About 7.5 percent of the country is covered by the lush Karoo, which also includes the desert (approximately 83 000 km2). This biome includes Namaqualand and the Richtersveld, two dry regions in the western section of South Africa. Summertime conditions in the area are quite dry, with frequent highs of over 40°C.
What distinguishes the Succulent Karoo?
Flora. One-third of the estimated 10,000 species of succulent plants are found in the Succulent Karoo, which boasts the world’s richest succulent plant flora. Its succulent plants make up 40% of the species. There are about 630 species of geophytes in the area, which is incredibly rich in them.
Succulent Karoo: An Arid Biodiversity Hotspot
The Succulent Karoo biome is known across the world for its astounding biodiversity and is home to the richest succulent flora on the planet. The region stretches from Luderitz in northern Namibia through the Richtersveld, Namaqualand, Hantam, Tanqua, and Roggeveld before moving east into the Little Karoo.
The Succulent Karoo is the fourth biggest biome in southern Africa, after the savanna, Nama-Karoo, and grassland biomes. Its size is roughly 111 000 km. The Fynbos Biome, Albany Thicket, Nama-Karoo, and Desert Biome all abut it on its southern and eastern, northern, western, and northern borders, respectively.
Which plants are found in the Succulent Karoo?
The richest succulent flora on Earth can be found in the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot. Additionally, the endemism levels among reptiles in the area are comparatively high.
Plants
The Succulent Karoo has an incredibly high plant endemism for an area that is dry. There are about 2,440 endemic vascular plant species out of a total of 6,350 in this hotspot (40 percent).
With an average of 70 species detected in 0.1 hectare test plots, the local plant species richness is extremely great, and there is also a sizable amount of diversity between locations in the area. A phenomenon known as point endemism is caused by the fact that many plants in the Succulent Karoo, particularly succulents, are experts for a constrained range of climatic circumstances.
The halfmens (“half human”) (Pachypodium namaquanum), a stem succulent endemic to the Richtersveld, can grow up to four meters tall, and the botterboom (“half human”) (“Tylecodon paniculatus”), a stem succulent with glossy leaves in winter and red flowers in summer, are notable plant species found in this hotspot.
Birds
More than 225 species of birds can be found in the Succulent Karoo, including the rare Barlow’s lark (Certhilauda barlowi). Other species in the area include the endangered Ludwig’s bustard (Neotis ludwigii), Karoo chat (Cercomela schlegelii), and dune lark. The black harrier (Circus maurus), which has the most constrained range of the 13 harrier species worldwide, is also there (Certhilauda erythrochlamys).
Mammals
The De Winton’s golden mole (Cryptochloris wintoni), one of the hotspot’s two indigenous mammal species, and the Namaqua dune mole rat are both critically endangered (Bathyergus janetta). Riverine rabbits are a critically endangered flagship species in the area (Bunolagus monticularis).
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), and elephant (Loxodonta africana), all of which are critically endangered, previously inhabited the gallery woods along the Orange River in the Succulent Karoo. Since then, these populations have vanished from the hotspot. These days, the mountain zebra (Equus zebra), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), and gemsbok (Oryx gazella) are only found in smaller groups.
Reptiles
With over 90 species, roughly 15 of which are endemic, the Succulent Karoo has a reasonably high diversity of reptiles. Geckos and lizards are all endemics, making up around a quarter of the hotspot’s nearly 60 gecko and lizard species. The armadillo girdled lizard (Cordylus cataphractus), which has a strongly armored body and a spiny tail and is renowned for curling into a tight ball when attacked, is one of seven species of girdled lizards of the genus Cordylus that are among these endemics.
With seven taxa, two of which are endemic—the Namaqualand tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius trimeni) and the Namaqualand speckled padloper—this region of South Africa has a very high diversity of tortoises (Homopus signatus signatus).
Amphibians
With only a little over 20 species, amphibians are hardly well-represented in the Succulent Karoo. The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops), one of these species’ endemics, is found from the Namaqualand coast of South Africa north to Luderitz in coastal southern Namibia.
Invertebrates
There is a significant amount of invertebrate variety in the hotspot, and research suggests that more than 50% of some insect group species are unique. Nearly 20 of the 70 species of scorpions that may be found in the Succulent Karoo are indigenous.
The long-tongued flies (Memestrinidae), which have mouthparts up to 50 millimeters long, are possibly the most remarkable invertebrates discovered in the hotspot. In Namaqualand, the flies are the only pollinators of 28 different plant species.
What distinguishes Nama Karoo from Succulent Karoo?
The lush Karoo ecosystem extends along the West Coast for more than 200 kilometers into southern Namibia, starting roughly north of Lamberts Bay.
[30][31] It begins 250 kilometers north of Cape Town, just north of the sandveld, and travels through Namaqualand, the Richtersveld, the area immediately south of the Orange River, and on into Namaqualand or Namaland in southern Namibia. These areas are never referred to as “Karoo,” either geographically or locally. [11] However, it extends far inland into the Lower Karoo’s Tankwa and Moordenaarskaroo districts as well as the neighboring Upper Karoo region of the Great Karoo. As the Robertson Karoo, it can also be found to the south in a portion of the Breede River Valley. It then travels further east into the western portion of the Little Karoo. [1] [4][5] [11] [15][29]
The Namaqualand daisies, often known as Asteraceae or dwarf, leafy-succulent shrubs and annuals, dominate the succulent Karoo biome. These plants put on stunning flower displays spanning large areas of the terrain in the southern spring (August–September) following good rainfall in the winter. Because grasses are few, most of the biome is unsuitable for grazing. In actuality, the lack of rain deters the majority of agricultural activities. The Little Karoo’s robust ostrich farming sector is an outlier since it mainly relies on supplemental feeding with lucerne. [5] [15] The succulent Karoo biome and the Nama Karoo biome vary in that the former receives its sparse winter rainfall as cyclonic rainfall, which has less erosive strength than the Nama Karoo’s infrequent but intense summer thunderstorms. [30] Additionally, compared to the Nama Karoo habitat, the succulent Karoo biome experiences less frost. [30] For a region this large that is arid, there are a lot of plant species that are primarily succulent. [30]
Why is the Succulent Karoo a hotspot for biodiversity?
The Succulent Karoo hotspot’s diverse habitat types, which result from the topographical and climatic variability of the area’s rough mountains, semi-arid shrublands, and coastal dunes, are what contribute to the hotspot’s abundant biodiversity. The hotspot is known for its extraordinarily varied and distinctive vegetation, particularly its succulent and bulbous plants. Numerous species, particularly those with narrow ranges and those related to soil type, are extreme habitat specialists. The most prominent examples of local endemism are seen in bulbs, the Mesembryanthemaceae family of succulents, and other plants with relatively restricted home ranges (less than 50 km2). For certain taxa of invertebrates, similar patterns of compositional change over gradients have been seen. Along with invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals have high levels of faunal variety and endemism.
What are the benefits of succulents?
Seven Advantages of Growing Succulents Indoors
- In every climate, they may enliven a house.
- They could aid in air filtration.
- Your home’s humidity is improved by them.
- They can improve the air quality in your environment.
- They can help you focus better.
- They can make you more tolerant of pain.
- They Strengthen Memory
The Succulent Karoo is dry, right?
the lush Karoo Biome. About 7.5 percent of the country is covered by the lush Karoo, which also includes the desert (approximately 83 000 km2). This biome includes Namaqualand and the Richtersveld, two dry regions in the western section of South Africa. Summertime conditions in the area are quite dry, with frequent highs of over 40°C.
What function does the Atlantic Ocean’s fog serve in the Succulent Karoo?
Water is the most essential resource on earth, especially in the arid Succulent Karoo along South Africa’s West Coast where the region’s meager average annual rainfall is supplemented by
Significant levels of fog produced by the chilly Atlantic Ocean’s Benguela Current and nocturnal dew brought on by atmospheric water condensation. Dew and fog could be a very important source.
many of the unique succulent bushes, many of which are only found in the fog belt along our dry West Coast. As a matter of fact, experimental fog and dew collection systems installed along South Africa’s
The West Coast has demonstrated that dew and fog make up a sizeable component of the hydrological input and agree with the significant water yields produced in established fog water collection systems.
The Succulent Karoo is it safe?
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Description
The Succulent Karoo biome is the only arid hotspot in the world and is a globally recognized hotspot for biodiversity. The 116 000 km2 biome stretches from South Africa’s southwest through its northern regions and into southern Namibia. The biome is home to 6 356 plant species, 936 (17%) of which are Red Data Book-listed and 40% of which are indigenous. Along with its floral variety, there are currently known 431 bird species, 68 mammal species, 27 amphibian species, 29 percent of which are endemic, 121 reptile species, 20 percent of which are endemic, and 27 amphibian species.
Description of the component part(s)
The Huns-Ai-Ais Park in Namibia is a region with Upland Succulent Karoo vegetation that is exceedingly rocky and characterized by winter rainfall. The region will be nominated for its exceptionally high populations of associated animal life and endemic succulent vegetation. It is also very well conserved. Together with the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa, it creates a transboundary conservation area that is established and contiguous.
In addition to being a part of the recognized transboundary conservation area with South Africa, the Sperrgebiet Park is situated next to the Huns-Ai-Ais Park. Its wide sand plains, coastal dunes, and outcrops of steep terrain are home to Lowland Succulent Karoo vegetation. As it combines with the Namib Desert Biome to the north, its floral and animal components represent the more arid spectrum of the ecological and biodiversity components of the proposed nomination.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
The Succulent Karoo’s diverse habitat types, which result from the area’s rough mountains, semi-arid shrublands, and coastal dunes, are what contribute to the region’s abundant biodiversity. The Succulent Karoo is known for its extraordinarily diverse and abundant indigenous vegetation. Due to extreme climate variations and significant environmental variability, an arid-adapted biota underwent enormous speciation, which is responsible for its biodiversity. Long-term relative stability of the environment has made it easier for the evolution’s byproducts to persist. High compositional change in communities with a diversity of species along environmental and geographic gradients is the cause of the high regional plant richness. Numerous species are restricted-range specialists in harsh habitats, primarily connected to soil type. Succulents, particularly members of the Mesembryanthemaceae family, and bulbs exhibit the highest levels of local endemism (i.e., the confinement of species to relatively narrow ranges of less than 50 km2). For certain taxa of invertebrates, similar patterns of compositional change over gradients have been seen.
Criteria (ix): The Succulent Karoo’s remarkable biodiversity is a result of the region’s steep mountains, semi-arid shrublands, and coastal dunes, which have a diverse range of topographical and climatic habitat types. The Succulent Karoo is known for its extraordinarily diverse and abundant indigenous vegetation. Due to extreme climate variations and significant environmental variability, an arid-adapted biota underwent enormous speciation, which is responsible for its biodiversity. Long-term relative stability of the environment has made it easier for the evolution’s byproducts to persist. High compositional change in communities with a diversity of species along environmental and geographic gradients is the cause of the high regional plant richness.
Criteria (x): There are 6 356 plant species in the biome, of which 936 (17%) are Red Data Book-listed and 40% are indigenous. Along with its floral variety, there are currently known 431 bird species, 68 mammal species, 27 amphibian species, 29 percent of which are endemic, 121 reptile species, 20 percent of which are endemic, and 27 amphibian species.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund-funded Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Planning (SKEP) project created an ecosystem profile that identified nine Succulent Karoo priority areas for protection. Within each of these nine priority zones, certain areas are being identified and targeted for increased conservation status through the SKEP process. The Huns-Ai-is and Sperrgebiet Parks in Namibia already provide national legal protection for priority regions. These protected areas in Namibia are large enough to meet criterion (ix) and are situated in areas that maximize biodiversity in accordance with criterion (x). The demands of development do not endanger them since they are properly controlled. The Succulent Karoo’s mining impacts are typically confined, are governed by EIA laws and regulations, and are not located near priority areas. The SKEP process will examine the contribution of these protected areas and determine whether or not they are properly situated and configured to achieve the conservation goals that have been established for the “pattern and process” protection of biodiversity. The current legally protected areas will be assessed to determine whether they may contribute to a transnational serial nomination for the Succulent Karoo Protected Areas (SKPA) World Heritage Site.
Justification of the selection of the component part(s) in relation to the future nomination as a whole
The Namibian components are home to not just some of the best-preserved populations of rare and distinctive Succulent Karoo endemic species, but also a sizeable fraction of the ecosystem’s endemic species, many of which are only found in its drier regions. The Namibian components also include some of the proposed nomination’s contiguous and most undisturbed protected areas.
Comparison with other similar properties
The nearby Cape Floral Region Protected Areas WHS is the only other comparable serial nomination for a whole internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot. The addition of the SKPA would frequently be mutually beneficial because there are significant areas of “overlap” between these two contiguous hotspots, where transition from one to the other can happen over relatively short distances.
The Succulent Karoo, the most ecologically diversified dry region in the world, has been highlighted by the IUCN as a very clear gap on the World Heritage list.