Threats and Conservation
Large parts of the fynbos region have been inhabited for centuries, and only a small portion is protected. The lowland areas are prone to be developed for agriculture and viticulture, or through urban expansion along the coast especially around Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Fynbos areas are also threatened by the spread of alien species, in particular wattle and acacia species from Australia, as well as pine plantations in the Cape Fold hills. Many species have become extinct, and more than 1000 are endangered. Their conservation is a priority, and reserves have been established in many areas. Fynbos areas are a popular attraction for tourists, especially in the vicinity of Cape Town, and are also important recreational areas for locals. The Western Cape coast is travelled by the Garden Route, while large areas of natural fynbos can be seen in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Table Mountain National Park covers most of the Cape Peninsula, and Tsitsikamma National Park is to the east. There are a number of published hiking routes from Cape Town and other towns such as Elgin. The centre for visiting the Little Karoo is the town of Oudtshoorn, called "the ostrich capital of the world".
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