Biomes and vegetation types
A biome is a broad ecological unit, defined by its geography, climate and soils. Although the plant and animal species differ from one part of the world to another, biomes share similar ecological processes, no matter where they are.
Africa has 13 biomes, of which 5 are represented in Namibia. The larger biomes in Namibia are divided into 28 vegetation types, each with its characteristic biota.
Biomes in Namibia
Click/tap on each thumbnail to see information about each biome.
Namib Desert
- Narrow, hyper-arid coastal strip from Lüderitz northwards
- Characterised by very low and erratic rainfall, fog, wind, extreme temperatures, poor soils.
- Large areas covered by dunes with little vegetation, the rest consists of gravel plains with scattered inselbergs (island hills).
- Divided into three vegetation zones
- Many Namib endemics, some of which are iconic
Succulent Karoo
- Northern tip of the biome that extends along the west coast of South Africa
- Better known as Sperrgebiet, now protected within the Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park
- Characterised by winter rainfall, fog, very strong winds, blowing sands, gravel plains and inselbergs
- High diversity of succulents and geophytes
- Known globally as a botanical “hotspot” due to its high species diversity and number of endemic plants
- Home to about 25% of all Namibia’s plants (ca 1,000 species), covering more than fifty families
- Produces stunning floral displays after good rains.
Nama karoo
- Covering most of southern Namibia and extending northwards along the escarpment
- Southern part, which is divided into four vegetation zones, is characterised by the most extreme temperatures, highest evaporation and totally unpredictable, low rainfall, with poor, stony soils
- Vegetation consists mainly of low (dwarf) shrubs, many of which may be found in South Africa
- Although regarded as part of this biome, the northern and central escarpment and inselbergs are very different from the south both topographically and botanically, with larger trees and shrubs and many endemics
Tree-and-Shrub Savanna
- Makes up the rest of Namibia and shares floral elements with Botswana and further east
- By no means uniform, it is divided into 17 vegetation zones
- Noteworthy among these are the Karstveld and Cuvelai
- Rainfall increases from the west to north-east
- The 400 mm rainfall isohyet divides this biome into the south-western Acacia Tree-and-Shrub Savanna and the Broad-leaved Tree-and-Shrub Savanna
- Low endemism, but high diversity in the north-east
- Large, deciduous trees that are extremely important for timber, construction material, food and medicines, as well as habitats for wildlife
Lakes and Saltpans
- The well-known Etosha pan and its associated pans are the only example of this biome in Namibia
- Due to the high salinity, it is devoid of plant life, apart from a few small, salt tolerant species around the edges
- Peripheral springs form an important water source for animals