scholarly journals The plant communities of the Andover Game Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heath P. Cronje ◽  
Mike D. Panagos ◽  
Brian K. Reilly
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Ecological Management ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Floristic Characteristics

Floristic characteristics of the Andover Game Reserve (AGR) were surveyed using an area-based survey technique and classified according to the data recorded from 88 relevés, using the PHYTOTAB-PC software package. Three plant communities, of which two each contain two variants, were described and mapped. The plant communities and their causative environmental factors were validated through detrended- and canonical correspondence multivariate analyses. The plant communities of the AGR were found to typify the floristics associated with the catenal sequences located in undulating areas on granite. Broad-leaved savanna is located at the crest and upper mid-slopes while fine-leaved savanna occurs along the footslopes of the AGR. Seeplines, a characteristic occurrence along catenas, are found at the transitional zone between the upper broad- and lower fine-leaved savanna plant communities. This study forms the basis for the compilation of a revised ecological management plan for the Andover Game Reserve.

scholarly journals Classification, description and mapping of the vegetation in Khutse Game Reserve, Botswana

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-23
Author(s):  
T Lori
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Plant Ecology ◽  
Herbaceous Plants ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Grewia Flava

There is currently no detailed classification and description of plant communities in Khutse Game Reserve (KGR), Botswana, using phytosociological techniques. The main aim of this study was to classify and describe plant communities in KGR. Classification and description of plant communities will help in understanding the plant ecology of KGR. Braun-Blanquet sampling method was applied in 91 stratified random relevés. Nine plant communities were identified and classified using Modified TWINSPAN which is contained in JUICE program. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in percentage cover of herbaceous plants between the different plant communities. Schmidtia pappophoroides-Stipagrostis uniplumis and Heliotropium lineare-Enneapogon desvauxii communities had higher cover (%) of herbaceous plants than other communities. Catophractes alexandri-Stipagrostis uniplumis community had the highest cover (%) of shrubs. There was no statistically significant difference in plant species diversity (Shannon-Wienner Index) and species evenness between plant communities, but there was a statistically significant difference in plant species richness between the different plant communities. Dichrostachys cinerea-Grewia flava community, Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens-Maytenus species community and Catophractes alexandri-Stipagrostis uniplumis community had lower number of species, whereas Vachellia luederitzii var. retinens-Grewia flava community had the highest number (46) of plant species. This study will help the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) to develop an updated and informed Management Plan for the reserve, which takes cognizance of the plant ecology of the reserve.

The habitat preference of some bovine dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa

1983 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard M. Doube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Loam Soil

AbstractThe effects of vegetative cover and soil type on the abundance and distribution of 50 species of scarabaeine dung beetle were examined during three successive days in January 1979 in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Pitfall traps baited with bovine dung were set at intervals of 20 m in a transect across a 20–ha patch of grassveld surrounded by Acacia bushveld. One end of the transect was on clay–loam soil and the other on sandy loam. In all, 32 936 specimens were caught, representing 71 species from 22 genera. Thirty–two species were diurnal and 18 were crepuscular or nocturnal. Twenty–six species were more abundant in bushveld than in grassveld, and eight species were more abundant in grassveld than in bushveld. Soil type influenced the relative abundance of 23 species. The degree of habitat specificity varied widely between species. During overcast weather, both bushveld and grassveld species became abundant in the transitional zone between bushveld and grassveld where the light intensity was similar to that in bushveld on a clear day. It is suggested that light intensity is one characteristic by which beetles recognise bushveld and grassveld.

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.

scholarly journals Urban nature conservation: vegetation of natural areas in the Potchefstroom municipal area, North West Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Cilliers ◽  
E. Van Wyk ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

This study on the natural and degraded natural vegetation of natural areas in the Potchefstroom Municipal Area, forms part of a research programme on spontaneous vegetation in urban open spaces in the North West Province, South Africa. Using a numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) as a first approximation, the classification was refined by applying Braun-Blanquet procedures. The result is a phytosociological table from which 6 plant communities were recognised, which are subdivided in sub-communities and variants, resulting in 18 vegetation units. Some of these vegetation units are similar to communities described previously in natural areas. The presence of degraded natural communities suggests huge anthropogenic influences in certain areas. An ordination (DECORANA) scatter diagram shows the distribution of the plant communities along gradients which could be related to vegetation structure, altitude, soil depth, rockiness of soil surface, wetness or dryness of the habitat and number of introduced species. This study contributes to the compilation of a guideline for a conservation orientated management plan for the area, but also created a wealth of new knowledge of the reaction of indigenous plant species under disturbed conditions.

Marine water quality management in South Africa

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
Susan Taljaard ◽  
Willem A. M. Botes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Information Requirements ◽  
Water Quality Guidelines ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Beneficial Uses

In South Africa the ultimate goal in water quality management is to keep the water resources suitable for all “beneficial uses”. Beneficial uses provides a basis for the derivation of water quality guidelines, which, for South Africa, are defined in Water quality guidelines for the South African coastal zone (DWAF, 1991). The CSIR has developed a practical approach to marine water quality management, taking into account international trends and local experience, which can be applied to any coastal development with potential influence on water quality. The management plan is divided into three logical components, i.e. • site-specific statutory requirements and environmental objectives; • system design with specific reference to influences on water quality; and • monitoring programmes. Within this management approach water quality issues are addressed in a holistic manner, through focused procedures and clear identification of information requirements. This paper describes the procedures and information requirements within each component of the water quality management plan, with specific reference to marine disposal systems. Ideally, the management plan should be implemented from the feasibility and conceptual design phase of a development and the timing of the different procedures within the development process are therefore also highlighted. However, the logical lay-out of procedures allows for easy initiation (even to existing disposal system) at any stage of development.

scholarly journals A checklist of the non-acarine arachnids (Chelicerata: Arachnida) of the Ndumo Game Reserve, Maputaland, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.R. Haddad ◽  
A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
W. Wesołowska
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Acacia Tortilis ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Floodplain Vegetation ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Sand Forest ◽  
Fig Tree

Arachnids (Chelicerata: Arachnida) were collected in the Ndumo Game Reserve (Maputaland, South Africa) during 11 collecting trips in the period 2000–2006. Sampling was undertaken by various methods in eight broad habitat types: Acacia tortilis savanna; Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree) forests; deciduous broadleaf woodland; Ficus (wild fig tree) forests; floodplain vegetation; riparian forest; sand forest; and subtropical bush. In total, 457 species of arachnids were collected, representing six orders, 59 families and 240 determined genera. The most diverse order was the Araneae (46 families, 431 spp.), followed by the Pseudoscorpiones (6 families, 12 spp.), Scorpiones (3 families, 8 spp.), Opiliones (2 families, 3 spp.), Solifugae (1 family, 2 spp.) and Amblypygi (a single species). The most diverse families all belonged to the Araneae: Salticidae (82 spp.), Thomisidae (56 spp.) and Araneidae (38 spp.). The spider diversity is the highest recorded from any protected area in South Africa so far, and represents approximately 22 % of the country’s spider fauna. The habitat and guild associations of each species are provided.

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