The Biosphere Reserve incorporates key portions of the registered Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site.

The Biosphere Reserve is characterised by a mosaic of diverse ecosystems and physiographic environments, and a gradation of land-uses and human settlement patterns associated with the world-renowned Cape Winelands viticultural landscape.

Main economic activities in the area include agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, forestry, real estate, and business services.

Agriculture forms the backbone of the economy with most of the other sectors being dependent on its strong backward and forward linkages.

The key management focal areas of the Biosphere Reserve include: Major ecosystem type Cape Floral Kingdom incorporating Mountain Fynbos and Renosterveld.