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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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KOGELBERG |
 © Photo: Béatrice Petit. |
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| General Description |
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Western Cape Province, within 40 km from Cape Town. This first South African biosphere reserve covers 103,629 hectares, where more than 80% consist of mountainous landscape with high mountain peaks and deep valleys to gentle hills and lower mountain slopes. The remaining area is made up of a gently rolling coastal plain as well as a marine part that covers some 24,500 hectares. The coastline is mostly rocky with some sandy beaches and estuaries. It is the floristic heart of the smallest of the world’s floral kingdoms (Cape floral kingdom) and it provides habitat for approximately 1,600 plant taxa of which an estimated 150 taxa are endemic to the area and characteristic of the Fynbos biome. The marine environment is part of the warm temperate south coast, and is subject to nutrient- upwelling events that support a highly productive and diverse marine community. About 37,900 permanent residents live in the biosphere reserve plus up to 50,000 non-permanent inhabitants, who use their properties only during holidays and weekends (1998). Main economic activities in the area include apple farming, commercial plantations of pines, and tourism. Tourism, specifically eco-tourism, has the potential of becoming one of the major economic activities in the region, with some 60,000 people visiting the area during the holiday season. Environmental education for school children and students is provided in the region. A private non-profit company, that is steered by a board of directors, manages the biosphere reserve. All stakeholders in the region are members of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve Company and thus have an input into the actions of the company. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Evergreen sclerophyllous forest, woodlands or scrub; marine/coastal zone | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Coastal plain and Fynbos vegetation; riparian vegetation; coastal lakes, marshes and bogs; rivers, lagoons and estuaries; sand dunes; marine habitats; agricultural land; pasture land; plantations; residential areas; reservoirs | |||
| Location | 34°04' to 34°24'S; 18°48' to 19°12'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 103,629 | |||
| Core area(s) | 31,629 (of which marine: 1,629) | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | ~40,000 (of which marine: ~ 23,000) | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | ~32,000 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | 0 to + 1,268 | |||
| Year designated | 1998 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Cape Nature Conservation, Hangklip/Kleinmond Municipality | |||
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| Brief description |
Environmental change The biology and status of stocks of abalone and rock lobster Water catchment management plan for the Palmiet River |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | n.a. | |||
| Biodiversity | Arid/Semi-arid, biology, invertebrates/insects/spiders. | |||
| Socio-economic | Fishery/Fisheries. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Environmental change, management issues, planning and zoning measures/zonation. | |||
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| Contact address |
Ruida Stanvliet Cape Nature Conservation Private Bag X 5014 7599 Stellenbosch South Africa |
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| Telephone | (27.21) 866 8020 | |||
| Fax | (27.21) 866 1523 | |||
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stanr@cncjnk.pgwc.gov.za stanr@webmail.co.za |
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| Last updated: 08/10/2007 |
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