Agulhas Plain

Last updated
Cape Agulhas, South Africa (ASTER).jpg
Designations
Official nameAgulhas Plain
Designated2 February 2026
Reference no.2587 [1]

The Agulhas Plain is a complex wetland system located in the Overberg at the southern tip of Africa. [2] [3] It begins north of Bredasdorp, and extends to the southern tip of Cape Agulhas. The western boundary is near Gansbaai. The area has been designated as a protected Ramsar site since 2026. [1]

Contents

There are many endangered plant species in the area. [4] Many of these are not found in the state forests and private nature reserves along the coastal areas, but grow more inland. [5] [6]

Flora

A new fynbos lily species, the New Year's lily (Cyrtanthus novus-annus), was discovered in a conservation area on the Agulhas Plain [7] and the species Hermannia concinnifolia is endemic to the plain. [8]

Paleo-Agulhas Plain

The now submerged Paleo-Agulhas Plain in South Africa had diverse, green ecosystems and abundant wildlife for early humans. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Agulhas Plain". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  2. ↑ https://fynbos.saeon.ac.za/?p=3172
  3. ↑ https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2222-34362013000200005
  4. ↑ https://www.birdlife.org.za/iba-directory/agulhas-plain-heuningnes-estuary/
  5. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/conservation-ecology/Protecting-species#ref959928
  6. ↑ https://nuwejaars.com/crew-why-the-agulhas-plain-is-a-plant-priority/
  7. ↑ https://mg.co.za/top-six/2022-05-30-new-fynbos-lily-discovered-at-southern-tip-of-africa/
  8. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-showing-the-location-of-the-Agulhas-Plain-8_fig3_284560037
  9. ↑ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/05/drowned-paleo-agulhas-plain-was-an-eden-for-early-humans/129190

34°38′20″S19°51′00″E / 34.63889°S 19.85000°E / -34.63889; 19.85000

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