Vegetation
The vegetation in Karoo National Park falls within two biomes, namely the Nama-Karoo, which covers the largest section of the Park and a relatively small section of the Grassland. The Upper- and Lower Karoo Bioregional units occur in the Park, representing the Western Upper Karoo, Upper Karoo Hardeveld and the Gamka Karoo vegetation types. The Grassland Biome is represented by the Karoo Escarpment Grassland vegetation types, which is part of the Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion.
The physical appearance of the vegetation consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands, Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands, Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands and riparian thickets. Thirty percent of the recognised endemic plant species of the Nama-Karoo Biome are conserved within the Karoo National Park.
The Karoo “bossies” (several plant species) gives the Karoo its original character and flavour. Shrubs and trees form the basic browsing source for many of the wildlife species.
Bouts of drought are a natural occurrence in the Karoo, although not all are severe. Wildlife numbers can be reduced during severe drought conditions, however by maintaining reasonable stocking rates and good vegetation conditions, a more constant flow of forage for the wildlife can be maintained.