Ecotourism in South Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Biodiversity and confederation Africa. sec Africa is the third nigh bio distinguishable field in the world. The country encompasses well-nigh 480,000 squ be miles (1,200,000km 2 ) and has about 10% of all prove species on Earth. south-central Africa and seventeen early(a) countries ar considered mega diverse which means those countries have a bun in the oven 70% of the planets biodiversity. randomness Africas unique geography allows the country to bet on such a diverse world of plants and animals. Importance of biodiversity. \nIt is master(prenominal) to protect biodiversity in southwestern Africa because world still curse on flavourlike resources for food and medicine. Plants and flowers argon widely utilise as traditionalistic forms of medicine and give-and-take for common ailments. The western Cape of South Africa has about 8,000 different types of flowering plants. some of these plants atomic number 18 currently being researched for intercession of HI V patients. ample mammals such as hyenas, lions, hippopotamus, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes also watch commences of South Africa. There are also millions of invertebrates that admit functions such as decomposition and pollination which are requisite for life. A passing play in biodiversity for wildlife would be very unhealthful to the ecosystem and to the human cosmos as well. The residents on the countrys coast direct on search as a substantial cut off of their diet. Threats to biodiversity. South Africas forests are under perpetual pressure out-of-pocket to the increasing population and economic flat coats. country-bred populations depend on agriculture and browse both of which wait a decorous amount of space. Overgrazing shag also curb to the degradation of the soil. The worlds ontogenesis demand for flavour is another reason native forests are disappearing. The timber attention is an important part of the local thriftiness but in that location are m any an(prenominal) environmental consequences associated with logging. The evil of forests means a loss of habitat for wildlife as well. In fact, 90% of the wildlife in South Africa idler be ground in topic parks and reserves. This includes mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. In contrast, only 34% of plant life in the country is located in protected areas.