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De Hel Nature Area is a
nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
protecting a river valley and indigenous forest on the lower eastern slopes of
Table Mountain Table Mountain ( naq, Huriǂoaxa, lit= sea-emerging; af, Tafelberg) is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the ...
,
Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
,
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
.


Ecology

The ''Spaanschemat River'' is surrounded by steep slopes that are covered in deep indigenous
Southern Afrotemperate Forest Southern Afrotemperate Forest (the Southern Cape Forests) is a kind of tall, shady, multilayered indigenous South African forest. This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula ...
. 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 The Afromontane regions are subregions of the Afrotropical realm, one of the Earth's eight biogeographic realms, covering the plant and animal species found in the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. The Afromontane regions ...
, with areas of
Peninsula Granite Fynbos Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees. It can be found all along the belt ...
. Several hundred plant species have been identified here, including the striking Silvertree (''
Leucadendron argenteum ''Leucadendron argenteum'' (silver tree, silver leaf tree, af, Witteboom, or af, Silwerboom) is an endangered plant species in the family Proteaceae, which is endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Most grow in and around ...
'') 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 An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and in ...
Western Leopard Toad The western leopard toad (''Sclerophrys pantherina'') is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. The species is endemic to the low-lying areas of the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Flats and the Agulhas flats of the Western Cape, South Africa. Popu ...
('' Amietophrynus pantherinus''). Invasive alien plants are a problem; as such weeds threaten both the indigenous forest and the fynbos.


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 Heritage Western Cape (HWC) is a provincial heritage resources authority established by the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport of the government of the Western Cape province in South Africa. It is a public entity set up under the terms of ...
declared De Hel a provincial heritage site in the terms of Section 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act. This provides the site with the highest form of protection under South African heritage law.


See also

*
Biodiversity of Cape Town The Biodiversity of Cape Town is the variety and variability of life within the geographical extent of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, excluding the Prince Edward Islands. The terrestrial vegetation is particularly diverse and m ...
*
List of nature reserves in Cape Town The City of Cape Town, South Africa has numerous nature reserves within the city limits. City of Cape Town The City of Cape Town manages the following nature reserves in the Cape Town metropolitan area: Temp North region * * * * * * * ...
*
Southern Afrotemperate Forest Southern Afrotemperate Forest (the Southern Cape Forests) is a kind of tall, shady, multilayered indigenous South African forest. This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula ...
*
Peninsula Granite Fynbos Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees. It can be found all along the belt ...


References


External links


Official website

National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999
{{Cape Town, natural Nature reserves in Cape Town Protected areas of the Western Cape South African heritage resources South African heritage sites