Succulent Karoo Biome by Bongiwe Shabangu https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25 Succulent Karoo: 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. en-us 2021-02-28 16:30:06 UTC 2024-11-01 10:26:31 UTC hello@padlet.com https://utpaleolab.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/p1020184.jpg Characteristics of plant species: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278287911 The botterboom (Tylecodon paniculatus) is a stem succulent that has glossy leaves in winter and red flowers in summer. Halfmens also known as Pachypodium namaquanum is a stem succulent endemic to the Richtersveld that can grow up to four meters tall.

Bottorboom in Summer]]> 2021-03-07 11:04:34 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278287911 Characteristics of reptile species: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278303434 The armadillo girdled lizard also known as Cordylus cataphractus, has a heavily armored body and spine-like tail and is known for rolling into a tight ball when threatened. The Barking gecko like many other geckos has the ability to lose it's tail and grow a new tail when threatened.

Armadillo girdled lizard]]> 2021-03-07 11:14:59 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278303434 Characteristics of bird species: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278360127 The birds of the Succulent Karoo biome includes more than 225 species, one of which is endemic: Barlow's lark also known as the Certhilauda barlowi other birds include the black harrier (Circus maurus), which has the most restricted range of the world's 13 harrier species.

Barlow's Lark]]> 2021-03-07 11:54:43 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1278360127 Climate classification: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281636294 The majority of the Succulent Karoo biome has a relatively mild climate with a strong maritime influence. 

]]> 2021-03-08 12:24:59 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281636294 Rainfall pattern: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281660438 Most of the region has winter rainfall, with the eastern Little Karoo experiencing year round precipitation.


]]> 2021-03-08 12:32:08 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281660438 Average rainfall: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281679250 Mean annual precipitation for most vegetation units across the biome is from 100-200 mm. Some areas, including those adjoining the Namib Desert, experience less than 100 mm. The wettest part of the biome is the Robertson Karoo that received mean annual precipitation of almost 300 mm.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281679250 Minimum and maximum temperatures: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281685224 The mean annual temperature for the Succulent Karoo biome is 16.8 °C. Although the annual average minimum and maximum temperatures are 9°C/48°F and 24°C/75°F respectively, the climate is one of extremes, and temperatures range from –15°C/-27°F on the plateau in winter to over 40°C/104°F on the plains in summer.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:39:03 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281685224 Altitude: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281690669 The altitude is generally underneath 800 m, but within the east it may reach 1 500 m.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:40:37 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281690669 Presence or Absence of Frost: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281702152 In the lower lying coastal regions such as the Knersvlakte, frost is extremely rare. However, at higher elevations further inland such as the Roggeveld Karoo, frost is relatively commonplace, occurring on average around 60 days per year.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:43:30 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281702152 Water availability: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281715465 There is limited water available, the plants in the Succulent Karoo Biome store the rainfall water in their roots, leaves and/or stems. Across southern Africa temperatures are forecast to extend with the zone anticipated to encounter expanding aridity and longer and more extraordinary periods of dry season.]]> 2021-03-08 12:46:48 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281715465 Edaphic Factors: Type of Soil: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281721000 There is little difference between the soils of the Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo Biomes - both are lime-rich, weakly developed soils on rock. The Olifants and Doring Rivers are the major drainage systems in the west, with the Gouritz River in the south-east of the biome.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:48:15 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281721000 Mammals in biome: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281723359 There are more or less 75 mammal species in the succulent Karoo biome, two of these are epidemic being the De Winton's golden mole which has an oily secretion that makes the fur shine and the Namaqua dune mole rat.

De Winton's golden mole]]> 2021-03-08 12:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281723359 pH: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281730094 Past ponders of the quartz field vegetation of the Succulent Karoo appeared how plant communities are scattered along a wide extend of abiotic habitat conditions extending from modestly to greatly saline (0.1–10 mS/cm), from exceptionally acidic (pH 3.5) to somewhat alkaline (pH 8.5), and from exceptionally shallow to modestly profound soils (0–0.25 m)]]> 2021-03-08 12:50:38 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281730094 Endangered species: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281742303 The Riverine rabbit is critically endangered]]> 2021-03-08 12:53:42 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281742303 Threats in biome: 0041761 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281842503 This gorgeous biome is threatened by mining activities, overgrazing and the illegal trade of it's succulents leaving less than 30% of the hotspot in it's original condition.]]> 2021-03-08 13:16:53 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1281842503 References: 004007 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1283613308 J.M. Baskin, C.C. Baskin (1988) Endemism in rock outcrop plant communities on unglaciated eastern United States: an evaluation on the roles of edaphic, genetic, and light factors
Journal of Biogeography, 15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629915002719#:~:text=Previous%20studies%20of%20the%20quartz,from%20very%20shallow%20to%20moderately. [Accessed 7 March 2021]

SANBI, Pretoria (December 2006). The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. (pp.220-29), Biomes of the World https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281545280_Succulent_Karoo_Biome. [Accessed 7 March 2021]

Low & Rebelo (1996) Succulent Karoo Biome, Vegetation of SA. http://pza.sanbi.org/vegetation/succulent-karoo-biome#:~:text=The%20altitude%20is%20mostly%20below,weakly%20developed%20soils%20on%20rock. [Accessed 7 March 2021]

conservation international. (2021). SUCCULENT KAROO - SPECIES. Available: https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/succulent-karoo/species#:~:text=Notable%20plant%20species%20found%20in,up%20to%20four%20meters%20tall.. Last accessed 7 March 2021. 
]]> 2021-03-08 18:05:53 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1283613308 Physiographic and economic factors- Map of the location of the biome: 0040042 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287092366 2021-03-09 12:23:31 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287092366 Names of provinces where this biome is found: 0040042 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287117605 ~Northern Cape.
~Western Cape.
~On the coast of the Eastern Cape.]]> 2021-03-09 12:30:58 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287117605 Capital/Important cities in this biome: 0040042 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287143272 ~Sutherland; For having  some of the most clearest and darkest nights in the world.

~ Ladismith and Montagu- Home to the Anysberg Nature Reserve.

Sutherland in Northern Cape]]> 2021-03-09 12:38:04 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287143272 National Parks found in this biome: 0040042 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287171657 ~Tankwa Karoo National Park
~Karoo National Park
~Namaqua National Park
~West Coast National Park
~Richtersveld National Park

Namaqua National Park]]> 2021-03-09 12:45:52 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287171657 General physical characteristics of this biome: 0040042 https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287194558 ~Is a vast, semi-arid desert containing mountain ranges and ancient rock formations.
~Flat, undulating plains as well as hilly "broken" veld.


]]> 2021-03-09 12:51:56 UTC https://padlet.com/0040042/uym3gnte984ogc25/wish/1287194558