Knersvlakte Nature Reserve

Knersvlakte Nature Reserve
Map
Location in the Western Cape
LocationMatzikama Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa
Nearest townVredendal
Coordinates31°20′S 18°40′E / 31.333°S 18.667°E / -31.333; 18.667
Area855 km2 (330 sq mi)
Established9 September 2014 (2014-09-09)
Governing bodyCapeNature
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve is located in South Africa
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve (South Africa)
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve is located in Western Cape
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve
Knersvlakte Nature Reserve (Western Cape)

The Knersvlakte Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the Knersvlakte region of South Africa's Western Cape province. It covers an area of 855 square kilometres (330 sq mi)[1] in the Matzikama Municipality, north of Vredendal and Vanrhynsdorp. The reserve, which was established on 24 September 2014, is owned by the South African branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature and managed by provincial conservation agency CapeNature.[2]

Of the 1 500 plant species in the Knersvlakte, about 190 species are endemic to the region. Around 155 of these are threatened with extinction, as they succumb easily to climatic conditions and changes.[3]

The Knersvlakte is one of the richest and most diverse succulent regions in the world.[4]

  1. ^ "Knersvlakte Nature Reserve proclaimed in vital biodiversity hotspot". CapeNature. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  2. ^ McDonald, Dane (24 September 2014). "New 85 000ha reserve proclaimed in Western Cape". News24. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Knersvlakte Nature Reserve, Western Cape". www.sa-venues.com. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Knersvlakte". Namaqua West Coast Tourism. Retrieved 4 December 2020.