In developing Gondwana, every attempt was made to reduce potential impact on the environment. Areas of indigenous vegetation were protected and left untouched.

Wetlands occur throughout the different types of fynbos and renosterveld, providing habitats for plants and animals that occur nowhere else in the world. They have soils that are at least periodically saturated with water, during which time they have little to no oxygen. Their plants have specialized root systems that allow them to survive water-saturated conditions with low oxygen levels.

Functions of Wetlands

• Improve water quality
• Contribute to the performance of surface and subsurface aquatic systems through the retention and slow release of waters during low flow periods
• Provision of habitat for wetland-associated animals.
• Provision of corridors for movement across natural terrestrial areas.