Gonialoe variegata in white pebble land

This Gonialoe variegata plant does not divulge much more about the plant than what is already given about it in the other photos and stories on the Site. It informs about the dazzling Knersvlakte quartz gravel strewn spectacularly across this land. The grinding sound of walking (hopefully with shoes), across these white pebbles on the otherwise fairly bare plains of the Knersvlakte brought the region its name.

The dwarf succulents that live here survive better, due to the cooling effected by the reflected sunlight. Moisture retention in the soil is also enhanced by the countless little stones. This quartzite feature renders the specialised vegetation of this land ecologically important in terms of sustaining biodiversity. Many endemic species found only here are exceptional in their ecological adaptation niches.

Untoward human behaviour in the form of greedy, illegal plant collection harms and threatens the terrain. The Knersvlakte Nature Reserve established in 2014 is important in this regard. Control measures and education of the public, particularly the younger generation, are vitally important in this regard (Wikipedia; https://www.sa-venues.com).