Renosterveld

Renosterveld is Afrikaans for rhinoceros veld, as a possible reference to the historic habitation by the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).

Lowland fynbos and renosterveld 2008

The biome has three major elements: Cape reeds replace the grasses typical in other ecosystems, local heaths known as erica compose the second major element, and Proteas round out the trio. 3 Renosterveld, though less diverse than Fynbos, has abundant geophytes — plants that store their nutrients underground as bulbs, tubers, or corms. 4 The irises, lilies, and orchids of the Renosterveld were an important seasonal food source for hunters in the region prior to colonial settlement. 5 Renosterveld also supports grasses, though it is overgrazed easily.

Belongings: Property, Family, and Identity in Colonial South Africa 2008

Note 4: Renosterveld geophytes include Iridaceae, Asphodelaceae, Colchicaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Eriospermaceae, and Orchidaceae; van Rooyen and Steyn, 19. back

Belongings: Property, Family, and Identity in Colonial South Africa 2008

Areas of Renosterveld, Nama Karoo, and Succulent Karoo biomes are interspersed among the predominant Fynbos, providing different densities and ranges of plants within a relatively contained space. 2 People and animals need only climb partway up a mountainside to find a change of foliage.

Belongings: Property, Family, and Identity in Colonial South Africa 2008

Renosterveld flatland soils are slightly richer than the predominant fynbos type.

Cape Floral Protected Areas, South Africa 2009

Fynbos/Renosterveld Mosaic comprises a mosaic of fynbos and renosterveld communities associated largely with shale-derived soils, especially where silcrete/ferricrete material is present in the profile or occur as remnant outcrops.

Lowland fynbos and renosterveld 2008

Renosterveld always grows on fine-grained, shale-derived soils of the coastal plain and inland valleys where the annual rainfall is between 250 mm and 650 mm.

Lowland fynbos and renosterveld 2008

Renosterveld grows in the uplands of the Hardeveld, Little Karoo, Richtersveld, and the Western Mountain Karoo with rainfall varying from 250 mm to more than 400 mm per year.

Succulent Karoo 2008

Lowland Fynbos and Renosterveld habitats are largely confined to its southern and eastern fringes where they are associated with shale-derived hills and plains (400 m to 1,000 m in elevation) and receive a non-seasonal rainfall of 250 mm to 400 mm annually.

Lowland fynbos and renosterveld 2008

Renosterveld often develops as a result of the degradation of fynbos, through overgrazing or burning at unnaturally short intervals.

Lowland fynbos and renosterveld 2008