"Land cover" can be defined as the state of the land, whether natural, such as indigenous vegetation, water systems or bare rock or changed by human hand, for example: by mining, housing, residential areas, cultivation or forestry.

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Lowland Fynbos a Threatened Ecosystem!

What is fynbos?

Fynbos is the common name for the fine-leafed, thick, shrub-like vegetation which occurs in the winter rainfall area of the southern and south-western parts of the Western Cape. Fynbos consists of three main plant types – ericas with fine leaves and bell-shaped flowers, leafless reed-like restios, and colourful proteas. A variety of bulbous and tuberous plants, legumes and buchus as well as renosterbos, slangbos and everlastings are also classified as fynbos.

Fynbos, or the Cape Floral Kingdom, is the smallest of the world’s 6 plant kingdoms, covering only 0,4 % of the earth’s surface. According to its size it is the most species-rich plant kingdom, boasting 8 600 species, of which 68 % occur nowhere else in the world!

A threatened plant kingdom

Our unique fynbos is severely threatened, mainly by agriculture, urban and coastal developments, encroachment by alien plants, and untimely veld fires. More than half of the Cape Floral Kingdom has been irrevocably altered, and the remainder is under serious threat. Already 41 lowland fynbos species have become extinct, and another 173 species are threatened with extinction. Countless animals species will disappear along with the fynbos and the habitat that it provides. The precarious conservation status of the endangered geometric tortoise, which occurs only in this vegetation type, is a good example of the close relationship between animals and their habitat.

Conservation

Less than 2% of the original lowland fynbos is conserved in provincial nature reserves and national parks. The rest grows on private land. The existence of lowland fynbos is therefore largely dependant on landowners.

 

Landowners can help! Identify sensitive areas on your property which ought to be conserved. Have these areas declared as private nature reserves, natural heritage sites or sites of conservation significance. This will increase the conservation status of your land. Establish a conservancy with your neighbours. This shows that you care without legally binding you. Identify the threats to the area and implement the necessary steps to ensure its prolonged existence. Contact your nearest nature conservation officer for advice and help.