Nature around the Plett area
Visitors can enjoy incredibly amazing and distinctively varied nature experiences in the Plett region. The area includes five distinct biospheres, each with an abundance of resources of its own: forests, wetlands, fynbos, mountains, and the coastline region.
Flowers and Fynbos
8500 distinct flowering plants can be found in the tiny Cape Floral Kingdom, which is located between Grahamstown and Cape Town and makes about 0.04% of the world’s landmass. This exceeds the total amount found in the Northern Hemisphere. In our area, there are 27 common species of Erica. Two of our favorites are Erica formosa and Erica newdigateae. Both the variety of geophytes that can be observed and the abundance of wild proteas are noteworthy. Blombos, berzelia, and bitou are typical fynbos shrubs that give the area fynbos its distinct character.
KwaNokuthula is surrounded by a multitude of vegetation, including the well-known impepho plant. The abundance of plants and flowers also functions as natural treatments. In addition to being used to treat illnesses like the flu, this herb is said to be able to drive out evil spirits. This impepho is used by sangomas (Traditional Healers) for trance dreams and communication with their ancestors.
Native Woodlands
A large portion of our native woods were used for timber trade between 1777 and 1939. Only 65 000 Ha of the original forest remain today, despite being the largest tract of natural forest in South Africa.
Currently, only 65 000 Ha of the original forest is present. At over 50 meters in height, the Outeniqua yellowwood, also known as the kalander, is a genuine forest giant. The ironwood and stinkwood trees are two more outstanding examples. Our forests frequently use tree numbers to identify different species. Numerous fern species can be found in our woodlands. This includes the seven-week fern, which is common in the Tsitsikamma area. Numerous varieties of mushrooms can be found in abundance, as well as colorful lichens on rocks and tree trunks.
Land animals, reptiles, insects and birds
This area has four distinct habitats—forests, wetlands, and the coastal region. It has been home to over 300 different species of birds, making it a birdwatcher’s dream. The Knysna Turaco and Narina Trogan are two unique birds that can be found in native woodlands). In addition one can find the Orange-breasted Sunbird (fynbos), and the African Black Oystercatcher (coastal). Animal sightings include bushpig, dassie, caracal, genet, baboon, vervet monkey, blue duiker, bushbuck, grysbok, leopard, mongoose, and Cape clawless otter are often seen. Reptiles found are dwarf chameleon, boomslang, puff adder, and night adder.
One can also find uncommon and unusual insects in this area. At The Crags, close to Plett, the little silver-spotted caterpillar, which is exclusive to the Southern Cape’s coastal region, contributed to the construction of a century-old church. The St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, located on the outskirts of Kurland Village, is primarily supported by the sales of silver-spotted moths which emerge from the rare larva known as leto venus. In addition to having a symbiotic relationship with the local keurboom tree, the silver moth, commonly known as the coco, plays a crucial role in the coastal region’s eco-system.
Maritime Surroundings
The ocean extended inland to the slopes of the Tsitsikamma mountains between 70 and 2 million years ago. One of South Africa’s outstanding examples of wave-cut terracing is the current coastal plain. Five and a half kilometers offshore make up the marine reserve that occupies 80% of the Tsitsikamma part of the Garden Route National Park.
Average daily sea temperature records indicate ten cold water upwellings. Daily records of sea temperatures show an average of 10 up-wellings of cold water per annum, primarily during summer. These result from cold water rising to the surface of the ocean due to prolonged easterly winds. There’s dense fog and the occasional fish death.
Reefs and Marine life
There are known to be over 100 different types of fish along this coast. Fish that live on reefs are very vulnerable to overfishing. Overfished areas are largely replenished thanks in part to marine reserves. Reef species include zebra, yellowbelly rockcod, blacktail, roman, elf, and doublesash butterflyfish. Here are some of the best soft coral reefs in the world. They are home to several shellfish, including our distinctive pansy shell, sponges, and starfish. Seals, whales, and dolphins are common maritime mammals. The magnificent Southern Right Whales are resident during the winter as they come up to calve in our bay from the southern oceans.
Natural Reserves and National Parks
The Cape Garden Route is home to a large number of National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Game Reserves, with the Plett area having the most. The most well-known are the Robberg Nature Reserve and the Tsitsikamma National Park, the latter of which has been designated as a World Heritage Site. The 65km long Tsitsikamma National Park is known as “the place of much water.”
From Natures Valley to Oubosstrand, the park’s core stretches around 5 km towards the ocean, safeguarding an amazing array of intertidal life, reefs, and deep-sea species. The southern right whale, a kind giant of the ocean, comes to visit and breeds here while dolphins play in the breaks, surfing and having a good time.
Robberg Nature Reserve is the most significant of the nature reserves. I
t has fantastic hiking and walking routes and is a terrific place to watch whales and dolphins from the cliffs. Robberg offers three varying-length circular treks, caverns, and a wealth of information regarding the island’s geology, archeology, and marine life.
Wadrift, Wittedrift, Keurbooms, and Harkerville are some other nature reserves.
https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/africa/garden-route