Richtersveld
Arid biodiversity hotspot and Nama cultural landscape in South Africa.
The Richtersveld is a desert landscape in the north-western corner of South Africa's Northern Cape province, characterized by rugged kloofs, high mountains, and a range of scenery from coastal plains to volcanic peaks. It is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth and is home to the Nama people, who practice a transhumant lifestyle and have set aside a community conservancy for research and tourism.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Northern Cape, South Africa
- Criteria
- (iv), (v)(iv), (v)
- Year
- 2007
- Area
- 160,000 ha
- Buffer Zone
- 398,425 ha
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Richtersveld is inhabited by the Nama people, who claimed title to their traditional land and established a community conservancy for future research and tourism. The northern part of the area was proclaimed in 1991 after 18 years of negotiations between the National Parks Board and the local Nama people, who continue to live and graze their livestock there. The community conservancy is bordered by the Richtersveld National Park, managed jointly by the Richtersveld community and South African National Parks, and by designated community grazing areas that allow the Nama to maintain their transhumant lifestyle—seasonally migrating with their livestock through a fragile succulent ecosystem.
Reader's Guide
The Richtersveld holds significance as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth, with approximately 4,849 plant species, 40 percent of which are endemic, including the iconic 'Halfmensboom' (Pachypodium namaquanum) and three endemic tree aloe species. Its cultural importance is recognized through the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in June 2007, which protects the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape as a place where the traditional way of life of the Khoikhoi (of whom the Nama are the largest surviving clan) survives to any great extent. The area's harsh climate, with summer temperatures reaching about 53 °C and life-sustaining morning fog called 'Ihuries' or 'Malmokkies', supports a diverse range of wildlife including Hartmann's mountain zebra, African leopard, and the endemic Richtersveld katydid. The World Heritage Site is declared under cultural criteria, recognizing that the community's cultural values are intrinsically connected to the environment.
Did You Know?
- The Nama people call the life-giving morning fog 'Ihuries' or 'Malmokkies'.
- The 'Halfmensboom' tree is revered by the Nama as the embodiment of their ancestors.
- Diamond mining occurs in parts of the Richtersveld, including areas near the community conservancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Richtersveld?
It is a rugged desert region in the far north-west of South Africa's Northern Cape, stretching from flat coastal plains up to dramatic volcanic peaks and towering rock formations. It holds the distinction of being the planet's only arid biodiversity hotspot.
Who are the Nama people of the Richtersveld?
The Nama are the indigenous community that has inhabited this landscape for generations, following a traditional transhumant lifestyle centred on seasonal livestock movement. They established a community conservancy to steward their land for research and tourism.
How many plant species grow in the Richtersveld?
Roughly 2,200 plant species are recorded in the area, and about 40 percent of them are found nowhere else on Earth. This extraordinary concentration of endemism is a key reason for its World Heritage designation.
Why was the Richtersveld inscribed as a World Heritage Site?
It was recognized for pairing an outstanding arid ecosystem with the living cultural heritage of the Nama people. It is the only site on the World Heritage List that qualifies as an arid biodiversity hotspot.
How much rain does the Richtersveld receive each year?
Annual rainfall is extremely low, typically falling between 50 and 200 millimetres. Despite this scarcity, the region sustains an incredibly rich and diverse plant community.
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