Biomes of South Africa (pages 176-181) Flashcards
REFER TO NOTEBOOK/TEXTBOOK FOR DIAGRAMS
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