Fynbos covers only about 6.7% of South Africa (about 85 000 km2) but has the largest number of plant species of any biome in the country (about 7500). Most Fynbos is found along the coast and in the Cape Fold Mountains between Nieuwoudtville in the north-west and Port Elizabeth in the east.
Is fynbos only in South Africa?
Fynbos vegetation can be found throughout Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa. Although the Fynbos is known for its plants, the region is also home to a diverse number of unique animal species.
Where can fynbos be found?
Fynbos vegetation can be found throughout Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa. Although the Fynbos is known for its plants, the region is also home to a diverse number of unique animal species.
Why is fynbos so special?
The fynbos ecoregion is within the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. In fields related to biogeography, fynbos is known for its exceptional degree of biodiversity and endemism, consisting about 80% (8,500 fynbos) species of the Cape floral kingdom where nearly 6,000 of them are endemic.
Why is the fynbos biome so important to South Africa and the world?
It’s valuable because it is under threat – due in no small part to agriculture, invading plant species, and human development. Fynbos is a totally unique kind of vegetation that makes up 80 per cent of the Cape Floral Kingdom, two-thirds of which are found only in the Cape (nowhere else on earth).
What is the smallest biome in South Africa?
Forests are southern Africa’s smallest biome, and although it is the region’s largest forest complex (Acocks 1953), the remaining Knysna forest covers a mere 568 km2 (Midgley et al. 1997), and the Amatole complex, 405 km2 (Castley 2001).
What is the biggest tree in South Africa?
The Sagole Baobab (also Sagole Big Tree, Muri kunguluwa (i.e. tree that roars), or Muvhuyu wa Makhadzi) is the largest baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) in South Africa. It is located east from Tshipise, in Vendaland, Limpopo Province and has a trunk diameter 10.47 metres, circumference 32.89 metres.
What animals are found in the fynbos?
Many of the plants are shrubs with small, hard leaves. There are very few trees or grasses in Fynbos. Animals include small buck like Grysbok and Steenbok, the Bontebok, Leopard, Chacma Baboon, Porcupine, tortoises and nectar- and seed-eating birds. Many people in this biome are employed to harvest Fynbos plants.
What is fynbos used for?
Fynbos has been used for centuries to treat anything from the common cold to epilepsy.
How is fynbos economically important to South Africa?
The natural resources of the CFR also contribute indirectly to the region’s economic output: fynbos bees contribute to commercial fruit production, and fynbos mountain catchments provide the region’s main water supply.
Why is fire good for fynbos?
Fire has a double impact on fynbos – it plays a role in germination and it also acts as a mineralizing agent. Some fynbos species die during fire and regenerate from seed stored in the canopy e.g. Serotinous proteaceae. … This is very important as the soil in which fynbos grows is considered low in soil fertility.
What biomes are in South Africa?
Rutherford and Westfall (1994) map seven biomes of South Africa: Savanna, Thicket, Grassland, Forest, Fynbos, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Desert.
What makes the Cape Floral Region so special?
The Cape Floral Region forms a centre of active speciation where interesting patterns of endemism and adaptive radiation are found in the flora. … The outstanding diversity, density and endemism of the flora are among the highest worldwide.
Why is it important to protect fynbos?
As a result the fynbos of the mountainous areas is generally well protected in a considerable reserve network that was established for forestry purposes and to ensure plentiful supplies of clean drinking water for the growing human population below.
Which Sunbird is exclusively found in South African fynbos vegetation?
The orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is the only member of the bird genus Anthobaphes; however, it is sometimes placed in the genus Nectarinia. This sunbird is endemic to the fynbos habitat of southwestern South Africa.
Which biome includes one of the world’s richest floral kingdoms?
The Fynbos Biome is home to one of the world’s richest floras, with more than 9,000 species of plants occurring within an area the size of Malawi or Portugal.