Rocks fashion microclimates

A microclimate is a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas, often comprising slight differences, sometimes substantial ones. The area of a microclimate may be as small as a few square meters or less. Climate is statistical and small sample statistics tend to include unstable, exceptional results.

This definition is descriptive of situations that may vary dramatically among the huge rocks characterising parts of the land here at Kagga Kamma and more widely in the Cederberg. The spatial and temporal variation of mean values of climatic parameters in different nooks among such rocks favour the discovery of surprising pockets of unique mini-gardens of nature.

Such conditions result in rare plants thriving by themselves in rocky courtyards or combinations of plants forming astonishing ensembles worth searching for, as visibility (and access) are generally restricted in such places.

The typical size, growth pattern and appearance of a plant species may be exceeded or otherwise transformed in miniclimatic conditions. The most striking or attractive specimen of a plant may be found here, as well as some forms that may present difficulty in the recognition of even familiar plants, due to the atypical growing conditions (Wikipedia).