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The Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) is a global biodiversity asset, the
smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms and the only one to
be found entirely within one country. It is home to more types of
indigenous plants than any similar sized area on Earth.
What
makes it even more special is that approximately 70% of its 9000
plant species are found nowhere else on Earth. The conservation
of the remaining areas of natural vegetation within the CFK is of
international conservation significance. The flora of the Cape is
being threatened by agricultural and urban expansion as well as
by alien vegetation invasion. Many threatened habitats, especially
those in lowland areas, fall within private properties. Unfortunately
there is limited financial support from government for conservation
on private land.
Private
conservation and state-private sector collaborative partnerships
are essential for the long-term conservation of much of the regions
biodiversity. www.fynbos.co.za tells the story of a group
of landowners who are determined to ensure the preservation of the
natural splendour of the Walker Bay region of the CFK. It also provides
some interesting information on the ecology of this amazing region. |
