fynbos

Fynbos is a distinctive shrubland vegetation type native to the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It forms a key component of the Cape Floristic Region, a global biodiversity hotspot characterized by high plant diversity and endemism. Fynbos occurs mainly on nutrient-poor, acidic soils derived from Table Mountain sandstones and related formations, on mountain slopes, ridges and lowlands up to moderate elevations.

Climatically, fynbos experiences a Mediterranean pattern: wet winters and dry summers, with mild conditions and strong winds. Fire is a natural and essential ecological process; many fynbos species rely on periodic fires for regeneration. Some plants resprout after fire, while others store seeds that germinate in response to heat, smoke, or chemicals released by fire.

Flora in fynbos communities is dominated by three plant groups: Proteaceae (proteas, pincushions), Ericaceae (ericas) and Restionaceae (restios), along with many flowering herbs and daisies. The biome is among the most diverse in the world, with a high proportion of species found nowhere else.

Conservation and threats: The fynbos biome is protected in national parks and private reserves, but it faces ongoing threats from urban expansion, agriculture and invasive alien species, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Efforts focus on habitat protection, fire management, and sustainable harvesting, particularly of iconic proteas and restios.

Etymology and human use: The name fynbos derives from Afrikaans for "fine bush." Beyond its ecological value, fynbos is important for horticulture, floriculture, and ecotourism; many species are cultivated in gardens and used as cut flowers.