Our Environment 

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Brackenridge Private Residential Estate is nestled within a truly remarkable natural setting. The greenbelt surrounding our homes is dominated by Garden Route Shale Fynbos, a rare, endangered and protected vegetation type that forms part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom (CFK). This floral kingdom is one of only six in the world, and it’s the smallest yet most diverse. Uniquely, it’s the only one found entirely within a single country, South Africa and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

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What makes it so unique? 

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Fynbos is a biodiversity treasure trove. It’s home to: 

• Over 70% of plant species found nowhere else on Earth 

• A vast number of endemic insect species (likely even more than plants!) 

• 6 bird species, 16 amphibians, 4 mammals, 12 freshwater species, and 25 reptiles; all endemic to this biome 

 

Living here means sharing space with one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems. It’s a privilege we all get to enjoy and help protect. 

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What does fynbos need to survive? 

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Pollination – Birds, insects, and even small mammals like rodents help pollinate fynbos plants, ensuring their survival and diversity. 

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Seed dispersal – Since plants can’t move, they rely on clever strategies: 

• Serotiny: Seeds are stored in cones that only open after fire. 

• Myrmecochory: Ants carry seeds underground, protecting them until fire triggers germination. 

• Other species use wind, water, or mammals to spread their seeds. 

 

Fire - Fynbos needs fire to regenerate. Without it, the vegetation ages, dies off, and is replaced by forest or thicket. But too-frequent fires can be just as damaging, preventing seed banks from forming and leading to species loss. 

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Fynbos plants fall into three fire-adapted groups: 

• Sprouters: These rely on underground rootstocks (like bulbs and tubers) and are the first to reappear after a fire. 

• Non-sprouters: These produce large quantities of seeds stored in cones or underground. Fire heat and smoke trigger their germination. 

• Evaders: These grow in rocky areas that rarely burn or burn only lightly. 

 

For fynbos to regenerate successfully, fires must be hot and intense. Cool, slow fires don’t trigger the necessary germination processes, and over time, species can disappear.