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A new approach to the Namib Region

I: Phytogeographic subdivision

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Abstract

For a new approach to the phytogeography of the Namib region three sets of data are analyzed, (a) distribution data of ca. 1700 taxa, (b) habitat informations of a large number of taxa, collected in course of an extensive phytosociological survey, (c) distribution data of characteristic life form spectra and plant formations.

In this paper, as a first step of a comprehensive phytochorological analysis, phytochoria and their limits are proposed as derived from frequently observed areas of distribution, while a numerical analysis of the complete flora of these phytochoria is in preparation.

Considering with emphasis the flora of zonal habitats (Walter 1986), two major phytochorological units are recognized:

  1. 1.

    The Succulent Karoo Region (Greater Cape Flora)

  1. 1.1

    Namaqualand-Namib Domain

  2. 1.2

    Southern Karoo Domain

  1. 2.

    The Nama Karoo Region (Palaeotropis)

  1. 2.1

    Namaland Domain

  2. 2.2

    Eastern Karoo Domain

  3. 2.3

    Damaraland-Kaokoland Domain

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Jürgens, N. A new approach to the Namib Region. Vegetatio 97, 21–38 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033899

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