Synonym:

Kalahari Thornveld (A16).

Statistics:

13 040 km˛; ± 25% transformed; 0.03% conserved,

Locality & Physical Geography:

Found on rocky, shallow soils on the hills at an altitude of 450 to 1 250 m, in the vicinity

of Olifantshoek, Kuruman and northwards to Sonstraal, in Northern Cape.

Climate:

The rainfall is extremely erratic, with about 350 mm per year failing in summer. Temperatures vary between -8C and 40C, with an average of 19C.

Geology & Soil:

Largely confined to acid banded ironstone and lava of the hills within the region.

Vegetation:

More open than Kalahari Plateau Bushveld and dominated by Camphor Tree Tarchonanthus camphoratus. In the south the Camphor Tree may become very sparse, and Kunibush Rhus undulata and Broom Karee Rhus dregeana become the principal shrubs. The tree layer is poorly developed and individuals of Wild Olive Olea europaea subsp. africana and Black Thorn Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens are widely scattered. The grass layer is moderately developed depending on the rockiness of the area. The grass becomes more sour to the north and includes Broadleaf Bluestem Diheteropogon amplectens, Hairy Bluegrass Andropogon schirensis and Velvet Signalgrass Brachiaria serrata. Southwards Copperwire Grass Aristida diffusa, Lehmann's Lovegrass Eragrostis lehmanniana, Thimblegrass Fingerhuthia africana and Digitaria eriantha become dominant in sheltered areas.

Key Environmental Parameters:

This bushveld type is confined to the ironstone and lava hills of the region.

Economic Uses:

Livestock farming of cattle, goats and sheep.

Conservation Status:

Very poorly conserved.

Key Reference:

Leistner (1967).

Authors:

Noel van Rooyen & George Bredenkamp.