Garden Route & Frontier Research Unit
The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is mostly covered by fynbos, of which there are different varieties in the southern Cape and the Tsitsikamma. The GRNP, however, is generally known for its indigenous forest. Only 1% of South Africa is covered by indigenous forest. Of the 65 000 ha of forest in the southern Cape and Tsitsikamma, 40 000 ha are protected in the GRNP. More than 2000 plant species occur in and around the GRNP.
This map is based on Mucina, L., Rutherford, M.C. (Eds.), 2006, The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Strelitzia 19, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, which covers all of South Africa, including transformed areas (i.e. showing potential vegetation). The GRNP also has a small scale detailed vegetation classification map which is used for park planning.
Land cover, or land use, maps differs from vegetation maps in that they not only indicate where vegetation occurs but also other land uses that are not vegetation-orientated. The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) GIS distinguish land cover/use as follows: Beach, bog/vlei/marsh/swamp; Converted land; Commercial farm; Fire belt; Forest clearin; Fynbos; Fynbos rehabilitation; Fynbos/scrub; Indigenous forest; Indigenous forest rehabilitation; Infrastructure; Jungle; Pasture; Plantation; Re-establishment; Residential /Forest village; Road; Rocky outcrop or cliff; Scrub; Water estuary; Water lake; Water river; and Water sea. All areas covered by the park are classified. It is often also necessary to classify land in proximity of the park as it influences decision making. These areas can clearly be seen outside of the GRNP boundary.
The data set was developed and is maintained in-house.
The main features that characterise the topography of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) are the mountain ranges to the north of the park, the foothills and the coastal plains. A rugged rocky coastline is also characteristic although long sandy beaches are not uncommon. The GRNP borders the Indian Ocean and a large Marine Protected Area was established in the former Tsitsikamma NP. A further characteristic is the deep ravines cutting through the landscape in a north-south direction. The Touw, Homtini, Goukamma, Knysna, Groot, Bloukrans and Storms Rivers are the largest rivers in the park. Elevation ranges from sea level to 1 657 m (Peak Formosa). The GRNP is further known for the lake system and the Knysna Lagoon.