scholarly journals The phytosociology of the De Rust section of the Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape

Koedoe ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
H. Bezuidenhout

As part of a vegetation survey programme for conservation areas in South Africa, the plant communities of the De Rust section of the Mountain Zebra National Park were investigated. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 14 plant communities, which can be placed into six major groups, were identified. A clas- sification and description of these communities, as well as a vegetation map are presented. Associated gradients in habitat were identified by using an ordination algorithm (DECORANA). The diagnostic species as well as the prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, herb and grass strata are outlined.

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp ◽  
N. Van Rooyen

As part of a vegetation survey programme for conservation areas in South Africa, the plant communities of the western section of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve were investigated. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 19 plant communities, which can be grouped into eleven major groups, were identified. A classification and description of these communities, some of which have a karoo affinity, are presented. The diagnostic species, as well as the prominent and less conspicu- ous species of the tree, shrub, herb and grass strata are outlined. A vegetation map is included.


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 ◽  
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 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Brown ◽  
H. Bezuidenhout

South Africa is well known for its semi-arid lowland areas that have a distinct flora and species composition. Because ecosystems react differently to different management practices, it is important that a description and classification of the vegetation of an area be done. As part of a vegetation survey programme for the newly acquired farms incorporated into the Mountain Zebra National Park, the vegetation of the Ingleside and Welgedacht sections were surveyed following the Braun-Blanquet approach. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 10 shrub and grassland plant communities, which can be grouped into seven major groups, were identified. A classification and description of these communities, as well as a vegetation map are presented. The diagnostic species as well as the prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, herb and grass strata are outlined. The area generally comprises lowland communities and higher-lying communities. The lower-lying communities consist mainly of two communities and comprise the largest proportion of the area in hectares. In contrast, the higher-lying communities are more diverse with specific habitats. Using the Ecological Index Method the veld condition and grazing capacity were calculated for each community and the total study area. Large sections of the lowland areas are overgrazed due to previous farming grazing practices while the higher-lying areas that were less accessible to the animals are in a slightly better condition. Overall this has resulted in the area generally being degraded within a high grazing capacity of 30.1 ha/LSU.


Koedoe ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. De Klerk ◽  
L.R. Brown ◽  
H. Bezuidenhout

The long-term conservation of viable ecosystems requires a broader understanding of the ecological processes involved. Because ecosystems react differently to different management practices, it is important to have a description and classification of the vegetation of an area available. As part of a vegetation survey programme for the newly acquired farms to be incorporated into the Mountain Zebra National Park, the vegetation of the Ebenhaezer section was investigated. Ahierarchical classification, vegetation map, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities of the study area are presented. ATWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures revealed eight distinct plant communities. Habitat factors associated with differences in vegetation include topography, soil form and grazing. Descriptions of the plant communities include diagnostic species as well as prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub and herbaceous layers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leif Petersen ◽  
Andrew M. Reid ◽  
Eugene J. Moll ◽  
Marc T. Hockings

Cape Town is a fast-growing cityscape in the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa with 24 formally protected conservation areas including the World Heritage Table Mountain National Park. These sites have been protected and managed as critical sites for local biodiversity, representing potentially one-third of all Cape Floristic Region flora species and 18% of South Africa’s plant diversity. Cape Town is also inhabited by a rapidly growing culturally and economically diverse citizenry with distinct and potentially conflicting perspectives on access to, and management of, local natural resources. In a qualitative study of 58 locally resident traditional healers of distinct cultural groups, we examined motivations underlying the generally illicit activity of harvesting of wild resources from Cape Town protected areas. Resource harvester motivations primarily link to local economic survival, health care and cultural links to particular resources and practices, ‘access for all’ outlooks, and wholesale profit-seeking perspectives. We describe these motivations, contrast them with the current formal, legal and institutional perspectives for biodiversity protection in the city, and propose managerial interventions that may improve sustainability of ongoing harvest activities.


Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bezuidenhout

Classification, description and mapping of the vegetation of the Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape, were initiated. The classification is intended to serve as a basis for the establishment of an efficient wildlife management programme as well as conservation policies for the Augrabies Falls National Park. Using the BBPC suite, according to Braun-Blanquet procedures to classify the vegetation of the southern section of the Augrabies Falls National Park, six major plant communities are recognised. A hierarchical plant community classification, description, ecological interpretation and a vegetation map are presented.


Koedoe ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Stalmans ◽  
W.P.D. Gertenbach ◽  
Filipa Carvalho-Serfontein

The Parque Nacional do Limpopo (PNL) was proclaimed during 2002. It covers 1 000 000 ha in Moçambique on the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and forms one of the major components of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A vegetation map was required as one of the essential building blocks for the drafting of its management plan (Grossman & Holden 2002).


Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Bezuidenhout ◽  
Leslie R. Brown

The Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) has been extended over the last couple of years. One of the newly procured areas is the Doornhoek section, which had been adjacent to the park. To develop scientifically sound management programmes for conservation areas, it is essential that an inventory of their natural resources be undertaken. The aim of this study was to classify, describe and map the vegetation of the Doornhoek section of the park. The floristic data were analysed in accordance with the Braun-Blanquet procedures using the BBPC suite. The data analysis resulted in the identification of eight communities, which can be grouped into seven major community types (Rhus lucida–Buddleja glomerata Shrubland, Rhigozum obovatum–Rhus longispina Shrubland, Helichrysum dregeanum–Aristida diffusa Grassland, Pentzia globosa–Enneapogon scoparius Grassland, Aristida adscensionus–Pentzia globosa Grassland, Cadaba aphylla–Acacia karroo Woodland and Lycium oxycarpum–Acacia karroo Woodland). Four of these communities occur on the higher-lying plateau, mid-slope and crest areas, while the other four communities are located on the lower-lying mid-plateau and foot slope, along drainage lines and in valley-bottom areas. The description of the plant communities, together with the vegetation map, can serve as a basis for formulating a management programme for the larger park. Although sections of Doornhoek have been overgrazed and degraded in the past, its recent addition to the MZNP contributes to the available habitat preferred by large herbivores, such as valley bottoms, foot-slopes and plateaux.


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