The area has little agricultural potential due to the lack of water. The paucity of grasses limits grazing, and the low carrying capacity requires extensive supplementary feeds. Much soil has been lost from the biome, through sheet eriosion, as a consequence of nearly 200 years of grazing. Ostrich farming, with considerable supplementary feeding, is practised in the Little Karoo in the south of the biome. In areas adjoining the Fynbos Biome, wine grapes, fruit and other crops are cultivated using the Fynbos water catchments.
Mining is important, especially in the north.
The biome has a high number of rare and Red Data Book plant species. The high species richness and unique global status of the biome require urgent conservation attention. Fortunately, there are few invasive alien plants, with only Rooikrans Acacia cyclops a major problem in the southern coastal regions. Click images to enlarge Disturbed site near Springbok, Namaqualand with spring flowers and Galenia africana shrubs. Leaf and stem succulents in Helskloof, Richtersveld National Park, Northern Cape.