Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

Figure 55. A view to the west from Windhoekberg. Note the few quiver trees. The farmhouse is
in the centre of the picture with flat terrestrial habitat surrounding it. On the left is Skelemberg
and in the distance on the right lies Ghaamsberg.
A very important aspect of arboreal habitat is dead logs that normally provide shelter and
food for some herpetofauna. With the exception of a few dead quiver trees, almost no
such micro habitat exists on the study site.
The 500 metres of adjoining zones along the study sites are similar to conditions
described. The broader adjacent habitats are extensions of those present on site.
Connectivity as a whole is fair and real opportunities for migration exist. The major
obstacle for migration is the N14 national road that bisects the study site to the south.
10.2. Observed and Expected Herpetofauna Species Richness
The Northern Cape is renowned for its biodiversity and the herpetofauna is no exception
to the rule. It is especially true for reptiles in general and lizards in particular. Many
species in this area are endemic. Often a herpetafauna species is called by its common
name, Namaqua. Namaqualand (Succulent Karoo biome) lies west, near the town
Springbok and the study site in the Bushmanland (Nama Karoo biome), thus the study
site falls outside the natural range of most of these endemics.
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