Succulent Karoo: An Arid Biodiversity Hotspot
At approximately 111 000 km in size, the Succulent Karoo is the fourth largest biome in southern Africa, smaller only than the savanna, Nama-Karoo and grassland biomes.
In this regard, what makes the Succulent Karoo special?
The Succulent Karoo is notable for the world’s richest flora of succulent plants, and harbours about one-third of the world’s approximately 10,000 succulent species. 40% of its succulent plants are endemic. The region is extraordinarily rich in geophytes, harbouring approximately 630 species.
Hereof, what type of vegetation is in the Karoo?
The Grassland Biome is represented by the Karoo Escarpment Grassland vegetation types, which is part of the Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion. The physical appearance of the vegetation consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands, Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands, Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands and riparian thickets.
What plants are in the Succulent Karoo?
Notable plant species found in this hotspot include the botterboom (Tylecodon paniculatus), a stem succulent that has glossy leaves in winter and red flowers in summer, and the halfmens (“half human”) (Pachypodium namaquanum), a stem succulent endemic to the Richtersveld that can grow up to four meters tall.
Why is Succulent Karoo a hotspot?
The rich biodiversity of the Succulent Karoo hotspot is due to an extensive and complex array of habitat types derived from topographical and climatic diversity in the region’s rugged mountains, semi-arid shrublands and coastal dunes.
How are plants in Succulent Karoo adapted to reduce transpiration?
The perennial plants survive the dry season by using water stored in the leaves or stems. These plants are called succulents. reducing the number of stomata. The non-succulent perennials have very small leaves to reduce water loss by transpiration.
What is the Karoo known for?
The eastern and north-eastern Karoo are often covered by large patches
| Karoo ?’Aukarob | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
What is a Karoo landscape?
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.
Are succulents plants?
succulent, any plant with thick fleshy tissues adapted to water storage. … Succulent plants are found in more than 60 plant families, with members of Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, and Crassulaceae being dominantly succulent. A number are cultivated as ornamentals and houseplants, including Aloe, Echeveria, Kalanchoe, and others.
What is the importance of fog from the Atlantic Ocean in the Succulent Karoo?
Fog and dew may provide a vital source of moisture for many of the rare succulent shrubs that are limited to the fog belt along our arid West Coast.
What kinds of physical features are on the northern and southern edges of the Little Karoo?
The Klein Karoo is only between 40 and 60 kilometres wide, sandwiched between the imposing Swartberg Mountains (Black Mountains) in the north, and the continuous Langeberge (Long Mountains) and Outeniqua Mountains in the south.
