What biome is the Karoo?
Nama KarooRealmAfrotropicBiomeDeserts and xeric shrublandsGeographyArea135,600 km2 (52,400 sq mi)5 more rows
Where is Nama Karoo biome found?
South AfricaThe Nama-Karoo Biome occurs on the central plateau of the western half of South Africa, at altitudes between 500 and 2000m, with most of the biome failing between 1000 and 1400m. It is the second-largest biome in the region.
What are the characteristics of Nama Karoo biome?
The Nama Karoo is a vast, open, arid region dominated by low-shrub vegetation and abundance of rock. Although not remarkably rich in species or endemism, the flora and fauna of the region are surprisingly adapted to its climatic boundaries.
How do plants survive in the Nama Karoo?
The Nama karoo and succulent karoo biomes are characterized by succulent plant species that are able to grow in arid environments. Succulent plants have thick waxy leaves to protect them against dry conditions.
What are the 7 biomes in South Africa?
The general plant characteristics give a characteristic visual signature to the vegetation of the biome. Rutherford and Westfall (1994) map seven biomes of South Africa: Savanna, Thicket, Grassland, Forest, Fynbos, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Desert.
Which biome is the largest in South Africa?
The Savanna BiomeThe Savanna Biome is the largest Biome in southern Africa, occupying 46% of its area, and over one-third the area of South Africa. It is well developed over the lowveld and Kalahari region of South Africa and is also the dominant vegetation in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
What is the Karoo known for?
Karoo, also spelled Karroo, arid to semiarid geographic region of Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Northern Cape provinces, South Africa. The Karoo is best defined by its vegetation, which consists of assorted succulents and low scrub bushes spaced from one foot to several feet apart.
How was the Karoo formed?
This basin was formed by the subduction and orogenesis along the southern border of what eventually became Southern Africa, in southern Gondwana. Its sediments attain a maximum cumulative thickness of 12 km, with the overlying basaltic lavas (the Drakensberg Group) at least 1.4 km thick.
Where does the name Karoo come from?
The name Karoo is thought to have come from a Khoi word of uncertain meaning, popularly thought to mean Land of Thirst. Yet it is acknowledged as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, with 6 000 plant species (of which 40% are endemic) and critically endangered mammals like the riverine rabbit.
What plants grow in the Nama-Karoo?
Vegetation is characterised and dominated by perennial dwarf shrubs (some succulent) with perennial geophytes and shrubs, and perennial or annual grasses and herbs of varying abundance. The Nama-Karoo gives way to arid grassland along nearly its entire eastern flank.
What is the smallest biome in South Africa?
Forest Biome ForestsForest Biome Forests cover less than 0,25% of South Africa's surface area, making this the smallest biome. Forests are restricted to frost free areas with either high winter or summer rainfall. They can occur from sea level to above 2100m.
What plants are indigenous to the Karoo?
The vegetation is Succulent Karoo, which is included in the Cape Floristic Region. As the name implies, succulents dominate in this region especially the families Mesembryanthemaceae and Crassulaceae.
What biome is Northern Cape?
The largest part of the Northern Cape falls within the Nama-Karoo biome with a vegetation of low shrubland, grass and trees limited to water courses. Across the world, the province is known for its stunning display of spring flowers (which attracts thousands of tourists each Spring).
Where is the grassland biome located?
Grassland biomes can be found in the middle latitudes, in the interiors of continents. They can have either moist continental climates or dry subtropical climates. In Argentina, South America, the grasslands are known as pampas. The climate there is humid and moist.
Where is the grassland biome located in South Africa?
Vast treeless areas spanning KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Free State and Eastern Cape make up the Grasslands biome. These are home to most of our country's strategic water source areas.
What is the smallest biome in South Africa?
Forest Biome ForestsForest Biome Forests cover less than 0,25% of South Africa's surface area, making this the smallest biome. Forests are restricted to frost free areas with either high winter or summer rainfall. They can occur from sea level to above 2100m.
Nama karoo
The Nama Karoo is a vast, open, arid region dominated by low-shrub vegetation and abundance of rock. Although not remarkably rich in species or endemism, the flora and fauna of the region are surprisingly adapted to its climatic boundaries.
Mammals
Spring hare (pedetes capensis) Diagnostic characteristics: The spring hare, which resembles a small kangaroo, is in fact a rodent. They have large strong back legs for jumping and a long tail for balance. Their forearms are small and short with long curled claws for digging.
birds
Ostrich ( Struthio camelus) Diagnostic characteristics: The Ostrich is the largest flightless bird. It has a very long neck that gives it superior eye sight over his surroundings and can spot predators over long distances.
herbs
Diagnostic characteristics: Devils claw is a ground dwelling weedy perennial plant. It has a long central tap root as well as secondary storage organs (tubers) that look like potatoes. Devils claw has large round leaves that are covered in mucilaginous cells.
invertebrates
Diagnostic characteristics: The harvest termites like all other termites have compound eyes and serrated mandibles, which are very large on the soldier termites. Termites rely heavily on their colony size and functionality. The queen is the only termite that produces eggs, and offspring serve a variety of functions to keep the colony functional.
Nama-Karoo Biome
The following is an extract of text from Low & Rebelo (1996) for Nama-Karoo Biome.
Nama-Karoo Biome
The Nama-Karoo Biome occurs on the central plateau of the western half of South Africa, at altitudes between 500 and 2000m, with most of the biome failing between 1000 and 1400m. It is the second-largest biome in the region.
What is the largest rodent in Africa?
Porcupine ( Hystrix africaeaustralis ): it is the largest rodent in southern Africa and one of 29 species worldwide. It can reach a length of 75-100cm and a weight of 10-24kg. The entire upper part of the body, except the head which is covered with shorter flexible spines, is covered with long, sharp and white, black-ringed quills. When attacked the Porcupine raises its quills, darting backwards to embed its spines in the flesh of the attacker. The tail quills are hollow and rattled when it is intimidated. It does not naturally dig its own burrow and usually retreats to a cave or rock crevice, bit it will make use of a disused aardvark hole. It is a nocturnal forager but would leave the safety of its shelter by day to sun-bathe. Bark, roots, bulbs, tubers and wild fruits form part of its natural diet and it gnaws on bones to compensate for the lack of phosphorus in its diet. It is known to cause large scale destruction to vegetable crops and is the usual culprit for damaging the underground water pipe-systems on farms. There is no danger in the mating process since the female raises her tail spines vertically, allowing the male to do his work.
How big is a flamingo?
In proportion to its body it has the longest neck and legs of all southern African birds. It can reach a length of 1,2m and a weight of 1,6-1,78kg.
Is Nama Karoo arid?
The Nama Karoo is a mostly arid region dominated by low-shrub vegetation. It is centred on the plateau of the Cape Province.
