Nama $ Succulent Karoo

Question 1

What biome extends over the wide central plateau of the western part of South Africa?

Answer 1

Nama Karoo

Question 2

What is the climate of the Nama Karoo?

Answer 2

Very hot summers and cold winters, with regular frost. The area is a semi-desert that receives very little rain.

Question 3

What type of soil is found in the Nama Karoo?

Answer 3

The soil is rich in lime and forms a thin layer over rocks.

Question 4

What types of vegetation are found in the Nama Karoo?

Answer 4

The plants are mostly grasses and small shrubs, e.g. Christmas berry (wild gentian), sweet thorn, and blue Karoo daisies.

Question 5

What animal life is common in the Nama Karoo?

Answer 5

This area is known for sheep and goat farming because the vegetation offers good grazing. Other animals include bat-eared foxes, ostriches, spring hares, tortoises, and the riverine rabbit.

Question 6

What biome extends over the arid western part of South Africa?

Answer 6

Succulent Karoo

Question 7

What is the climate of the Succulent Karoo?

Answer 7

Very hot, dry summers and cold winters. Winter rainfall is very low.

Question 8

What type of soil is found in the Succulent Karoo?

Answer 8

The soil is rich in lime and forms a thin layer over rocks.

Question 9

What types of vegetation are found in the Succulent Karoo?

Answer 9

The plants are mostly small succulents, with thick, fleshy leaves that store water.

Question 10

What animal is endemic to the Succulent Karoo?

Answer 10

The riverine rabbit.

Question 11

What biome is known for having the largest number of succulents in the world?

Answer 11

Fynbos biome

Examples include small vygies, stone plants (toontjies), and quiver trees.

Question 12

What happens in the Fynbos biome during spring?

Answer 12

It is covered with flowers, attracting large numbers of tourists.

Question 13

What type of animal life is found in the Fynbos biome?

Answer 13

Many animals are nocturnal and hide in holes during the day.

Animals include the bat-eared fox, suricate (meerkat), and barking gecko.

Question 14

Where does Fynbos occur?

Answer 14

Exclusively in the southwestern and southern parts of the Western Cape.

Question 15

What is the climate of the Fynbos biome?

Answer 15

Cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Question 16

What type of soil is found in the Fynbos biome?

Answer 16

Sandy, acidic, and not very fertile due to nutrient leaching.

Question 17

What is the vegetation like in the Fynbos biome?

Answer 17

It consists of evergreen shrubs with hard leaves, such as proteas, ericas, and restios.

Few trees and grasses occur.

Question 18

How many flowering plant species are in the Fynbos biome?

Answer 18

Approximately 8,600 flowering plant species.

Question 19

What percentage of plant species in the Fynbos biome are endemic?

Answer 19

Approximately 68%.

Question 20

What role does fire play in the Fynbos biome?

Answer 20

Fire is an important factor in the germination of seeds.

Question 21

What types of animal life occur in South Africa?

Answer 21

A variety of animals occur, including the steenbok, bontebok, geometric tortoise, grine, leopard, and Cape baboon.

Question 22

What is notable about bird species in South Africa?

Answer 22

There is a wide variety of bird species, especially nectar- and seed-eating birds.

Question 23

What is the smallest biome in South Africa?

Answer 23

Forests are the smallest biome and cover only 0.1% of South Africa’s surface.

Question 24

What are the most well-known forests in South Africa?

Answer 24

The Knysna and Tsitsikamma forests in the Southern Cape are the most well-known.

Question 25

What type of climate do forests in South Africa have?

Answer 25

Forests are found in areas with high rainfall and no frost.

Question 26

What is the type of soil found in South African forests?

Answer 26

The soil is fertile, with a thin layer of humus.

Question 27

What does forest vegetation consist of?

Answer 27

Forest vegetation includes yellowwood, stinkwood, ironwood, creepers/vines, epiphytes, mosses, and ferns.

Question 28

What are epiphytes?

Answer 28

Non-parasitic plants that grow on the branches of trees for mechanical support, e.g., orchids.

Question 29

What animal life can be found in South African forests?

Answer 29

Bushpigs, bushbuck, monkeys, Knysna loeries, pigeons, and eagles.

Question 30

What is the thicket biome in South Africa?

Answer 30

This biome stretches from the west coast of South Africa to KwaZulu-Natal, with the largest part situated in the Eastern Cape.

Question 31

What is the climate like in the thicket biome?

Answer 31

The climate varies because it extends over a large area.

Question 32

What type of soil is found in the thicket biome?

Answer 32

The soil is often shallow and varies from sandy loam to sandy clay that is rich in lime.

Question 33

What types of vegetation are found in the thicket biome?

Answer 33

The vegetation varies from shrubland to low forests with many evergreen and succulent trees.

Question 34

What are examples of plants that occur in the thicket biome?

Answer 34

Examples include spekboom (elephant bush), Euphorbia, Cape honeysuckle, and Plumbago.

Question 35

What animal life can be found in the thicket biome?

Answer 35

The African elephant, kudu, vervet monkey, and bushbuck.

Question 36

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 36

An ecosystem is a particular area in which living (biotic) components interact with non-living (abiotic) components.

Question 37

How large can an ecosystem be?

Answer 37

An ecosystem can be as large as a giant rainforest or as small as a drop of water from a fish pond.