A Plan To Protect The Flora And Fauna Of Africa’s Cape Floristic Region

Located on the southwestern tip of South Africa and extending into the Eastern Cape, the African Cape Floristic Region is considered an environmental hotspot. It contains 9,000 species of plants, with almost 70 of them being completely indigenous to this area. One of the most popular and most recognized species of flower that grows here is the King Protean, also known as South Africa’s national flower. The Cape also inhabits many different animal species from birds to reptiles and mammals to fish. Nearly a quarter of the reptiles and amphibians, four species of mammals, six kinds of birds, and over 100 species of invertebrates are all primitive to this place.
While most of this land is under protection, much of the area is still at risk. Conservationists are trying to remove many of the Cape’s alien plant and animal life to make room for the species that are native to area and to help them prosper. It has also been added to list of “World Heritage Sites”, being called a biodiversity hotspot as well as being known for having an extreme significance to humanity. The World Bank has funded a 6 million dollar project to help develop the Capes flora and fauna, while another 6 million was donated by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund to help fund 3 reserves (Cederberg, Gouritz, and Baviaanskloof).

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