Biomes of South Africa

Exploring the diverse ecological regions that make up South Africa's rich biodiversity

CAPS Grade 10 Life Sciences

South Africa has several major biomes, and each one has its own climate, vegetation, and animal life. Learners should be able to identify where these biomes are found and describe their main features.

Biomes of South Africa

Terrestrial Biomes Distribution:

■ Savanna - Northern and eastern parts (Limpopo, Mpumalanga)
■ Grassland - Highveld central plateau
■ Fynbos - Western Cape
■ Succulent Karoo - West coast
■ Nama-Karoo - Central interior
■ Forest - Knysna, KwaZulu-Natal patches
■ Thicket - Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
■ Desert - Extreme northwest (Northern Cape)

Figure 1: Distribution of major biomes across South Africa

Terrestrial Biomes

South Africa's terrestrial biomes are primarily influenced by factors such as rainfall, temperature, and soil type. The following are the seven key terrestrial biomes:

1. Savanna

Location: Northern and eastern parts of South Africa, including Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Climate: Characterized by summer rainfall, hot summers.

Flora/Fauna: Dominated by grasses and scattered trees, particularly Acacia species. It supports a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and various antelope species.

2. Grassland

Location: High-lying central plateau, known as the Highveld.

Climate: High summer rainfall with cold winters that can bring frost.

Flora/Fauna: Vegetation is primarily grasses with few trees. Common fauna includes species such as the springbok and various bird species.

3. Fynbos

Location: Predominantly found in the Western Cape.

Climate: Mediterranean climate with cold, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Flora/Fauna: Known for its high biodiversity, including endemic species like Proteas and Ericas. It is home to various insects and birds, including the Cape Sugarbird.

4. Succulent Karoo

Location: West coast of the Northern and Western Cape.

Climate: Arid region with winter rainfall.

Flora/Fauna: Renowned for the world's highest diversity of succulent plants. Fauna includes species such as the gemsbok and various reptiles.

5. Nama-Karoo

Location: Central interior of South Africa.

Climate: Semi-desert with low summer rainfall and significant temperature fluctuations between summer and winter.

Flora/Fauna: Vegetation consists of shrubs and grasses. Wildlife includes small mammals and various bird species adapted to arid conditions.

6. Forest

Location: Small, high-rainfall patches such as Knysna and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Climate: High rainfall, creating a humid environment.

Flora/Fauna: Features tall trees with a continuous canopy and shade-loving plants below. It supports diverse wildlife, including monkeys and various bird species.

7. Thicket

Location: Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Climate: Generally warm with moderate rainfall.

Flora/Fauna: Composed of dense, often impenetrable shrubs and low trees. It is home to various mammals, birds, and reptiles.

8. Desert

Location: A very small area in the extreme northwest (Northern Cape).

Climate: Extremely low rainfall and sparse vegetation.

Flora/Fauna: Characterized by hardy plants adapted to arid conditions, such as certain succulents. Wildlife is limited but includes species like the meerkat and various reptiles.

Note: Some scientific sources list nine biomes, including the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt and Albany Thicket, but many Grade 10 CAPS textbooks focus on the main seven or eight listed above.

Quick Check: Identify the Biome

Question 1/4

1. Which biome is characterized by summer rainfall, hot summers, and is dominated by grasses and scattered Acacia trees?

A Grassland

B Fynbos

C Savanna

D Nama-Karoo

2. Which biome has a Mediterranean climate with cold, wet winters and hot, dry summers, and is known for Proteas?

A Succulent Karoo

B Fynbos

C Forest

D Thicket

3. Which biome is found in small, high-rainfall patches such as Knysna and features tall trees with a continuous canopy?

A Grassland

B Savanna

C Forest

D Thicket

4. Which biome is located along the west coast, has winter rainfall, and is known for its diverse succulent plants?

A Nama-Karoo

B Desert

C Succulent Karoo

D Grassland

Aquatic Biomes

In addition to terrestrial biomes, South Africa is home to two primary aquatic biomes:

Marine Biome

Description: This biome includes the oceans, coral reefs, and rocky shores surrounding the coast.

Key Flora/Fauna: Rich in biodiversity, it supports various marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals like dolphins and seals.

Freshwater Biome

Description: Comprises rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Key Flora/Fauna: Supports a variety of aquatic plants and animals, including fish species, amphibians, and birds like herons and kingfishers.

Matching Game: Biomes and Their Characteristics

Match each biome with its correct rainfall season and dominant vegetation.

Matches: 0/5

Biomes

Savanna

Grassland

Fynbos

Succulent Karoo

Nama-Karoo

Characteristics

Summer rainfall, grasses and trees (Acacia)

Summer rainfall, mainly grasses

Winter rainfall, Proteas and Ericas

Winter rainfall, succulents

Low summer rainfall, shrubs and grasses

Key Comparison for Exams

Biome	Rainfall Season	Dominant Vegetation
Savanna	Summer	Grasses and trees (Acacia)
Grassland	Summer	Mainly grasses
Fynbos	Winter	Proteas, Ericas, Restios
Succulent Karoo	Winter	Succulents (fleshy leaves)

Summer Rainfall Biomes

Savanna, Grassland

Winter Rainfall Biomes

Fynbos, Succulent Karoo

Low Rainfall Biomes

Nama-Karoo, Desert

Learners should know the main features of each South African biome, where it is found, and which plants and animals are common there. In exams, you may be asked to link rainfall, temperature and vegetation to a specific biome.

True or False Quiz

1. The Fynbos biome is found predominantly in the Western Cape and has a Mediterranean climate.

2. The Grassland biome receives winter rainfall and has cold summers.

3. The Succulent Karoo is renowned for having the world's highest diversity of succulent plants.

4. The Forest biome in South Africa is characterized by low rainfall and sparse vegetation.

Fill in the Blanks

1. The _______________ biome is located in the Northern and eastern parts of South Africa and is characterized by summer rainfall and scattered Acacia trees.

2. The _______________ biome is found in the Western Cape and is known for its Proteas and Ericas.

3. The _______________ biome is a semi-desert in the central interior with low summer rainfall and significant temperature fluctuations.

Key Terms

Savanna Grassland Fynbos Succulent Karoo Nama-Karoo Forest Thicket Desert Marine Freshwater Acacia Protea Succulent

Quick Recap

Each South African biome has its own climate, vegetation, and animal life. Learners should be able to match a biome with its rainfall pattern, location, and a local example.

South Africa has 7-8 major terrestrial biomes and 2 aquatic biomes
Biomes are classified based on climate, vegetation, and location
Savanna and Grassland receive summer rainfall
Fynbos and Succulent Karoo receive winter rainfall
Each biome supports unique flora and fauna adapted to its conditions
Aquatic biomes include Marine (oceans) and Freshwater (rivers, lakes)

Exam Tip

Do not only name the biome. Also give the climate and the kind of vegetation found there.

When studying biomes, focus on the relationship between climate (especially rainfall season) and vegetation type. This is a common theme in exam questions. Remember that Fynbos and Succulent Karoo are winter rainfall biomes, while Savanna and Grassland receive summer rainfall.