Namaqualand  - The Succulent Karoo
geological and vegetation types:

The Kamiesberg is the only region where all the known endemic succulents belong to the same family, namely Mesembryanthemaceae. The Kamiesberg Route is located in the middle of the Succulent Karoo – which is considered a focal point in the plant world as it is one of 25 biodiversity “hotspots”. This region also boasts more than 6 000 plant types, of which 86 species are endemic (that is, occurring nowhere else in the world). The area is home to 35 species of flowering plants, which are remnants of a wet, tropical time a million years ago. The Acacia erioloba – the kameeldoringboom or camelthorn tree – first appeared in the area 4 000 years ago, and is actually a summer rainfall species, though it no longer rains here in summer.

The region covered by the Kamiesberg Route can be divided into two main categories, the Rocky Hills and the Sandveld, each with its own distinctive geological and vegetation types. Beyond the Rocky Hills of the Kamiesberg mountain range is the Bushmanland plateau – which again has different vegetation and geology.

 Strong southerly winds prevail and cause up-welling of cold, nutrient-rich seawater to the surface, accounting for the high biological productivity of the marine environment. The area is characterised by sandy soils that support sparse, scrubby Strandveld vegetation, which is adapted to extreme temperatures and limited moisture, but is sensitive to disturbance. Agricultural potential is poor, but the unusual succulent vegetation and annual wildflower display are important assets of the area.

The plants of the Sandveld (the vegetation type is called Strandveld) grow on sand of marine origin and can be divided into five subtypes, determined mainly by the age, depth and origin of the sandy habitat. Each group of vegetation has developed its own survival tactics.

Strandveld Vegetation Types:

* The vegetation of the Strandveld Coastal Zone is stunted due to the summer southerly gales;
* The Short Strandveld is never more than knee high and the volstruisvygie with its large pink flower gives a splendid display after the rains;
* The Tall Strandveld vegetation buries its roots deep in the more stabilised inland white sand, where multi-species clumps grow up to 2m high;
* The Strandveld Dune Field is dynamic, with no vegetation on the mobile dunes closer to the coast; and
* The older inland sandy areas are home to the Grassy Strandveld. These plains are dominated by boesmangras and doringgras, which feed springbok and gemsbok.