Module 2: Four Unique Ecosystems

In Ecology, we learn that an ecosystem is an area with particular physical conditions in which a special community of plants and animals lives.

In this section we will find out about four lowland ecosystems in the City of Cape Town, namely Renosterveld, Sand Fynbos, Strandveld and Wetlands. These ecosystems all fall within the Fynbos Biome.

The most important abiotic factors that influence where these four ecosystems occur are:

• the type of soil
• the availability of water.

Click on the map icons to compare soil types and water bodies in the City of Cape Town with the original lowland ecosystems that existed here before European settlers arrived.

Use the maps

• On the maps you will notice two types of fynbos which grows on the mountains in Cape Town.
   
  • The fynbos which grows on  the shallow rocky soils formed from standstone is know as Sandstone Fynbos.
  • In some areas like Constantia, granite weathers to form a coarse, loamy soil rather than fine clay. A special type of fynbos called Granite Fynbos grows in these areas and Cape Town's famous Silver Trees are found there.