De Hel Nature Area
Indigenous forest at De Hel Nature Area. Cape Town.
Map showing the location of De Hel Nature Area
Map showing the location of De Hel Nature Area
Map of Cape Town
LocationCape Town, South Africa
Coordinates34°00′46″S 18°25′13″E / 34.01271°S 18.42015°E / -34.01271; 18.42015[1]
Area21.3 ha (53 acres)

De Hel Nature Area is a 21.3-hectare (53-acre) nature reserve protecting a river valley and indigenous forest on the lower eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

Ecology

The Spaanschemat River is surrounded by steep slopes that are covered in deep indigenous Southern Afrotemperate Forest. At the lower end of the reserve is an open piece of land known as “the Meadow” where fruit trees remain from earlier cultivation.

The vegetation type is Afromontane forest, with areas of Peninsula Granite Fynbos. Several hundred plant species have been identified here, including the striking Silvertree (Leucadendron argenteum) and Erica phylicaefolia. The reserve is also home to a variety of local wild animals, including endangered birds like the Knysna warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus), and the endangered Western Leopard Toad (Amietophrynus pantherinus). Invasive alien plants are a problem; as such weeds threaten both the indigenous forest and the fynbos.[3]

History

Ancient trails used by Khoi-khoi herders ran through this patch of land, and when the Dutch arrived they established a woodcutter's post here. Subsequently, its forests became known as a retreat for runaway slaves. For this, as well as for environmental reasons, in March 2012 the provincial heritage resources authority, Heritage Western Cape declared De Hel a provincial heritage site in the terms of Section 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act.[4] This provides the site with the highest form of protection under South African heritage law.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "De Hel Nature Area Trails". Zandvlei Trust.
  2. "De Hel Nature Area Trails". Zandvlei Trust.
  3. ↑ "Flora of the Western Cape".
  4. ↑ Provincial Notice 70/2012,Province of the Western Cape Provincial Gazette Extraordinary, No. 606, Cape Town: 23 March 2012
  5. ↑ "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-22.
  6. ↑ "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept". Archived from the original on 2012-12-23.
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