Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve

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Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Location	Western Cape, South Africa
Nearest city	Laingsburg, Western Cape
Coordinates	33°52′05″S 21°40′31″E / 33.8681°S 21.6753°E / -33.8681; 21.6753
Area	3,187,893 ha (7,877,460 acres)
Established	7 March 2015; 9 years ago (2015-03-07)
Governing body	Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
gouritz.com
Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape) Show map of Western Cape Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (South Africa) Show map of South Africa

The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Cape of South Africa. It is the 7th and largest of South Africa’s biosphere reserves;^[1] divided into four connected sectors ranging from sea level to 2,240 metres. The area is the only place in the world where three recognised biodiversity hotspots converge (Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany). The site is characterised by high endemism of plant species (1,325 species including 182 Succulent Karoo endemics and 92 Red List species) and threatened invertebrates including seven endemic species of the enigmatic beetle genus Colophon and 14 butterfly species. It provides a migratory route for large mammals such as the leopard and serves as a nursery for marine species.

Notwithstanding the richness in biodiversity, the area currently faces deep rooted socio-economic challenges including high unemployment, wide-spread poverty, sprawling informal settlements with inadequate services, rising HIV and crime rates.