Biogeography, endemism and diversity of animals in the karoo

Ant composition and activity patterns as determined by pitfall trapping and other methods in three habitats in the semi-arid Karoo

“…The higher productivity of the Karoo relative to the extremely arid conditions that prevail in the Namib probably explains this discrepancy. The limited work done on ants in the Karoo has indicated a positive correlation between species richness and rainfall (Vernon, 1999). The site of the present study experiences relatively high annual rainfall and has a correspondingly high ant species richness.…”

The ecological effectiveness of protected areas: a case study for South African birds

“…Summer rainfall dominates, but is unpredictable (Cowling & Hilton-Taylor, 1999 (South African National Parks, 2005). Areas adjacent to the park are typically used for extensive livestock agriculture, and it is thought that overstocking and the imposition of perennial grazing regimes in a highly seasonal or periodic landscape are having negative effects (Hoffman et al, 1999;Vernon, 1999).…”

Seeds dispersed in dung of insectivores and herbivores in semi-arid southern Africa

“…Intact seeds are common in faeces of indigenous canids (Skinner & Smithers, 1990;Kok & Nel, 1992) and the ant-and termite-eating aardvark Orycteropus afer (Pallas) (Dean, 1991;Willis et al, 1992). Intensification of ranching in the semi-arid Kalahari and Karoo over the past century has reduced the abundance of indigenous mammals through control of predatory or destructive species, and replacement of a diverse array of indigenous species with domestic livestock (Skead 1980;Vernon, 1999). An understanding of endozoochoric dispersal is therefore relevant not only for the management of invasive plants on ranches, but also for the restoration of processes in rangelands newly acquired for conservation purposes.…”