Habitats

Elandsfontein lies within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). It is an area of frontal winter rainfall and summer droughts. The CFR, one of six global Floral Kingdoms, is by far the smallest representing 0.01% only of the world’s land surface.

The outstanding feature of the CFR is its very high degree of plant and invertebrate endemism. This restricted range of plants and animals is very vulnerable to extinction. Over 70% of the 9500 plant species found in the CFR occur nowhere else on earth. The Fynbos Biome is universally recognized as a critical global biodiversity hotspot. Elandsfontein lies in the general area that supports Hopefield Sand Fynbos within this Fynbos Biome. Three broad plant CFR communities are identified on Elandsfontein, being Dune Thicket, Sand Plain Fynbos and the White Dune systems.

The calcrete soil outcrops are the basis for the typical Dune Thicket plant structure. This plant community mainly comprises shrubs on these outcrops. Adjacent deep sandy soils are home to the Sand Plain fynbos plant community. The low lying areas are dominated by combinations of restios, buchu, and similar plants, many being spring flowering annuals. The poorly vegetated white dune veld comprises substantial deposits of windblown Aeolian sands in a concentrated area. These white dunes are home to the third plant community on the reserve. Elandsfontein is home to the globally significant and acclaimed Elandsfontein fossil deposits.

These three plant communities provide the diverse habitat that accommodate the various indigenous animal species re-introduced on Elandsfontein in 2006.