Unit 2 Discussion Assignment

1. I decided to choose Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany as a biodiversity hotspot closure

to my location
2. It is located in the east coast of Southern Africa, Below the Great Escarpment; it
extends from Limpopo River in the southern Mozambique and the Olifants River in
Mpumalanga South Africa in the north, through Swaziland and the Kwa-Zulu Natal
Province in South Africa, to South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province in the South.
3. (i). Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) this specie is important because it is getting
extinct due to human poaching it for its special horn, yet it attract tourist from all
walks of life since is endemic in this area.
(ii). Purple- Crested Turaco (Gallirex Porphyreolophus- It is the national bird of the
Kingdom of Swaziland, its feathers are used in the ceremonial regalia of the Swazi
Royalty.

4. Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)- Their population is dwindling rapidly due to

poaching for its horn. There are claims from the poachers that it has medicinal water
in its horns thus attracts a lot of money in the Asian markets.
5. (i) Lebombo Mountain rage was a key biodiversity hotspot. No wonder occupation is
not allowed
(ii) Hazyview was also a key diversity hot spot area in the top 10 rankings. I had
initially thought it’s just a neglected area.
(iii) The biodiversity area hotspot has only got one endangered mammal. I had
thought even the sea forms part of the area, thus to include the blue whale found in the
Indian Ocean.
6. A lot of funding should be budgeted for environmental sustainability by the three
countries which form part of the hotspot and they need to also work in collaboration.

Reference

Doršner, K. (2020). Essentials of environmental science (2nd edition)

https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/maputaland-pondoland-albany