SANParks Scientists have recorded and documented in the State of Knowledge report (2015) the presence of more than 30 terrestrial habitat types, representing more than 50 forest and fynbos communities within the boundaries of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP).
The forest is a haven for 465 species, over 22 species of amphibians, 24 reptile species, 305 species of birds and some 42% of South Africa’s 290 mammal species. At least 7.1% of the Park’s mammals are listed as Endangered (EN) and 14% as Vulnerable (VU).
The Tsitsikamma section of the GRNP was declared in 1964 to protect ‘coastal forest vegetation and marine world’. A total of 202 species of fish, sharks and rays from 84 families were recorded in the Tsitsikamma MPA alone. Fifteen (15) of these species can be found on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red data list as either vulnerable or near threatened whilst many other fish species protected by the MPA are classified as over-exploited or collapsed in South Africa. Approximately 20% of the coastline is now open for fishing to local communities only in 4 controlled zones, the rest of the coastline is a no-take zone.
The picturesque Garden Route is often visited for its estuaries, lakes, beaches and mystical forests. Hence it was voted among the National Geographic’s 12 Global destinations. The Garden Route was recommended by NatGeo's Maryellen Kennedy Duckett who was encouraging Northern Hemispherians to visit the Garden Route for their upcoming Spring holiday. He referred to the route as the ‘road trip that will break your instagram.’
The Knysna estuary, which is at the center of the GRNP was ranked first in South Africa in terms of biodiversity significance by independent researchers (Jane Turpie & Barry Clarke, 2007). The estuary is home to 43% of South Africa’s plant and animal life and supports rare fish species such as the grunter, white steenbras, dusky cob and cape stumpnose. Knysna’s jewel, the estuary, alone contributes some 21, 6% of the total economic value of the 249 national estuaries. There are various activities in the forest and water bodies to help explore nature in zoned off areas, see list: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/
Threats to forests include invasive species, over exploitation, climate change and the poaching of plant and animal species.
Although forests are resistant to alien invasion, Johan Baard (2012) recorded 39 invaders in the forest. Visit the site and spot and report invaders: https://www.ispotnature.org/projects/spot-madeira-vine-garden-route
