scholarly journals A vegetation classification and description of white-winged flufftail ( Sarothrura ayresi ) habitat at selected high-altitude peatlands in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Marais ◽  
K. Lloyd ◽  
H. A. Smit-Robinson ◽  
L. R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Anthropogenic Influences ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Scale Classification ◽  
Phytosociological Study ◽  
Species Ecology

The white-winged flufftail is listed as critically endangered, and limited knowledge about the species' ecology has been identified as a limiting factor to effectively conserving the bird. Little is known about the vegetation inhabited by the white-winged flufftail, which hampers the identification and management of its habitat. This study presents a fine-scale classification and description of the vegetation of wetland sites where the bird is known to be present. A plant phytosociological study was conducted to describe the plant communities and vegetation structure of the habitat. Three sites were selected at Verloren Valei Nature Reserve and two at Middelpunt Wetland, Mpumalanga, South Africa, shortly after the white-winged flufftail breeding season. A total of 60 sample plots were placed within the study sites, where all plant species present were recorded and identified. Other aspects such as plant height, water depth and anthropogenic influences were also documented. A modified TWINSPAN analysis resulted in the identification of three sub-communities that can be grouped into one major community. The Cyperaceae, Asteraceae and Poaceae families dominate the vegetation, with the sedges Carex austro-africana and Cyperus denudatus being dominant, and the grasses Leersia hexandra and Arundinella nepalensis co-dominant. The broad habitat structure consisted of medium to tall herbaceous plants (0.5–0.7 m) with shallow slow-flowing water.

A Phytosociological Study of the Cape Fynbos and other Vegetation at Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch

Bothalia ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. A. Werger ◽  
F. J. Kruger ◽  
H. C. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Cape Fynbos ◽  
Phytosociological Study

The Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method was tested in the complex Fynbos vegetation of the South-western Cape Region o f South Africa. In the Swartboschkloof Nature Reserve, Jonkers- hoek, the Fynbos, riverine scrub and forest vegetation was classified preliminarily into eight com­munities, which are described floristically and related to habitat. The results hold promise, and the possibilities of classifying the Cape Fynbos in a formal phytosociological system are discussed.

scholarly journals The phytosociology of the southern section of Borakalalo Nature Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Habitat Factors ◽  
Twinspan Classification ◽  
Southern Section ◽  
Phytosociological Study

As part of a vegetation survey programme for conservation areas in South Africa, the plant communities of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve were investigated. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures was used for a phytosociological study. The analysis resulted in five major plant communities, one with two subcommunities and one with four subcommunities and two variants. Habitat factors associated with differences in vegetation include topography, soil form and grazing pressure. Descriptions of the plant communities include diagnostic species as well as prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, forb and grass strata. The classification provides the necessary delimitation of homogeneous areas which are considered necessary for veld management.

scholarly journals The vegetation of three localities of the threatened butterfly species Chrysoritis aureus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Koedoe ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.F. Terblanche ◽  
T.L. Morgenthal ◽  
S.S. Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Metapopulation Structure ◽  
Dca Ordination ◽  
Research Questions

The vegetation and habitat characteristics of three localities of Chrysoritis aureus at theAlice Glockner Nature Reserve, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and Malanskraal farmnear Heidelberg in South Africa, were compared. A numerical classification technique,TWINSPAN, was used and refined by using Braun Blanquet procedures to classify thevegetation at the different localities. A DCA ordination was applied to confirm theresults of the classification. Although the general vegetation structure at the three habitats of Chrysoritis aureus were found to be similar, marked differences in the floristiccomposition were evidenced. A different sub-community, compared to the vegetation atSuikerbosrand and Alice Glockner Nature Reserve, was recorded at the Malanskraalhabitat of Chrysoritis aureus. These differences in floristic composition, but with similarities in vegetation structure, indicate the possible importance of fire for the ultimatesurvival of these butterflies in the Rocky Highveld Grassland. The host plant ofChrysoritis aureus, Clutia pulchella, collected at Malanskraal differed markedly andconsistently in their morphology, compared to the individuals from the habitats atSuikerbosrand and Alice Glockner Nature Reserve. These differences in the floristiccomposition of one of the habitats compared to the others, raise research questions concerning the butterfly metapopulation structure, since the subpopulations seem to beadapted to slightly different habitat conditions. The variation in the habitat suggests thatthe “last remaining locality scenario” for other localised butterflies in South Africa, suchas  Orachrysops niobe, needs to be redressed. Management strategies are addressedwhile the importance of conserving rare, localised ecosystems are highlighted by thephytosociological study

Analisis Keragaman Tanaman Sebagai Jasa Lingkungan Pada Lanskap Agroforestri di Daerah Aliran Sungai Krueng Aceh

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkifli Aiyub Kadir ◽  
Bahagia Bahagia
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Middle Stream ◽  
Land Management System ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Aleurites Moluccana ◽  
Lansium Domesticum ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

<p>Humans have utilized landscape for  produces a diverse character of the wider area of the watershed. Agroforestry is a land management system in addressing the problems that arise due to changes in land use of soil and water conservation. The aim of the study was to analyze plant diversity in agroforestry practices that have services in the Krueng watershed landscape in Aceh watershed. Develop strategies in the Krueng Aceh DAS agroforestry service. This research was conducted in the upper, middle and downstream of the Krueng Aceh watershed, with a rapid method of Agro-Biodiversity Appraisal and SWOT. The results showed that the composition of the vegetation structure found in the study sites tended to vary with the diversity index of agroforestry that was currently in the upstream and middle of the Krueng Aceh watershed. Based on SWOT analysis, internal scores are 2.45 and external scores are 3.21. Agroforestry practices in the upper stream of Krueng Aceh watershed were dominated by <em>Aleurites moluccana</em>, <em>Areca cathecu</em>, and  <em>Averrhoa bilimbi</em> L  species with the highest INP in the upper stream of Krueng Aceh watershed. Vegetation at the middle stream of Krueng Aceh watershed dominated by <em>Areca cathecu,</em> <em>Lansium domesticum</em> and Musa<em> paradisiaca</em>.  </p>

scholarly journals Do arthropod assemblages fit the grassland and savanna biomes of South Africa?

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Botha ◽  
Stefan J. Siebert ◽  
Johnnie van den Berg ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Multidimensional Scaling ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
Scaling Analyses ◽  
Suction Sampling ◽  
Functional Assemblages

Abstract The long-standing tradition of classifying South Africa’s biogeographical area into biomes is commonly linked to vegetation structure and climate. Because arthropod communities are often governed by both these factors, it can be expected that arthropod communities would fit the biomes. To test this hypothesis, we considered how well arthropod species assemblages fit South Africa’s grassy biomes. Arthropod assemblages were sampled from six localities across the grassland and savanna biomes by means of suction sampling, to determine whether the two biomes have distinctive arthropod assemblages. Arthropod samples of these biomes clustered separately in multidimensional scaling analyses. Within biomes, arthropod assemblages were more distinctive for savanna localities than grassland. Arthropod samples of the two biomes clustered together when trophic groups were considered separately, suggesting some similarity in functional assemblages. Dissimilarity was greatest between biomes for phytophagous and predacious trophic groups, with most pronounced differentiation between biomes at sub-escarpment localities. Our results indicate that different arthropod assemblages do fit the grassy biomes to some extent, but the pattern is not as clear as it is for plant species.

An encapsulated haemogregarine from the evileye pufferfish in South Africa

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.J. Smit ◽  
A.J. Davies
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
The Third ◽  
Blood Smears

Developmental stages of a haemogregarine were found within polychromatocytes and erythrocytes in Giemsa-stained blood smears from six evileye pufferfish (Amblyrhynchotes honckenii) caught at Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This unusual haemogregarine, Haemogregarina (sensu lato) koppiensis sp. nov., was characterized by encapsulated gamonts with recurved tails, features more common in haemogregarines infecting amphibian and reptilian erythrocytes than in those from fish. Haemogregarina koppiensis is only the third species of fish haemogregarine to have been described from South Africa.

scholarly journals The vegetation of the southern Langeberg, Cape Province. 2. The plant communities of the Marloth Nature Reserve

Bothalia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Mcdonald
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Hierarchical Classification ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Afromontane Forest ◽  
Lower South ◽  
Mature Stands

The Marloth Nature Reserve, encompassing the mountain catchments of the southern Langeberg immediately above Swellendam, Cape Province. South Africa, is described. The vegetation of the reserve was sampled along a transect representing the variation in plant communities over the range from the lower south to the lower north slopes. Eighty-three sample sites were subjectively located in mature stands of fynbos vegetation (10 years old). The relev£ data were initially classified using TWINSPAN and then refined by Braun-Blanquet (BB) phytosociological procedures. The Afromontane Forest patches which occur mainly on the lower south slopes were not sampled but are briefly discussed. The fynbos plant communities are described, based on tables, and a hierarchical classification is proposed.

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