Why does South Africa have such a rich biodiversity
South Africa has a rich biodiversity because of its range of climatic conditions and regions with diff. topography including:
1) Grasslands
2) Mountainous regions
3) Coastal Plains
The diff. biomes supports its own range of plant and animal life.

Indigenous and endemic species
Indigenous species: Occur naturally in certain areas.
Endemic species: Are found only in one specific area and nowhere else in the world.
***Important to note that all endemic species are indigenous but not all indigenous species are endemic***

Biodiversity Hotspots
These are areas in the world that are very rich in biodiversity and are unique and threatened.
Three Hotspots of biodiversity in our country:\
1) Cape Floristic Region (CFR)
2) Succulent Karoo
3) Maputa-Pondoland-Albany

Cape Floristic Region (CFR)
The CFR has one of the highest biodiversity levels in the world.
It has highest no. of endemic species in SA
E.g. The geometric tortoise, The Cape sugarbird & the bontebok

Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
This biodiversity hotspot stretches along the east coast of Mozambique & SA.
It has highest tree richness of any temperate forest in the world.
Its an important centre of plant endemism.
Has warm temperate rainforests.
Many of grasslands and forests in which many large mammals live face increased threats such as:
1) from industrial and local farming.
2) The expansion of grazing lands

Succulent Karoo
Stretches along western coast of SA into Southern Namibia.
This Area is dry with low rainfall, but rich in plant diversity.
Many of these plants have great medicinal value.
Threats of Succulent Karroo are:
1) Over grazing
2) mining activities
3) illegal collection of plants and animals

	Creado por mossrobyn hace más de 10 años

(Topic 12: Biodiversity and Classification) Life science Apunte sobre 2. Biodiversity in South Africa, creado por mossrobyn el 14/10/2013.