Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

Figure 39. View west towards Hoedkop, looking across Pan 2 and the water that accumulated in
the ditch dug across its centre from the unexpected 30 mm of rain that fell the fortnight before.
• Rocky mountains and gravel skirts. The various rocky mountains that protrude
from the flat landscape form prominent and well-defined habitats that support
their own special biodiversity of plants and animals. Most range run east-west,
their southern slopes more shaded, facing the prevailing moist winds, and
accumulating blown sand at their bases, the northern slopes warmer, drier, and
with more wind erosion. Quiver tree/Kokerboom Aloe dichotoma and Boscia
albitrunca are their largest and most obvious woody plants, and a diversity of
succulents are also characteristic. Rocks and gravels of various sizes form 'skirts'
as they accumulate around the bases.
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