A rocky shore scene in False Bay.South Africa's Other Ecosystems (go to Biomes map)

      Marine & Coastal Ecosystems

  • South Africa’s coastline is about 3000 km long. It includes rocky and sandy shores, sand dunes, beaches, estuaries and coral reefs.

  • Two major ocean currents flow along the east and west coasts of South Africa:

    • The warm Agulhas Current flows southwards down the east coast

    • The cold Benguela Current flows northwards up the west coast

    • These two currents mix along the south and south-west coasts

  • Different sea plants and animals live in the different ocean current systems. This makes South Africa’s coastline very rich in marine life: there are about 10 000 marine species along South Africa’s coast; this is 15% of all coastal marine species in the world. Animals include many different fish, dolphins, whales, seals and sea birds including the African Penguin and Cape Gannet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Along the west coast, large brown seaweeds called kelp or sea bamboo grow close to the shore. Crayfish, Perlemoen and many line fish live amongst the kelp.

  • In tropical waters along the north-east coast, coral reefs with their multi-coloured fish attract many divers.

  • Rocky shores are rich in shellfish like mussels and oysters. Fascinating fish and invertebrates live in the rock pools.

  • Sandy beaches are the most popular bathing beaches. They are home to Ghost Crabs, White Mussels and Plough Snails. In the north of KwaZulu Natal, turtles nest on these beaches.
Large brown seaweeds such as kelp are abundant along the cold west and southern coasts. A male fiddler crab with its single large waving claw. Coral reefs are found along the eastern shores of South Africa where the water is much warmer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wetland scene with many emergent reeds.      River & Wetland Ecosystems

  • Rivers and wetlands occur in all the Biomes of South Africa.

  • In the west, many rivers and wetlands are dry during summer and only flow or contain water after rain. The eastern part of the country is wetter and there are more permanent rivers and wetlands.

  • There are many types of wetlands, from sponges in the mountains, to temporary and permanent vleis, salt marshes and estuaries.

  • Water-loving plants include reeds, rushes, sedges, water lilies and Arum Lilies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Rivers and wetlands are home to numerous fish, frogs, invertebrates, reptiles like the Nile Crocodile and Marsh Terrapin, birds like ducks, pelicans, herons and weavers, and mammals like the Cape Clawless Otter and Hippopotamus.

  • Every year, tens of thousands of birds migrate from the Northern Hemisphere to spend the summer feeding in South Africa’s wetlands. This is one of the many reasons why we must conserve wetlands.

  • South Africa is a semi-arid country. Freshwater ecosystems are under pressure because of the growing population, the demands of industry and agriculture, and the threat of climate change.
The microfrog, Microbatrachella capensis, is a threatened species of frog dependent on a healthy wetland ecosystem. Many species of water birds also require a healthy riverine ecosystem in order to survive. In the past, hippos lived in many of the Western Cape's wetlands and rivers.