The North West Birding Route habitats
North West hosts two of the countries seven biomes, the majority of which (71%) falls within the Savannah Biome with its' associated Bushveld vegetation and some flagship species such as the Cape Vulture, White Rhino and Wild Dog. The remainder falls within the highly threatened Grassland Biome, which contains a wide variety of grasses typical of arid areas. Only 2 % of this biome is protected country wide. Its flagship species include the Giant Bullfrog, Blue Crane and Black Wildebeest. Grasslands also host the endangered Grass Owl whose survival is directly linked to the protection of its specific habitat.
Over 29 different thornveld, bushveld or woodland vegetation types are recognised within the savannah biome with 4 grassland categories, the largest area of which is covered by the Western Highveld Sandy Grassland. The east-west variation in climate and rainfall, results in a marked corresponding gradation in the vegetation types from Dry Kalahari in the West to moist bushveld in the East.
North West can be divided into three distinct regions each with its unique biodiversity namely:
The western arid and semi-arid region recognised as Eastern Kalahari Bushveld largely comprises of Molopo Bushveld which is open woodland to closed shrubland with well developed grass layers in parts, Mafikeng Bushveld characterised by areas of well developed tree and shrub layers including dense stands of the Silver cluster leaf and Kuruman Thornveld with the Camel thorn tree (Acacia erioloba ) as the taller most striking species on flat rocky plains and sloping hills. A concern in this region is the harvesting of Camel thorn for fire wood which over time will have a major impact on the species and landscape.
The central region listed as Dry Highveld Grassland is dominated by dry flat to gently undulating plains with short grasslands and clumps of bush scattered throughout the landscape. The major vegetation types found here are Western Highveld Sandy Grasslands hosting species like Red Grass (Themeda triandra) and Turpentine grass (Cymbopogon pospischilii). The Carletonville Dolomite Grasslands are characterised by slightly undulating plains dissected by prominent rocky ridges. Almost a quarter of this vegetation type has been lost mainly due to development and mining activities. The Klerksdorp Thornveld where trees like Sweet Thorn form dense to open woodlands in the dry grasslands including White Stinkwood, Buffalo Thorn and Karee being obvious in the landscape with much the same grassland mix as the above region.
The eastern region falls into the Central Bushveld listing and is characterised by at least eleven bushveld types including Madikwe Dolomite bushveld with gentle ridges and low hills dominated by mainly deciduous trees such as Combretum apiculatum. Dwaalboom thornveld hosts species such as Acacia tortilis and Acacia nilotica. The Moot plains Bushveld forming the southern plains of the Magaliesberg consists of open to closed woodlands dominated Acacia caffra and Acacia karoo. The Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld, the main vegetation type of the rocky ridges and hills of the Magaliesberg includes species like Protea caffra and the rare Aloe peglerae. The Central Sandy Bushveld is characterised by magnificent stands of trees such as wild syringa and silver cluster leaf. In the ancient volcanic crater of Pilanesberg, Pilanesberg Mountain bushveld is characterised by broad leafed deciduous woodlands and grassy plains.
A unique vegetation type for the region namely Northern Afro temperate forests exists in small patches in kloofs and gullies along the Magaliesberg Mountains and Pilanesberg area.
Largely due to the above diverse nature of landscapes and variation in climate the Province has a wide variety of species, ecosystem and habitats. The region hosts seven recognised Important Bird Areas including Barberspan RAMSAR wetland site. Globally threatened species are Cape Vulture, Lesser Kestrel and Blue Crane. Nationally threatened species like White backed Night Heron, White Backed Vulture, Tawny and Martial Eagle, African Finfoot and Grass Owl are well represented in the region. Nationally near threatened species like Black Stork, Secretary Bird, Peregrine and Lanner Falcon as well as Half-collared Kingfisher are often seen in the areas surrounding the Magaliesberg Mountains. 434 species of birds have been recorded from the Magaliesberg region including Yellow- throated Sandgrouse, Sociable Weaver, Short- clawed Lark and Pygmy Falcon.
The numerous non-perennial pans occurring in the Province provide important breeding and feeding habitat for waterfowl, amphibians and invertebrates which are adapted to the seasonal nature of these waterbodies.
The Province has a total of 14 national parks and provincial reserves within its borders. The most well known are the Pilanesberg and Madikwe National Parks, which are administered by the North West Parks and Tourism Board. The Province also shares the Magaliesberg Protected Natural Environment with Gauteng.
The surface waters in the Province are in the form of rivers, dams, pans, wetlands and dolomitic eyes fed by aquifers. Perennial surface water resources are generally scarce, particularly in the semi-arid western portion of the Province. Runoff as a percentage of the precipitation ranges from less than 1% in the west to approximately 7% in the eastern region, with the average runoff (6%) being below the national average of 9%. The main rivers are the Crocodile, Groot Marico, Hex, Elands, Vaal, Mooi, Harts and Molopo rivers.
The Province has over 40 wetlands and Barberspan is recognised as a wetland of international importance.
Compiled by John Wesson - Vegetation profiles based on ‘ The Vegetation of Southern Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland ‘ by Mucina and Rutherford and published by SANBI 2006