scholarly journals The vegetation and identification of management units of the Honnet Nature Reserve, Northern Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Visser ◽  
W. Van Hoven ◽  
G.K. Theron

An analysis of the vegetation of the Honnet Nature Reserve, Northern Province is presented. Releves were compiled in 56 stratified random sample plots. The Braun- Blanquet procedure revealed 12 distinct plant communities and four sub-communities. The Variable Quadrant Plot Method was used in the structural analysis of the communities and management units. The data were ordinated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) to determine possible relations and gradients between and in the plant communities. Six management units were identified by means of the vegetation ordination, plant communities and the physical environment. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the vegetation units and a descrip- tion of the management units are presented.

Bothalia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Mcdonald

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.


Koedoe ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Breebaart ◽  
M. Deutschlander

An analysis of the vegetation of Goedverwacht farm in the mixed bushveld of the Northern Province is presented. Releves were compiled in 33 stratified random sample plots. Eight distinct plant communities were identified by means ofBraun-Blanquet pro-cedures. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was applied to the floristic data set using the computer programme DECORANA (Detrended Correspondence Analysis) to determine a probable environmental gradient and to facilitate in the identification of management units. The computer programme CANOCO (Canonical Correspondence Analysis) was used to apply canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to the floristic data set. Two management units were determined by means of vegetation ordinations and soil data. A classification, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities as well as a description of the management units are presented.


Koedoe ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahlomola E. Daemane ◽  
Sarel S. Cilliers ◽  
Hugo Bezuidenhout

The proposed Highveld National Park (HNP) is an area of high conservation value in South Africa, covering approximately 0.03% of the endangered Grassland Biome. The park is situated immediately adjacent to the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. The objective of this study was to identify, classify, describe and map the plant communities in this park. Vegetation sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method and a total of 88 stratified random relevés were sampled. A numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) was used and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The final results of the classification procedure were presented in the form of phytosociological tables and, thereafter, nine plant communities were described and mapped. A detrended correspondence analysis confirmed the presence of three structural vegetation units, namely woodland, shrubland and grassland. Differences in floristic composition in the three vegetation units were found to be influenced by environmental factors, such as surface rockiness and altitude. Incidences of harvesting trees for fuel, uncontrolled fires and overgrazing were found to have a significant effect on floristic and structural composition in the HNP. The ecological interpretation derived from this study can therefore be used as a tool for environmental planning and management of this grassland area.Conservation implications: Grasslands are amongst the most threatened and least conserved vegetation biomes in South Africa, with less than 1.3% currently being conserved. The HNP has significant value for biodiversity conservation and the protection of this area will contribute to the preservation of the highly threatened Highveld vegetation types. 


Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp ◽  
N. Van Rooyen

After classifications and descriptions of the southern and western sections of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve were published, a study on the phytosociology of the northern part was initiated. The study is aimed at providing an ecological basis for establishing an efficient wildlife management programme for the reserve. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 15 plant communities, which can be grouped into six major plant communities, were identified. Descriptions of the various plant communities, include diagnostic species, prominent species and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, forb and grass strata. A hierarchical classification, description of the plant communities and a vegetation map are presented.


Koedoe ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Bezuidenhout

The need for a scientifically-based wildlife management plan and for more knowledge on vegetation led to an investigation into the plant ecology of the Rooipoort Nature Reserve. The main aim of this study was therefore to classify, describe and map the vegetation of the reserve. The floristic data were analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet procedure using the BBPC suite. The data analysis resulted in the identification of 15 communities that can be grouped into ten major community types. This resulted in five ecology-based management units, which could assist with the compilation of an ecologically sound management plan for the reserve in order to achieve sustainable utilisation of the natural resources. The Rooipoort Nature Reserve is one of the oldest and largest private nature reserves in South Africa and as such deserves to be conserved and protected. The riverine and pan vegetation communities are considered to be endangered and are in need of special conservation and protection.Conservation implication: The results suggest five management units, which will assist in the compilation of an ecologically sound management plan for the RNR, in order to allow sustainable utilization of natural resources.


Bothalia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J Mcdonald

An analysis of the fynbos shrublands and forests of the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, southern Langeberg, Cape Province, South Africa, is presented. Data were collected at 119 sites in mature fynbos vegetation (10 years old) and at five sites in patches of Afromontane Forest. Emphasis was placed on the fynbos shrublands and sample sites were subjectively located along a transect from south to north across the Langeberg range in the study area. This south to north orientation follows a complex gradient of changes in aspect, slope, geology, soil form and climate. Data were initially analysed using TWINSPAN and the resulting classification refined using Braun-Blanquet procedures. One forest subassociation and 12 fynbos communities were identified and described. A proposed hierarchical classification of the fynbos communities is presented.


Koedoe ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp

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.


Koedoe ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Bredenkamp ◽  
H. Bezuidenhout ◽  
H. Joubert ◽  
C. Naude

The Braun-Blanquet technique, complimented by TWINSPAN, was used for a phytosociological classification of the study area. Thirteen plant communities were recognised and described. A hierarchical classification is suggested and each community is related to its particular environmental characteristics.


Koedoe ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Rosch

Goegap Nature Reserve, near Springbok, is situated in the floral paradise of Namaqualand. This 15 000 ha reserve falls within the Namaqualand Broken Veld and in the transition zone between this Veld type and the False Succulent Karoo. Otherwise, it could be said that the reserve falls within the Upland Succulent Karoo and the transition zone between this vegetation type and the Bushmanland vegetation type. With the use of stratified aerial photographs of the reserve, random sample plots were placed within each homogeneous physiographic-physionomic unit and 284 releves were compiled in September 1998. With the use of the BBPC computer program, the resulting TWINSPAN split the data into two tables, one predominantly for the Plains and one for the Rocky Hills. After refining these tables, 13 plant communities were identified. These communities, together with the stratified aerial photographs, land type and habitat information were used to determine ten management units for the reserve. These units will be used in effective management and monitoring on the reserve. Table 1 and 2 will be uploaded as a supplementary file in due course.


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