scholarly journals An ecological study of the plant communities in the proposed Highveld National Park, in the peri-urban area of Potchefstroom, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahlomola E. Daemane ◽  
Sarel S. Cilliers ◽  
Hugo Bezuidenhout
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Environmental Planning ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Grassland Biome

The proposed Highveld National Park (HNP) is an area of high conservation value in South Africa, covering approximately 0.03% of the endangered Grassland Biome. The park is situated immediately adjacent to the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. The objective of this study was to identify, classify, describe and map the plant communities in this park. Vegetation sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method and a total of 88 stratified random relevés were sampled. A numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) was used and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The final results of the classification procedure were presented in the form of phytosociological tables and, thereafter, nine plant communities were described and mapped. A detrended correspondence analysis confirmed the presence of three structural vegetation units, namely woodland, shrubland and grassland. Differences in floristic composition in the three vegetation units were found to be influenced by environmental factors, such as surface rockiness and altitude. Incidences of harvesting trees for fuel, uncontrolled fires and overgrazing were found to have a significant effect on floristic and structural composition in the HNP. The ecological interpretation derived from this study can therefore be used as a tool for environmental planning and management of this grassland area.Conservation implications: Grasslands are amongst the most threatened and least conserved vegetation biomes in South Africa, with less than 1.3% currently being conserved. The HNP has significant value for biodiversity conservation and the protection of this area will contribute to the preservation of the highly threatened Highveld vegetation types. 

scholarly journals Classification and description of the vegetation in the Spitskop area in the proposed Highveld National Park, North West Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahlomola E. Daemane ◽  
Sarel S. Cilliers ◽  
Hugo Bezuidenhout
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
National Park ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Degradation Data ◽  
Grassland Biome ◽  
Floristic Data

The objective of the proposed Highveld National Park (HNP) is to conserve a considerable area of the poorly conserved Rocky Highveld Grassland and Dry Sandy Highveld Grassveld of the western Grassland Biome in South Africa. The park has not yet been proclaimed, but is currently under the management of the North West Parks and Tourism Board. The main aim of this study was to classify and describe the vegetation in the Spitskop area in the HNP. The areas affected by soil degradation were on the midslopes, footslopes, valley bottomland and the floodplains around the Spitskop hill. The concentrated grazing around the Spitskop area was also influenced by the existing dam in the floodplains. Floristic and soil degradation data were collected and used to classify and describe the plant communities of the Spitskop area. Vegetation sampling was performed by means of the Braun-Blanquet method and a total of twenty plots were sampled. A numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) was applied to the floristic data to derive a first approximation of the main plant communities. Further refinement was achieved by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The final results of the classification procedure were presented in the form of a phytosociological table, with three major communities and three subcommunities being described. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to determine the direct correlation between plant communities and soil degradation types. Soil compaction and sheet erosion were found to be the most significant variables determining plant community composition. Rill and gully erosion were shown to be of lesser significance in explaining the variation in plant communities. Conservation implications: Grasslands are amongst the most threatened biomes in South Africa, yet less than 1.3% are currently being conserved. The HNP has significant value for biodiversity conservation and the protection of this area will contribute to the preservation of the highly threatened Highveld vegetation types.

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.

scholarly journals Analysis of the vegetation of the sandstone ridges (Ib land type) of the north-eastern parts of the Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albie R. Gotze ◽  
Sarel S. Cilliers ◽  
Hugo Beduizenhout ◽  
Klaus Kellner
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Land Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Classification Technique ◽  
First Approximation ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Ultimate Objective

The establishment of the Mapungubwe National Park has been an objective of several conservationists for many years. The ultimate objective is that this park should become a major component of a Transfrontier National Park shared by Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The aim of this study was to identify, classify and describe the plant communities present in the Ib land type of the park. Sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method. A total of 48 stratified random relevés were sampled in the Ib land type. All relevé data were imported into a TURBOVEG database, after which the numerical classification technique TWINSPAN was used as a first approximation. Subsequently, Braun-Blanquet procedures were used to refine data and a phytosociological table was constructed, using the visual editor, MEGATAB. Two plant communities and several subcommunities and variants were identified and described from the phytosociological table.

Goat farmers production objectives and trait preferences in the North West province of South Africa: An approach to identify selection criteria for community-based breeding program

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-75
Author(s):  
Fortunate Mtshali Thobile ◽  
Ntanganedzeni Mapholi Olivia ◽  
Tebogo Ncube Keabetswe ◽  
Farai Dzomba Edgar ◽  
C. Matelele Tlou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Community Based ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Trait Preferences ◽  
Production Objectives

scholarly journals Veterinary needs of dogs in two resource-limited communities in the Gauteng and North West provinces of South Africa

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.N. Minnaar ◽  
R.C. Krecek
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Protein Deficient Diet

Information on the socioeconomic aspects and the health status of dogs in 2 resource-limited communities in the North West and Gauteng provinces of South Africa was gathered using semi-structured interviews and a standardised questionnaire. The dogs were examined clinically to determine their health status, and their body condition and age were scored. Most of the dogs (93 % in Jericho and 90 % in Zuurbekom) were infected with hookworm, which poses a threat to animal and human health in the 2 study areas. Many dogs were also being given a protein-deficient diet, which together with hookworm parasites would impact considerably on the dog's health. Dogs were mainly kept for security reasons. The need indicated to be most important by the residents of the 2 commnities was a lack of available and affordable veterinary services.

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