Renosterveld types:

RenosterveldNorth-western Mountain RenosterveldEscarpment Mountain Renosterveld Central Mountain RenosterveldWest Coast Renosterveld

59. North-western Mountain Renosterveld

Synonym:

North-western Mountain Renosterveld

Mountain Renosterveld (A43).

Statistics:

1 641 km²; area transformed unknown; 0.00% conserved.

Locality & Physical Geography.

North-western Mountain Renosterveld is very poorly known. It is largely confined to the Kamiesberg highlands around Leliefontein where the higher elevation ensures sufficient rainfall to support this vegetation type. North-western Mountain Renosterveld grades with Succulent Karoo and Fynbos at lower and higher elevations, respectively.

Climate:

Winter rains and summer drought, although mists from the cold Benguella Current may prevail at higher altitudes during both winter and summer. Rainfall varies from 250 mm per year, with Fynbos becoming dominant at 350 to 400 mm year.

Geology & Soil:

Granites and gneisses are the dominant geology in the region, giving rise to deep sandy loamy soils.

Vegetation:

Although Renosterbos Elytropappus rhinocerotis is the dominant species, Wild Rosemary Eriocephalus africanus, Resinbush Euryops lateriflorus and Tortoisebush Nylandtia spinosa are also common. Annuals and geophytes are relatively scarce in the understorey.

Key Environmental Parameters:

Adamson mentions that some species are eliminated by grazing, and that fire has an (unspecified) influence. The distribution of this vegetation type is controlled largely by the rainfall, which in turn is a function of the high altitude of the area.

Economic Uses:

Much of this vegetation type is being ploughed up, mainly for duram wheat and to develop grazing. Although these crops often fail, the high prices guarantee an income. Stock farming is also important.

Conservation Status:

The Kamiesberg is recognized as an important centre of endemism, but has no significant conservation areas. The distribution of rare and Red Data Book species between the different vegetation types on the massif (ie. Mountain Fynbos (64), Upland Succulent Karoo (56) and North-western Mountain Renosterveld) is unknown.

Key References:

Adamson (1938), Rourke (1990).

Author:

Tony Rebelo.