Biodiversity of Cape Town

Diversity of the natural environment of Cape Town
Cape Town's original vegetation types
Cape Town's surviving vegetation types

The Biodiversity of Cape Town is the variety and variability of life within the geographical extent of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, excluding the Prince Edward Islands. The terrestrial vegetation is particularly diverse and much of it is endemic to the city and its vicinity. Terrestrial and freshwater animal life is heavily impacted by urban development and habitat degradation. Marine life of the waters immediately adjacent to the city along the Cape Peninsula and in False Bay is also diverse, and while also impacted by human activity, the habitats are relatively intact.

Floristic region (phytochorion)

The City of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom, by far the smallest and most diverse of the earth's six floristic kingdoms,[1] an area of extraordinarily high diversity and endemism, and home to over 9,000 vascular plant species, of which 69 percent are endemic.[2] Much of this diversity is associated with the fynbos biome, a Mediterranean-type, fire-prone shrubland.[2] The economical worth of fynbos biodiversity, based on harvests of fynbos products (e.g. wildflowers) and eco-tourism, is estimated to be in the region of R77 million a year.[2] Thus, it is clear that the Cape Floristic Region has both economic and intrinsic biological value as a biodiversity hotspot.[2]

Vegetation types

Cape Town is located within a Conservation International biodiversity hotspot and is home to a total of 19 different and distinct vegetation types. (This enormous variety is mainly because the city is uniquely located at the convergence point of a great many different soil types and micro-climates.) These 19 vegetation types are mostly restricted to unusually small areas, and several are completely endemic to the city – occurring nowhere else in the world. Vegetation types include the following.[3][4]

Endemism

Table Mountain as seen from Bloubergstrand. Some examples of the region's plant biodiversity is seen in the foreground.

Of the thousands of plant species that are indigenous to Cape Town, 190 are known to be endemic to the city - occurring nowhere else in the world. In addition, there are over a hundred animal species that are also restricted to the city.[5] Endemic plant species include the following.[clarification needed] [6][7][8][9][10]

Cape Peninsula endemics
  • Acerentulus gracilis
  • Agathosma lanceolata (honey buchu)
  • Agathosma pulchella (skunk buchu)
  • Algophilus lathridoides (Table Mountain hairy crawling water beetle)
  • Allocotocerus mixtus (Table Mountain water scavenger beetle)
  • Aloiampelos commixta (Table Mountain aloe)
  • Anaxeton arborescens
  • Anisocampa munroi
  • Anopsobius patagonicus
  • Argyrobothrus velocipes
  • Argyrocupha (Trimenia) malagrida malagrida (Table Mountain copper)
  • Arion intermedius
  • Aristea pauciflora (unistem aristea)
  • Arthroleptella lightfootii (Cape Peninsula moss frog)
  • Aspalathus barbata (bearded gorse)
  • Aspalathus borboniifolia (hairy-ridge gorse)
  • Aspalathus capensis (Cape gorse)
  • Aspalathus capitata (heady gorse)
  • Aspalathus chenopoda subsp chenopoda
  • Aspalathus incurva (incurved gorse)
  • Aspalathus variegata (Cape Flats gorse)
  • Athanasia capitata (unihead kanniedood)
  • Aulonogyrus (Afrogyrus) sp. undescribed
  • Australutica normanlarseni
  • Austrolimnophila thornei
  • Austromontia capensis
  • Bidessus mundulus
  • Bobartia gladiata subsp major (spearleaf laces)
  • Bonaspeia cristata
  • Brachysiphon fucatus (Peninsula sissies)
  • Caffrolix cyclopia
  • Caffrolix petreulis
  • Calopsis gracilis (small tangle reed)
  • Capeolix picturatus
  • Caplopa sordida
  • Cephalelus ivyae (Peninsula restio leafhopper)
  • Ceramontia tabulae (Table Mountain trinon harvestman)
  • Chersastus pococki
  • Chersastus promontorius
  • Cliffortia carinata (crown climbers-friend)
  • Cliffortia discolor (summit climbers-friend)
  • Cliffortia ericifolia (erica-leaf climbers-friend)
  • Cliffortia theodori-friesii var. theodori-friesii (climbers-friend 1)
  • Colophon westwoodi (Peninsula stag beetle)
  • Cotula myriophylloides (watergrass button)
  • Crassula capensis var. promontorii (cliff Cape snowdrop)
  • Crozetulus scutatus (cave orb-web spider)
  • Cryptadaeum capense
  • Cryptops stupendus (Peninsula cave millipede)
  • Ctenolepisma tenebrans (Peninsula silverfish)
  • Cthoniella cavernicola (Peninsula cave pseudoscorpion)
  • Cyclopia galioides (Peninsula honeybush)
  • Cyclopia latifolia (broad-leaf honeybush)
  • Cylichnogaster lawrencei
  • Cylindroiulus truncorum
  • Cytinus capensis (Peninsula bloodcup)
  • Diastella divaricata subsp divaricata (Peninsula silkypuff)
  • Diores capensis
  • Diores cognatus
  • Diploexochus tabularis
  • Dipteretrum brinckae (Brinks Peninsula cockroach)
  • Disa ecalcarata (spurless disa)
  • Disa nubigena (cloud disa)
  • Disa obtusa subsp. obtusa
  • Disa uniflora (pride of Table Mountain)
  • Dolichopeza barnardi
  • Dolichopeza peringueyi
  • Drosanthemum stokoei (searock dewfig)
  • Drosera cuneifolia (Peninsula sundew)
  • Elegia intermedia (scratchy golden reed)
  • Eleocharis lepta (Peninsula water sedge)
  • Eodrilus arelinus
  • Eodrilus drygaskii
  • Eodrilus kirstenboschensis
  • Eodrilus palustris
  • Eodrilus purcellii
  • Eodrilus riebeekanus
  • Eodrilus simonianus
  • Eodrilus tormentosus
  • Erepsia forficata (rock everfig)
  • Erica abietina subsp. abietina (red heath)
  • Erica abietina subsp. atrorosea (wine-red heath)
  • Erica abietina subsp. constantiana (Constantia heath)
  • Erica abietina subsp. diabolis (devils heath)
  • Erica amoena (delightful heath)
  • Erica annectens (cliff-hanger heath)
  • Erica baccans (berry heath)
  • Erica capensis (Cape heath)
  • Erica caterviflora var. caterviflora (bunch heath)
  • Erica caterviflora var. glabrata (troop heath)
  • Erica clavisepala (club heath)
  • Erica cyrilliflora (red hill heath)
  • Erica depressa (dwarf heath)
  • Erica diosmifolia (buchu-leaf heath 2)
  • Erica eburnea (ivory heath)
  • Erica empetrina (crowberry heath)
  • Erica fairii (fairy heath)
  • Erica fontana (fountain heath)
  • Erica haematocodon (bloodbell heath)
  • Erica halicacaba (gooseberry heath)
  • Erica heleogena (marsh heath)
  • Erica hirtiflora var. hirtiflora (hairy-flower heath)
  • Erica limosa (mud heath)
  • Erica mammosa subsp gilva (Peninsula ninepin heath)
  • Erica margaritacea (pearl heath)
  • Erica marifolia (flat-leaf heath)
  • Erica mollis (soft heath)
  • Erica nevillei (rock heath)
  • Erica oxycoccifolia (cranberry heath)
  • Erica paludicola (wiry heath)
  • Erica physodes (bladder heath)
  • Erica pilulifera (fine-hair heath)
  • Erica planifolia (gland heath)
  • Erica pyramidalis (pyramid heath)
  • Erica pyxidiflora (box heath)
  • Erica quadrisulcata (four-grooved heath)
  • Erica sociorum (partner heath)
  • Erica subcapitata (pinhead heath)
  • Erica thimifolia (carpet heath)
  • Erica turgida (showy heath)
  • Erica urna-viridis (bottle-green heath)
  • Erica verticillata (whorled heath)
  • Eupolystoma anterorchis (western leopard toad flatworm)
  • Eurytion brevis
  • Eurytion trichopus
  • Ficinia anceps (vleibiessie)
  • Ficinia fastigiata (vleibiessie)
  • Ficinia micrantha (smallflower vleibiessie)
  • Galaxias zebratus Southern Peninsula population
  • Geissorhiza bonaspei (Goodhope satinflower)
  • Geissorhiza tabularis (Table Mountain satinflower)
  • Gerbera wrightii
  • Gethyllis kaapensis (Peninsula kukumakranka)
  • Gladiolus aureus (golden lady)
  • Gladiolus bonaspei (Good Hope lady)
  • Gladiolus monticola (mountain lady)
  • Gladiolus ornatus (ornate lady)
  • Gladiolus vigilans (plain painted lady)
  • Gnidia parvula (poor saffronbush)
  • Griswoldia ceratogyna
  • Harpactirella treleaveni (Table Mountain golden baboon spider)
  • Harpethrix caeca (Peninsula cave millipede)
  • Hekelus episimus 3
  • Heleophryne rosei (Table Mountain ghost frog)
  • Helichrysum fruticans
  • Helichrysum grandiflorum
  • Helictotrichon quinquesetum (Peninsula oats)
  • Heliophila cinerea
  • Heliophila promontorii
  • Heliophila tabularis (Table Mountain sporrie)
  • Hermannia micrantha (small-flowered dolls-rose)
  • Herophydrus capensis
  • Heterocerus capensis
  • Hoplophoropyga unicolor (dull Peninsula cockroach)
  • Idiognaphomyia ignava
  • Indigofera candolleana (denseleaf indigo)
  • Indigofera filiformis (long-stalk indigo)
  • Indigofera mauritanica (discolorous indigo)
  • Indigofera sp. nov. aff. gracilis (slender indigo)
  • Isolepis bulbifera (green-and-red isolepis)
  • Japyx barnardi var. relata
  • Japyx gilli
  • Julomorpha compacta
  • Julomorpha hilaris
  • Julomorpha ignava
  • Kaapia darwini
  • Lachenalia capensis (Cape viooltjie)
  • Lampranthus curvifolius (Bakoven brightfig)
  • Lampranthus multiradiatus (brilliant brightfig)
  • Lampranthus promontorii (rock brightfig)
  • Lampranthus stenus (narrow brightfig)
  • Lamyctopristus granulosus
  • Lamyctopristus validus
  • Larifuga capensis
  • Larifuga montana
  • Lawrencella inermis
  • Leielmis sp. undescribed
  • Lephthyphantes rimicola (cave sheet-web spider)
  • Lepidium capense (Cape pepperweed)
  • Leptocerus tabularis (Peninsula long-horn caddisfly)
  • Leucadendron grandiflorum (Wynberg conebush)
  • Leucadendron macowanii (acacia-leaf conebush)
  • Leucadendron strobilinum (Peninsula conebush)
  • Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp. conocarpodendron (grey tree pincushion)
  • Liparia graminifolia (grass mountain pea)
  • Liparia laevigata (tall mountain pea)
  • Liparia parva (small mountain dahlia)
  • Lobelia boivinii (creeping lobelia)
  • Lobelia eckloniana (Ecklons lobelia)
  • Longurio chionoides
  • Longurio micropteryx 4
  • Machiloides leonis
  • Machiloides mensarius
  • Machiloides obsotetus
  • Machiloides silvestrii
  • Macrosteles sexnotatus
  • Malaika longipes (cave hackle-mesh spider)
  • Marioniscus spatulifrons
  • Mesoceration capense
  • Mesoceration concessum
  • Meta sp. nov.
  • Metalasia compacta (compact blombos)
  • Metalasia divergens subsp. divergens
  • Metalasia divergens subsp. fusca
  • Micradaeum rugosum
  • Microdon nitidus (silver catstailbush)
  • Mimetes fimbriifolius (fringed pagoda)
  • Moggeridgea teresae (Peninsula bagnest spider)
  • Molopopterus struthiolus
  • Montadaeum purcelli
  • Moraea aristata (blue-eye uintjie)
  • Morella diversifolia (Peninsula waxberry)
  • Muraltia acipetala (spiny purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia brachypetala (sessile purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia comptonii (spiny-tip purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia curvipetala (needle-leaf purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia demissa (curly-haired purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia diabolica (devils purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia mixta (roughpod purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia orbicularis (round-leaf purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia pageae (Page's purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia satureioides var. salteri (Karbonkelberg purple-gorse)
  • Muraltia stipulacea (bunch-leaf purple-gorse)
  • Nemesia micrantha (Peninsula snapdragon)
  • Osmitopsis dentata (toothed swampdaisy)
  • Pachyodontus languidus (Peninsula ground beetle)
  • Parachilota parvus
  • Parachilota schultzei
  • Parachilota starke
  • Parachilota tokaiensis
  • Parajapyx afer
  • Paralamyctes asperulus
  • Paramelita auricularius
  • Paramelita barnardi (Peninsula cave amphipod)
  • Paramelita capensis
  • Paramelita dentata
  • Paramelita magna
  • Paramelita magnicornis
  • Paramelita marunguis 5
  • Paramelita pheronyx
  • Paranotoniscus capensis
  • Pentameris longiglumis subsp. longiglumis (Table Mountain longglume)
  • Peripatopsis alba (cave velvetworm)
  • Peripatopsis leonine (lion velvetworm)
  • Perisphaeria carlgreni (Peninsula trilobyte cockroach)
  • Petroplax caricis (Peninsula golden-case caddisfly)
  • Petrothrincus circularis
  • Philocaffrus bifalcatus
  • Phylica schlechteri (Peninsula phylica)
  • Platentomus sobrinus
  • Platylimnobia montana
  • Pneuminion balfourbrownei
  • Pneuminion semisulcatum
  • Poeciloblatta angusta
  • Polycarena silenoides (granite Cape flax)
  • Prismatocarpus nitidus (silver longfuit)
  • Progonogamia rehni
  • Prostethops megacephalus
  • Prostethops nitens
  • Protojanira leleupi
  • Pseudocloeon magae (Peninsula minnow mayfly)
  • Pseudoselago peninsulae (Peninsula purplepuff)
  • Psoralea glaucina (Peninsula three-leaf pea)
  • Pterostethops equestris
  • Pterygodium connivens (Peninsula bonnet)
  • Quamtana leptopholcica
  • Restio communis (fine cord reed)
  • Restio dodii var. dodii (Dodd's marsh cord reed)
  • Rhampsinitus levis
  • Roella amplexicaulis (rigid bell)
  • Roella decurrens (longbase bell)
  • Roella goodiana (klaver bell)
  • Roella recurvata (recurved bell)
  • Roella squarrosa (mat bell)
  • Roella triflora (blackeye bell)
  • Roeweria inerriiis
  • Rostromontia capensis
  • Rostromontia granulifer
  • Rotandrela rotanda
  • Ruschia promontorii (rock turretfig)
  • Ruschia rubricaulis (red-stem turretfig)
  • Scabiosa africana (Cape scabious)
  • Senecio verbascifolius (Peninsula ragwort)
  • Serruria collina (lost spiderhead)
  • Serruria cyanoides (Wynberg spiderhead)
  • Serruria decumbens (Peninsula spiderhead)
  • Serruria foeniculacea (Rondevlei spiderhead)
  • Serruria glomerata (cluster spiderhead) 6
  • Serruria hirsuta (Swartkops spiderhead)
  • Serruria villosa (valley spiderhead)
  • Sheldonia capsula
  • Solpuga grindleyi (Peninsula sunspider)
  • Spelaeogryphus lepidops (cave shrimp)
  • Speleiacris tabulae (cave camel cricket)
  • Speleomontia cavernicola (cave trinon harvestman)
  • Speleosiro argasiformis (cave sironid harvestman)
  • Spermophora gordimerae (Peninsula daddylonglegs)
  • Spermophora peninsulae (cave daddylonglegs)
  • Sphaerotherium ancillare
  • Sphaerotherium eremita
  • Sphaerotherium monticola
  • Sphaerotherium weberi
  • Staavia dodii (dolls diamondeyes)
  • Staavia glutinosa (sticky diamondeyes)
  • Stoebe rosea (rose slangbos)
  • Tetraria autumnalis (Sirkelsvlei mountain sedge)
  • Tetraria graminifolia (Peninsula mountain sedge)
  • Tetraria paludosa (pale mountain sedge)
  • Tetraria variabilis (varied mountain sedge)
  • Thamnochortus levynsiae (cliff dangle reed)
  • Thamnochortus nutans (cloud dangle reed)
  • Thesium pseudovirgatum (false-branched rootthug)
  • Thestor yildizae (Peninsula thestor)
  • Trachycystis cosmia (cosmic pinwheel)
  • Trachycystis perplicata (Cape pinwheel)
  • Trianoptiles solitaria (solitary bristle sedge)
  • Trichoniscus austro-africanus
  • Trichoniscus capensis
  • Trichoniscus tabulae (cave sowbug)
  • Trichostetha mimetica (Peninsula chafer)
  • Uroplectes insignis (Newlands scorpion)
  • Ursinia tenuifolia subsp tenuifolia
  • Villarsia goldblattiana (Peninsula bogbean)
  • Wahlenbergia brehmeri
  • Wahlenbergia pyrophila (fire capebell)
  • Walesobius excrescens
  • Watsonia tabularis (Table Mountain watsonia)
  • Willdenowia affinis (Table Mountain window reed)
  • Wurmbea hiemalis (black spikelily)
Additional species

Species records in South African Biodiversity Database

Mammals

Mammals present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

Fish

Fish present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

Reptiles

Reptiles present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

Amphibians

Amphibians present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

Insects

Insects present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

Fungi

Fungi present in Cape Town, as of 2011[update], including the following.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Environmental Resource Management in the city of Cape Town". Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  2. ^ a b c d Odendaal L. J., Haupt T. M. & Griffiths C. L. (2008). "The alien invasive land snail Theba pisana in the West Coast National Park: Is there cause for concern?". Koedoe – African Protected Area Conservation and Science 50(1): 93-98. abstract, doi:10.4102/koedoe.v50i1.153.
  3. ^ "City of Cape Town - Vegetation Types". Archived from the original on 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  4. ^ "Vegetation Types". Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  5. ^ "Endemic Species of the city of Cape Town" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Brochures, booklets and posters". Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
  7. ^ "Endemic species" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  8. ^ A.B. Low & A.G. Rebelo (eds). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland, a companion to the vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Dept Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria. 85pp. ISBN 0-621-17316-9.
  9. ^ A.G. Rebelo, C. Boucher, N. Helme, L. Mucina, M.C. Rutherford et al. 2006. Fynbos Biome, in: L. Mucina & M.C. Rutherford (eds). The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19, pp 52‐219.
  10. ^ Anthony G. Rebelo, Patricia M. Holmes, Clifford Dorse & Julia Wood. Cape Town: Averting a Biodiversity Megadisaster? Unpublished MS.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Biodiversity Management". Retrieved 2024-02-19.
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  • Springbokvlakte Thornveld
  • Stella Bushveld
  • Swaziland Sour Bushveld
  • Tembe Sandy Bushveld
  • Thukela Thornveld
  • Thukela Valley Bushveld
  • Tsende Mopaneveld
  • Tshokwane-Hlane Basalt Lowveld
  • Tzaneen Sour Bushveld
  • Vaalbos Rocky Shrubland
  • VhaVenda Miombo
  • Waterberg Mountain Bushveld
  • Western Maputaland Clay Bushveld
  • Western Maputaland Sandy Bushveld
  • Western Sandy Bushveld
  • Zeerust Thornveld
  • Zululand Coastal Thornveld
  • Zululand Lowveld
Grassland
  • Aliwal North Dry Grassland
  • Amathole Mistbelt Grassland
  • Amathole Montane Grassland
  • Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland
  • Barberton Montane Grassland
  • Basotho Montane Shrubland
  • Bedford Dry Grassland
  • Besemkaree Koppies Shrubland
  • Bloemfontein Dry Grassland
  • Bloemfontein Karroid Shrubland
  • Carletonville Dolomite Grassland
  • Central Free State Grassland
  • Drakensberg Afroalpine Heathland
  • Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland
  • Drakensberg-Amathole Afromontane Fynbos
  • East Griqualand Grassland
  • Eastern Free State Clay Grassland
  • Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland
  • Eastern Highveld Grassland
  • Egoli Granite Grassland
  • Frankfort Highveld Grassland
  • Income Sandy Grassland
  • Ithala Quartzite Sourveld
  • KaNgwane Montane Grassland
  • Karoo Escarpment Grassland
  • Klerksdorp Thornveld
  • KwaZulu-Natal Highland Thornveld
  • Leolo Summit Sourveld
  • Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland
  • Low Escarpment Moist Grassland
  • Lydenburg Montane Grassland
  • Lydenburg Thornveld
  • Mabela Sandy Grassland
  • Midlands Mistbelt Grassland
  • Mooi River Highland Grassland
  • Mthatha Moist Grassland
  • Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland
  • Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos
  • Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland
  • Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld
  • Northern Free State Shrubland
  • Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland
  • Northern KwaZulu-Natal Shrubland
  • Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland
  • Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland
  • Queenstown Thornveld
  • Rand Highveld Grassland
  • Sekhukhune Montane Grassland
  • Senqu Montane Shrubland
  • Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland
  • Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland
  • Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld
  • Soweto Highveld Grassland
  • Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland
  • Stormberg Plateau Grassland
  • Strydpoort Summit Sourveld
  • Tarkastad Montane Shrubland
  • Tsakane Clay Grassland
  • Tsomo Grassland
  • uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland
  • Vaal Reefs Dolomite Sinkhole Woodland
  • Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland
  • Vredefort Dome Granite Grassland
  • Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland
  • Waterberg-Magaliesberg Summit Sourveld
  • Western Free State Clay Grassland
  • Western Highveld Sandy Grassland
  • Western Lesotho Basalt Shrubland
  • Winburg Grassy Shrubland
  • Wolkberg Dolomite Grassland
  • Woodbush Granite Grassland
  • Xhariep Karroid Grassland
  • Zastron Moist Grassland
Fynbos
  • Agulhas Limestone Fynbos
  • Agulhas Sand Fynbos
  • Albertinia Sand Fynbos
  • Algoa Sandstone Fynbos
  • Atlantis Sand Fynbos
  • Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos
  • Boland Granite Fynbos
  • Breede Alluvium Fynbos
  • Breede Quartzite Fynbos
  • Breede Sand Fynbos
  • Breede Shale Fynbos
  • Canca Limestone Fynbos
  • Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
  • Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos
  • Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Central Coastal Shale Band Vegetation
  • Central Inland Shale Band Vegetation
  • De Hoop Limestone Fynbos
  • Eastern Coastal Shale Band Vegetation
  • Eastern Inland Shale Band Vegetation
  • Elgin Shale Fynbos
  • Elim Ferricrete Fynbos
  • Garden Route Granite Fynbos
  • Garden Route Shale Fynbos
  • Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos
  • Greyton Shale Fynbos
  • Grootrivier Quartzite Fynbos
  • Hangklip Sand Fynbos
  • Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos
  • Hopefield Sand Fynbos
  • Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos
  • Kango Conglomerate Fynbos
  • Knysna Sand Fynbos
  • Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Kouebokkeveld Alluvium Fynbos
  • Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos
  • Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos
  • Kouga Sandstone Fynbos
  • Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos
  • Loerie Conglomerate Fynbos
  • Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos
  • Matjiesfontein Quartzite Fynbos
  • Matjiesfontein Shale Fynbos
  • Montagu Shale Fynbos
  • Namaqualand Sand Fynbos
  • North Hex Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos
  • North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation
  • Olifants Sandstone Fynbos
  • Overberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Peninsula Granite Fynbos
  • Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
  • Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos
  • Potberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Robertson Granite Fynbos
  • South Hex Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos
  • South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos
  • Southern Cape Dune Fynbos
  • Stinkfonteinberge Quartzite Fynbos
  • Suurberg Quartzite Fynbos
  • Suurberg Shale Fynbos
  • Swartberg Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos
  • Swartberg Shale Fynbos
  • Swartland Alluvium Fynbos
  • Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos
  • Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos
  • Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos
  • Western Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos
  • Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation
  • Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos
Renosterveld
  • Baviaanskloof Shale Renosterveld
  • Breede Alluvium Renosterveld
  • Breede Shale Renosterveld
  • Central Mountain Shale Renosterveld
  • Central Ruêns Shale Renosterveld
  • Ceres Shale Renosterveld
  • Eastern Ruêns Shale Renosterveld
  • Hantam Plateau Dolerite Renosterveld
  • Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld
  • Kango Limestone Renosterveld
  • Langkloof Shale Renosterveld
  • Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld
  • Montagu Shale Renosterveld
  • Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld
  • Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld
  • Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld
  • Nieuwoudtville-Roggeveld Dolerite Renosterveld
  • Peninsula Shale Renosterveld
  • Robertson Granite Renosterveld
  • Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld
  • Ruêns Silcrete Renosterveld
  • Swartberg Shale Renosterveld
  • Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld
  • Swartland Granite Renosterveld
  • Swartland Shale Renosterveld
  • Swartland Silcrete Renosterveld
  • Uniondale Shale Renosterveld
  • Vanrhynsdorp Shale Renosterveld
  • Western Ruêns Shale Renosterveld
Succulent
Karoo
  • Aggeneys Gravel Vygieveld
  • Agter-Sederberg Shrubland
  • Anenous Plateau Shrubland
  • Bushmanland Inselberg Shrubland
  • Central Knersvlakte Vygieveld
  • Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland
  • Citrusdal Vygieveld
  • Die Plate Succulent Shrubland
  • Doringrivier Quartzite Karoo
  • Eastern Little Karoo
  • Eenriet Plains Succulent Shrubland
  • Goariep Mountain Succulent Shrubland
  • Hantam Karoo
  • Kamiesberg Mountains Shrubland
  • Klawer Sandy Shrubland
  • Knersvlakte Dolomite Vygieveld
  • Knersvlakte Quartz Vygieveld
  • Knersvlakte Shale Vygieveld
  • Koedoesberge-Moordenaars Karoo
  • Kosiesberg Succulent Shrubland
  • Lekkersing Succulent Shrubland
  • Little Karoo Quartz Vygieveld
  • Namaqualand Arid Grassland
  • Namaqualand Blomveld
  • Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld
  • Namaqualand Heuweltjie Strandveld
  • Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld
  • Namaqualand Inland Duneveld
  • Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland
  • Namaqualand Shale Shrubland
  • Namaqualand Spinescent Grassland
  • Namaqualand Strandveld
  • Northern Knersvlakte Vygieveld
  • Northern Richtersveld Scorpionstailveld
  • Northern Richtersveld Yellow Duneveld
  • Oograbies Plains Sandy Grassland
  • Piketberg Quartz Succulent Shrubland
  • Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland
  • Prince Albert Succulent Karoo
  • Richtersveld Coastal Duneveld
  • Richtersveld Red Duneveld
  • Richtersveld Sandy Coastal Scorpionstailveld
  • Riethuis-Wallekraal Quartz Vygieveld
  • Robertson Karoo
  • Roggeveld Karoo
  • Rooiberg Quartz Vygieveld
  • Rosyntjieberg Succulent Shrubland
  • Southern Namaqualand Quartzite Klipkoppe Shrubland
  • Southern Richtersveld Inselberg Shrubland
  • Southern Richtersveld Scorpionstailveld
  • Southern Richtersveld Yellow Duneveld
  • Steytlerville Karoo
  • Stinkfonteinberge Eastern Apron Shrubland
  • Swartruggens Quartzite Karoo
  • Tanqua Escarpment Shrubland
  • Tanqua Karoo
  • Tatasberg Mountain Succulent Shrubland
  • Umdaus Mountains Succulent Shrubland
  • Upper Annisvlakte Succulent Shrubland
  • Vanrhynsdorp Gannabosveld
  • Vyftienmyl se Berge Succulent Shrubland
  • Western Bushmanland Klipveld
  • Western Gwarrieveld
  • Western Little Karoo
  • Willowmore Gwarrieveld
Albany
Thicket
and
Strandveld
  • Albany Arid Thicket
  • Albany Bontveld
  • Albany Mesic Thicket
  • Albany Valley Thicket
  • Baviaans Valley Thicket
  • Bethelsdorp Bontveld
  • Blombos Strandveld
  • Buffels Mesic Thicket
  • Buffels Valley Thicket
  • Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
  • Crossroads Grassland Thicket
  • Doubledrift Karroid Thicket
  • Eastern Gwarrieveld
  • Elands Forest Thicket
  • Escarpment Arid Thicket
  • Escarpment Mesic Thicket
  • Escarpment Valley Thicket
  • Fish Arid Thicket
  • Fish Mesic Thicket
  • Fish Valley Thicket
  • Gamka Arid Thicket
  • Gamka Valley Thicket
  • Geluk Grassland Thicket
  • Goukamma Dune Thicket
  • Gouritz Valley Thicket
  • Grahamstown Grassland Thicket
  • Grassridge Bontveld
  • Groot Brak Dune Strandveld
  • Hamburg Dune Thicket
  • Hartenbos Dune Thicket
  • Kasouga Dune Thicket
  • Koedoeskloof Karroid Thicket
  • Lambert's Bay Strandveld
  • Langebaan Dune Strandveld
  • Mons Ruber Fynbos Thicket
  • Motherwell Karroid Thicket
  • Nanaga Savanna Thicket
  • Oudshoorn Karroid Thicket
  • Overberg Dune Strandveld
  • Saldanha Flats Strandveld
  • Saldanha Granite Strandveld
  • Saldanha Limestone Strandveld
  • Saltaire Karroid Thicket
  • Sardinia Forest Thicket
  • St Francis Dune Thicket
  • Subtropical Dune Thicket
  • Sundays Arid Thicket
  • Sundays Mesic Thicket
  • Sundays Valley Thicket
  • Thorndale Forest Thicket
  • Umtiza Forest Thicket
  • Vanstadens Forest Thicket
  • Western Gwarrieveld
  • Willowmore Gwarrieveld
Nama
Karoo
and
desert
  • Albany Broken Veld
  • Blouputs Karroid Thornveld
  • Bushmanland Arid Grassland
  • Bushmanland Basin Shrubland
  • Bushmanland Sandy Grassland
  • Eastern Lower Karoo
  • Eastern Upper Karoo
  • Gamka Karoo
  • Kalahari Karroid Shrubland
  • Lower Gariep Broken Veld
  • Lower Karoo Gwarrieveld
  • Northern Upper Karoo
  • Upper Karoo Hardeveld
  • Western Upper Karoo
  • Alexander Bay Coastal Duneveld
  • Eastern Gariep Plains Desert
  • Eastern Gariep Rocky Desert
  • Helskloof Canyon Desert
  • Kahams Mountain Desert
  • Kwaggarug Mountain Desert
  • Namib Lichen Fields
  • Noms Mountain Desert
  • Northern Nababiepsberge Mountain Desert
  • Richtersberg Mountain Desert
  • Richtersveld Sheet Wash Desert
  • Southern Nababiepsberge Mountain Desert
  • Western Gariep Hills Desert
  • Western Gariep Lowland Desert
  • Western Gariep Plains Desert
Azonal
  • Albany Alluvial Vegetation
  • Albany Dune Strandveld
  • Algoa Dune Strandveld
  • Arid Estuarine Salt Marshes
  • Bushmanland Vloere
  • Cape Estuarine Salt Marshes
  • Cape Inland Salt Pans
  • Cape Lowland Alluvial Vegetation
  • Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetlands
  • Cape Seashore Vegetation
  • Cape Vernal Pools
  • Drakensberg Wetlands
  • Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands
  • Fynbos Riparian Vegetation
  • Highveld Alluvial Vegetation
  • Highveld Salt Pans
  • Lesotho Mires
  • Lower Gariep Alluvial Vegetation
  • Muscadel Riviere
  • Namaqualand Riviere
  • Namaqualand Salt Pans
  • Namaqualand Seashore Vegetation
  • Namib Seashore Vegetation
  • Southern Kalahari Mekgacha
  • Southern Kalahari Salt Pans
  • Southern Karoo Riviere
  • Subantarctic Kelp Bed Vegetation
  • Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation
  • Subtropical Dune Thicket
  • Subtropical Estuarine Salt Marshes
  • Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands
  • Subtropical Salt Pans
  • Subtropical Seashore Vegetation
  • Tanqua Wash Riviere
  • Upper Gariep Alluvial Vegetation
Forest
and
Coastal
belt
  • KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt
  • Maputaland Coastal Belt
  • Maputaland Wooded Grassland
  • Pondoland-Natal Sandstone Coastal Sourveld
  • Transkei Coastal Belt
  • Ironwood Dry Forest
  • Lowveld Riverine Forest
  • Mangrove Forest
  • Northern Afrotemperate Forest
  • Northern Coastal Forest
  • Northern Mistbelt Forest
  • Sand Forest
  • Scarp Forest
  • Southern Afrotemperate Forest
  • Southern Coastal Forest
  • Southern Mistbelt Forest
  • Swamp Forest
Subantarctic
biome
  • Subantarctic Biotic Herbfield and Grassland
  • Subantarctic Cinder Cone Vegetation
  • Subantarctic Coastal Vegetation
  • Subantarctic Drainage Line Vegetation
  • Subantarctic Fellfield
  • Subantarctic Fernbrake Vegetation
  • Subantarctic Mire
  • Subantarctic Polar Desert
not on
VEGMAP
South
African
National
Parks
Biosphere
reserves
Marine
protected
areas of
South
Africa
Coastal
Offshore
Management
organisations
Biodiversity research in SA
Research
organisations
Research
projects
Citizen science
databases
Botanical
gardens
Taxonomists
Regional biodiversity
Legislation
Publications
  • List of field guides to South African biota
  • Categories: Biodiversity of South Africa
  • Index
  • v
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  • e
Biodiversity worldwide
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