Biomes of South Africa (pages 176-181) Flashcards
what are the seven terrestrial biomes
- Grassland
- Savannah
- Nama-Karoo
- Succulent Karoo
- Forest
- Fynbos
- Thicket
what is a biome
large geographical region characterised by a specific set of environmental conditions such as climate, soil type, topography and vegetation
climate of grassland biome
-summer rainfall with heavy thunderstorms and hail
-frost in winter
vegetation of grassland biome
-trees scarce (grow mainly in hills and along river beds)
-grasses dominant plant type
animal life of the grassland biome
-many birds (black korhaan, blue crane, guineafowl, ground nesting birds)
-natural home of black wildebeest, blesbok and eland
soil of grassland biome
-deep and dark
-fertile upper layers
which parts of south africa is savannah
-almost half
-northern regions
-Kruger National Park
climate of savannah biome
-less summer rainfall than grassland
-higher summer and winter temperatures
vegetation of the savannah biome
-mixed grasslands and trees
-commonly known bushveld
-lots trees eg. baobab, mopane and monkey thorn
animal life of savannah biome
-lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs
-big 5
-many trees attract birds eg. hornbills, flycatchers, woodpeckers, shrikes
soil in the savannah biome
-generally thin-lacking organic matter (humus)
indigenous
plants and animals always present in an area, not brought there from another country
temperate
climate never too hot or very cold
canopy
top layer of leaves and branches of trees
what is the smallest biome in south africa
forest
best-known forests in south africa
Knysna and Tsitsikamma
climate of forest biome
-temperate
-rainfall al year round
-only small temperature changes between summer and winter
vegetation of forest biome
-big trees eg. yellowwood, ironwood
-ferns and mosses found below canopy
animal life of forest biome
-colourful birds eg. Knysna turaco
-small animals eg. bushpigs, bushbuck, blue duikers, dassie
-predators eg. leopards and crowned eagles
soil of forest biome
fertile
why is the soil of forest biome fertile
enriched by decaying plant material
which parts of south africa does the nama karoo include
Namaland area of Namibia and Karoo region of South Africa
climate of nama karoo
-semi desert
-low rainfall (less 400mm/year)
-rivers only flow after rain
-very hot summer
-very cold winter with frequent frost
vegetation of nama karoo
-small shrubs
-grasses
-trees only grow along rivers
animal life of nama karoo
-animals adapted hot, dry climates
eg. bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, ostriches, spring hares
-used herds springbok shot out hunters
soil of nama karoo
-thin
-rich in lime
-contains little organic matter
not very fertile
climate of succulent karoo
-winter rainfall
-extremely dry summers
-summer tempretures often reach 40°C
vegetation of succulent karoo
-dominant: succulents, thick, fleshy leaves able store water during long, hot summers
how do plants prevent water loss (succulent karoo)
very small leaves or spines instead leaves. some just have green stems. annual plants survive dry conditions form of seeds which only germinate after rainfall
animal life of succulent karoo
-bat-eared foxes
-suricate/meerkat
common barking gecko
soil type of succulent karoo
-thin
-rich in lime
-not very fertile
-similar Nama-Karoo
climate of fynbos biome
-cool, wet winter
-dry, hot summers
vegetation of fynbos biome
-evergreen plans with tiny, hard leaves
-proteas, ericas, restios
how did the fynbos biome get its name
narrow-leaved plants grow in region
animal life of fynbos biome
-grysbok, geometric tortoises (suurpootjie)
-Cape sugarbirds, protea seedeaters - not found anywhere else
-leopards, baboons, eagles, lynxes, porcupines, grey rheboks
-caracals
soil of fynbos biome
-generally poor
-lacking minerals and organic matter
climate of thicket biome
-low rainfall can be winter/summer
vegetation of thicket biome
-replaces forest not true savannah (doesnt have grass cover)
-shrubs
-low evergreen trees eg. wild olive trees, vines, succulent plants such as aloes
-many plants spine/thorns
animal life of thicket biome
-elephant
-kudu
-vervet monkeys
-bushbuck
soil of thicket biome
- dune sand (coastal thicket)
-sandy/clay soil
area situated thicket biome
Addo Elephant National Park
2 types of aquatic biomes
marine and freshwater
where are marine biomes found
Earth’s oceans, cover nearly 75% Earth’s surface
3 examples marine biomes
-coral reef
-estuaries
-oceans
where is Earth’s rainfall from
evaporations of Earth’s oceans, temperature oceans effects world’s climate and wind patterns
purpose of marine algae
major oxygen source and consumes huge amounts carbon dioxide
vegetation of marine biome
-different types algae
-large kelp plants
-microscopic unicellular forms
animals found marine biomes
-whales
-sharks
-octopuses
-molluscs eg. mussels, perlemoen, crustaceans (crabs, crayfish)
-SA marine biome 270/325 fish families
range ecosystems South Africa’s marine biomes
rocky shores, coral reefs, kelp beds, open sea
types of freshwater biomes
wetlands and rivers/streams
what is a wetland
areas with shallow layer of water with vegetation growing in and on edges of the water
flora
plant life
species diversity
variety of different types of living things found in an area
sediment
layers of sand and other small particles settle bottom of rivers, lakes, dams
two examples of wetlands
swamps and marshes
why are wetlands important
prevent flooding of ponds, lakes, streams and river by acting like a sponge, releasing water when water level gets low, absorbing water when water level high. filter and purify water
animals found in wetlands
-southern red bishop
-shelduck
-insects
-mammals
-reptiles
-amphibians (striped stream frog)
-fish
-invertebrate species
plants found wetlands
-grasses
-sedges
-water lilies
-arum lily
-red-hot poker
what are rivers and streams
bodies of flowing water that move in one direction, source high mountains and end river mouth flows into sea
water levels river
vary depending on time of year
water near source vs mouth
-cooler source than mouth
-clearer source than mouth
-higher oxygen levels source
-freshwater fish found source
plants found middle of river
-numerous green river plants and algae
-floating weeds
what happens end of river
-water murky from sediment
-decreases amount of light
-less light, less plants, less oxygen
-find animals such as catfish and carp
