Abstract
The Succulent Karoo situated in the arid south-western portion of southern Africa is recognised as a hot-spot of global significance in terms of its floral diversity and high concentration of endemic taxa. The Succulent Karoo with approximately 5000 taxa, 40% of which are endemic to the region, is probably the richest arid flora in the world. Analysis of the endemic flora shows that it is not a random assemblage with regards to taxonomic affinity and growth form. The endemics are also not randomly distributed, but tend to occur in discrete centres of endemism. The growth form profiles of the endemics in each centre are distinctive indicating different selective forces. Conservation planning and management need to take the characteristics of the flora, particularly the endemic component, into consideration.
Résumé
Le Karoo à plantes succulentes, qui se situe dans la partie sud-occidentale aride de l’Afrique du Sud, est considéré comme un haut-lieu mondial en termes de diversité floristique et en forte concentration de taxons endémiques. Le Karoo à plantes succulentes, avec environ 5000 taxons dont 40% d’endémiques à la région, possède probablement la flore aride la plus riche du monde. Une analyse de la flore endémique montre qu’il ne s’agit pas d’un assemblage aléatoire si l’on considère les affinités taxonomiques et les formes biologiques. Les endémiques ne sont pas non plus réparties de façon aléatoire, mais ont tendance à occuper des centres d’endémisme discontinus. Les types de formes biologiques dans chaque centre sont bien distincts, démontrant ainsi diverses voies de sélection. Il faut tenir compte, dans le plan de conservation et d’aménagement, des caractéristiques de la flore et plus particulièrement de ses composantes endémiques.
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Hilton-Taylor, C. (1996). Patterns and characteristics of the flora of the Succulent Karoo Biome, southern Africa. In: van der Maesen, L.J.G., van der Burgt, X.M., van Medenbach de Rooy, J.M. (eds) The Biodiversity of African Plants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0285-5_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0285-5_10
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