• Analysis of conservation: Ridges run from east to west through the  central parts of the metropolitan area. The single biggest rock formation of the area is the Witwatersrand ridge, which stretches  from Orange Grove in the east to Roodepoort in the west. This ridge supports interesting indigenous flora such as the Redleaved Rock Fig Ficus ingens and Cape Gardenia Rothmannia capensis (Butchart, 1995). Smaller ridges are found to the south of Johannesburg and south of Lenasia. Exposed cliffs of the Northcliff Hill and Witpoortjie Falls, are home to Rock Dassies, and the latter to a pair of Black Eagles. Mostly out of reach of veld fires and man's activities, these cliffs support some ancient trees, such as Wild Olive Olea europea and Jacket Plum Pappea capensis, which may have been alive since 1886. Natural features, as well as protected and proclaimed conservation areas, can also be found alongside these ridges. Protected and proclaimed areas are seen around Roodepoort stretching eastwards to the northern areas of Johannesburg. Protected areas are also found in the far northern areas of the metropolitan area, as well as to the north, east and south of Randburg, Sandton and Alexandra. Other protected areas and natural features stretch from east to west along ridges and rivers to the south of Johannesburg. Some protected areas occur in Soweto; around the Klip River north of Lenasia, and natural features are found to the south of Lenasia and north of Ennerdale. Exposed rocks in the Klipriviersberg are home to many mammals, birds, reptiles, and rock-adapted plants such as Mountain Aloe Aloe marlothii and Transvaal Milkplum Englerophytum magalismontanum (Butchart, 1995). Pans and dams are mainly situated in the Klip (south) and Jukskei (north) River Systems. Wetlands in and around Soweto, including the large Olifantsvlei wetland to the southeast, are very important as conservation areas, but are being filled up or threatened by illegal dumping. A protected area is also located around Orange Farm. Conservation areas are only found on the outskirts and alongside ridges and rivers in the metropolitan area.
• Environmental conservation areas in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg are located mainly alongside river systems, with very few if any around the CBD. There is a large conservation area to the west of Dobsonville, and a few around the Klip River system through Soweto. Large conservation areas are found around Kibler Park, with a very important area around the Klip River in the south. Other conservation areas are seen north of Lenasia, north and south of Ennerdale, and east of Weilers Farm. These areas are all "no go" areas for development.
• The major business nodes are concentrated in the northern half of the metropolitan area to just south of the Johannesburg CBD. Environmental corridors in the north are all found alongside the Jukskei River system, except for the large conservation area in the far north. A very large and important corrridor can be seen along the Klip River in the south stretching from east to west to the south of Kibler Park. Some environmental corridors are also found south of Ennerdale and south of Lenasia.
• Natural Grasslands, which once covered much of the Greater Johannesburg area, are now very scarce (Butchart, 1995). Those that still exist are mainly covered by indigenous Rooigras Themeda triandra . Most grasslands have however been disturbed by man's activities, and aliens like Khakiweed Tagetes minuta and Blackjack Bidens pilosa have taken over. Roadsides in Johannesburg are favourable for colonisation by Cosmos Bidens formosa, which flowers in autumn. Areas of savanna are found in various localities, but mainly in the Klipriviersberg, Melville Koppies and along the western end of the Witwatersrand ridge. Two distinct forms are present: acacia savanna, dominated by Common Hookthorn Acacia caffra and usually growing on north-facing slopes; and protea savanna, dominated by Common Sugerbush Protea caffra and typical of south-facing slopes (Butchart, 1995). Various grasses, including Guinea Grass Panicum maximum, grow beneath these trees. In other areas where the savanna have been disturbed, invasive aliens like Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii and Prickly Pear Opuntia ficus-indica flourish. Only where stream banks have been left undisturbed, do fragments of the species-rich riverine forest habitat of Johannesburg remain. The best example is found along the Witpoortjie River in the Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens, where large Stinkwood Celtis africana and River Bushwillow Combretum erythrophyllum are the dominant trees.
• Efforts are being made to conserve water through media education by the Water Board, and the installation of safer and more effective water management strategies. These strategies have achieved positive results in some areas, but the lack of water provision in all communities still poses a problem.
• The existing trees and shrubs of the Greater Johannesburg Metro Region follows (Kruger, 2000):

• The situation in the EMSS (EMLC, 1997) is as follows: 
  • Vegetation: residential population densities vary from high in Hillbrow and Alexandra, to medium in Inner City suburbs, and low in Houghton, Hyde Park and Sandhurst. The majority of trees are found in the low-density areas, while the high-density areas are almost devoid of trees. Prior to urban settlement, the area was a fire sub-climax area. Mostly indigenous trees and woodland growth could be found, but due to fires, the growth of seedling trees is inhibited, and grasslands now dominate the area. Some indigenous tree species still survive along streams, like the River Bushwillow, and on ridges and koppies, like proteas and acacias, where fires die out due to a lack of fuel. Vegetation differs according to rainfall and geology. Granites in the Lonehill and Norscot areas, are rich in nutrients, and a variety of vegetation can be found there. In contrast, the leached soils from shale rocks, support limited vegetation, while the well drained, shallow soils of the quartz Rietfontein Ridge supports a fire-resistant protea community. At least 50 species of trees and shrubs occur naturally in the EMLC, and at least one, the Honey-scented Protea is in danger of complete elimination. Alien vegetation includes the Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Grey Poplar, Sesbania trees, and Kikuyu grass.
  • Birds: original highveld birds have adapted well in the urban environment. The Olive Thrush and Puffbacks originating in woodland have now invaded suburban gardens. Fruit eating birds like Grey Louries, Barbets, Mousebirds and Bulbuls have thrived in the urban environment. Larger birds such as the Spotted Dikkop and Crowned Plover, as well as grassland species such as Larks and Pipits have however declined. Raptors and fish-eating species have also declined.
  • Mammals: Only a few of the past free-roaming herds of game still exist. Dassies are still found in the Lonehill Tor, while housing and predation by domestic animals have depleted most natural habitats and species. Some bats, hares and meercats can still be found, while antelope have been reintroduced into conservation areas such as Rietfontein.
  • Reptiles: Some lizards, snakes and tortoises can still be found on koppies, ridges and in gardens.
  • Frogs: Water scarcity and weather uncertainties have caused breeding adaptations in frogs. The Guttural Toad and Common River Frog can be found in garden ponds, while bullfrogs and sand frogs only start breeding once the summer rains fall.
  • Fish: Very few fish species are left, due to water pollution and the construction of concrete sewers and canals. Fish types include eels, yellowish, minnows, mudsuckers, catlets and barbels.
  • Insects, butterflies, moths and arachnids: Insects are the most widespread and abundant of all animal groups on earth, and a large variety such as flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers and locusts are found in the EMSS. Of the 29 insect families in the EMSS, 8 are butterflies and the remainder moths. Spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites are common in these areas.

• The status of the natural environment in the SMSS is as follows:

- A significant loss of agricultural land and natural systems has taken place due to urban expansion.

- The Klip River Wetlands and Klipriviersberg are under severe pressure from urban encroachment and poor management. The Klip River and its wetland has very high conservation potential for ecological maintenance and recreational importance.

-Most of the region’s natural species has been replaced by exotic species (SMLC: LDO, 1997).

Conservation and recreational land use in the WMLC make up 2,8% of the area. The northern areas are environmentally more protected and maintained than the southern areas due to:

-the natural conditions of the area;

-the wealthier communities; and

-the previous allocation of resources.

These areas offer excellent opportunities for open space and integrated environmental planning, including the Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens, the Kloofendal Reserve, and the Florida Lake / Fleurhof Dam area (WMLC, 1997).

• The NMLC consists predominantly of a series of rolling plains with low relief. Several small hills and dykes punctuate the generally flat topography. Features of the natural environment, are: