Durbanville Nature Reserve
{{Short description|Piece of protected land next to the Durbanville Racecourse}}
{{Use South African English|date = October 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Durbanville Nature Reserve
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo = Durbanville Nature Reserve and racecourse Cape Town SA.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Durbanville Nature Reserve with the racecourse and outlying suburbs in the background
| photo_width =
| map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of Greater Cape Town
| map_width =
| location = Durbanville, South Africa
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coords|-33.84082|18.64352|region:ZA-WC|notes={{Cite web |url= http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Durbanville_Nature_Reserve |title= Durbanville Nature Reserve |work=protectedplanet.net}}|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{Convert|6|ha}}
| established = 1966
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
| url =[https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/see-all-city-facilities/our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Durbanville%20Nature%20Reserve Durbanville Nature Reserve]
|map_image={{maplink|type=shape|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=yes|stroke-width=1|stroke-color=#d6d6d6|fill=#1e5833}}|embedded={{Location map | South Africa#South Africa Western Cape| relief=1 | width=300 }}}}
Durbanville Nature Reserve is a {{Convert|6|ha|adj=on}} piece of protected land, located next to the Hollywoodbets Durbanville Racecourse in the Western Cape, South Africa.{{cite web |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/CCT_Nature_Reserves_book_2010-02.pdf |title=City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122115114/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/CCT_Nature_Reserves_book_2010-02.pdf |archivedate=2010-11-22}}
Biodiversity
This small nature reserve is located on the border between two critically endangered vegetation types: Swartland Shale Renosterveld and Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. It was proclaimed in 1966 after Aristea lugens, a rare species of plant, was discovered here. The invasive alien vegetation was then cleared and the indigenous landscape was restored. The park is now home to around 241 species of plant{{Cite web |title=Durbanville Nature Reserve - Integrated Reserve Management Plan 2011 |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies,%20plans%20and%20frameworks/Durbanville_IRMP_Jun2011v02_Final.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231003022646/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies,%20plans%20and%20frameworks/Durbanville_IRMP_Jun2011v02_Final.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-03}} - three of which exist only in Cape Town and ten of which are threatened with extinction.{{cite web|url=http://www.calflora.net/southafrica/capeflora.html|title=Flora of the Western Cape}}
It is also a natural habitat for wild animals such as the angulate tortoise, the small grey mongoose and the endangered Cape rain frog.{{cite web |url = http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Pages/BrochuresBooklets.aspx |title = Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121223125053/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Pages/Brochuresbooklets.aspx |archivedate = 2012-12-23}}
= Amphibians =
Three species of amphibian have been found in the reserve, Cape sand frog, the vulnerable Cape rain frog, and the Clicking stream frog.
= Birds =
There are 104 species of birds found within the reserve; of which 3 are endemic to the fynbos: Cape sugarbird, Cape canary and the Orange- breasted sunbird.
= Reptiles =
Eight species of reptile occur within the reserve; 5 species of snake, 1 lizard and 2 tortoise species. The Cape dwarf chameleon is the one species of lizard. Snakes found are:
Tortoises are the angulate tortoise, and the introduced leopard tortoise.
= Vegetation =
Some of the species of plant that occur within the reserve and are in the Red List of South African Plants:
- Aristea lugens
See also
- {{annotated link|Biodiversity of Cape Town}}
- {{annotated link|List of nature reserves in Cape Town}}
- {{annotated link|Cape Flats Sand Fynbos}}
- {{annotated link|Swartland Shale Renosterveld}}