Cecilia Park
Encyclopedia
Cecilia Park is a stretch of land on the lower eastern slopes of Table Mountain
in Cape Town
, located just to the south of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
It was previously used for commercial logging
, but has now been given protected status and integrated into Table Mountain National Park
.
inhabitants called this particular piece of land, but the early Dutch
settlers knew these slopes as "Boschenheuwel". The name "Cecilia" derives from the first name of Cecil John Rhodes
who at one point owned the land.
The park is often known as “Cecilia Forest” due to the large commercial plantations that have occupied this land. However, this name confusingly also refers to the far larger indigenous forests that occupy the high slopes north of Kirstenbosch
. Consequently the decision was taken to remove this confusion by re-naming the southern piece of land “Cecilia Park” to emphasize its protected status and intended recreational use by the surrounding population.
, just to the south of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and north of Constantia Nek
& De Hel Nature Reserve, abutting the Cape Town suburb of Constantia
to the east.
It is located in an area of granite, and the undulating hilly slopes were naturally covered in Peninsula Granite Fynbos
, with patches of Silvertree forest
. The valleys that cut across the park would naturally have been filled with indigenous afro-temperate forest
, and some still partially are. Today, large parts of the park are still covered in uniform plantations of Pine and Gum trees, relicts from the days of commercial logging.
The park itself stretches in a thick band, from the north-east to the south-west. The car-park and main entrance is located at the north-eastern corner near the border with Kirstenbosch
. The buildings of the forest station are a bit further up the slope. From the main entrance, the most popular walk follows a circular road, along the length of the park towards the south-western corner (near the other entrance at Constanstia nek) and then turns back making a complete loop. This road was originally built for the management and harvesting of the commercial plantations.
The high Contour Path (running in a loop around the whole mountain) can be accessed from the upper slopes, where there are impressive views out over Cape Town
and the expanses of the Cape Flats
. The Dier River has its origins in the mountain slopes above Cecilia Park, in a large gorge – replete with a waterfall
- that is beginning to fill again with indigenous forest
. The highest peak on the slopes above Cecilia Park is Klaasenkop (or Klassenkop).
, a critically endangered
vegetation-type that occurs nowhere else in the world. Mature Peninsula Granite Fynbos is dominated by large tree-Protea
s, such as the Silvertree
, the Tree Pincushion-Protea
and the Waboom
, and a dense underlayer of Asteraceous (daisy)
species. There are a variety of species (some already extinct) which are naturally restricted to this specific vegetation type, occurring nowhere else in the world. The primary threat to this ecosystem is invasive alien plants, such as European Pines and Australian Port Jackson Acacia
.
On the steep upper slopes and mountain-tops is Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
, a less severely endangered vegetation type with a different range of species, including a vast number of endemics. This tiny ecosystem
(restricted to the upper slopes of Table Mountain
) has an extraordinarily rich biodiversity
, with roughly the same number of plant species as can be found in the whole of the United Kingdom
.
In addition, smaller patches of indigenous Afro-temperate forest
survive in the river valleys. Such areas that are protected from the seasonal fires of fynbos
, become dominated by massive trees such as Yellowwoods
, Ironwoods
, Assegai trees
, Olinias
, African Waterboom
, Rooi-els
, Spoonwoods
and Boekenhout
.
, who would have herded their cattle through the local forests
and fynbos
up until the arrival of the Dutch colonists in the 1700s and the beginning of the colonial era.
Cecil John Rhodes
bought this land in the 1890s resulting in him owning nearly the entire eastern flank of the Table Mountain range
. Colonists such as Cecil John Rhodes often strove to change the Cape
landscape to make it more resemble that of Europe
. This was done through the clearing of indigenous fynbos
and afro-temperate forest
, together with the introduction of European species such as deer and starlings, and the wholesale replanting of much of the Cape Peninsula
with European trees such as Oaks, Birches and Pines.
Commercial logging
took off across the Cape Peninsula
in the 19th century, after most of the remaining indigenous forests were felled. Fast-growing tree species such as Eucalyptus
and Pinus radiata were chosen, and imported for cultivation. However, in the 20th century these plantations became less profitable as far larger sources of lumber became available.
The company which owns the current and final crop of trees is due to harvest them in phases over the next few years, the original flora and fauna will be re-introduced and the park will be integrated into the main body of Table Mountain National Park
.
which it is adjoined to. The indigenous and critically endangered Peninsula Granite Fynbos
will be restored (though this will take several years). Silvertrees
will be re-introduced – as will other large Protea
s – and non-invasive indigenous trees will be replanted in the valleys and along the more popular paths, to provide shade to walkers.
The end result will be a park with intermittent patches of Protea-fynbos
and shady indigenous forest
. Pine and Gum trees remaining from the plantations will be kept in several patches – but will need to be regularly controlled from spreading, as they are highly invasive.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, located just to the south of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
It was previously used for commercial logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
, but has now been given protected status and integrated into Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park, previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park, is a national park in Cape Town, South Africa, proclaimed on May 29, 1998, for the purpose of protecting the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain, and in particular the rare fynbos vegetation...
.
Name
It is not known what the original KhoisanKhoisan
Khoisan is a unifying name for two ethnic groups of Southern Africa, who share physical and putative linguistic characteristics distinct from the Bantu majority of the region. Culturally, the Khoisan are divided into the foraging San and the pastoral Khoi...
inhabitants called this particular piece of land, but the early Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
settlers knew these slopes as "Boschenheuwel". The name "Cecilia" derives from the first name of Cecil John Rhodes
Cecil John Rhodes
Cecil John Rhodes PC, DCL was an English-born South African businessman, mining magnate, and politician. He was the founder of the diamond company De Beers, which today markets 40% of the world's rough diamonds and at one time marketed 90%...
who at one point owned the land.
The park is often known as “Cecilia Forest” due to the large commercial plantations that have occupied this land. However, this name confusingly also refers to the far larger indigenous forests that occupy the high slopes north of Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town....
. Consequently the decision was taken to remove this confusion by re-naming the southern piece of land “Cecilia Park” to emphasize its protected status and intended recreational use by the surrounding population.
Location and Layout
Cecilia Park lies on the eastern lower slopes of Table MountainTable Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
, just to the south of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and north of Constantia Nek
Constantia Nek
Constantia Nek is a low pass over the Table Mountain range in Cape Town, South Africa, linking Constantia to Hout Bay in the west. It is one of three passes connecting Hout Bay to the rest of the city, and, with Ou Kaapse Weg is one of the two passes over the mountain range between the city centre...
& De Hel Nature Reserve, abutting the Cape Town suburb of Constantia
Constantia
- People :* Flavia Julia Constantia, daughter of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and Flavia Maximiana Theodora* Flavia Maxima Constantia, daughter of Constantius II and his third wife Faustina...
to the east.
It is located in an area of granite, and the undulating hilly slopes were naturally covered in Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees...
, with patches of Silvertree forest
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
. The valleys that cut across the park would naturally have been filled with indigenous afro-temperate forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
, and some still partially are. Today, large parts of the park are still covered in uniform plantations of Pine and Gum trees, relicts from the days of commercial logging.
The park itself stretches in a thick band, from the north-east to the south-west. The car-park and main entrance is located at the north-eastern corner near the border with Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town....
. The buildings of the forest station are a bit further up the slope. From the main entrance, the most popular walk follows a circular road, along the length of the park towards the south-western corner (near the other entrance at Constanstia nek) and then turns back making a complete loop. This road was originally built for the management and harvesting of the commercial plantations.
The high Contour Path (running in a loop around the whole mountain) can be accessed from the upper slopes, where there are impressive views out over Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and the expanses of the Cape Flats
Cape Flats
The Cape Flats is an expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the central business district of Cape Town. To many people in Cape Town, the area is known simply as 'The Flats'....
. The Dier River has its origins in the mountain slopes above Cecilia Park, in a large gorge – replete with a waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
- that is beginning to fill again with indigenous forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
. The highest peak on the slopes above Cecilia Park is Klaasenkop (or Klassenkop).
Natural Flora
The natural ecosystem of the area is Peninsula Granite FynbosPeninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees...
, a critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
vegetation-type that occurs nowhere else in the world. Mature Peninsula Granite Fynbos is dominated by large tree-Protea
Protea
Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes.-Etymology:...
s, such as the Silvertree
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
, the Tree Pincushion-Protea
Leucospermum conocarpodendron
Leucospermum conocarpodendron is the largest of the Pincushion Proteas . Their natural habitat is the area around Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa....
and the Waboom
Protea nitida
Protea nitida is a large, slow-growing Protea endemic to South Africa. It is one of the few Proteas that grow into trees, and the only one that has usable timber.-Appearance:...
, and a dense underlayer of Asteraceous (daisy)
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
species. There are a variety of species (some already extinct) which are naturally restricted to this specific vegetation type, occurring nowhere else in the world. The primary threat to this ecosystem is invasive alien plants, such as European Pines and Australian Port Jackson Acacia
Acacia saligna
Acacia saligna, commonly known by various names including coojong, golden wreath wattle, orange wattle, blue-leafed wattle, Western Australian golden wattle, and, in Africa, Port Jackson willow, is a small tree in the family Fabaceae...
.
On the steep upper slopes and mountain-tops is Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos is a unique and endangered vegetation type that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. This type of Mountain Fynbos occurs on very poor, acidic soils but is incredibly rich in biodiversity with an enormous number of plant species – many of which occur nowhere else...
, a less severely endangered vegetation type with a different range of species, including a vast number of endemics. This tiny ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
(restricted to the upper slopes of Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
) has an extraordinarily rich biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
, with roughly the same number of plant species as can be found in the whole of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
In addition, smaller patches of indigenous Afro-temperate forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
survive in the river valleys. Such areas that are protected from the seasonal fires of fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
, become dominated by massive trees such as Yellowwoods
Podocarpus latifolius
Podocarpus latifolius is a large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae; it is the type species of the genus Podocarpus....
, Ironwoods
Olea capensis
Olea capensis, the Black Ironwood tree, is an African tree species belonging to the olive family . Olea capensis is widespread in Africa. It is found almost throughout Africa south of the Sahara desert from the east in Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, south to the tip of South Africa, and west to...
, Assegai trees
Curtisia
Curtisia dentata is a flowering tree from Southern Africa...
, Olinias
Olinia ventosa
Olinia ventosa is an evergreen forest tree indigenous to South Africa.Olinia ventosa is a native of the southern and eastern coastal regions of South Africa, from the Cape Peninsula to southern KwaZulu-Natal...
, African Waterboom
Ilex mitis
Ilex mitis is a tall, dense, evergreen tree that is indigenous to Southern Africa. It makes an excellent fast-growing hedge for gardens - growing tall, straight and dense.-Appearance:If not pruned, Ilex mitis can grow to a height of 20 meters or more...
, Rooi-els
Cunonia capensis
Cunonia capensis is a small tree, found in the afromontane forests of Southern Africa, and along rivers....
, Spoonwoods
Cassine peragua
Cassine peragua is a medium-sized tree with fragrant flowers, decorative fruits and a saffron-coloured trunk. It is indigenous to the Afro-montane forests of South Africa....
and Boekenhout
Rapanea melanophloeos
Rapanea melanophloeos, commonly known as Cape Beech, Kaapse Boekenhout or IsiCalabi, is native to the afromontane forests of Southern Africa.-Distribution:...
.
History
The original inhabitants of the area were undoubtedly the KhoiKhoi
Khoi may refer to:*The common name of Siamese Rough Bush, Streblus asper Lour*The Khoikhoi people*One of the Khoe languages*The Khoekhoe language*Khoy, a city in Iran*Khoy County, an administrative subdivision of Iran...
, who would have herded their cattle through the local forests
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
and fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
up until the arrival of the Dutch colonists in the 1700s and the beginning of the colonial era.
Cecil John Rhodes
Cecil John Rhodes
Cecil John Rhodes PC, DCL was an English-born South African businessman, mining magnate, and politician. He was the founder of the diamond company De Beers, which today markets 40% of the world's rough diamonds and at one time marketed 90%...
bought this land in the 1890s resulting in him owning nearly the entire eastern flank of the Table Mountain range
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
. Colonists such as Cecil John Rhodes often strove to change the Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
landscape to make it more resemble that of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. This was done through the clearing of indigenous fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
and afro-temperate forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
, together with the introduction of European species such as deer and starlings, and the wholesale replanting of much of the Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
with European trees such as Oaks, Birches and Pines.
Commercial logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
took off across the Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
in the 19th century, after most of the remaining indigenous forests were felled. Fast-growing tree species such as Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
and Pinus radiata were chosen, and imported for cultivation. However, in the 20th century these plantations became less profitable as far larger sources of lumber became available.
The company which owns the current and final crop of trees is due to harvest them in phases over the next few years, the original flora and fauna will be re-introduced and the park will be integrated into the main body of Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park, previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park, is a national park in Cape Town, South Africa, proclaimed on May 29, 1998, for the purpose of protecting the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain, and in particular the rare fynbos vegetation...
.
Future Plans
The final plan is to integrate Cecilia Park into Table Mountain National ParkTable Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park, previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park, is a national park in Cape Town, South Africa, proclaimed on May 29, 1998, for the purpose of protecting the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain, and in particular the rare fynbos vegetation...
which it is adjoined to. The indigenous and critically endangered Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees...
will be restored (though this will take several years). Silvertrees
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
will be re-introduced – as will other large Protea
Protea
Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes.-Etymology:...
s – and non-invasive indigenous trees will be replanted in the valleys and along the more popular paths, to provide shade to walkers.
The end result will be a park with intermittent patches of Protea-fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Peninsula Granite Fynbos is an endangered Fynbos vegetation type which is endemic to the city of Cape Town and occurs nowhere else. It is a unique type of tall, dense and diverse scrubland, scattered with trees...
and shady indigenous forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest
Southern Afrotemperate Forest is a kind of tall, shady, multi-layered indigenous South African forest.This is the main forest-type in the south-western part of South Africa, naturally extending from the Cape Peninsula in the west, as far as Port Elizabeth in the east...
. Pine and Gum trees remaining from the plantations will be kept in several patches – but will need to be regularly controlled from spreading, as they are highly invasive.
Further Reading
- Von Maltitz, G., Mucina, L., Geldenhuys, C.J., Lawes, M., Eeley, H., Adie, H., Vink, D., Fleming, G. & Bailey, C. 2003. Classification system for South African indigenous forests: An objective classification for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Report ENV-P-C 2003-017, Environmentek, CSIR, Pretoria.