Criteria for biodiversity special value zones in the Sperrgebiet – plant endemism and species richness measures in practice

Abstract

Zoning protected areas for management purposes usually requires a base layer representing biodiversity and ecological criteria. This study illustrates a systematic process of assigning special value zones within the TsauÇKhaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park. Clearly defined criteria resulted in fourteen areas of very high biodiversity importance. These are the Kowis mountains, Lüderitz peninsula, Tsaukhaib-Haalenberg inselbergs, Grillental-Pomona corridor, Boegoeberg, Klinghardt mountains, Tsaus mountain, Heioab-Aurus mountain range, Chamnaub inselbergs, Rooiberg-Nudavib mountains, Skorpion inselbergs, Obib mountains, Schakalsberge and the Orange River valley.