Provincial conservation status Biodiversity South Africa is the third most biologically diverse country in the world, with high levels of endemism. With eight biomes, the Eastern Cape is the most biodiverse province, yet almost 90% of Eastern Cape vegetation types are “poorly protected”. Climate change will increasingly challenge biodiversity and ecosystem services. Unfortunately, the protected area system is inadequate to conserve the Eastern Cape’s internationally recognised natural capital. The protected area estate needs to expand. ECPTA contributes, on behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, to the protection and conservation the province’s biodiversity while maximising the tourism potential of the protected area estate. ECPTA currently manages 579 089 hectares, including one World Heritage Site (at Baviaanskloof), and 171 666 hectares of marine space. This estate includes two internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots, namely the Cape Floristic Region and the Maputoland-PondolandAlbany Centres of endemism. The ECPTA-managed estate also protects all eight of the biomes found in the Province. Protected Area Expansion
Figure 8: Eastern Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy Priority Areas
Strategic Plan 2020/21-2024/25 | March 2020 | Page 24
