Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

HABIT A T S A T A GLANCE  73

Highveld Grassland
The largely high-lying
central region of South
Africa, rising to 3,480 m
(11,420 ft) in the Drakens-
berg range, is dominated
by open grassland. In the
past century much of it Termite hills provide an essential
has been lost to agriculture
or urban development. source of food for aardvarks
Niche Habitats
Within larger ecosystems
exist many smaller micro-
habitats. For example, a
Key
Musina termite hill not only supports
Semiarid its insect creators, but
Limpopo Louis Trichardt Savannah woodland provides living space for
small reptiles, food for
Forest
Wetland aardvarks, and a vantage
Mokopane point for prowling cheetahs.
Baphalaborwa
Highveld grassland Isolated koppies, or cliffs,
support a unique set of
Intertidal
creatures, from klipspringers
Mbombela Fynbos
Rustenburg (Nelspruit) to agama lizards, while
PRETORIA puddles might provide a
temporary home to terrapins.
JOHANNESBURG
Klersdorp MBABANE
Vryburg Vereeniging Ermelo
Vaal Lusutfu
Newcastle Phongolo
Vryheid
Clarens
Ladysmith
Kimberley Bloemfontein Tugela
MASERU KwaDukuza
Caledon Pietermaritzburg
DURBAN
Orange Kokstad Savannah Woodland
Port Edward Much of the north and east is covered in savannah
Middelburg wood land, mostly dominated by thorny acacia
Lusikisiki trees. In terms of viewing game, this is the most
Cradock important habitat in South Africa.
Graaff-Reinet
Wetland
East london
There are several natural lakes in the
Port Grahamstown iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but South
Knysna Elizabeth Africa is generally a dry country,
and most other fresh water bodies
are artificially dammed.

Intertidal
The intertidal zone is the stretch of coast
dividing the permanent tree line from the
open sea. The northeast coastal belt features
lush mangrove swamps and offshore coral
reefs teeming with fish.

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