Major Vegetation Types of the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve, South Africa

The Major Megetation Types (MVT) and plant communities of the Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism are described in detail, with special reference to the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve. Phytosociological data from 442 sample plots were ordinated using a DEtrended CORrespondence ANAlysis (DECORANA) and classified using TWo-Way INdicator SPecies ANalysis (TWINSPAN). The resulting classification was further refined with table-sorting procedures based on the Braun–Blanquet floristic–sociological approach of vegetation classification using MEGATAB. Eight MVT’s were identified and described as Eragrostis lehmanniana var. lehmanniana–Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra Blouberg Northern Plains Bushveld, Euclea divinorum–Acacia tortilis Blouberg Southern Plains Bushveld, Englerophytum magalismontanum–Combretum molle Blouberg Mountain Bushveld, Adansonia digitata–Acacia nigrescens Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld, Catha edulis–Flueggia virosa Soutpansberg Moist Mountain Thickets, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon–Burkea africana Soutpansberg Leached Sandveld, Rhus rigida var. rigida–Rhus magalismontanum subsp. coddii Soutpansberg Mistbelt Vegetation and Xymalos monospora–Rhus chirendensis Soutpansberg Forest Vegetation.

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Plant communities of the Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v51i1.687 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Theo H.C. Mostert ◽

George J. Bredenkamp ◽

Rachel E. Mostert

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Computer Software ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Adansonia Digitata ◽

Data Set ◽

Themeda Triandra ◽

Sociological Approach ◽

Event Driven ◽

Vegetation Maps ◽

Single Data

The Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld is one of eight major vegetation types (MVT) described for the Soutpansberg-Blouberg region. The plant communities of this MVT are described in detail. Main ecological drivers of the vegetation structure and species composition of these communities are discussed and some conservation recommendations are made. Phytosociological data from a subset of 72 Braun-Blanquet sample plots collected in the Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld were classified using Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and ordinated using a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA). The resulting classification was further refined with table-sorting procedures based on the Braun-Blanquet floristic-sociological approach to vegetation classification using the computer software MEGATAB and JUICE. Eight plant communities were identified and described as Commiphora tenuipetiolata-Adansonia digitata short open woodland, Ledebouria ovatifolia-Commiphora mollis short bushland, Phyllanthus reticulatus-Acacia nigrescens short bushland, Tinnea rhodesiana-Combretum apiculatum short bushland, Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. africana-Spirostachys africana low thickets, Themeda triandra-Pterocarpus rotundifolius short closed grassland on steep basaltic slopes, Cyperus albostriatus-Syzygium cordatum sandveld wetlands, and Sesamothamnus lugardii-Catophractes alexandri tall sparse shrubland. These plant communities are event-driven ecosystems, predominantly infl uenced by frequent droughts, exposure to desiccation and unpredictable rainfall events. The complex topography of the Soutpansberg further contributes to the aridity of these ecosystems. The classifi cation and ordination analyses show similar groupings in the vegetation of the Soutpansberg Arid Mountain Bushveld. This confi rms the usefulness of complimentary analysis, using both classifi cation and ordination methods on a single data set in order to examine patterns and to search for group structure.Conservation implications: The results from this study will alter existing regional vegetation maps profoundly. The described plant communities of these arid event-driven ecosystems should be used as benchmark examples of the region’s primary vegetation. Conservation and management planning should be based on these vegetation units.

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Vegetation mapping in an area of Ombrophilous Dense Forest at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil, and floristic composition of the tree component of some physiognomies*

Hoehnea ◽

10.1590/s2236-89062012000200005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 219-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Cláudia Melo Pacheco de Medeiros ◽

Isabel Fernandes de Aguiar Mattos ◽

Marina Mitsue Kanashiro ◽

Jorge Yoshio Tamashiro ◽

Marcos Pereira Marinho Aidar

Keyword(s):

Riparian Forest ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Field Work ◽

Aerial Photographs ◽

Secondary System ◽

Serra Do Mar ◽

Dense Forest ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Tree Component

This study aimed to map phytophysiognomies of an area of Ombrophilous Dense Forest at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar and characterize their floristic composition. Photointerpretation of aerial photographs in scale of 1:35,000 was realized in association with field work. Thirteen physiognomies were mapped and they were classified as Montane Ombrophilous Dense Forest, Alluvial Ombrophilous Dense Forest or Secondary System. Three physiognomies identified at Casa de Pedra streamlet's basin were studied with more details. Riparian forest (RF), valley forest (VF), and hill forest (HF) presented some floristic distinction, as confirmed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) conducted here. Anthropic or natural disturbances and heterogeneity of environmental conditions may be the causes of physiognomic variation in the vegetation of the region. The results presented here may be useful to decisions related to management and conservation of Núcleo Santa Virgínia forests, in general.

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Évaluation de la qualité de composts à base de biomasses feuillées de deux espèces agroforestières à Cassou, Centre-Ouest, Burkina Faso

International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences ◽

10.4314/ijbcs.v14i9.26 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 3297-3307

Author(s):

Soungalo Soulama ◽

Wendbénédo Bruno Kabore ◽

Dasmané Bambara ◽

Michel Bembamba ◽

Edmond Hien

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Arachis Hypogaea ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

Gliricidia Sepium ◽

International Standards ◽

Albizia Lebbeck ◽

Adansonia Digitata ◽

Sclerocarya Birrea ◽

Arachis Hypogaea L ◽

Leafy Biomass

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. are species of the leguminosae group which are promoted in agroforestry. This study aimed at assessing the quality of leafy biomass composts of these two species in order to use them as green manure. For this, composts based on leafy biomasses of Albizia lebbeck and Gliricidia sepium have been characterized. The phytotoxicity tests of the composts was carried out using a germination test of Zea mays (L) and Arachis hypogaea (L). The effect of composts on the growth of Adansonia digitata L. and Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst. subsp. Also evaluated. Comparison of means tests and repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare types of composts. The results show that these composts were not toxic. The average carbon, nitrogen, pHe and C / N ratios of the composts of Albizia lebbeck and Gliricidia sepium were in accordance with international standards. The effect of Gliricidia sepium compost on the growth of Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea was better than that of Albizia lebbeck and cow dung (P <0.05). The compost from the leafy biomass of Gliricidia sepium is of very good quality while that of Albizia lebbeck is of fairly good quality. The biomasses of these two species therefore constitute good material for composting. These results can be used to improve crop production in agroforestry. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. et Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. sont des espèces de légumineuses promues dans l’agroforesterie. Cette étude visait à évaluer la qualité des composts de biomasses feuillées de ces deux espèces afin de les utiliser comme engrais verts. Pour cela des composts à base de biomasses feuillées de Albizia lebbeck, de Gliricidia sepium ont été caractérisés. La phyto-toxicité des composts a été évaluée à l’aide d’un test de germination de Zea mays (L) et Arachis hypogaea (L). L’effet des composts sur la croissance de Adansonia digitata L. et Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst.subsp. a également été évalué. Des tests de comparaisons de moyennes et une ANOVA à mesures répétées ont permis de comparer les types de composts. Les résultats montrent que les composts évalués n’étaient pas toxiques. Les teneurs moyennes en carbone, en azote, les pHe et les rapports C/N des composts de Albizia lebbeck et de Gliricidia sepium étaient conformes aux normes internationales. L’effet du compost de biomasse de Gliricidia sepium sur la croissance de Adansonia digitata et de Sclerocarya birrea était mieux que celui de Albizia lebbeck et la bouse de vache (P< 0,05). Le compost de biomasses feuillées de Gliricidia sepium est de très bonne qualité tandis que celui de Albizia lebbeck est d’assez bonne qualité. Les biomasses de ces deux légumineuses constituent donc un bon matériel pour le compostage. Ces résultats peuvent servir à améliorer la production végétale en agroforesterie.

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Identification of the important environmental factors influencing natural vegetation succession following cropland abandonment on the Loess Plateau, China

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10349 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10349

Author(s):

Zhenguo Zhang ◽

Mingming Wang ◽

Jikai Liu ◽

Xinwei Li

Keyword(s):

Loess Plateau ◽

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Classification Tree ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Vegetation Succession ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Cropland Abandonment

Identification of typical vegetation succession types and their important influencing factors is an important prerequisite to implement differential vegetation and soil management after land abandonment on the Loess Plateau, China. However, there is no reported study specifically on the identification of vegetation types and their important factors as well as the thresholds of the important factors for classification of the vegetation types, based on the medium- to long-term succession of natural vegetation after cropland abandonment. We collected vegetation and soil data on the natural vegetation with the longest 60-year-old forest communities that developed after cropland abandonment and analyzed the data using two-way indicator species analysis, detrended correspondence analysis, direct canonical correspondence analysis and classification tree model. The vegetation communities were classified into five distinct vegetation types, including Artemisia scoparia, Lespedeza davurica and Stipa bungeana, Artemisia giraldii pamp, Sophora viciifolia, Quercus liaotungensis and Biota orientalis. The years after cropland abandonment and soil C/N were further identified as important factors determining the types of vegetation. Likewise, it was observed that most of the investigated soil nutrient variables and soil texture-related variables improved with the vegetation succession while soil water in the surface layers showed a decreasing trend. These findings may provide an ecological basis for site-specific management of vegetation types after cropland abandonment in the medium-long term on the Loess Plateau. Our results encourage further exploration of vegetation succession and their important factors based on longer periods of vegetation succession after cropland abandonment under more soil and climatic conditions on the mountainous areas as the Loess Plateau.

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A phytosociological classification of the Rustenburg Nature Reser ve

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v11i4.1502 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 561-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

B. J. Coetzee

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Habitat Features ◽

Community Types

I he vegetation of the Rustenburg Nature Reserve, situated on the Magaliesberg in Acocks’s (1953) Sour Bushveld veld Type ot South Africa, is classified by the Braun-Blanquet Method. Five major vegetation types, including mam subtypes, basic community types, variations and sub-variations are described floristically, physiognomically and in terms of habitat features. The vegetation is mapped at community tvpe and variation level, at a scale of 1 : 30 000.

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A vegetation survey of the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v32i1.464 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

N. Hanekom ◽

A. Southwood ◽

M. Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Indicator Species ◽

National Park ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Indicator Species Analysis ◽

Vegetation Survey ◽

Afromontane Forest ◽

Species Analysis ◽

North And South

Sampling plots (5 m x 10 m in fynbos, 10 m x 10 m in forest) were analysed in the littoral, coastal escarpment, and north and south facing inland escarp- ment zones of 17 transect sites along the length of the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park. Cover- abundance values were estimated for each species in the sampling plots. A detrended correspondence analysis (using CANOCO) and a two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) were carried out on these data to determine the communities sampled. The vegetation of the park was classified into an Afromontane Forest, a Littoral Herbland and two Mesic Mountain Fynbos Communities. The distribution and extent of these communities were determined and their conservation discussed.

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Synanthropic vegetation of the Eragrostion cilianensi-minoris alliance in the Czech Republic

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-011-0108-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 66 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Radomír Němec ◽

Zdeňka Lososová ◽

Pavel Dřevojan ◽

Kristýna Žáková

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Correspondence Analysis ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Data Set ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Synanthropic Vegetation ◽

Arable Fields ◽

Twinspan Classification ◽

Southern Moravia

AbstractA synthesis of the alliance Eragrostion cilianensi-minoris in the Czech Republic is presented on the basis of 82 relevés including new unpublished data. A TWINSPAN classification and detrended correspondence analysis were used to identify the main vegetation types included in the alliance Eragrostion cilianensi-minoris. A syntaxonomic revision of the data set revealed five associations of the alliance: Digitario sanguinalis-Eragrostietum minoris, Portulacetum oleraceae, Eragrostio poaeoidis-Panicetum capillaris, Cynodontetum dactyli, and Hibisco trioni-Eragrostietum poaeoidis. The latter was recently found in several arable fields in Southern Moravia (Czech Republic) and was newly characterized.

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An Assessment of the Sampling Procedure for Estimating air Pollution Using Epiphytic Lichens as Indicators

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1006/lich.1993.1024 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 165-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

S. A. Pirintsos ◽

D. Vokou ◽

J. Diamantopoulos ◽

D. J. Galloway

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Pollution Source ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Epiphytic Lichens ◽

Indicator Species Analysis ◽

Experimental Site ◽

Breast Height ◽

Species Analysis ◽

The City

AbstractUsing the response of epiphytic lichens in and around the city of Thessaloniki (Greece) to an air pollution source, the value of sampling lichens at breast height and the base of trees was compared. The data obtained were processed with detrended correspondence analysis and polythetic divisive two-way indicator species analysis, and IAP (index of atmospheric purity) values were estimated for each experimental site. The tree base IAP values were higher than those at breast height, reflecting the higher number of species present, the generally increased cover and frequency of occurrence. IAP values at the two sampling heights suggest a linear relationship and the same holds for the tree base IAP values and the first axis ordination scores. Sampling at the base resulted in better discrimination of sites, and may, therefore, offer more accurate monitoring of changes induced by air pollution.

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THE VEGETATION OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR CERRADO CONSERVATION IN SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

Edinburgh Journal of Botany ◽

10.1017/s0960428603000155 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 217-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

G. DURIGAN ◽

M. F. DE SIQUEIRA ◽

G. A. D. C. FRANCO ◽

S. BRIDGEWATER ◽

J. A. RATTER

Keyword(s):

Deciduous Forest ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Paulo State ◽

São Paulo State

Natural cerrado vegetation in São Paulo State now covers less than 7% of its original area and exists only as isolated fragments. Eighty-six sites in these priority cerrado conservation areas were surveyed using a rapid assessment technique. A total of 554 species of vascular plants, belonging to 77 families, was recorded. The vegetation types encountered comprised: campo sujo, campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto, cerradão, wet campo, riparian forest, swamp forest, ecotone cerrado/forest and seasonal semi-deciduous forest. Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Unweighted Pair-Groups Method using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) revealed a weak similarity pattern based on geography, but divided the sites into two main structural groups: (a) areas where more open forms of cerrado occur (cerrado sensu stricto, campo cerrado); (b) areas where only forest physiognomies occur (cerradão, ecotone cerradão/seasonal semi-deciduous forest, or riparian forest). The first group tends to be located in the east and the second in the west of São Paulo State. Cerradão was the most frequent vegetation type, observed in 70% of the sites. Cerrado sensu stricto was recorded in only 31% of the sites. Casearia sylvestris and Byrsonima intermedia were the most widespread species, recorded in 90% and 88% of the sites, respectively. Only 10% of the species were found in 50% or more of the sites, while 19% of species were recorded at a single site only. There was a considerable difference in species number between sites, from a minimum of 29 at Taubaté to a maximum of 185 in one of those at Campos Novos Paulista. As shown in other studies, species richness is directly correlated with diversity of vegetation types occurring at a site (beta diversity). As expected, the seven richest fragments contain ecotonal vegetation, which combines both forest and cerrado elements.

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Online appendix 2:Plant communities of the uMlalazi Nature Reserve and their contribution to conservation in KwaZulu-Natal

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1449-2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nqobile S. Zungu ◽

Theo H.C. Mostert ◽

Rachel E. Mostert

Keyword(s):

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Relative Contribution ◽

Online Appendix ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Kwazulu Natal

Vegetation research is an important tool for the simplified and effective identification, management and conservation of the very complex ecosystems underlying them. Plant community descriptions offer scientists a summary and surrogate of all the biotic and abiotic factors shaping and driving ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify, describe and map the plant communities within the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. A total of 149 vegetation plots were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet technique. Thirteen plant communities were identified using a combination of numeric classification (modified Two-way-Indicator Species Analysis) and ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling). These communities were described in terms of their structure, floristic composition and distribution. An indirect gradient analysis of the ordination results was conducted to investigate the relationship between plant communities and their potentially important underlying environmental drivers. Based on the results, the floristic conservation importance of each plant community was discussed to provide some means to evaluate the relative contribution of the reserve to regional ecosystem conservation targets.Conservation implications: The uMlalazi Nature Reserve represents numerous ecosystems that are disappearing from a rapidly transforming landscape outside of formally protected areas in Zululand. The descriptions of the plant communities of these relatively pristine ecosystems provide conservation authorities with inventories and benchmarks with which the ecological health of similar ecosystems in the region can be measured.

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