Namaqualand—A brief overview of the physical and floristic environment

Desmet, Philip

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.11.019

Cited by 103 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…30,31 It covers a region of approximately 50 000 km 2 and is located west and south of the escarpment, 200-300 km inland of the west coast 32 ( Figure 1). …”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this study, Namaqualand has been defined as the area between the Orange River in the north and the Olifants River in the South. 31,37 Namaqualand hosts approximately 3500 plant species with about 25% of this flora being endemic to the region 31 and is well known for its flower displays in spring. Agriculture, mainly livestock production, is the primary land use in Namaqualand and is practised on both commercial and communal farmlands.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…17,19 Annual average temperatures for the study area are relatively mild throughout the year and range from 13 °C to 21 °C, owing to the cold Benguela Current off the west coast of Namaqualand. 31 Mean annual temperatures are highest inland of the west coast increasing northwards, while the escarpment and high lying areas experience cooler temperatures. Maximum temperatures only exceed 30 °C when Berg winds 35 are blowing off the plateau to the west.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa

Davis

Hoffman

Roberts³

2016

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Namaqualand is especially vulnerable to future climate change impacts. Using a high-resolution (0.5°x0.5°) gridded data set (CRU TS 3.1) and individual weather station data, we demonstrated that temperatures as well as frequency of hot extremes have increased across this region. Specifically, minimum temperatures have increased by 1.4 °C and maximum temperatures by 1.1 °C over the last century. Of the five weather stations analysed, two showed evidence of a significant increase in the duration of warm spells of up to 5 days per decade and a reduction in the number of cool days (TX10P) by up to 3 days per decade. In terms of rainfall, we found no clear evidence for a significant change in annual totals or the frequency or intensity of rainfall events. Seasonal trends in rainfall did, however, demonstrate some spatial variability across the region. Spatial trends in evapotranspiration obtained from the 8-day MOD16 ET product were characterised by a steepening inland-coastal gradient where areas along the coastline showed a significant increase in evapotranspiration of up to 30 mm per decade, most notably in spring and summer. The increase in temperature linked with the increases in evapotranspiration pose significant challenges for water availability in the region, but further research into changes in coastal fog is required in order for a more reliable assessment to be made. Overall, the results presented in this study provide evidence-based information for the management of climate change impacts as well as the development of appropriate adaptation responses at a local scale.

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“…30,31 It covers a region of approximately 50 000 km 2 and is located west and south of the escarpment, 200-300 km inland of the west coast 32 ( Figure 1). …”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa

Davis

Hoffman

Roberts³

2016

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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show abstract

“…It is the most diverse arid environment in the world having exceptionally high levels of biodiversity among plants, reptiles and invertebrates, birds and mammals (Cowling et al, 1999a;CEPF, 2003;Desmet, 2007;SKEP, 2008). The topography is flat and gently undulating, disrupted by hills in places.…”

Section: The Succulent Karoo Biomementioning

confidence: 99%

The possibilities and pitfalls presented by a pragmatic approach to ecosystem service valuation in an arid biodiversity hotspot

O’Farrell¹,

Lange²,

Maitre³

et al. 2011

Journal of Arid Environments

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“…Conservation is particularly effective in hotspots of biodiversity, because many species can be protected here simultaneously in a relative small area (MEYERS et al 2000). One of these biodiversity hotspots of global significance (COWLING & HILTON-TAYLOR 1994) is the Succulent Karoo in southern Africa, which harbours an extraordinarily high number of plant species (DESMET & COWLING 1999) with more than 3500 plant species of which 25% are endemic to the region (DESMET 2007). In Namaqualand, which is part of the Succulent Karoo, plant diversity is most commonly associated with quartzite gravel plains, which characterise certain areas there (HOFFMAN et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between wildlife and vegetation under different grazing intensities and habitat types in the Knersvlakte, South Africa

Bösing¹

2009

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Namaqualand—A brief overview of the physical and floristic environment

Cited by 103 publications

References 53 publications

Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa

Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa

The possibilities and pitfalls presented by a pragmatic approach to ecosystem service valuation in an arid biodiversity hotspot

Interactions between wildlife and vegetation under different grazing intensities and habitat types in the Knersvlakte, South Africa

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