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THE DIVERSITY OF
OUR LIVING WATERS
South Africa is one of the most
biodiverse countries in the world
and this diversity extends to our
freshwater ecosystems, with around
1,000 different types of river and
wetland ecosystems.
This diversity is a result of our geologically and climatically complex landscapes,
ranging from sub-tropical in the north-eastern part of the country, to semi-arid and
arid in the interior, to the cool, temperate fynbos biome in the south-west.
Worldwide, freshwater ecosystems have suffered the highest level of loss in recent
decades. WWF reported in its 2014 Living Planet Report that the loss of wildlife
populations in freshwater ecosystems was 76% between 1970 and 2012. Our water
resources are clearly not doing well. Healthy catchments need living healthy
ecosystems to keep cleaning and yielding water.
Biodiversity: Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the
millions of different biological species of plants, animals and micro-organisms on
Earth, and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.
FIGURE 2.1: THE FRESHWATER LPI SHOWS A DECLINE OF 76% BETWEEN 1970 AND 2010
Source: WWF, 2014. Living Planet Report
...rivers inside
protected areas
are in a better
condition compared
to those outside
FACTS
Highly threatened and poorly protected
The majority of South Africa’s wetland and river ecosystem types are
threatened. This is of enormous concern given that wetlands make up
only 2.4% of the country’s surface area, yet they play a crucial role in delivering
ecosystem services, such as water purification, flood regulation and drought
mitigation.
Less than a third of the country’s river, wetland and estuary ecosystem types can be
considered moderately to well-protected. Although inclusion in a protected area does
not guarantee conservation, rivers inside protected areas are in a better condition
compared to those outside, despite some being degraded by upstream human activity
before entering the protected area.
Water Facts & Futures: Rethinking South Africa’s Water Future | Page
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