A geomorphodiversity map of the Soutpansberg Range, South Africa

Within the emerging broad science of geodiversity, geomorphological diversity (geomorphodiversity) assesses the form of surface features of a place or region. This paper uses SRTM data and GIS techniques to assess geomorphological diversity of the Soutpansberg range, in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Suitable factors to assess geomorphological diversity were identified as geology, slope position, soil erodibility, landform position, relative heights, insolation, hydrography and ruggedness. Each factor was normalised to five classes by applying natural breaks. All the eight factors were weighted before overlaying. The weighting reveal that respectively, geology, slope and soils carry more weight. Ruggedness, relative height and insolation carry the least weight, in that order. The final geomorphodiversity map reveals that almost half of the Soutpansberg range has high to very high geomorphological diversity. We conclude that factor specific research can add more information to geomorphodiversity research and education