*Vachellia* **(***Acacia***)** *karroo* **Communities in South Africa: An Overview An Overview**

*Vachellia* **(***Acacia***)** *karroo* **Communities in South Africa:** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.70456

#### Mamokete Dingaan and Pieter J. du Preez Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Mamokete Dingaan and Pieter J. du Preez

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70456

#### **Abstract**

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108 Pure and Applied Biogeography

*Vachellia karroo* is a useful and widespread tree in Africa. It belongs to the family Fabaceae, which is the third largest woody plant family in southern Africa. This is an ecologically and economically important species as almost all of its parts, including bark, pods, seeds, leaves and thorns, are extremely useful to both humans and animals. Various commercial products are also obtained from the tree, and gum is one of the most important products. *V. karroo* in South Africa has an extensive distribution range that includes several biomes. It is very adaptable and has wide habitat tolerance, growing under many differing conditions of soil, climate, and altitude. Although it is often associated with heavy, clayey soils on the banks of rivers and streams, it also grows in bushveld, dry thornveld, grassland and woodland. *V. karroo* is easy to grow and as a result can become an aggressive invader of valuable farming land and grazing areas, a phenomenon usually referred to as bush encroachment. An analysis of historic data comprising 1553 relevés and 2006 species, compiled from all areas of South Africa where *V. karroo* is known to occur was conducted, and TWINSPAN classification produced five main vegetation types.

**Keywords:** *Acacia*, biome, bush encroachment, ecological significance, economic value, geographical range, soil enrichment, sweet thorn, *Vachellia*
