2. Biodiversity in South Africa

Why does South Africa have such a rich biodiversitySouth Africa has a rich biodiversity because of its range of climatic conditions and regions with diff. topography including:1) Grasslands2) Mountainous regions3) Coastal PlainsThe diff. biomes supports its own range of plant and animal life.Indigenous and endemic speciesIndigenous 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 HotspotsThese 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 Karoo3) Maputa-Pondoland-AlbanyCape Floristic Region (CFR)The CFR has one of the highest biodiversity levels in the world.It has highest no. of endemic species in SAE.g. The geometric tortoise, The Cape sugarbird & the bontebok Maputaland-Pondoland-AlbanyThis 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 landsSucculent KarooStretches 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 grazing2) mining activities  3) illegal collection of plants and animals

New Page