Rondebosch Common
Encyclopedia
Rondebosch Common is an open common
of about 40 hectare in Rondebosch
, Cape Town
in South Africa
. It contains one of the only surviving pockets of the critically endangered
“Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
” vegetation type, which exists nowhere else in the world.
and an important conservation area for the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
vegetation. This type of fynbos
exists only in Cape Town
, and has become critically endangered
due to the urban development which has covered most of the Cape Flats
. The common also conserves a few patches of Renosterveld
and a seasonal wetland
, giving it a hugely varied biodiversity for such a small area. Of the hundreds of plant species that occur here, at least nine are on the Red Data List. This stretch of land also protects 110 species of bird, as well as small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The local biodiversity is threatened by invasive plants such as Kikuyu grass.
, and troops were regularly stationed here, even up until the Second World War. The open area has steadily decreased over time, as piece after piece was taken for housing, so that today only 40 ha remain.
The remaining land was proclaimed a National Monument
in 1961, and today it is used as a recreational area for the surrounding communities.
Common land
Common land is land owned collectively or by one person, but over which other people have certain traditional rights, such as to allow their livestock to graze upon it, to collect firewood, or to cut turf for fuel...
of about 40 hectare in Rondebosch
Rondebosch
Rondebosch is one of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. It is primarily a residential suburb, with a medium-size shopping area, a small business district as well as the main campus of the University of Cape Town.-History:...
, 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...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It contains one of the only surviving pockets of the critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
“Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos , previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. Less than 1% of this unique lowland Fynbos vegetation is conserved.-Description:This is the richest and most...
” vegetation type, which exists nowhere else in the world.
Biodiversity
Rondebosch Common is a National MonumentNational monument
A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a National Heritage Site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural...
and an important conservation area for the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos , previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. Less than 1% of this unique lowland Fynbos vegetation is conserved.-Description:This is the richest and most...
vegetation. This type of fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
exists only in 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...
, and has become critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
due to the urban development which has covered most of the Cape Flats
Cape Flats
The Cape Flats is an expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the central business district of Cape Town. To many people in Cape Town, the area is known simply as 'The Flats'....
. The common also conserves a few patches of Renosterveld
Peninsula Shale Renosterveld
Peninsula Shale Renosterveld is a unique vegetation type that is found only on the slopes of Signal Hill and Devil's Peak in Cape Town, South Africa. It is critically endangered and exists nowhere else...
and a seasonal wetland
Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland
Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetland is a critically endangered vegetation type of the Western Cape, South Africa.-Environment:This type of riparian vegetation and its accompanying ecosystem is found in the Western Cape, South Africa, on freshwater floodplains, along the lower stretches of rivers and...
, giving it a hugely varied biodiversity for such a small area. Of the hundreds of plant species that occur here, at least nine are on the Red Data List. This stretch of land also protects 110 species of bird, as well as small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The local biodiversity is threatened by invasive plants such as Kikuyu grass.
History
In the past, Rondebosch Common was used as a military camp (hence the name of Camp Ground Road, which borders the common on the west). In 1805, the local Dutch farmers rallied here before the decisive Battle of BlaauwbergBattle of Blaauwberg
The Battle of Blaauwberg, also known as the Battle of Cape Town, fought near Cape Town on 8 January 1806, was a small but significant military engagement. It established British rule in South Africa, which was to have many ramifications during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries...
, and troops were regularly stationed here, even up until the Second World War. The open area has steadily decreased over time, as piece after piece was taken for housing, so that today only 40 ha remain.
The remaining land was proclaimed a National Monument
National monument
A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a National Heritage Site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural...
in 1961, and today it is used as a recreational area for the surrounding communities.
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
- Cape Flats Sand FynbosCape Flats Sand FynbosCape Flats Sand Fynbos , previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. Less than 1% of this unique lowland Fynbos vegetation is conserved.-Description:This is the richest and most...