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Biomes
The highlands
Two-thirds of South Africa is made up of an area of high land that is called the ‘highveld. A river called ‘The Orange River’ runs through the highlands beginning from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean and then forms the border with the country of Namibia on the very last part of its journey, after a journey of 2160 Kilometres.
Soil
In South Africa there are three major soil regions. One of them in the East approximately longitude 25°E, soils have formed under wet summer and dry winter conditions. These consist of more-important soil types, being laterite (red, leached, iron-bearing soil), unleached subtropical soils, greylike, and podzolic soils. A second major region lies within an area that receives year-round precipitation in Western Cape and Eastern Cape and generally contains gray sandy and sandy loam soils. Amongst the rest of the country, which is generally dry, the characteristic soils comprise a sandy top layer, often a sandy loam, underlain by a layer of lime or an accretion of silica. The majority of South Africa’s soils are not characterised by high fertility, and those that are, for example in coastal Natal, tend to be easily degraded.
The highlands
Two-thirds of South Africa is made up of an area of high land that is called the ‘highveld. A river called ‘The Orange River’ runs through the highlands beginning from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean and then forms the border with the country of Namibia on the very last part of its journey, after a journey of 2160 Kilometres.
Soil
In South Africa there are three major soil regions. One of them in the East approximately longitude 25°E, soils have formed under wet summer and dry winter conditions. These consist of more-important soil types, being laterite (red, leached, iron-bearing soil), unleached subtropical soils, greylike, and podzolic soils. A second major region lies within an area that receives year-round precipitation in Western Cape and Eastern Cape and generally contains gray sandy and sandy loam soils. Amongst the rest of the country, which is generally dry, the characteristic soils comprise a sandy top layer, often a sandy loam, underlain by a layer of lime or an accretion of silica. The majority of South Africa’s soils are not characterised by high fertility, and those that are, for example in coastal Natal, tend to be easily degraded.
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Forest Biome
Forest Biome is the smallest biome in South Africa only covering about 0.1% of the country (1 062 km). They are grown in high areas with high rainfall where there is no frost. Forests consist of trees that form a closed canopy with layers of plants beneath the canopy. The most famous, largest forests in South Africa are the Knysna and Tsitskamma Forests in the Southern Cape. Forests plants contain yellowwood, stinkwood and ironwood trees, climbers, epiphytes, mosses and ferns. Animals include bushpig, bushbuck, mokeys, knysna loeries, pigeons and eagles.
Forest Biome is the smallest biome in South Africa only covering about 0.1% of the country (1 062 km). They are grown in high areas with high rainfall where there is no frost. Forests consist of trees that form a closed canopy with layers of plants beneath the canopy. The most famous, largest forests in South Africa are the Knysna and Tsitskamma Forests in the Southern Cape. Forests plants contain yellowwood, stinkwood and ironwood trees, climbers, epiphytes, mosses and ferns. Animals include bushpig, bushbuck, mokeys, knysna loeries, pigeons and eagles.
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Savanna Biome
Savanna is the largest biome in South Africa, covering 34.3% of the country (435 000 km). In a savannah biome there is a mixture of grasses and trees or shrubs, types that include shrub-land, bushveld and woodland. It stretches from the Kalahari in the north-west across to the lowveld in the north-east and southwards to the lowlands of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Rain falls in summer and differs greatly across the region, from about 235mm per year in the Kalahari to over 1000mm per year in the east. Fires are frequent but most plants then can re-sprout. More than 5700 plant species grow in Savanna Biome, which include contrast types of grasses and trees such as Baobab, Mopane, Camel Thorn and Knob Thorn.
Savanna is the largest biome in South Africa, covering 34.3% of the country (435 000 km). In a savannah biome there is a mixture of grasses and trees or shrubs, types that include shrub-land, bushveld and woodland. It stretches from the Kalahari in the north-west across to the lowveld in the north-east and southwards to the lowlands of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Rain falls in summer and differs greatly across the region, from about 235mm per year in the Kalahari to over 1000mm per year in the east. Fires are frequent but most plants then can re-sprout. More than 5700 plant species grow in Savanna Biome, which include contrast types of grasses and trees such as Baobab, Mopane, Camel Thorn and Knob Thorn.
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Fynbos Biome
Fynbos Biome covers about 6.7% of South Africa (85 000km) but has the largest number of plant species of any biome in the country, holding about 7500 species. Majority fynbos is found along the coast and in the Cape Fold Mountains amongst Nieuwouldtville in the north-wets and Port Elizabeth in the east. In this region it is mostly cool and wet in the winter and hot and dry in the summer. Fynbos Biome consist of both Fynbos that tend to grow on poor soil and is extremely rich in plant species, and Renosterveld vegetation that grows on rich soil and can support more animals. Fynbos plants include proteas, ericas and restios, as well as many other groups of plants like geophytes, daisies, legume and vygies. Numerous plants are shrubs with small, hard leaves. Animals include small buck like Grysbok and steenbok, the bontebok, leopard, chacma baboon, porcupine, tortoises and nectar- and seed-eating birds. In this biome many people are employed to harvest Fynbos plants. These include wildflowers, buchu for medicine and flavouring, restios for thatching, and rooibos tea.
Fynbos Biome covers about 6.7% of South Africa (85 000km) but has the largest number of plant species of any biome in the country, holding about 7500 species. Majority fynbos is found along the coast and in the Cape Fold Mountains amongst Nieuwouldtville in the north-wets and Port Elizabeth in the east. In this region it is mostly cool and wet in the winter and hot and dry in the summer. Fynbos Biome consist of both Fynbos that tend to grow on poor soil and is extremely rich in plant species, and Renosterveld vegetation that grows on rich soil and can support more animals. Fynbos plants include proteas, ericas and restios, as well as many other groups of plants like geophytes, daisies, legume and vygies. Numerous plants are shrubs with small, hard leaves. Animals include small buck like Grysbok and steenbok, the bontebok, leopard, chacma baboon, porcupine, tortoises and nectar- and seed-eating birds. In this biome many people are employed to harvest Fynbos plants. These include wildflowers, buchu for medicine and flavouring, restios for thatching, and rooibos tea.
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Grassland Biome
The Grassland biome is the second largest in South Africa, covering 28.4% of the country or more than 360 000 km. Most of South Africa’s grasslands are found amongst Highveld areas that experience frost in the winter. Grasslands also occur on high mountains and in patches along the coast from Eastern Cape to KwaZulu Natal. Grasslands burn regularly, often every year but the plants are adapted to survive fires. The grassland biome has nearly 3800 plant species recorded. Because fires are frequent there are less trees and more plants like grasses, geophytes and other small flowering plants. Grasslands support livestock farming such as cattle and sheep. Most highveld areas in Gauteng and the Mpumalanga are found in the Grassland Biome. Much of this region has been developed for mining, industry and urban development.
The Grassland biome is the second largest in South Africa, covering 28.4% of the country or more than 360 000 km. Most of South Africa’s grasslands are found amongst Highveld areas that experience frost in the winter. Grasslands also occur on high mountains and in patches along the coast from Eastern Cape to KwaZulu Natal. Grasslands burn regularly, often every year but the plants are adapted to survive fires. The grassland biome has nearly 3800 plant species recorded. Because fires are frequent there are less trees and more plants like grasses, geophytes and other small flowering plants. Grasslands support livestock farming such as cattle and sheep. Most highveld areas in Gauteng and the Mpumalanga are found in the Grassland Biome. Much of this region has been developed for mining, industry and urban development.
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Nama Karoo Biome
The Nama Karoo Biome is the third largest in South Africa, covering about 20.5% of the country of more than 260 000 km. it is found stretched across the vast central plateau of the western half of the country. Nama Karoo Biome is a semi-desert that receives a little amount of rain in the summer. The rainfall varies from about 200 mm per year in the west to 400 mm per year in the north-east. Summer gets very hot and in winter it is very cold with frequent frost. Most of the plants are low shrubs and grasses, and many plants are deciduous (lose their leaves in dry season).Common animals include the Bat-Eared Fox, Ostrich, Spring Hare, Tortoises, Brown Locust and the Riverine Rabbit that is a threatened species found in the Nama Karoo. The Nama Karoo Biome is famous for sheep and goat farming. In the main river valleys people also farm olives, citrus and deciduous fruit.
The Nama Karoo Biome is the third largest in South Africa, covering about 20.5% of the country of more than 260 000 km. it is found stretched across the vast central plateau of the western half of the country. Nama Karoo Biome is a semi-desert that receives a little amount of rain in the summer. The rainfall varies from about 200 mm per year in the west to 400 mm per year in the north-east. Summer gets very hot and in winter it is very cold with frequent frost. Most of the plants are low shrubs and grasses, and many plants are deciduous (lose their leaves in dry season).Common animals include the Bat-Eared Fox, Ostrich, Spring Hare, Tortoises, Brown Locust and the Riverine Rabbit that is a threatened species found in the Nama Karoo. The Nama Karoo Biome is famous for sheep and goat farming. In the main river valleys people also farm olives, citrus and deciduous fruit.
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Succulent Karoo Biome
The Succulent Karoo Biome, including desert covers about 7.5% of the country, approximately 83 000 km. This Biome covers the dry western parts of South Africa
including Namaqualand and the Richtersveld. The region is enormously dry in summer and the temperature often rises above 40˚C. Rain comes in winter and varies between 20-290 mm per year. The Succulent Karoo has the largest amount of succulent plants (fresh plants that can store water), in the world for a region of its size. Plants that are in Succulent Karoo are adapted to survive extremely dry summers. Most animals found are small wild animals such as the Bat-Eared Fox, Suricate (Meerkat), Barking Gecko, birds and invertebrates. Many of them are nocturnal (active at night) and hide in burrows in the ground during the day to prevent them from the hot, dry conditions.
The Succulent Karoo Biome, including desert covers about 7.5% of the country, approximately 83 000 km. This Biome covers the dry western parts of South Africa
including Namaqualand and the Richtersveld. The region is enormously dry in summer and the temperature often rises above 40˚C. Rain comes in winter and varies between 20-290 mm per year. The Succulent Karoo has the largest amount of succulent plants (fresh plants that can store water), in the world for a region of its size. Plants that are in Succulent Karoo are adapted to survive extremely dry summers. Most animals found are small wild animals such as the Bat-Eared Fox, Suricate (Meerkat), Barking Gecko, birds and invertebrates. Many of them are nocturnal (active at night) and hide in burrows in the ground during the day to prevent them from the hot, dry conditions.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/8/5/24858309/5029795.jpg?227)
Albany Thicket
Biome
Thicket Biome is found from the west coast to KwaZulu Natal, with most of the Biome being found in the Eastern Cape, making up 2.5% of the area of the country South Africa (nearly 31 500 km). The vegetation in these areas ranges from shrub-land to low forests, many evergreen and succulent trees and shrubs are found. The thicket Biome holds wild animals that include the African Elephant, Kudu, Vervet Monkey and Bushbuck.
Biome
Thicket Biome is found from the west coast to KwaZulu Natal, with most of the Biome being found in the Eastern Cape, making up 2.5% of the area of the country South Africa (nearly 31 500 km). The vegetation in these areas ranges from shrub-land to low forests, many evergreen and succulent trees and shrubs are found. The thicket Biome holds wild animals that include the African Elephant, Kudu, Vervet Monkey and Bushbuck.
Summer
Over summer in South Africa (mid-October to mid-February) it is hot with sunny weather, then often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear away quickly leaving a warm, earthly, unique African smell in the air.
Autumn
Autumn in South Africa (mid-February to April) offers the best weather sometimes. Very little rain falls over the entire country and it gets warm but not to hot and getting cooler as the season progresses.
Winter
Winter in South Africa (May to July) is characterized in the higher-lying areas as having dry, sunny, crisp days and cold nights with heavy frost. The coast of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the lower-lying areas including Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, offer fantasticwinter weather with sunny, humid and warmish days with virtually no rain. The Western Cape gets most of its rain in the winter that includes quite a few cloudy days and rainy weather. The high mountains of the Cape and Drakensburg in KwaZula-Natal usually get snow in the winter time.
Spring
There is nowhere in South Africa in spring (August to mid-october) that is more spectacular than in the Cape provinces. In spring the grey winter is forgotten as thousands of small plants covers the plains with a carpet of remarkable flowers.
The highlands
Two-thirds of South Africa is made up of an area of high land that is called the ‘highveld. A river called ‘The Orange River’ runs through the highlands beginning from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean and then forms the border with the country of Namibia on the very last part of its journey, after a journey of 2160 Kilometres.
Over summer in South Africa (mid-October to mid-February) it is hot with sunny weather, then often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear away quickly leaving a warm, earthly, unique African smell in the air.
Autumn
Autumn in South Africa (mid-February to April) offers the best weather sometimes. Very little rain falls over the entire country and it gets warm but not to hot and getting cooler as the season progresses.
Winter
Winter in South Africa (May to July) is characterized in the higher-lying areas as having dry, sunny, crisp days and cold nights with heavy frost. The coast of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the lower-lying areas including Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, offer fantasticwinter weather with sunny, humid and warmish days with virtually no rain. The Western Cape gets most of its rain in the winter that includes quite a few cloudy days and rainy weather. The high mountains of the Cape and Drakensburg in KwaZula-Natal usually get snow in the winter time.
Spring
There is nowhere in South Africa in spring (August to mid-october) that is more spectacular than in the Cape provinces. In spring the grey winter is forgotten as thousands of small plants covers the plains with a carpet of remarkable flowers.
The highlands
Two-thirds of South Africa is made up of an area of high land that is called the ‘highveld. A river called ‘The Orange River’ runs through the highlands beginning from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean and then forms the border with the country of Namibia on the very last part of its journey, after a journey of 2160 Kilometres.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/8/5/24858309/5295514.jpg?242)
Water supplies
South Africa’s water supply is in a crisis as ageing infrastructure and rising demand dispute potentially deadly bacteria into its water systems. When apartheid crumbled in 1994 an estimated 14 million South Africans lacked access to water supplies, and about half of the country, 21 million people, had no formal sanitation. Since then access to water supply has improved dramatically, in 2008, about 5 million people were still in need of adequate supplies, and about 16 million people lacked basic sanitation. South Africa’s high source of water is in the Drakensburg mountains, the Vaal River stretches more than 1,000km to become the main tributary to South Africa’s longest waterway, the Orange River. South Africa’s freshwater supply is almost stretched out to its limits. Having less than 10% of all South Africa’s rainfall being available as surface water. The shortages in freshwater is tied to growing demands but also to other issues including loss of natural habitat and climate change. In South Africa now, over 94% of the population have access to safe water.
South Africa’s water supply is in a crisis as ageing infrastructure and rising demand dispute potentially deadly bacteria into its water systems. When apartheid crumbled in 1994 an estimated 14 million South Africans lacked access to water supplies, and about half of the country, 21 million people, had no formal sanitation. Since then access to water supply has improved dramatically, in 2008, about 5 million people were still in need of adequate supplies, and about 16 million people lacked basic sanitation. South Africa’s high source of water is in the Drakensburg mountains, the Vaal River stretches more than 1,000km to become the main tributary to South Africa’s longest waterway, the Orange River. South Africa’s freshwater supply is almost stretched out to its limits. Having less than 10% of all South Africa’s rainfall being available as surface water. The shortages in freshwater is tied to growing demands but also to other issues including loss of natural habitat and climate change. In South Africa now, over 94% of the population have access to safe water.