De Hel Nature Area
Encyclopedia
De Hel Nature Area is a nature reserve
protecting a river valley and indigenous forest
on the lower eastern slopes of Table Mountain
, Cape Town
.
. 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.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
protecting a river valley and indigenous forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
on the lower eastern slopes of Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
, Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
Ecology
The Spaanschemat River is surrounded by steep slopes that are covered in deep indigenous Southern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
. 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
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
, with areas of Peninsula Granite Fynbos
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...
. Several hundred plant species have been identified here, including the striking Silvertree
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
(Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
) 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
Western Leopard Toad
The Western Leopard Toad is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.The species is endemic to the areas of Cape Town and the eastern coastline of the South-western Cape, South Africa...
(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, De Hel has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site.See also
- Biodiversity of Cape TownBiodiversity of Cape Town- Floristic region :The city of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom . - Vegetation types :...
- List of nature reserves in Cape Town
- Southern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate ForestSouthern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
- Peninsula Granite FynbosPeninsula Granite FynbosPeninsula 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...