The Knysna-Amatole montane forests ecoregion, part of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome, is located in South Africa. Despite the small size of the ecoregion, the Knysna and Amatole forests are South Africa's largest individual forests.
These forests have a long history of human inhabitation and utilization. Major exploitation of the forests began in the 1700s for Knysna and in 1891 for the Amatole forests. In response to the continuing destruction, the forests were closed to exploitation in 1939, but re-opened in 1965 under controlled harvesting by forestry scientists.
Today, both publicly and privately owned forests are in an advanced state of recovery from past timber exploitation. Public conservation and local authorities actively manage over 70 percent of the total indigenous forest area in Knysna, and most of the rest is conserved in proclaimed nature reserves and national parks. In the Amatole region, the majority of the forest area is under protection.
The Knysna forest extends along the coast between 22°E and 25°E, generally along 34°S in a region called the Garden Route. The ecoregion has a subtropical/warm-temperate climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification).
The ecoregion’s land area is provided in units of 1,000 hectares. The protection goal is the Global Safety Net (GSN1) area for the given ecoregion. The protection level indicates the percentage of the GSN goal that is currently protected on a scale of 0-10.
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The Knysna-Amatole Montane Forests are home to the remnants of the southernmost population of African bush elephant. The ecoregion is divided into two distinct portions, the Knysna forest along the coast (568 km2) and the Amatole forests further inland (405 km2).
Much of the Knysna forest occurs on gentle to moderate slopes, ranging from 5 m to 1,220 m above sea level, with a mean of 240 m. The forests of the Amatole Mountains are situated at higher altitudes, between 700 m and 1,250 m.
Rain falls throughout the year, with maxima in early and late summer. Mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures in the Knysna forest are 23.8°C in February (summer) and 18.2°C in August (winter), and in the Amatole forests the maxima and minima are 19.7°C and 8.9°C. Annual rainfall varies between the sites as well, ranging from 525 mm to 1,220 mm in the Knysna forest, and from 750 mm to 1,500 mm in the Amatole forest.
Rainfall appears to be the primary environmentally limiting factor to forest extent, as forest is unable to persist in areas with rainfall of less than 500 mm per year. Although climatic factors appear to be responsible for large-scale forest distribution, small-scale patterns are determined primarily by fire.
[FROM THE ARCHIVES] The last Knysna elephant | Carte Blanche | M-Net
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The trees are of tropical and afromontane origin, and include ironwood (Olea capensis), stinkwood (Ocotea bullata), Outeniqua yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus), real yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius), Cape holly (Ilex mitis), white pear (Apodytes dimidiata), Cape beech (Rapanea melanophloeos), bastard saffron (Cassine peragua), and Cape plane (Ochna arborea var.).
Common trees in these forests include ironwood, stinkwood, Outeniqua yellowwood, real yellowwood, Cape holly, white pear, Cape beech, bastard saffron, and Cape plane. The Knysna-Amatole Montane Forests are part of the archipelago-like Afromontane regional centre of plant endemism. However, within this ecoregion tree endemism is low, and few of the plant species are rare.
The ecoregion contains one strict endemic mammal species, the long-tailed forest shrew and one near endemic mammal species, Duthie’s golden mole. Near-endemic birds include the Knysna turaco, Knysna scrub-warbler, Knysna woodpecker, chorister robin-chat, and forest canary. These forests are also home to the strictly endemic Knysna dwarf chameleon. Amphibian species restricted mainly to the Knysna forests include the treefrog, Knysna banana frog, the southern (Koyal) ghost frog, and plain rain frog. The Amatole toad and hogsback frog are found mainly in the Amatole forest.
While the forest patches are small and fragmented, their value to people is disproportionate to their size. Direct uses include timber for furniture and building, fuel wood, food, traditional medicines, home craft and decorative materials, hunting, recreation, tourism, and burial sites. Indirect uses include protection of water supply and soils in catchments, and development of pharmaceutical products.
The principle large-scale disturbances today include clearing for agriculture and fire. Timber harvesting was previously a major threat; however, it is now actively and sustainable managed. Alien plants and invasive animals, such as ants, are also threats.
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For example, the spread of the aggressive Argentine ant poses a serious threat to the swift moth. The priority conservation actions for the next decade will be to: 1) implement monitoring programs for species of concern, for example the Knysna elephant; 2) control and remove where possible alien plants and restore natural biodiversity; and 3) eliminate poaching activities and the illegal trade in ivory which are threatening elephants across Africa.
The Elusive Knysna Elephants
The forests were home to African elephants, but the last count (2017-2019) suggested that only one adult female, age 45 years, survives. The Knysna elephants were the relicts of once substantial herds of African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) in the Outeniqua/Tsitsikamma region of southernmost South Africa.
In 2019 it was determined that the once significant herds have been reduced to a lone adult female. The mystique of the Knysna elephants reached world-wide acclaim in the 1984 novel Kringe in die Bos/Circles in the Forest penned by Dalene Matthee.
By 2019, researchers were adamant that the one mature female sighted within the Garden Route National Park's Knysna Forest was the only Knysna elephant to have survived. The elephant, affectionately called Strangefoot or Oupoot, is today the focus of SANParks as well as many animal rights groups and activists lobbying for her wellbeing.
Ivory hunting and loss of habitat to agriculture had all but exterminated elephants from the Cape region of Africa by 1900. The last elephant in the vicinity of the Cape Peninsula was killed in 1704, and elephant populations west of the Knysna region were extirpated prior to 1800.
After killing about 120 elephants in the Addo area, Major Pretorius set out to kill one Knysna elephant at a time when there were no more than seventeen left. The scattered remnants of the herds had to regroup and modify their behaviour in order to survive.
The Wildlife Society approached Nick Carter in 1969 to do an elephant survey in conjunction with the Department of Nature Conservation and Dept. Only four Knysna elephants were believed to persist in the Gouna/Diepwalle forests from 1976 to 1994, and by 1996 the population was reported to be functionally extirpated, with only a single adult female remaining.
In 2019, SANParks concluded that there was no remnant herd roaming Knysna forest, but only the shy and reclusive female. SANParks conducted an extensive scientific study led by ecologist Lizette Moolman in 2014. These monitored 38 locations in the known range for more than a year, obtained 140 photos of the single cow, estimated then to be 45 years old.
The last known Knysna elephant, Strangefoot/Oupoort, is confirmed to still be alive with confirmation of sightings of her captured by SANParks via trap cameras and ranger sightings, with a preference toward monitoring her from afar to reduce human interaction.
HI believes that the solitary elephant, which they prefer to name "Fiela," requires the company of other elephants for her well-being. Following filmmaker Ryan Davy's 12-week tracking of the elephant in 2023, he hoped to convince SANParks that a herd of elephants should be introduced to the Knysna forest to provide company for the lone female and to restore the ecosystem in the Knysna forest.
The Pro Elephant Network (PREN), which "consists of a significant global community of diverse individuals and organisations boasting a wealth of expertise, related to wild and captive African and Asian Elephants", advocates for "cautious, non-invasive and scientific-based approach to the management of the Knysna forest elephant"
Exploring the Big Trees of the Knysna Forest
Many of the landscapes in South Africa serve as reminders that Mother Nature was here long before we were. Contrary to many travellers' thinking, there aren't only a single Big Tree in the Garden Route forests. What Big Trees are concerned, however, there are four official Big Trees in the Garden Route National Park, including the Dalene Matthee Big Tree.
The Woodville Big Tree
The Outeniqua yellowwood tree in Woodville is a huge, tall tree that is about 31 meters. There is a designated picnic area with ablutions and wheelchair-friendly walkways through the forest.
How to get to Woodville Hiking Trail with Big Tree from the N2: Take the Hoekwill turn-off just outside Wilderness on the Knysna side. This road becomes the old Knysna-George road.
The Dalene Matthee Big Tree
The giant Outeniqua Yellowwood Tree at Krisjan-se-Nek was named after Dalene Matthee at the unveiling of the memorial. This tree is some 880 years old and 40 meters tall. From the tree and memorial, you can also do one of the Circles in a Forest hiking trails.
How to get there: Follow the N2 from George to Knysna. Take the Rheenendal turn-off 15 km before Knysna. Continue along this road for about 20 km until you reach Rheenendal.
The King Edward VII Big Tree
Perhaps the most famous Big Tree of the Garden Route, this tree is also known as the King Edward VII tree or the Diepwalle Big Tree. The famous landmark and visitor attraction near Diepwalle Forest Station is an Outeniqua yellowwood.
How to get there: About 4km from Knysna take the R339 Uniondale turnoff to the left and follow this road for 15.8km and take the turnoff at the control boom to the left.
Knysna: A Coastal Paradise on the Garden Route
Knysna is a beautiful spot on South Africa’s Garden Route that has tons of things to do, including wineries, great restaurants, beaches, forests and wildlife reserves. Knysna (pronounced Nysner) is situated at the north end of a large lagoon formed by the Knysna River, that leads to the Indian Ocean.
The city sits in a lush valley, surrounded by forested green hills, and is a good staging location to access many of the nearby attractions, including whale watching. Within an hour to two drive, there are wineries, beaches, national parks, animal sanctuaries and forests to explore. It is also central to some of the other resort towns, such as Plettenberg Bay, Buffalo Bay and Wilderness.
Knysna is a coastal town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It lies at the mouth of the Knysna River. Knysna is on the Garden Route, a scenic region on the southern coast of South Africa. The name Knysna may have come from a Khoekhoe word meaning “fern” or “fern leaves.”
Knysna is a popular vacation town. It is called the “jewel of the Garden Route.” It is known for its oysters and its wooden furniture. Many visitors enjoy the area’s beaches, lagoon, and forest.
Knysna Heads
The Knysna lagoon, or estuary, is located where the Knysna River meets the sea. The Knysna, or Cape, sea horse lives in the lagoon. It is an endangered species.
The Knysna Forest is the largest indigenous, or native, forest in South Africa. It consists of many tall, old trees, such as stinkwood, yellowwood, and blackwood. A colorful bird called the Knysna turaco, or lourie, lives in the forest.
Recreational Activities in and around Knysna
- Knysna Heads - The Heads are a pair of sandstone cliffs that separate the Knysna lagoon from the Indian Ocean.
- Leisure Isle - Leisure Isle is an island in Thesen Lagoon near the Knysna Heads, that is primarily residential.
- Robberg Nature Preserve - Robberg is a rocky peninsula and nature preserve near Plettenberg Bay that extends into the Indian Ocean.
- Knoetzie Beach - This is a beautiful, uncrowded golden sand beach east of Knysna, where the Knoetzie River leads to the ocean.
- Brenton On Sea / Brenton Beach - Brenton-on-sea is a resort town perched high on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and the huge Buffalo Bay and Brenton Beach below, where kite flying is popular.
- Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary - Located in Plettenberg Bay, the world’s first free roaming multi specie primate forested sanctuary, with 550 primates of various species.
- Birds of Eden - Located in Plettenberg Bay adjacent Monkeyland, is the world’s largest domed aviary spanning over a gorge. It houses over 3,500 birds from over 220 species.
The "Circles in a Forest" Trails
At the entrance to the “Circles in a Forest” trails is a monument that honours Dalene Matthee. The famous South African author wrote extensively about the Knysna Forest in her books, one of which was titled “Kringe in ’n Bos”, meaning “Circles in a Forest”.
There are also two “Circles in a Forest” trails, one 3.2km in length and one 9km. You do not need a guide to do either, just don’t stray from the paths - this forest is dense and if they can’t find the elephants they’re also unlikely to be able to find you.
The 3.2km route is an easy, relatively level walk that doesn't require much fitness. The 9km route does have some relatively gentle gradients, and you have to watch your footing when crossing the river via stepping stones but it is still not a very challenging hike.
Best Time to Visit the Knysna Forest
There doesn’t seem to be a bad time of year to go. The winters are pleasantly temperate. July is the coldest month where the temperatures are between 9 and 22 degrees Celsius (50 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit). February is the hottest month with temperatures between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius (65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Knysna is a popular holiday destination in the summer months, especially December. The Knysna Oyster Festival also draws visitors from all over the country in July. And the Knysna Forest Marathon coincides with the Oyster Festival where about 6000 people come together to run through the forest.
What to Pack
- Water
- Sunscreen - yes, it’s shady but still!
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers - The mornings can be quite chilly but you will likely warm up as you go.
The best way to get around Knysna if you don’t have your own transport is by rental car.
Conservation Efforts
Conservationists think South Africa is the only country where the African Elephants populations are getting larger and larger thanks to intense conservation efforts.
The current number of refugee species sits at 16. Seeing that more and more species are being attributed this status of refugee species, it seems like there is a tendency for us humans, and researchers, conservation managers, and governments, to insist on keeping some species in the wrong place.
A balance in benefits is needed. The benefit of humans is not the only one to consider, we should make sure the animals we conserve also benefit.
Population of Elephants in the Knysna Forest
Researchers investigated three hypotheses to explain the drastic and fast disappearance of Knysna elephants.
- The refugee hypothesis: The Knysna elephants, similar to other African Elephants, once lived in open areas. Humans settled into and invaded the Southern Cape of South Africa, the elephants’ living space.
- The investigation of the illegal killing hypothesis suggests that the elephants invaded the Knysna forest and became well adapted to live in it.
- The stochastic founder hypothesis suggests that the population size of the elephants varies because the chances of individuals reproducing or dying are completely arbitrary.
Most evidence supports the hypothesis that the Knysna elephant population should be attributed the status of refugee species, and thus that the main cause of their disappearance is humans that pushed them into the Knysna Forest.
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