James Tsakalos

The Fynbos biome (at the continental biome level) is a member of the global warm-temperate Ethesial Zone (zonobiome S1). The dominating feature of the vegetation supported by this biome are species- and endemic-rich shrublands. The occurrence of bioclimatically and pedologically marginal coastal thickets as well as inland fire-shy Cape thickets is briefly discussed. The relationship between pockets of fire-shy afrotemperate forests (belonging to another zonobiome) and the fynbos shrublands are also analysed. The CB Fynbos is here divided into 19 regional biomes, of which most are intrazonal pedobiomes, and two are extrazonal; only four regional biomes (all characterised by renosterveld vegetation) are of true zonal nature. This chapter presents descriptions of all 19 regional biomes.

The biomes of the zonobiome E2 Tropical Seasonal Zone occupy the largest portion of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This zone is also the dominant zonobiome of the studied MBSA. Physiognomically, the biomes of this zone are represented by savanna grasslands and woodlands, as well as Tropical Dry Forests (TDF). In bioclimatic terms, these biomes are characterised by alternation of prolonged dry and wet periods. In the study region we recognise Mesic and Arid Savanna at the rank of global biome, each comprising 25 and 9 regional biomes, respectively. While the savanna units are functionally underpinned by the domination of highly productive C4 grasslands, the TDF is characterised by an overall lack of grassy (or shrubby) understorey beneath a (semi)closed canopy of trees of predominantly low stature. There are two regional biomes of TDF recognised within the study area, namely Southern African Dry Forest and Southern African Dry Thicket. This chapter presents descriptions of all regional biomes of the zonobiome E2.