Nama Karoo is a xeric shrublandecoregion located on the central plateau of South Africa and Namibia. It occupies most of the interior of the western half of South Africa and extends into the southern interior of Namibia.[1]
Nama Karoo
A map of South Africa showing the Nama Karoo ecoregion as defined by WWF
The climate of the Nama Karoo tends to be volatile, unpredictable and rather harsh, with only the most specially-adapted organisms calling the region home. The annual ‘dry’ season—a time of blistering hot weather and drought—is long, often taking place over autumn and winter, and into early spring. Heavy rainfall primarily occurs in the spring and summer ‘wet’ season. This time of plenty can also vary, with total measured rainfall fluctuating between 100 and 520 millimetres (3.94 and 20.47 in) per year. Rainfall is also known to be highly seasonal, peaking between December and March. Precipitation tends to decrease from the east to west, and from north to south. As the climate changes, inter-annual rainfall trends become varied, and unpredictability comes to be expected, especially with increasingly prolonged periods of aridity.[2] Temperature variations as large as 25 °C or 45 °F between day and night are common. Mean maximum temperatures in the mid-summer (January) exceeds 30 °C (86 °F), while mean minimum mid-winter (July) temperatures are below freezing.[3]
^"Nama Karoo". Ecoregions. Worldwildlife.org. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
^Desmet, P.G., and R.M. Cowling, The climate of the Karoo – A functional approach: quoted in W.R.J. Dean and S.J. Milton, The Karoo. Ecological Patterns and Processes: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1999): 3-16
^Werger, M.J.A., Biogeographical Divisions of Southern Africa: quoted in Biogeography and Ecology of Southern Africa. M.J.A. Werger and W. Junk, editors: The Hague, (1978): 231-299
External linksedit
World Wildlife Fund Page on Nama Karoo
December 02, 2023
nama, karoo, xeric, shrubland, ecoregion, located, central, plateau, south, africa, namibia, occupies, most, interior, western, half, south, africa, extends, into, southern, interior, namibia, south, africa, showing, ecoregion, defined, wwfecologyrealmafrotrop. Nama Karoo is a xeric shrubland ecoregion located on the central plateau of South Africa and Namibia It occupies most of the interior of the western half of South Africa and extends into the southern interior of Namibia 1 Nama KarooA map of South Africa showing the Nama Karoo ecoregion as defined by WWFEcologyRealmAfrotropicBiomeDeserts and xeric shrublandsGeographyArea135 600 km2 52 400 sq mi CountriesSouth AfricaNamibiaCoordinates30 S 21 E 30 S 21 E 30 21 Contents 1 Climate 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksClimate editThe climate of the Nama Karoo tends to be volatile unpredictable and rather harsh with only the most specially adapted organisms calling the region home The annual dry season a time of blistering hot weather and drought is long often taking place over autumn and winter and into early spring Heavy rainfall primarily occurs in the spring and summer wet season This time of plenty can also vary with total measured rainfall fluctuating between 100 and 520 millimetres 3 94 and 20 47 in per year Rainfall is also known to be highly seasonal peaking between December and March Precipitation tends to decrease from the east to west and from north to south As the climate changes inter annual rainfall trends become varied and unpredictability comes to be expected especially with increasingly prolonged periods of aridity 2 Temperature variations as large as 25 C or 45 F between day and night are common Mean maximum temperatures in the mid summer January exceeds 30 C 86 F while mean minimum mid winter July temperatures are below freezing 3 See also editGeography of South AfricaReferences edit Nama Karoo Ecoregions Worldwildlife org Retrieved 18 December 2014 Desmet P G and R M Cowling The climate of the Karoo A functional approach quoted in W R J Dean and S J Milton The Karoo Ecological Patterns and Processes Cambridge University Press Cambridge 1999 3 16 Werger M J A Biogeographical Divisions of Southern Africa quoted in Biogeography and Ecology of Southern Africa M J A Werger and W Junk editors The Hague 1978 231 299External links editWorld Wildlife Fund Page on Nama Karoo Nama Karoo Biome Page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nama Karoo amp oldid 1166385534, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
