SA's first freshwater priority areas atlas launched

Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems Despite its reputation as a water scarce country, the South African landscape comprises a diverse range of freshwater ecosystems: from sub-tropical in the north-eastern part of the country, to semi-arid and arid in the interior, to the cool and temperate rivers of the fynbos. Apart from inspiring our communities with their beauty, these rivers, wetlands, lakes and estuaries have also long provided for many of our fundamental needs. It is no secret that South Africa’s freshwater ecosystems are under increasing pressure from socioeconomic development. Urbanisation, population growth, pollution, and a naturally variable climate with a low average annual rainfall are but some of the threats to the health of our water systems. These do not only influence the quality and quantity of water, but also impact on our freshwater fauna – at least one third of freshwater fish indigenous to South Africa is reported as threatened.

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