Eilandvlei forms part of the Wilderness Lakes system located along the southern Cape coast of South Africa (Figure 1A, B). These lakes are located behind Pleistocene dune ridges that run parallel along the coastline. Situated within South Africa's aseasonal rainfall zone, climate is influenced by both temperate and tropical circulation systems. The regional vegetation (Figure 1B, C) is most noteworthy for the extensive development of Southern Afrotemperate Forest (generally Afrocarpus falcatus, Podocarpus latifolius, Ocotea bullata (Lauraceae) and Olea capensis spp. marcocarpa (Oleaceae)), which is found in valleys and on the south-facing slopes of the adjacent river catchments A variety of fynbos types occupy