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Introduction

A biome is an area of the planet that can be defined by the plants and animals that live in it. National Geographic reports that a biome is not an ecosystem. Whereas a ecosystem refers to the interactions between the organisms (pants, animals, microbes) and non-living things in an area, a biome is notable for the species alone. The Succulent Karoo is one of the Desert Biomes of South Africa. It is characterized by low winter rainfall and harsh summer aridity.

The Details

The Succulent Karoo is home to many unusual plants, including succulents that occur no where else. Various birds, reptiles, and insects are also present. Lions and ostriches may call the Succulent Karoo their home. The vegetation is dominated by dwarf, succulent shrubs and some annual plants. Mass flowering displays of annuals occur in spring, often on degraded or fallow lands. Grasses are not common except in some sandy areas.

The Succulent Karoo has one of the world’s richest assemblages of succulent plants. In fact, it has about one-third of the worlds estimated succulent species. Many of the plants are geophytes, i.e. those with underground storage organs (e.g., bulbs, tubers, or corms, etc.).

Overall, the Succulent Karoo is sparsely populated. Nonetheless, parts of it are in danger from development and grazing.