Let's talk "wildlife"

Link: http://www.ecparks.co.za/parks-reserves/baviaanskloof/index.html

Baviaanskloof
Baviaanskloof, meaning the “Valley of the Baboons”, is arguably one of the most bio-diverse areas within southern Africa with representation of seven of South Africa’s 8 biomes in the planning domain of the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve. It is at the convergence of three of the world’s top 36 biodiversity hotspots (Cape Floristic Region, the Succulent Karoo and Maputo-Pondo-Albany Thicket). Baviaanskloof has some spectacular riverine forests, with giant Yellowwood trees which is the South African national tree. This creates a unique vegetation system that ranges from succulents to spectacular fynbos flowers and shady green forest patches. Throughout the Baviaanskloof there is evidence of the earliest inhabitants, the Khoi San, in the rock paintings that they left behind. The Baviaanskloof feeds rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean in the area between Port Elizabeth and Cape St Francis. Approximately 30% of South Africa’s export oranges are grown in the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve Planning Domain.

The unique ecosystem has contributed to a wide range of ecosystem goods and services, such as water and carbon sequestration, to the communities living around it, creating a buffer between the arid Nama Karoo and the coast with its unique ecosystems. The Spekboom (Porkbush), a tall shrub that is very indicative of the Subtropical Thicket, has shown to have unique carbon sequestration capabilities, and this is used to drive the Spekboom restoration project in this area. It is also a highly palatable plant that can indicate overgrazing very quickly.

The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve Planning Domain has a nature reserve of vast wilderness at its core, which is also a World Heritage Site and is a living landscape moving towards environmentally sensitive & ecologically responsible land-users.