scholarly journals The physical environment and major plant communities of the Karoo National Park, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine Rubin ◽  
A.R. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
National Park ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Northerly Direction

The major plant communities of the Karoo National Park are described using the methods of the Zurich-Montpellier school of phytosociology, to assist with the formulation of a management strategy for the park. The vegetation physiognomy consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands. Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands. Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands and riparian thicket. Steep elevation and precipitation gradients within the study area have a direct impact on gradients in the vegetation. High elevation (1 800 m), and relatively high rainfall (406 mm) montane grasslands occupy communities dominated by grasses (Merxmuellera disticha, Themeda triandra) and woody species (Diospyros austro-africana, Elytropappus rhinocerotis, Euryops annae, Passerina montana). The increasing aridity away from the escarpment edge in a northerly direction is steep, and Montane Karoo dwarf shrublands replace these mesic communities. Species such as Eriocephalus ericoides, Rosenia oppositifolia and Pteronia tricephala dominate. At lower elevation (800 m) the precipitation is very low (175 mm) and uncertain (coefficient of variation of 78 ). The substrata influence the vegetation, with the sandy substrata of the drainage lines supporting more woody taxa (Acacia karroo, Lycium cinereum) and grasses (Hyparrhenia hirta, Stipagrostis namaquensis, Cenchrus ciliaris). Moving away from the mesic environment of the riparian zone, rapid desiccation occurs and the most xeric communities are encountered, dominated by Stipagrostis obtusa, S. ciliata and Pent-da incana. This document provides descriptions of the general communities and their associated landscape, lithology and soils.

scholarly journals The vegetation and floristics of the Nkhuhlu Exclosures, Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Siebert ◽  
Holger C. Eckhardt
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Temporal Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Heterogeneity ◽  
Floristic Patterns ◽  
The Impact

The need to conduct research on the impact of elephant on the environment prompted the construction of exclosures along two of the most important rivers in the Kruger National Park. Scientific research on these exclosures along the Sabie and Letaba rivers addresses how patterns of spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the riparian zone are affected by fire, flood and herbivory. To further assist this research programme, a vegetation survey was conducted at the Nkhuhlu exclosure site along the Sabie River to classify and map the vegetation of the area. This will provide baseline data to assess future changes in vegetation and floristic patterns due to small-scale environmental factors created by the presence/absence of herbivory and fire. Phytosociological data were analysed to identify plant communities and subsequent mapping units. Five plant communities, ten sub-communities and four variants were recognised and described in relation to prevailing soil forms. Differences in species richness, diversity and community structure of the plant communities are clearly articulated.

scholarly journals Plant and fungal use in Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Pshavi, Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer W. Bussmann ◽  
Narel Y. Paniagua-Zambrana ◽  
Shalva Sikharulidze ◽  
Zaal Kikvidze ◽  
David Kikodze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Cultural Complex ◽  
Plant Use ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
And Gender

In this study, we documented traditional plant use in Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Pshavi and hypothesized that (i) plant use knowledge in general would be higher in isolated high elevation communities, and that (ii) use of home gardens would be much more restricted to lower elevation settings. Fieldwork was conducted in Khevsureti, Pshavi, and Tusheti. Interviews using semi-structured questionnaires were conducted with 74 participants. In the present study, we encountered 317 plant species belonging to 203 genera of 80 families being used in the research region. Of these, 197 species were exclusively wild-harvested, 73 were grown in homegardens, and 47 were both grown in gardens and sourced in the wild. The ordinations in plant-space and in use-space were significantly fit by elevation of informant community, and community itself. Age and gender did not significantly fit the distribution of informants across either plant-space or use-space, respectively. Number of use-reports was highest across all communities in the food and medicinal use-categories, and informant consensus. Species with especially high use-diversity (UD) tended to be woody species although. Species with high use-value (UV) were mostly managed/domesticated species from home orchards, gardens, or farms. Plant species, and uses, found in our study, showed clear relations to the wider Eurasian cultural complex. The species number found was, however, far higher than in any published study from either the region or the wiser Mediterranean and Eurasia. The maintenance of home gardens in Georgia serves as socio-ecological memory. While the great variety of plant species used in the Georgian Caucasus might provide a reservoir for food security climate change is starting to affect both natural floristic diversity and gardens both in the Caucasus as well as continent wide.

scholarly journals Importance of vegetation analysis in the conservation management of the endangered butterfly Aloeides dentatis dentatis (Swierstra) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Koedoe ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Deutschlander ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Food Plant ◽  
Vegetation Analysis ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Rare And Endangered

The study of the vegetation of the Ruimsig Entomological Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa revealed four plant communities one of which could be subdivided into two subcommunities and variants. The extensive climax stage of the vegetation represented by the Themeda triandra - Trachypogon spicatus grassland was found to be too dense and tall to support the butterfly Aloeides dentatis dentatis and the host ant Lepisiota capensis (Mayr). A degraded phase caused by succession in an area where pipes have been laid was found to be ideal habitat for both ant and butterfly. This vegetation also contained adequate numbers of the food plant Hermannia depressa. A serai community with tall- growing Hyparrhenia hirta was also found to be an unsuitable habitat for the butterfly. The identification of the preferred ideal habitat for the host ant and butterfly resulted in the compilation of a conservation management strategy that ensured the survival of the rare and endangered butterfly.

scholarly journals The physical environment and major plant communities of the Tankwa- Karoo National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
National Park ◽  
Drainage Basin ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Adjacent Area ◽  
Physical Description ◽  
Geological Formations ◽  
Shale Hills ◽  
River Drainage Basin

Apart from Acocks (1988) there are no published descriptions of the vegetation of the greater Tanqua and Doring River drainage basin (Bayer et al. 1993). A botanical and physical description of the Tankwa- Karoo National Park (TKRNP) which occurs in Veldtype 31b (Acocks 1988) is provided. The three dominant geological formations, older glacigenic deposits of the Dwyka Group, followed by the succession of siliciclas- tic sediments of the Permian Ecca Group, with flat dolerite sills and dykes, underlie eight distinct plant communities. The plant communities can be divided into large open plains dominated by Galenia africana and Tripteris sp. in the erosion rills, Malephora luteola and Augea capensis common in the low lying areas and Zygophyllum microcarpum, Brownanthus ciliatus and Galenia crystallina common on the more shaly concave plains and low shale hills. Slightly elevated rocky areas are dominated by Ruschia cf. robusta, Ruschia spinosa communities, while crusts of stemless mesembs such as Rhinephyllum macra denium, Hereroa fimbriata and Cheiridopsis acuminata are found on the desert paved areas. Annual Asteraceae covers all the denuded and sparsely vegetated areas after good winter rains while annual mesembs colonise on the more sodic sites. A total of 259 plant species were collected sporadically over a period of eight years, this includes 65 succulents and seven species endemic to the Tanqua Karoo and immediate adjacent area of the Roggeveld Mountain Range and Sutherland. Four Tanqua Karoo endemic species were found in the park.

Lawad, Ye’ Yo’ and Tum Yap : The manifestation of forest in the lives of the Bateks in Taman Negara National Park

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Fatanah Kamarul Zahari ◽  
Mustaffa Omar ◽  
Salleh Daim
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
National Park ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Spiritual World ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
Dynamic Dimension ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Open Access Article

This paper attempts to explore the manifestations of the forest in the lives of the Bateks who reside within the vast region of the Taman Negara National Park in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Such manifestations emerged from the mutual relationship between the Bateks and their surroundings of the forest. In the Bateks belief system, there exist the concept of Lawad, Ye’ Yo’ and Tum Yap; all of which represent the Bateks’ unique way of giving value to the forest. Lawad, Ye’ Yo’ and Tum Yap are the manifestations of how the Bateks navigate themselves in the forest. The Bateks see that the forest represents a dynamic dimension which has to be calmed through good spirits and behavior because the physical environment is a medium for the spiritual world to express its feelings, thinking, decisions, and punishments. This belief is to them the best way in endearing themselves to the environment. To the Bateks, all concerns for the forest could be settled through this belief. © 2016 The Author. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK.. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, UniversitiTeknologi MARA, Malaysia. Keywords: Environment-behaviour, indigenous people, Orang Asli, Orang Batek, taboos, Taman  Negara, National Park.

scholarly journals Accuracy of Doppler Determinations of Station Positions

1972 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
pp. 101-103
Author(s):  
R. J. Anderle
Keyword(s):  
Elevation Angle ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Self Consistent

Locations of Doppler satellite observing stations have been revised to obtain a set which is more self-consistent and more consistent with the CIO pole. Residuals of satellite observations for 1970 have been analyzed using the new coordinates to determine mean and standard errors for five days of observations of latitude versus station, time of day, and elevation angle. The accuracy of the determination of latitude is about 4 meters at moderate and high elevation angles. But since more satellite passes occur at lower elevation angles, the accuracy of determination of a component of position based on five days of observation of one satellite is only about 2 meters.

scholarly journals Protective Role of Ice Barriers: How Reproductive Organs of Early Flowering and Mountain Plants Escape Frost Injuries

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1031
Author(s):  
Clara Bertel ◽  
Jürgen Hacker ◽  
Gilbert Neuner
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Infrared Video

In the temperate zone of Europe, plants flowering in early spring or at high elevation risk that their reproductive organs are harmed by episodic frosts. Focusing on flowers of two mountain and three early-flowering colline to montane distributed species, vulnerability to ice formation and ice management strategies using infrared video thermography were investigated. Three species had ice susceptible flowers and structural ice barriers, between the vegetative and reproductive organs, that prevent ice entrance from the frozen stems. Structural ice barriers as found in Anemona nemorosa and Muscari sp. have not yet been described for herbaceous species that of Jasminum nudiflorum corroborates findings for woody species. Flowers of Galanthus nivalis and Scilla forbesii were ice tolerant. For all herbs, it became clear that the soil acts as a thermal insulator for frost susceptible below ground organs and as a thermal barrier against the spread of ice between individual flowers and leaves. Both ice barrier types presumably promote that the reproductive organs can remain supercooled, and can at least for a certain time-period escape from effects of ice formation. Both effects of ice barriers appear significant in the habitat of the tested species, where episodic freezing events potentially curtail the reproductive success.

A new species of smooth-skinned Spinomantis frog (Anura: Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4317 (2) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
MIGUEL VENCES ◽  
JÖRN KÖHLER ◽  
FRANK GLAW
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Reciprocal Monophyly ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Candidate Species

We present molecular evidence for the presence of two species morphologically similar to Spinomantis bertini in Andohahela National Park, south-eastern Madagascar, differing by 5.5−6.3% pairwise DNA sequence divergences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. One of these was observed at higher elevations of ca. 1650 m above sea level, whereas the other was found at lower elevations of ca. 715 m a.s.l., close to the type locality of S. bertini (Isaka-Ivondro), and in one other location (Andreoky, ca. 1050 a.s.l.). We herein assign these low- to mid-elevation specimens to S. bertini based on their occurrence near the type locality and general agreement in colour pattern with the type specimen of Gephyromantis bertini Guibé, 1947. The high-elevation form is described as Spinomantis beckei sp. nov. based on its molecular divergence and reciprocal monophyly with respect to S. bertini, lower expression of greenish dorsal colour and less distinct frenal stripe. Based on a comparison of published call descriptions for S. bertini and our recordings of S. beckei, we hypothesize that S. bertini has a lower note repetition rate in advertisement calls. Molecular data suggest that the S. bertini species complex is more diverse than previously recognized, with at least two more candidate species identified: S. sp. Ca7 from Ranomafana National Park, and a newly identified candidate species S. sp. Ca12 from Pic d’Ivohibe Special Reserve. 

scholarly journals Managing Biodiversity: Impacts of Legal Protection in Mountain Forests of the Himalayas

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Måren ◽  
Lila Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Park ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Participatory Management ◽  
Protected Forests ◽  
Agro Forestry

Legal protection has been used as means of conserving forests and associated biodiversity in many regions of the world since the eighteenth century. However, most forests in the global south, even those within protected areas, are influenced by human activities. Himalayan forests harbour much of the biodiversity of the region, maintain subsistence livelihoods, and provide regional and global ecosystem services like water regulation, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Yet few studies have quantitatively studied the impacts of legal protection on forest health and biodiversity. We assess woody biodiversity and forest health in relation to legal protection and biomass extraction in forests inside and outside Langtang National Park in Nepal (n = 180). We found more woody species in protected forests. Of the 69 woody species recorded, 47% occurred at both sites. Within protected forests, we found differences in forest health largely related to the intensity of biomass extraction expressed as walking distance to settlement. The closer the forest was to settlements, the heavier degradation it suffered, showing that within agro-forestry systems in the Himalayas, the resource-consumer distance is typically determining the intensity of biomass extraction. Our research brings forth the need to better address the drivers of resource extraction from protected areas in order to mitigate this degradation. It also brings forth the need to contribute to the development of appropriate participatory management programmes outside areas of formal protection in order to sustain both biodiversity and ecosystem service delivery from these forests for the future.

scholarly journals The influence of the 1991/92 drought on the woody vegetation of the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Viljoen
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
General Area ◽  
Variable Intensity ◽  
The North ◽  
Olifants River ◽  
Area North ◽  
The Impact

All observations and data related to the impact of the 1991/92 drought on the woody vegetation, excluding the riverine vegetation of major rivers, are summarised. This includes data from a visual estimate of damage from aerial photographs, surveys on selected sites, and general observations. Despite lower rainfall, the area north of the Olifants River (excluding the far-northern part) was less affected than the area south of it, suggesting that the woody vegetation in the north is more adapted to drought. A characteristic of the drought was the localised distribution pattern and variable intensity of damage to the same species in the same general area. Information on 31 species are presented briefly. Although a large number of woody species was to some extent damaged, when the woody vegetation is considered as a whole, the influence of the drought was not very severe.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document