Question 1
Figure Cape Peninsula map showing Table Mountain National Park
Figure Table Mountain ghost frog
Figure Fact file on Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park attracts over 4 million tourists per year, lies within the Cape Floristic Region and neighbours Cape Town. It covers 221 km2 of land and manages a 1000 km2 marine protected area where the cold Benguela and warm Agulhas currents meet at the Cape Peninsula. Fishing is managed through permits and quotas, and no fishing is allowed in marine restricted zones that provide breeding and nursery grounds.
Figure Table Mountain ghost frog conservation facts
The Table Mountain ghost frog changed IUCN status from endangered in 1994 to critically endangered in 2004. Its distribution is about 4 km2. Historically it was recorded in eight rivers, but now occurs in five rivers on Table Mountain. Tadpoles live in streams at risk of drying due to invasive vegetation, fires and reservoir construction. A 2019 programme monitors stream conditions and undertakes conservation action such as alien vegetation removal.
Explain why the rates of productivity are high within the coastal waters around the Cape Peninsula.