scholarly journals Plant communities, wetlands and landscapes of the Parque Nacional de Banhine, Moçambique

Koedoe ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Stalmans ◽  
M. Wishart
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
Wetland Types

The Parque Nacional de Banhine (Banhine National Park) was proclaimed during 1972. It covers 600 000 ha in Moçambique to the east of the Limpopo River. Until recently, this park, originally and popularly known as the ‘Serengeti of Moçambique’, was characterised by neglect and illegal hunting that caused the demise of most of its large wildlife. New initiatives aimed at rehabilitating the park have been launched within the scope of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A vegetation map was required as input to its management plan. The major objectives of the study were firstly to understand the environmental determinants of the vegetation, secondly to identify and describe individual plant communities in terms of species composition and structure and thirdly to delineate landscapes in terms of their plant community and wetland make-up, environmental determinants and distribution. A combination of fieldwork and analysis of LANDSAT satellite imagery was used. A total of 115 sample plots were surveyed. Another 222 sample points were briefly assessed from the air to establish the extent of the different landscapes. The ordination results clearly indicate the overriding importance of moisture availability in determining vegetation composition in the Parque Nacional de Banhine. Eleven distinct plant communities were recognised. They are described in terms of their structure, composition and distribution. These plant communities have strong affinities to a number of communities found in the Limpopo National Park to the west. The sandveld community is relatively the most species-rich of all communities. Different combinations of these plant communities can be grouped in five major landscapes, namely the Wetland, Grassland, Mopane, Sandveld and Androstachys landscape. These different landscapes hold six different wetland types as defined by the RAMSAR classification. The landscapes with their individual plant communities and wetland types represent a unique combination of habitats that have great intrinsic conservation value. These habitats are key to the long-term maintenance and survival of a diverse avifauna, including the original ostrich population, as well as wattled cranes.

scholarly journals Plant communities and landscapes of the Parque Nacional de Zinave, Mozambique

Koedoe ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Stalmans ◽  
Mike Peel
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
Recent Initiative ◽  
Landscape Map

The Parque Nacional de Zinave covers 400 000 ha in Mozambique to the south of the Save River. Until recently, this park had been characterised by neglect and illegal hunting that caused the demise of most of its large wildlife. A recent initiative has been launched that aims at rehabilitating the park within the scope of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP). A vegetation map was required as input to its management plan. The three primary objectives of the study were, firstly, to understand the environmental and biotic determinants of the vegetation, secondly, to identify and describe individual plant communities in terms of species composition and structure along the roads in the study area and, thirdly, to delineate landscapes in terms of their plant community make-up, environmental as well as biotic determinants and distribution. This is the third survey and description of the landscapes of the national parks located in the Mozambique part of the GLTP. A combination of feldwork and analysis of LANDSAT satellite imagery was used. A total of 75 sample plots were surveyed. A brief subjective visual assessment was undertaken for another 114 sample points. The accuracy of the landscape map was evaluated by means of 582 points assessed during an aerial game count. The ordination results clearly indicate the overriding importance of moisture availability in determining vegetation composition. Ten distinct plant communities were recognised. Different combinations of these plant communities can be grouped in six major landscapes, namely the Save River channel and river banks, Save riverine forest, Acacia nigrescens woodland landscape, mopane landscape, miombo landscape and sandveld landscape. The landscapes with their individual plant communities represent habitats that are highly suitable for the reintroduction of many game species that were lost during the latter part of the last century. Conservation implication: No formal description and mapping of the vegetation existed for Zinave. The landscape map is a vital input for the management plan. The reintroduction of wildlife species that were exterminated during the civil war requires a selection of suitable habitats for the placement of the ‘sanctuary’ that will be used to ensure the initial security of the introduced animals. The landscape map of Zinave fits into the broader mapping of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Conservation Area (GLTFCA) for conservation planning purposes.

Long-term dynamics and destruction of marsh vegetation in the Kolokolkova Bay of the Barents Sea

2012 ◽  
pp. 66-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Lavrinenko ◽  
O. V. Lavrinenko ◽  
D. V. Dobrynin
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Marsh Vegetation ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Species Composition And Structure

The satellite images show that the area of marshes in the Kolokolkova bay was notstable during the period from 1973 up to 2011. Until 2010 it varied from 357 to 636 ha. After a severe storm happened on July 24–25, 2010 the total area of marshes was reduced up to 43–50 ha. The mean value of NDVI for studied marshes, reflecting the green biomass, varied from 0.13 to 0.32 before the storm in 2010, after the storm the NDVI decreased to 0.10, in 2011 — 0.03. A comparative analysis of species composition and structure of plant communities described in 2002 and 2011, allowed to evaluate the vegetation changes of marshes of the different topographic levels. They are fol­lowing: a total destruction of plant communities of the ass. Puccinellietum phryganodis and ass. Caricetum subspathaceae on low and middle marches; increasing role of halophytic species in plant communities of the ass. Caricetum glareosae vic. Calamagrostis deschampsioides subass. typicum on middle marches; some changes in species composition and structure of plant communities of the ass. Caricetum glareosae vic. Calamagrostis deschampsioides subass. festucetosum rubrae on high marches and ass. Parnassio palustris–Salicetum reptantis in transition zone between marches and tundra without changes of their syntaxonomy; a death of moss cover in plant communities of the ass. Caricetum mackenziei var. Warnstorfia exannulata on brackish coastal bogs. The possible reasons of dramatic vegetation dynamics are discussed. The dating of the storm makes it possible to observe the directions and rates of the succession of marches vegetation.

scholarly journals Plant communities and landscapes of the Parque Nacional do Limpopo, Moçambique

Koedoe ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Stalmans ◽  
W.P.D. Gertenbach ◽  
Filipa Carvalho-Serfontein
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Vegetation Map ◽  
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park ◽  
Eastern Boundary

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).

scholarly journals The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 8877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponniah Hopeland ◽  
Jean-Philippe Puyravaud ◽  
Priya Davidar
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Herd Structure

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) has not been comprehensively surveyed in the southern Western Ghats, India.  Here we present results of a survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 in 25 sites where Nilgiri Tahr was reported in Agastyamalai range south of the Shencottah gap.  The objectives of the survey were to assess population status; evaluate threats and propose conservation measures. In each site the geographical coordinates were noted.  If Nilgiri Tahr (=Tahr) were sighted, the number and herd structure were recorded.  Indirect signs of Tahr presence such as faecal pellets and feedback from local informants were noted in sites with no direct sightings of Tahr.  The total sightings were 247 Tahr in 10 sites, and indication of Tahr presence in seven sites.  Only two populations viz. Kalamalai-Varraiattumudi and Muthukulivayal-Balamore were large (>30 individuals).  Tahr were not present in eight sites: of which four had earlier records of Tahr presence, and the other four had no prior data.  There was a significant positive association between percentage of young (kids and yearlings) and number of Tahr sighted.  Illegal hunting was widespread in the past, and continues to be a serious threat.  Loss of Tahr grazing habitat to successional processes resulting in increased tree cover, is a long term threat that could increase with climate change.  A landscape level management plan to reconnect small populations, rehabilitate Tahr in sites where they have disappeared, use fire to restore short grass habitats, and stringent curb on illegal hunting is required for the long term viability of the Nilgiri Tahr in this region.  

scholarly journals IPR 1.0: an efficient method for calculating solar radiation absorbed by individual plants in sparse heterogeneous woody plant communities

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1357-1376
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
W. Chen ◽  
J. Li
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Diffuse Radiation ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Vegetation Models ◽  
Composition Structure ◽  
Distribution Composition

Abstract. Climate change may alter the spatial distribution, composition, structure and functions of plant communities. Transitional zones between biomes, or ecotones, are particularly sensitive to climate change. Ecotones are usually heterogeneous with sparse trees. The dynamics of ecotones are mainly determined by the growth and competition of individual plants in the communities. Therefore it is necessary to calculate the solar radiation absorbed by individual plants in order to understand and predict their responses to climate change. In this study, we developed an individual plant radiation model, IPR (version 1.0), to calculate solar radiation absorbed by individual plants in sparse heterogeneous woody plant communities. The model is developed based on geometrical optical relationships assuming that crowns of woody plants are rectangular boxes with uniform leaf area density. The model calculates the fractions of sunlit and shaded leaf classes and the solar radiation absorbed by each class, including direct radiation from the sun, diffuse radiation from the sky, and scattered radiation from the plant community. The solar radiation received on the ground is also calculated. We tested the model by comparing with the results of random distribution of plants. The tests show that the model results are very close to the averages of the random distributions. This model is efficient in computation, and can be included in vegetation models to simulate long-term transient responses of plant communities to climate change. The code and a user's manual are provided as Supplement of the paper.

scholarly journals Retrospective assessment of long-term conservation management of elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

Oryx ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Whitehouse ◽  
Graham I. H. Kerley
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Retrospective Assessment

The elephant population of South Africa's Addo Elephant National Park increased in number from 11 elephants when the park was created in 1931, to 284 elephants in 1998. We studied management records throughout this period in conjunction with demographic data, enabling retrospective assessment of the long-term impacts of management actions. Problem animal control during the 1930s left no sexually mature bulls in the population for a period of 9 years, hindering the population's initial recovery. Population growth prior to 1954 was also limited by high mortality: between 1931 and 1954 inadequate fencing allowed elephants to stray outside their protected area resulting in elephants being shot by farmers or dying from collisions with trains. Secure elephant-proof fencing was constructed in 1954. Subsequently, there was a significant decrease in mortality (from 5.0% to 1.2%) and an increase in population growth (from 3.2% to 6.1%). However, evidence suggests that confinement might have had a negative impact on survival and social behaviour of adult males. We suggest that the concepts of social carrying capacities and behavioural conservation of populations need to be incorporated into management. The case studies described here highlight the importance of treating conservation management and research as necessary partners, and monitoring should be an integral part of any management plan.

scholarly journals Herbivores shape woody plant communities in the Kruger National Park: Lessons from three long-term exclosures

Koedoe ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Wigley ◽  
Herve Fritz ◽  
Corli Coetsee ◽  
William J. Bond
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Population Structures

The role of grazers in determining vegetation community compositions and structuring plant communities is well recognised in grassy systems. The role of browsers in affecting savanna woody plant communities is less clear. We used three long-term exclosures in the Kruger National Park to determine the effect of browsers on species compositions and population structures of woody communities. Species assemblages, plant traits relating to browsing and soil nutrients were compared inside and outside of the exclosures. Our results showed that browsers directly impact plant species distributions, densities and population structures by actively selecting for species with traits which make them desirable to browsers. Species with high leaf nitrogen, low total phenolic content and low acid detergent lignin appeared to be favoured by herbivores and therefore tend to be rare outside of the exclosures. This study also suggested that browsers have important indirect effects on savanna functioning, as the reduction of woody cover can result in less litter of lower quality, which in turn can result in lower soil fertility. However, the magnitude of browser effects appeared to depend on inherent soil fertility and climate.Conservation implications: Browsers were shown to have significant impacts on plant communities. They have noticeable effects on local species diversity and population structure, as well as soil nutrients. These impacts are shown to be related to the underlying geology and climate. The effects of browsers on woody communities were shown to be greater in low rainfall, fertile areas compared to high rainfall, infertile soils.

scholarly journals A reclassification and description of the Waterberg Mountain vegetation of the Marakele National Park, Limpopo province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrus J. Van Staden ◽  
George J. Bredenkamp ◽  
Hugo Bezuidenhout ◽  
Leslie R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Mountain Vegetation ◽  
Floristic Data

The description and classification of vegetation are important for conservation and resource management. The aim of this study was to identify, reclassify and describe the plant communities present in the Waterberg Mountain vegetation of the Marakele National Park in the Limpopo province, South Africa. A phytosociological classification, mapping and description of sections of the Waterberg Mountain vegetation in the park were done in 1995. Since 1995, various farms adjacent to the park have been bought and incorporated into it. Little is known about the vegetation and habitat status of these newly acquired areas, which led to this study. The floristic data were analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet procedure using the Braun Blanquet Personal Computer (BBPC) suite as well as the JUICE software package, whilst the diversity of the plant communities was determined using the Shannon–Wiener and Gini–Simpson indices. A total of 12 plant communities were identified and are described according to their diagnostic, constant and dominant plant species as determined from the synoptic table analysis as well as their characteristic species as derived from the phytosociological table. Based on the topography and plant species composition, the vegetation can be grouped into five major groups, namely the: (1) lower midslope and plateau shrub- and woodlands, (2) high altitude midslope woodland, (3) high-lying plateau and midslope grass-, shrub- and woodlands, (4) ravine, footslope and drainage line forests and woodland, and (5) higher-lying plateau wetlands and forblands. The high altitude midslope grassland and shrubland and the lower midslope and plateau areas have the highest diversity. The high-lying vegetation has affinity with Bankenveld and Drakensberg vegetation, whilst the relatively low-lying plateaus and midslope vegetation are typical of the bushveld areas.Conservation implications: This reclassification, mapping and description of the Waterberg Mountain vegetation have been incorporated into the Management Plan for the park. It will enable managers to make scientifically based decisions on the management of the different ecosystems to ensure biodiversity conservation. This vegetation study also provides baseline information that allows for vegetation assessments to determine veld condition, carrying capacity and stocking density for the park.

PERENNIAL MONITORING OF A PASTURE DEPRESSION DEVELOPMENT UNDER DIFFERENT LOADS OF THE TERSKO-KUMSKAYA LOWLAND

1970 ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
М. А. Babaeva ◽  
S. V. Osipova
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Atmospheric Precipitation ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Dominant Plant Species ◽  
Composition And Structure

Changes in phytocenoses in the long-term regime under the influence of anthropogenic pressure, natural and climatic factors are considered. Under the conditions of growing external influence the ordinary components of the community are transformed into its dominant synanthropic forms. Geobotanical studies have shown the heterogeneity of the vegetation cover of pastures in terms of phytocenotic composition, which is in a state of severe disruption. The long-term monitoring studies of pastures show that a complex of environmental factors has a significant impact on the change in species composition and structure under various loads. Change in the vegetation cover under the influence of weak grazing is disappearance of large-sod grasses of the Stipa series with a predominance of small-sod grasses such as Festuca sulcata. Intensive grazing causes disappearance of Festuca sulcata, as well as appearance of small Artemisia shrubs and more competitive plant species that cause changes in plant communities. Such changes make it possible to determine the dominant plant species, during the development of which the next transition of penetration into plant communities of other species begins. The phytocenoses of the compared species of this region differ in the structure and productivity of the dominant forage plants which give the highest phytomass depending on the humidity of the period and the type of load. The purpose of this work is to show the long-term influence of climatic factors in the absence of a minimum of atmospheric precipitation, as well as anthropogenic influences on the transformation of phytocenoses, changes in the structure of the vegetation cover of the semi-desert at different stages of loading. The article presents research data for several years on the species composition and productivity of pastures, depending on the load by the seasons of the year. The results of monitoring studies have established the number of dominant species and their productivity of phytocenoses at different stages of development of vegetation degradation.

scholarly journals IPR 1.0: an efficient method for calculating solar radiation absorbed by individual plants in sparse heterogeneous woody plant communities

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 6927-6974
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
W. Chen ◽  
J. Li
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Diffuse Radiation ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Random Distributions ◽  
Composition Structure ◽  
Distribution Composition

Abstract. Climate change may alter the spatial distribution, composition, structure, and functions of plant communities. Transitional zones between biomes, or ecotones, are particularly sensitive to climate change. Ecotones are usually heterogeneous with sparse trees. The dynamics of ecotones are mainly determined by the growth and competition of individual plants in the communities. Therefore it is necessary to calculate solar radiation absorbed by individual plants for understanding and predicting their responses to climate change. In this study, we developed an individual plant radiation model, IPR (version 1.0), to calculate solar radiation absorbed by individual plants in sparse heterogeneous woody plant communities. The model is developed based on geometrical optical relationships assuming crowns of woody plants are rectangular boxes with uniform leaf area density. The model calculates the fractions of sunlit and shaded leaf classes and the solar radiation absorbed by each class, including direct radiation from the sun, diffuse radiation from the sky, and scattered radiation from the plant community. The solar radiation received on the ground is also calculated. We tested the model by comparing with the analytical solutions of random distributions of plants. The tests show that the model results are very close to the averages of the random distributions. This model is efficient in computation, and is suitable for ecological models to simulate long-term transient responses of plant communities to climate change.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document