Endemic fynbos avifauna: comparative range declines as cause for concern

Abstract

The winter rainfall district of the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape Provinces in South Africa is home to the Fynbos biome, which extends from the Cedarberg mountains, south to the Cape of Good Hope, and eastwards to Algoa Bay. The Fynbos biome as an outstanding global biodiversity hotspot for its high levels of plant diversity and endemism. Approximately 8 600 plant species have been recorded in this biome, of which about 70% are endemic, but there are surprisingly few endemic birds.