Fynbos
The Fynbos biome form part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom (CFK), which is the smallest of all the Floral Kingdoms and is the only one that is contained in a single country. It has high species richness (about 9000 species) and has high endemicity (about 68% of the species is confined to the area), therefore considered a biodiversity hotspot. Vegetation in this biome includes Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation types, and consist predominately of Erricoids, restiods and proteoids components. Because of the lack nutrients available in the soil, climate and rainfall patterns, this biome cannot support large vegetation and consequently cannot host large mammals. Because of the high diversity of this region, invertebrate’s speciation is high and consequently have a high species diversity.
Linkage:
All the species described is endemic to the region. The species described is collectively under threat due to agriculture, urbanization and habitat fragmentation. Although the region is the conserved of all the biomes, three-quarters of all plants in the South African Red Data Book is species (1700 species) from this region and is threatened with extinction. Vegetation in this region is crucial as many species (Birds and invertebrates) is adapted to living off a single plant species. Thus the risk for co-extinction is high. The will greatly affect the food webs since the food source of mammals and reptile will no longer exist. Therefore conservation planning should keep in mind that all the species in this biome live in close linkage with each other.
Linkage:
All the species described is endemic to the region. The species described is collectively under threat due to agriculture, urbanization and habitat fragmentation. Although the region is the conserved of all the biomes, three-quarters of all plants in the South African Red Data Book is species (1700 species) from this region and is threatened with extinction. Vegetation in this region is crucial as many species (Birds and invertebrates) is adapted to living off a single plant species. Thus the risk for co-extinction is high. The will greatly affect the food webs since the food source of mammals and reptile will no longer exist. Therefore conservation planning should keep in mind that all the species in this biome live in close linkage with each other.