Patterns of endemism within the Karoo National Park, South Africa

Abstract

A checklist of 864 plant taxa representing 355 genera and 93 families is given for the Karoo National Park. A total of 121 species are endemic to the Nama-Karoo, with Asteraceae the most common with 33 taxa. followed by Mesembryanthemaceae with 26 taxa. Phytochorological affinities indicate that 19.8% of the species are from the Nama- Karoo Biome only, another 19.8% are distributed over two biomes, and 41% of the species have a widespread distribution. The Karoo National Park conserves 30% of the recognized endemics of the Nama-Karoo Biome.

Vegetation changes (1995–2004) in semi-arid Karoo shrubland, South Africa: Effects of rainfall, wild herbivores and change in land use

“…The objective of this large (78 000 ha) protected area is to conserve a representative sample of this ecosystem and its biodiversity, to preserve the ecological integrity of the area, and to provide a natural area for people to enjoy (Van Heerden, 1993;Protected Areas Act, 2003;South African National Parks, 2003). Thirty percent of the recognized endemic plants of the Nama-Karoo biome are conserved within KRNP (Rubin et al, 2001). Prior to the establishment of the nucleus KRNP in 1979, the area was used for small-stock ranching (Rubin and Palmer, 1996).…”

“…The vegetation of the KRNP was therefore surveyed and described (Rubin and Palmer, 1996;Rubin et al, 2001), large exclosures were erected to exclude ungulates, and annual monitoring of vegetation was initiated inside and outside of these exclosures at two sites in the park. Vegetation monitoring in the park was designed to track changes in rangeland condition in response to grazing and rainfall.…”

Modelling the effects of CO2 on C3 and C4 grass competition during the mid-Pleistocene transition in South Africa

“…In glacial periods during the Pleistocene, when temperatures were lower in all seasons, the growing season in South Africa might have shifted when winter rainfall influences extended east 2 – 4 . This would increase water availability at Wonderwerk Cave year-round, which could then support a mix of C 3 and C 4 grasses, as exists today in a very small area in the southern Karoo, close to the year-round rainfall zone 28 . In addition, lower temperatures mean less evapotranspirative demands on plants, resulting in lower water stress.…”

Taking the scenic route – the southern Great Escarpment (South Africa) as part of the Cape to Cairo floristic highway

“…The dataset of 541 native taxa is not complete, and the total flora is probably closer to 1000 taxa (van Wyk and Smith 2001). Nuweveldberge Rubin and Palmer (1996), Rubin et al (2001;Karoo National Park), Clark et al (2011c). The dataset of 1045 native taxa is considered to be adequately complete.…”