The Biodiversity of the Western Cape
The annual CapeNature Conservation Review provides an opportunity to highlight some of the achievements over the last year related to our work in Biodiversity Conservation, Tourism, and Community Engagement. The theme for this year's review is 'Connect with Nature’, and we invite you to join us virtually and enjoy a selection of presentations prepared for the Conservation Review. Hear about how CapeNature and partners are working with NASA via the BioSCape project; learn more about CapeNature’s innovative tourism and community outreach work; get an insight into the value of working dogs in biodiversity monitoring; learn more about our protected area expansion and get an insight into adventurous alien clearing via helicopter. Our five new Groen Sebenza interns have also join in and prepared short presentations about youth in conservation.
The biodiversity of the Western Cape
The Western Cape has an astounding wealth of biodiversity across all taxonomic groups and ecosystems and many species are endemic to our province. The term biodiversity refers to the variety of species (plants, animals, and micro-organisms) and ecosystems as well as the ecological process that allow biodiversity to persist over time. Biodiversity also includes genetic diversity. At an ecosystem level, there are 171 terrestrial ecosystems in our province. Sadly 64 of these are listed as Threatened in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA 2004). Of the threatened ecosystems, 35 are listed as Critically Endangered and 27 as Endangered. In terms of plant diversity, the Western Cape has by far the richest plant diversity of the nine provinces, including 10 778 plant taxa, of which approximately 61% are considered endemic. The Western Cape comprises 52.3% of the flora of South Africa (SANBI 2020).
Annually CapeNature produces a Western Cape State of Conservation Report which provides updates on the conservation status of indigenous biodiversity species and ecosystems. An overview of environmental threats is also provided, noting that the main threats include habitat loss, alien invasive vegetation, inappropriate fire regimes, biodiversity crime and climate change. The status of indigenous species indicates that 16% of extant taxa in the Western Cape are threatened. As depicted in the graphic below, the status of freshwater fish is of concern as 24 of the 44 Freshwater fish taxa in the province are threatened. Many species of conservation concern are protected in CapeNature Nature Reserves across the province. For more detailed information access the latest Western Cape State of Conservation Report on our website: SOCR 2022
Status of Western Cape Indigenous Species, from the State of Conservation Report 2022.
Related News
How biodiversity crime threatens the Western Cape’s people, economy, and ecosystems
Biodiversity crime may sound like something intangible compared to other crimes encountered on a daily basis in our lives, but it is a very real and growing threat to our planet’s delicate ecosystems. It includes any illegal activity that harms plants, animals, or the ecosystems they depend on from high-profile crimes like rhino poaching to illegal plant trade in the Western Cape. It can even be something as simple as picking wildflowers in a nature reserve without permission or a permit.
Young leopard dies after being caught in gin traps near Heidelberg
CapeNature can confirm the death of a young leopard following a call to assist in a rescue operation on 2 July in the Heidelberg area, near the World Heritage Site of Boosmansbos.
Officials discovered a young 13 kg male leopard, estimated to be around six months old, ensnared in two gin traps set adjacent to each other. One front paw and one hind leg were caught. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, the leopard did not survive.
Darwin200 Young Leaders & CapeNature Launch Inspiring Documentaries
Three DARWIN200 young leaders worked hand in hand with CapeNature to produce awe-inspiring and heartwarming videos on the Cape vulture colony of Potberg, the bontebok at De Hoop Nature Reserve and the invasive carp at Groenvlei. Click read more to watch the videos.
Three Arrested for Illegal Rhino Horn Trade
On Wednesday, 2 July 2025, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (Hawks) assisted by SAPS K9 Unit, Overberg and Stock Theft and Endangered Species based in Swellendam, executed an undercover operation at Buffeljags River, N2 route outside of Swellendam.
Three suspects were arrested after being found in possession of the rhino horn and engaged in a transaction to sell the rhino horn during an undercover operation. CapeNature officials were contacted to assist in the further investigation of the case, which was subsequently registered at the Swellendam Police Station.
BOCMA & CapeNature Boost Water Sustainability
On 8 May 2025 a capacity building event was held at the Barn Owl Conference Venue in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve provided by the Breede Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) to CapeNature staff from Landscape South and Central. BOCMA are responsible for implementing the National Water Act (NWA) within the Breede and Gouritz catchments, which regulates water use. A similar event was held in Oudtshoorn with the Landscape East staff on 23 May 2025. Water is an essential natural resource that requires responsible management to ensure the sustainability of the resource both for human use and ecological function.
Marine Dynamics Wins ATTA® Award
Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours has been honoured with the ATTA® Marine Impact Award during the Experience Africa Travel Conference in London on 23 June 2025. The award recognises organisations making a tangible difference in protecting Africa’s marine and coastal environments while fostering long-term community benefits.
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