Definitions

Question 1

5 different mapping approaches

Answer 1

Geographic ranges - centers of endemism
Absolute species number - hotspots
Floristic compositions and land use - associations
Satellite - vegetative units
Climate - biomes

Question 2

Disjunct

Answer 2

Taxon with distribution where it has two or more groups that are related but are widely separated geographically

Question 3

Near-endemic

Answer 3

Species whose range extends only marginally outside South Africa

Question 4

Endemism

Answer 4

Ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographical location

Question 5

Neoendemism

Answer 5

Species that have recently arisen, through divergence and reproductive isolation or through hybridization and polyploidy in plants

Question 6

Paleoendemism

Answer 6

Species that were previously widespread but are now restricted to a smaller area

Question 7

Holoendemism

Answer 7

Endemic in entire population or a given area

Question 8

Cosmopolitan

Answer 8

A toxin whose range extends across most of the world in appropriate habitats

Question 9

Vicariance model

Answer 9

More of separation that occurs when biological population of same species become isolated from each other

Question 10

Hotspot

Answer 10

An area with high biodiversity but is also threatened by human activity

Question 11

Species richness of SA and Southern Africa

Answer 11

24000 - >70% endemism

30000 - 60% endemic

Question 12

Sub-Antarctic tundra

Answer 12

PEI
Cold, windy, wet(2000-3000mm)
Low diversity
Bryophytes - mosses, liverworts + cushion and mat forms (no trees)
100% conserved

Question 13

Sub-Antarctic veg units

Answer 13

Coastal veg
Biotical herbfield + grassland
Fernbrake
Mire
Drainage line + spring veg
Cinder stone
Fellfield
Polar desert

Question 14

Nama Karoo

Answer 14

Continental climate with unpredictable late summer rain (100-400mm) - east to west gradient
Temp: high summer, low winter
Bioregions: bushmanland, upper/lower Karoo
1% conserved
2200 species

Question 15

Nama Karoo dominant families

Answer 15

Asteraceae, fabaceae, poaceae

Lack of dom in succulents (too cold), perennial grasses (too dry), (no) trees (too dry + soil too shallow)

Question 16

Desert

Answer 16

Net moisture deficit
Characterized by therophytes (annuals)
High diversity
20% conserved
Fairy circles

Question 17

Desert families

Answer 17

S Namib: (Nama Karoo) - Aizoaceae, crassulaceae, Zygophyllaceae

Gariep: (succulent Karoo) - poaceae, acanthaceae, amaranthaceae

Question 18

Succulent Karoo

Answer 18

Arid climate (100-200mm)
Unpredictable largely winter frontal rainfall + coastal fog
Warm temp
V diverse - 6356 species (38% endemic, 17% red listed)
5.8% conserved
Skip international conservations effort

Question 19

Succulent Karoo bioregions

Answer 19

Richtervel
Namaqualand
Knersvlakte
Rainshadow valley

Question 20

Succulent Karoo families

Answer 20

Succulents: Aizoaceae, Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae
Geophytes: iridaceae, hyacynthaceae
Daisy: asteraceae

Question 21

Rangeland degradation

Answer 21

The loss of biological and economical productivity of a region mainly as a result of human activity

Question 22

Desertification

Answer 22

Range degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid climatic regions as a result of several factors, mostly human activities

Question 23

Bush encroachment

Answer 23

The invasion and/thickening of aggressive undesired woody species resulting in the imbalance of grass:bush ratio, a decrease in biodiversity, carrying capacity and concomitant economic loss

Question 24

Types of range degradation (7)

Answer 24

Loss of vegetation cover
Changes in species composition (loss of palatable species)
Bush encroachment
Deforestation and over-harvesting
Alien plant invaders
Industry and development
Global climate change

Question 25

Rangeland restoration

Answer 25

Passive - resting by removing livestock
Active:
Reseeding
Partial clearing
Constructing resource traps
Reducing erosion and improving infiltration