South Africa has been listed as one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
However its species and their habitats are under constant pressure as natural vegetation has been cleared for agricultural and afforestation purposes, among others.
South Africa’s diversity of climates create numerous farming regions, divided according to climate, natural vegetation, soil type and farming practices. Over 80% of the country is zoned for agriculture, making it the sector with the largest impact on natural habitat. Agricultural activities range from intensive crop production and mixed farming in winter rainfall and high summer rainfall areas, to cattle ranching in the bushveld and sheep farming in more arid regions.
Extensive areas of natural vegetation have been cleared by the agricultural sector for cultivation. Crops of cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane and rooibos tea have taken their place, including rows of vineyards have been planted for wine production.
Mining, in its search of valuable resources such as coal, has impacted significantly on the integrity of wetlands and river systems across various biomes in South Africa. The extent of these impacts are such that there is little or no chance of rehabilitation for these landscapes to go back to their original state.
Besides mining, the Grasslands region has also seen extensive areas utilised by the forestry sector for growing and processing timber. This has led to negative effects on the biodiversity and on water catchment integrity by reducing effective water delivery.
Each of these industries provides core goods and services which support our needs, such as electricity, food and timber. However, the unsustainable manner in which some of these activities are being undertaken has meant that the various ecosystems / living lands are now under ever-increasing pressure.
WWF has responded to this urgent situation by developing key projects that aim to work with these industries to ensure the sustainable use of our country’s living lands.
South Africa’s diversity of climates create numerous farming regions, divided according to climate, natural vegetation, soil type and farming practices. Over 80% of the country is zoned for agriculture, making it the sector with the largest impact on natural habitat. Agricultural activities range from intensive crop production and mixed farming in winter rainfall and high summer rainfall areas, to cattle ranching in the bushveld and sheep farming in more arid regions.
Extensive areas of natural vegetation have been cleared by the agricultural sector for cultivation. Crops of cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane and rooibos tea have taken their place, including rows of vineyards have been planted for wine production.
Mining, in its search of valuable resources such as coal, has impacted significantly on the integrity of wetlands and river systems across various biomes in South Africa. The extent of these impacts are such that there is little or no chance of rehabilitation for these landscapes to go back to their original state.
Besides mining, the Grasslands region has also seen extensive areas utilised by the forestry sector for growing and processing timber. This has led to negative effects on the biodiversity and on water catchment integrity by reducing effective water delivery.
Each of these industries provides core goods and services which support our needs, such as electricity, food and timber. However, the unsustainable manner in which some of these activities are being undertaken has meant that the various ecosystems / living lands are now under ever-increasing pressure.
WWF has responded to this urgent situation by developing key projects that aim to work with these industries to ensure the sustainable use of our country’s living lands.
