What is a biogeographic transition zone?

Biogeographers divide the world into units known as biogeographic regions. Each biogeographic region is characterised by a distinct mix of plant and animal species particular to that part of the world (e.g. the Cape Fynbos Region). The divisions between these different regions is governed by changes in climatic conditions (e.g. warmer to colder temperatures, drier to wetter climates). There are, however, no clear boundaries between these regions. A zone exists between two different biogeographic regions in which there is a mingling of the plants and animals of the two neighbouring regions. This is known as a biogeographic transition zone .

What is the Zone's significance for Durban's Biodiversity ?

The Biogeographic Transition Zone not only contains plant and animal species from each of the neighbouring regions, but often contains endemic species (these are specifically adapted to the conditions of the transition zone and occur nowhere else). It is for this reason that biogeographic transition zones are areas of high diversity. Durban is situated in a well defined biogeographic transition zone between the temperate Cape habitat and the tropical Mozambique one. The Durban Metropolitan Area is therefore a biologically rich area.