Island–matrix relationships in Nama Karoo inselberg landscapes. Part I: Do inselbergs provide a refuge for matrix species?

In a first step to investigate the potential source-sink functionof isolated mountains (i.e. inselbergs) in an arid landscape,affinities of inselberg floras with their surrounding were investigated in foursets of inselbergs in Namibia's Nama Karoo. The questions focussed on(a) the potential of inselbergs to serve as sources for degradedrangelands, and (b) the role of species attributes in the relationshipbetween inselberg and matrix. The study showed that inselbergs can serve assource for degraded rangeland, but at regional and landscape level employed inthis analysis, the species attributes growth form and seed dispersal did notprovide any conclusive trends.