BioRegion Definition

Status: Draft. To be formalised through the BioRegion Establishment Template.

Geographic Boundaries

The Overberg is the region of the Western Cape lying east of the Hottentots-Holland mountains and west of the Breede River mouth. Its northern boundary is formed by the Riviersonderend and Langeberg mountain ranges. Its southern boundary is the Indian Ocean coast from Rooi-Els to De Hoop.

BioRegion Scope

The Overberg BioRegion covers:

• The Overberg District Municipality, comprising Theewaterskloof, Overstrand, Cape Agulhas, and Swellendam Local Municipalities.
• The Riviersonderend catchment, from its headwaters in the Riviersonderend Mountain Catchment Area to its confluence with the Breede River near Swellendam, and downstream to the Breede estuary at Witsand.
• The Riviersonderend Mountain Catchment Area (RMCA), proclaimed under the Mountain Catchment Areas Act 63 of 1970 and under CapeNature management.
• Portions of the Cape Floristic Region within the district, including the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.

BioHubs Within This BioRegion

Multiple BioHubs coordinate activity within the Overberg. The Valley of Grace BioHub is the founding BioHub, anchored in Ward 2 of Theewaterskloof Municipality. Additional BioHubs are anticipated at Volmoed and Witsand. See the BioHubs directory for the current registry.

Boundary Reconciliation

[To be developed through the BioRegion Establishment Template. The ecological boundaries (watersheds, mountain ranges, biome boundaries) and administrative boundaries (district and local municipal boundaries) do not perfectly align. The reconciliation will be documented here.]