The hills are alive…

You know spring’s here when Namaqualand rolls out her flower carpet over the plains of the Northern and Western Cape. We take this annual spectacle for granted, but climate change is posing a threat to this ecosystem. For the past four years, Dr Caroli de Waal (above) has been researching the ecology of Namaqualand’s wild flowers. This region forms part of the Succulent Karoo Biome, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. She has specifically examined the strategies plants use to adapt to unpredictable environmental conditions, including seed dispersal, dormancy, pollination and propagation.

“One year, I had to collect a number of plants along the Skilpad Road. The tourists were livid, hooting and wagging their fingers at me on their way past!” Caroli says. “But generally people are very interested and go to great lengths to find out what I’m doing. And many of the Namaqualanders allowed us to gather data on their properties.” She says this research helps scientists understand the challenges plants face because of climate change and possible ways they can adapt.

“This largely depends on how much and when it rained in winter,” Caroli says. “Also, they aren’t equally beautiful at the same places every year. In my experience, in the last two weeks of August and the beginning of September you’re likely to see beautiful flowers somewhere.

“This year we expect that the late rains will result in a later flower season. Don’t hesitate to take a drive to see the show – it’s the best way to appreciate it.”

“The rugged Studer’s Pass (between Garies and Leliefontein), Spektakel Pass (between Springbok and Kommagas), which is 400m above sea level, and Wildeperdhoek Pass (between Springbok and Namaqua National Park) all have beautiful views over the flower-covered plains of Namaqualand. Look for the tiny Ursinia anthemoides marigolds ( below).

“From Kamieskroon, follow the signs to Namaqua National Park – about 23km further