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What features distinguish the coastal region of the Namib Desert from the Inner Namib?
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Namib
Sand dunes and vegetation at Sossusvlei in the Namib desert, Namibia.
The Namib Desert is divided into three distinct north-south strips, each characterized by unique environmental features. The coastal region and the Inner Namib differ significantly in their geography, vegetation, and wildlife:1
Coastal Region
- Marine Influence: This very narrow strip along the Atlantic Ocean is strongly subject to marine influences.1
- Vegetation: The area supports highly succulent vegetation that relies on moisture derived from fog.2
- Wildlife: The shore is densely populated by marine birds, such as flamingos and pelicans, as well as seals, rodents, and some jackals.3
Inner Namib
- Location: This constitutes the eastern portion of the desert, situated furthest from the coast.1
- Vegetation: The region features steppes that are often barren but support short grasses in wet years, as well as dunes that produce a surprisingly rich flora of bushes and tall grasses.2
- Wildlife: The plains and dunes of the Inner Namib support large numbers of antelope, including gemsbok and springbok, along with ostriches and zebras.3