New plant distribution records for southern Namibia

Antje Burke

doi:10.4102/abc.v47i1.2251

Abstract

Background: A biodiversity zonation in the Greater Fish River Canyon Landscape and delineation of environmentally sensitive areas along the Orange River was required for two conservation projects in the Ai-Ais–Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.Objectives: This required filling gaps in plant distribution data.Method: Field surveys of plants were undertaken during the period 2011–2013.Results: These field surveys generated two cross-border range extensions, which represented new records for Namibia (Ornithogalum decus-montium G.Will. and Salvia dentata Aiton). Five recently described or still undescribed plant species were collected (Chlorophytum boomense Kativu, Moraea thermarum Goldbl. Mann. and three Oxalis species) and several range extensions within Namibia were recorded (Euclea asperrima Holzh., Euryops lateriflorus (L.f.) DC and Othonna cyclophylla Merxm.).Conclusion: These findings highlighted the biodiversity importance of this area at the junction of three major biomes (Succulent Karoo, Desert and Nama Karoo) in the Gariep Centre of Endemism. More stringent reviews of environmental impact assessments are required and associated environmental management guidelines need to be implemented to ensure these newly discovered and rare plants are adequately protected.

Highlights

The mountains to the west of the Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia are still a very poorly known part of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment (Clark, Barker & Mucina 2011), and new species have been discovered here in the last decade (Swanepoel 2011; Van Jaarsveld et al 2007)
The area is positioned in the Gariep Centre of Endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001), an arid area comprising sections of the Succulent Karoo, Desert and Nama Karoo biomes in southern Africa (Rutherford 1997)
(3) The Environment Investment Fund of Namibia supported the delineation of sensitive areas along the Orange River to guide small-scale mining operations (Burke 2013b)

Summary

Introduction

The mountains to the west of the Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia are still a very poorly known part of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment (Clark, Barker & Mucina 2011), and new species have been discovered here in the last decade (Swanepoel 2011; Van Jaarsveld et al 2007). The area is positioned in the Gariep Centre of Endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001), an arid area comprising sections of the Succulent Karoo, Desert and Nama Karoo biomes in southern Africa (Rutherford 1997). It includes the Huns and Namus mountains and falls within the Ai-Ais– Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, jointly managed by Namibia and South Africa. (3) The Environment Investment Fund of Namibia supported the delineation of sensitive areas along the Orange River to guide small-scale mining operations (Burke 2013b) These surveys resulted in some novel findings, which are presented in this article.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion