Deserts and xeric shrublands are a biome defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature.[1] Deserts and xeric (Ancient Greek ξηρός xērós 'dry') shrublands form the largest terrestrial biome, covering 19% of Earth's land surface area.[2] Ecoregions in this habitat type vary greatly in the amount of annual rainfall they receive, usually less than 250 millimetres (10 in) annually except in the margins. Generally evaporation exceeds rainfall in these ecoregions. Temperature variability is also diverse in these lands. Many deserts, such as the Sahara, are hot year-round, but others, such as East Asia's Gobi Desert, become quite cold during the winter.[1]
Temperature extremes are a characteristic of most deserts. High daytime temperatures give way to cold nights because there is no insulation provided by humidity and cloud cover. The diversity of climatic conditions, though quite harsh, supports a rich array of habitats. Many of these habitats are ephemeral in nature, reflecting the paucity and seasonality of ailable water.[1] Woody-stemmed shrubs and plants characterize vegetation in these regions. Above all, these plants he evolved to minimize water loss. Animal biodiversity is equally well adapted and quite diverse.[1]
History[edit]Over millions of years, shifts in Earth's climate, including glacial and interglacial cycles, he caused deserts to expand and contract. Animal and plant life in these regions has evolved unique adaptations to survive in the harsh conditions. These adaptations include drought tolerance, specialized root systems and behiors that minimize water loss.[citation needed]
Historically, humans he utilized deserts and xeric shrublands for resources like minerals, salt and guano. Its exploitation has sometimes led to conflicts and changes in the landscape. Human settlements in desert regions he often focused on oases or areas with access to water sources. The development of irrigation systems and other infrastructure has impacted the natural environment in these areas.[citation needed]
Degradation[edit] Desertification[edit] Main article: Desertification The Nama Karoo in South Africa is a xeric shrubland that receives between 100 and 500 millimetres (4 and 20 in) of rain a year.[3]The conversion of productive drylands to desert conditions, known as desertification, can occur from a variety of causes. One is human intervention, including intensive agricultural tillage or overgrazing[4] in areas that cannot support such exploitation. Climatic shifts such as global warming or the Milankovitch cycle (which drives glacials and interglacials) also affect the pattern of deserts on Earth.
Woody plant encroachment[edit] Main article: Woody plant encroachmentXeric shrublands can experience woody plant encroachment, which is the thickening of bushes and shrubs at the expense of grasses.[5] This process is often caused by unsustainable land management practices, such as overgrazing and fire suppression, but can also be a consequence of climate change. As a result, the shrublands' core ecosystem services are affected, including its biodiversity, productivity, and groundwater recharge.[6] Woody plant encroachment can be an expression of land degradation.[7]
Ecoregions[edit] See also: List of desert and xeric shrubland ecoregionsThe World Wide Fund for Nature highlights a number of desert ecoregions that he a high degree of biodiversity and endemism:[1]
The Nama Karoo of Namibia has the world's richest desert fauna.[8] The Carnarvon xeric shrublands of Australia are a regional center for endemism.[1] The Chihuahuan desert may be the most biodiverse desert ecoregion in the world.[9] The Sonoran and Baja deserts of Mexico are unusual desert communities dominated by giant columnar cacti.[1] Madagascar spiny forests Atacama Desert See also[edit] Hydric soil Mesic – Habitat with moderate moisture Rain shadow – Leeward side of a mountain range Sagebrush steppe – Grassland ecosystem Shrub-steppe – Arid grasslandPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Temperate grasslands, sannas, and shrublands – Terrestrial biome Xeriscaping — gardening or landscaping in xeric environments Xerocoles — animals adapted to xeric environments Xerophytes — plants adapted to xeric environments References[edit] ^ a b c d e f g This article incorporates text ailable under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license. World Wide Fund for Nature. "Deserts and Xeric Shrubland Ecoregions". Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2019-05-29. ^ Lockwood, M. Managing Protected Areas: A Global Guide. p. 199. ^ "Nama Karoo". WWF. Retrieved 2018-12-19. ^ Hogan, C. Michael (2009). "Overgrazing". In Draggan, Sidney; Cleveland, Cutler J. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Earth. Washington, D.C.: National Council for Science and the Environment. ^ Eldridge, Did J.; Bowker, Matthew A.; Maestre, Fernando T.; Roger, Erin; Reynolds, James F.; Whitford, Walter G. (July 2011). "Impacts of shrub encroachment on ecosystem structure and functioning: towards a global synthesis: Synthesizing shrub encroachment effects". Ecology Letters. 14 (7): 709–722. doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01630.x. PMC 3563963. PMID 21592276. ^ Archer, Steven R.; Andersen, Erik M.; Predick, Katharine I.; Schwinning, Susanne; Steidl, Robert J.; Woods, Steven R. (2017), Briske, Did D. (ed.), "Woody Plant Encroachment: Causes and Consequences", Rangeland Systems, Springer Series on Environmental Management, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 25–84, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2_2, ISBN 978-3-319-46707-8, S2CID 133015720 ^ Schlesinger, William H.; Reynolds, James F.; Cunningham, Gary L.; Huenneke, Laura F.; Jarrell, Wesley M.; Virginia, Ross A.; Whitford, Walter G. (1990-03-02). "Biological Feedbacks in Global Desertification". Science. 247 (4946): 1043–1048. Bibcode:1990Sci...247.1043S. doi:10.1126/science.247.4946.1043. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 17800060. S2CID 33033125. ^ Cowling, RM; Hilton-Taylor, C (1994). "Patterns of plant diversity and endemism in southern Africa: An overview". In Huntley, BJ (ed.). Botanical diversity in southern Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: National Botanical Institute. pp. 31–52. ^ Ricketts, TH; Dinerstein, E; Olson, DM; et al. (1999). Terrestrial ecoregions of North America : a conservation assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press. p. 44. ISBN 1-55963-722-6. External links[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Deserts and xeric shrublands. Index to Deserts & Xeric Shrublands at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu Xeric World Online community focused on the study of xeric plant species Desert Plants: List, Names and Adaptations vtePalearctic deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregionsAfrica Atlantic coastal desert North Saharan steppe and woodlands Red Sea coastal desert Sahara desert South Saharan steppe and woodlands Tibesti–Jebel Uweinat montane xeric woodlands West Saharan montane xeric woodlands Western Asia Arabian Desert Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe Central Persian desert basins East Arabian fog shrublands and sand desert Mesopotamian shrub desert Persian Gulf desert and semi-desert Red Sea Nubo–Sindian tropical desert and semi-desert South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert Central Asia Afghan Mountains semi-desert Badghyz and Karabil semi-desert Baluchistan xeric woodlands Caspian lowland desert Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands Central Asian northern desert Central Asian riparian woodlands Central Asian southern desert Kazakh semi-desert Kopet Dag semi-desert Paropamisus xeric woodlands Registan–North Pakistan sandy desert Eastern Asia Alashan Plateau semi-desert Dzungaria Eastern Gobi desert steppe Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe Great Lakes Basin desert steppe Qaidam Basin Taklamakan Desert vteBiogeographic regionsBiomesTerrestrialbiomesPolar/montane Tundra Taiga Montane grasslands and shrublands Temperate Coniferous forests Broadleaf and mixed forests Deciduous forests Grasslands, sannas, and shrublands Tropical andsubtropical Coniferous forests Moist broadleaf forests Dry broadleaf forests Grasslands, sannas, and shrublands Dry Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub Deserts and xeric shrublands Steppe Wet Flooded grasslands and sannas Riparian Wetland Mangroves Aquaticbiomes Pond Littoral Intertidal Kelp forests Coral reefs Neritic zone Pelagic zone Benthic zone Hydrothermal vents Cold seeps Demersal zone Other biomes Endolithic zone Biogeographic realmsTerrestrial 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subtropical grasslands,sannas, and shrublands Kalahari Acacia-Baikiaea woodlands Southern Africa bushveld Zambezian and mopane woodlands Montane grasslandsand shrublands Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands and woodlands Drakensberg montane grasslands, woodlands and forests Highveld grasslands Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets Mediterranean forests,woodlands, and scrub Albany thickets Lowland fynbos and renosterveld Montane fynbos and renosterveld Deserts and xeric shrublands Kalahari xeric sanna Nama Karoo Succulent Karoo Tundra Southern Indian Ocean Islands tundra Mangroves Southern Africa mangroves Marine ecoregions Agulhas ecoregion Benguela ecoregion Delagoa ecoregion Natal ecoregion Southeast Atlantic ecoregion Southwest Indian ecoregion Biomes and Vegetation classification List of vegetation types of South Africa Sanna Andesite Mountain Bushveld Aoub Duneveld Barberton Serpentine Sourveld Bhisho Thornveld Cathedral Mopane Bushveld Central Sandy Bushveld Delagoa Lowveld Dwaalboom Thornveld Dwarsberg-Swartruggens Mountain Bushveld Eastern Valley Bushveld Gabbro Grassy Bushveld Gauteng Shale Mountain Bushveld Ghaap Plateau Vaalbosveld Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld Gordonia Duneveld Gordonia Kameeldoring Bushveld Gordonia Plains Shrubland Granite Lowveld Grelotte Rocky Bushveld Kaalrug Mountain Bushveld Kathu Bushveld Kimberley Thornveld Koranna-Langeberg Mountain Bushveld Kuruman Mountain Bushveld Kuruman Thornveld Kuruman Vaalbosveld KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld Lebombo Summit Sourveld Legogote Sour Bushveld Limpopo Ridge Bushveld Limpopo Sweet Bushveld Loskop Mountain Bushveld Loskop Thornveld Lowveld Rugged Mopaneveld Madikwe Dolomite Bushveld Mafikeng Bushveld Makatini Clay Thicket Makhado Sweet Bushveld Makuleke Sandy Bushveld Malelane Mountain Bushveld Mamabolo Mountain Bushveld Marikana Thornveld Molopo Bushveld Moot Plains Bushveld Mopane Basalt Shrubland Mopane Gabbro Shrubland Musina Mopane Bushveld Ngongoni Veld Norite Koppies Bushveld Northern Lebombo Bushveld Northern Zululand Sourveld Nossob Bushveld Nwambyia-Pumbe Sandy Bushveld Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld Olifantshoek Plains Thornveld Phalaborwa-Timbati Mopaneveld Pilanesberg Mountain Bushveld Polokwane Plateau Bushveld Postmasburg Thornveld Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld Roodeberg Bushveld Schmidtsdrif Thornveld Schweizer-Reneke Bushveld Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld Sekhukhune Plains Bushveld South Eastern Coastal Thornveld Southern Lebombo Bushveld Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld 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 Biaanskloof 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 SucculentKaroo Aggeneys Grel 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 AlbanyThicketandStrandveld Albany Arid Thicket Albany Bontveld Albany Mesic Thicket Albany Valley Thicket Biaans 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 Sanna 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 NamaKarooanddesert 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 ForestandCoastalbelt 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 Subantarcticbiome 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 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Marine Protected Area Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary Offshore Agulhas Bank Complex Marine Protected Area Agulhas Front Marine Protected Area Agulhas Muds Marine Protected Area Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area Amathole Offshore Marine Protected Area Benguela Bank Marine Protected Area Benguela Muds Marine Protected Area Browns Bank Complex Marine Protected Area Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area Cape Canyon Marine Protected Area Childs Bank Marine Protected Area iSimangaliso Offshore Marine Protected Area Namaqua Fossil Forest Marine Protected Area Orange Shelf Edge Marine Protected Area Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area Protea Banks Marine Protected Area Southeast Atlantic Seamounts Marine Protected Area Southwest Indian Seamount Marine Protected Area Port Elizabeth Corals Marine Protected Area uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area Managementorganisations CapeNature City of Cape Town Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Department of Science and Innovation Eastern Cape Parks Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality South African National Parks Biodiversity research in SA Bolus Herbarium Iziko South African Museum National Research Foundation South African National Collection of Fungi Researchorganisations Animal Demography Unit BirdLife South Africa South African Association for Marine Biological Research South African Environmental Observation Network South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity South African National Biodiversity Institute Researchprojects African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme National Biodiversity Assessment National Vegetation Map Project Reef Atlas Project SeaKeys Citizen sciencedatabases iNaturalist iSpot Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology Virtual Museum Botanicalgardens Durban Botanic Gardens Free State National Botanical Garden Garden Route Botanical Garden Hantam National Botanical Garden Harold Porter National Botanical Garden Johannesburg Botanical Garden Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden Kwelera National Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden Lowveld National Botanical Garden Makana Botanical Gardens Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden North-West University Botanical Garden Pretoria National Botanical Garden Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden University of KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden Taxonomists List of authors of South African botanical taxa List of authors of South African animal taxa Related Biodiversity Biosphere Ecotourism Encyclopedia of Life Environmental impact of recreational diving Low impact diving International Union for Conservation of Nature Marine protected area National park Nature conservation Nature reserve Scuba diving tourism South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative World Register of Marine Species World Wide Fund for Nature Regional biodiversity Biodiversity of Cape Town List of nature reserves in Cape Town Legislation Marine Living Resources Act, 18 of 1998 National Environmental Management Act, 1998 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 10 of 2004 National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 24 of 2008 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003 Publications List of field guides to South African biota Categories: Biodiversity of South Africa Index