contain very different biodiversity to the lowlands. It is in these lowland areas where there has been significant historic habitat transformation, sadly resulting in a globally recognized conservation crisis. Of the 400 plant species that are classified as being threatened with extinction within the City, the majority occur on these lowland areas.

The diversity of habitat also support a wealth of incredible and enigmatic fauna. An incredible 74 indigenous species of mammal occur within Cape Town’s municipal boundaries. This includes numerous charismatic species such as Caracal, Cape Clawless Otter and Honey Badger. Hippopotamus, Eland and Red Hartebeest that were locally extinct have also been reintroduced to specific protected areas. Additionally, approximately 400 bird species, 62 reptile species and 28 species of frog also call the City home. Astoundingly, four of the frog species are endemic to the City, which means they are found nowhere else in the world. Having four endemic vertebrates within the boundaries of a metropolitan municipality is extremely special.

The richness and uniqueness of the City’s irreplaceable biodiversity is acknowledged by the fact that there are four IBAs (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas) and a National Park within Cape Town. In addition, three Biosphere Reserves enter the City boundaries. Cape Town is in the heart of the Cape Floral Region which has been declared as a World Heritage site due to it being one of the  great centres of terrestrial biodiversity on earth. The significance of the wetlands contained within the City has also been recognised through the awarded Ramsar Wetland City status, augmenting the existing designated False Bay Nature Reserve Ramsar site. These Ramsar sites are wetlands that have been designated to be of international importance under the international Ramsar convention.

The City of Cape Town and its conservation partners have been innovative in the proactive protection of this immense natural heritage. There are currently in excess of 55 000 ha in the Conservation Estate in Cape Town and all hands are on deck trying to secure remaining critically important biodiversity areas. The City of Cape Town are the custodians of 21 Nature Reserves which range in size from 8000 ha at Steenbras Nature Reserve to the small and unique 3.6 ha Botterblom Nature Reserve.  A very successful conservation stewardship programme forms part of the conservation efforts, where work with private land owners furthers the conservation of private land.

It is of paramount importance that we conserve our unique natural heritage in Cape Town if we are to remain a sustainable City into the future, and in order for future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy and benefit from this immense biodiversity.