Biology:Helderberg Nature Reserve

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Short description: Nature reserve in Cape Town, South Africa

Helderberg Nature Reserve
Helderberg Nature Reserve - Cape Town SA 1.jpg
Helderberg mountainside
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LocationSomerset West, South Africa
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 34°01′59″S 18°52′28″E / 34.03306°S 18.87444°E / -34.03306; 18.87444
Area398 ha (980 acres)
Established1960
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Helderberg Nature Reserve is a 398-hectare (980-acre) nature reserve in Somerset West, South Africa .[1]

This nature reserve is located on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains. Its 398 ha consist mostly of “Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos” (a highly species-rich vegetation type) with smaller patches of “Boland Granite Fynbos” and “Southern Afrotemperate Forest”. Altogether about 600 species of plant have been recorded here, including a wide range of proteas. Particularly prominent plants include the pincushion proteas (Leucospermum sp.), cone bushes (Leucadendron sp.), sugar bushes (Protea sp.), heaths (Erica sp.) and the waboom tree (Protea nitida).[2]

Animals that can be found here include the Cape leopard, caracal, grey duiker, Cape grysbok, steenbok, mongoose, angulate and padloper tortoises and over 170 species of bird.

The reserve has a picnic area, gift shop, Environmental Education Centre and museum displays.[3]

See also

  • Biodiversity of Cape Town
  • List of nature reserves in Cape Town
  • Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Boland Granite Fynbos
  • Index: Fynbos - habitats and species.
  • Southern Afrotemperate Forest

External links

References