Volume II - The Northern Cape Provincial Spatial Development ...

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
December 2011
Much of the area is used for game‐farming and can thus be considered effectively preserved,
provided that sustainable stocking levels are maintained.
C.3.1.4 GRASSLAND BIOME
As illustrated by Map C.8, small parts in the southern‐eastern region of the Northern Cape
fall under the Grassland Biome. Grasslands are dominated by a single layer of grasses. The
amount of cover depends on rainfall and the degree of grazing. Trees are absent, except in a
few localised habitats. Geophytes (bulbs) are often abundant. Frosts, fire and grazing
maintain the grass dominance and prevent the establishment of trees.
Grasslands are one of the most threatened biomes in South Africa and play an important
role in water production. For instance, the Orange River has its headwaters in the biome.
The Grassland Biome is a very old, complex and slowly evolved system with indigenous
species diversity second only to the Fynbos Biome. Only one in six plants species in the
Biome is a grass, the remainder includes bulbous plants such as Arum Lillies, Orchids, Red‐
Hot Pokers, Aloes, Watsonias, Gladioli, Ground Orchids and Underground trees. This biome
is the mainstay of dairy, beef and wool production in South Africa and pastures may be
augmented in wetter areas by the addition of legumes and sweet grasses.
C.3.1.5 FYNBOS BIOME
As illustrated by Map C.8, small portions of the Northern Cape fall within the world‐
renowned Fynbos Biome 9 . According to the Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan (2008)
Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos and Niewoudtville Shale Renosterveld are found within the
Hantam Local Municipality. Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld and Kamiesberg Granite
Fynbos are found within the Kamiesberg Local Municipality. The Kamiesberg Protea (Protea
namaquana) is endemic to the Kamiesberg area.
C.3.1.6 CENTRES OF ENDEMISM
In addition to the 5 biomes that occur in the Northern Cape, 8 out of the 18 Centres of
Endemism that exist in South Africa are found within the Northern Cape. The Kamiesberg,
Orange and Hantam‐Roggeveld centres fall almost exclusively within the Northern Cape
(refer to Map C.9 below).
9
The Fynbos Biome is one of the six floral kingdoms of the world. It covers a mere 0.04 % of the land
surface of the world and is only floral kingdom found within the boundaries of one country. It has more
than 8 500 species of which more than 6 000 are endemic.
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
31
Dennis Moss Partnership