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 Analysis of the riparian vegetation (Ia land type) of the proposed Vhembe-Dongola National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Götze ◽  
S.S. Cilliers ◽  
H. Bezuidenhout ◽  
K. Kellner
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Land Type ◽  
Habitat Gradients ◽  
Classification Technique ◽  
Ultimate Objective ◽  
Floristic Data

The establishment of the Vhembe-Dongola National Park has been an objective of several conservationists for many years. The ultimate objective is that this park would become a major component of a transfrontier 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 Ia land type of the proposed area for the park. Sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method. A total of 70 stratified random relevés were sampled in the Ia land type. All relevé data was imported into the database TURBOVEG 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. From the phytosociological table four plant communities were identified and described in the Ia land type. The ordination algorithm, DECORANA, was applied to the floristic data in order to illustrate floristic relationships between plant communities, to detect possible gradients in and between communities and to detect possible habitat gradients and/or disturbance gradients associated with vegetation gradients.

scholarly journals Major plant communities of the Marakele National Park

Koedoe ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Van Staden ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
National Park ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Clayey Soils ◽  
Southwestern Part ◽  
Profound Knowledge ◽  
Floristic Data ◽  
Synoptic Table

To manage and conserve any national park efficiently, a profound knowledge of the ecology is a prerequisite, and to achieve that an inventory of the biotic and abiotic components must be undertaken. As a contribution to such a program this information was collected for Marakele National Park. The study area covers 290.51 km² in the southwestern part of the Limpopo Province. The underlying parent rock of the study area is sandstone, shale and mudstone with several diabase dykes. The soils range from shallow to deep sandy soils on sandstone and clayey soils on diabase and mudstone. The rainfall varies from 556 mm to 630 mm per annum, mainly during the summer months. The study area experiences warm summers with temperatures of up to 32 ºC and cool, dry winters with frost in the low-lying areas. The vegetation of the study area was classified in a hierarchical, plant sociological system by using TWINSPAN and the Braun - Blanquet technique. The floristic data from 130 relevés were classified to identify five major plant communities, namely one forest community, three savanna/grassland communities and one wetland community. These plant communities were ecologically interpreted by habitat.The phytosociological table was condensed to a synoptic table to describe the major plant communities.

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 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.

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 Agritourism activities in the Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa: perceptions and opportunities

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Myer ◽  
E P De Crom
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
National Park ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Alternative Tourism ◽  
Farm Tourism ◽  
Additional Income ◽  
Area Data

Farms in South Africa have to compete in a very hostile agricultural economic environment and it has become imperative for farmers to find new ways of generating additional income. Research undertaken in the Mopani District Municipality (MDM) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa identified agritourism as a potential means to this end. The main aim of this primarily qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the perceptions and opportunities for agritourism in the study area. Data were mainly collected through interviews and questionnaires. Participants consisted of farmers and tourists, as well as owners of existing agritourism farms within the MDM. Five current active agritourism establishments were identified. Key fidnings revealed that agritourism is not being utilised to its full potential. Although perceptions of respondents towards agritourism are positive, marketing around it is insufficient and not all farmers are willing to host agritourism activities on their farms for various reasons. However, the MDM is a tourist hub with many visitors passing through various reasons. However, the MDM is a tourist hub with many visitors passing through the area en route to the Kruger National Park. Therefore, the potential already exists to host agritourism activities that will benefit farmers in various ways. By developing farm trails, scheduling daily farm activities, using information brochures, forming networks with existing tourist establishments, encouraging the use of local and fresh produce and providing good roadside signage, farmers can gain increased exposure and recognition for what they do and opportunities for growth and development may be realised. Keywords: Agritourism, farm tourism, alternative tourism, farm activities, tourism

scholarly journals Assessment of Useful Alien Plant Species Cultivated and Managed in Rural Home Gardens of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Scientifica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Sebua Silas Semenya ◽  
Alfred Maroyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Alien Plant Species ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Use Categories

Several communities in developing countries derive substantial part of their livelihood needs from alien plants cultivated and managed in home gardens. The aim of this study was to assess useful alien plant species cultivated and managed in home gardens of Limpopo province in South Africa. Semistructured interviews, personal observation, and guided walks with 300 participants between January 2015 and December 2016 were employed to obtain data on names of alien plants cultivated in home gardens and their use categories. A total of 101 plant species belonging to 44 families were recorded from the study area. More than half of the species (66.3%) belonged to 14 families, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Myrtaceae. Twenty-six use categories of alien plants were identified in this study with the majority of species (75.2%) used for medicinal purposes, followed by ornamental (33.7%), edible fruits (24.8%), spices (16.8%), vegetables (16.8%), shade (11.9%), beverages (10.9%), construction materials (8.9%), firewood (7.9%), and hedge (7.9%). These findings corroborate the existing body of knowledge emphasizing the importance of plants grown and managed in home gardens to the livelihood needs of local communities.

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants Traded in Informal Herbal Medicine Markets of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Marula Triumph Rasethe ◽  
Sebua Silas Semenya ◽  
Alfred Maroyi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Prunus Africana ◽  
Plant Parts

Trading of herbal medicines generates economic opportunities for vulnerable groups living in periurban, rural, and marginalized areas. This study was aimed at identifying medicinal plant species traded in the Limpopo province in South Africa, including traded plant parts, conservation statutes of the species, and harvesting methods used to collect the species. Semistructured questionnaire supplemented by field observation was used to collect data from owners of 35 informal herbal medicine markets in the Limpopo province. A total of 150 medicinal plant products representing at least 79 plant species belonging to 45 botanical families, mainly the Fabaceae (11.4%), Asteraceae (7.6%), and Hyacinthaceae (6.3%), were traded in the study area. Roots (50.0%), bulbs (19.0%), and bark (16.0%) were the most frequently sold plant parts. Some of the traded species which includeAlepidea amatymbica, Bowiea volubilis, Brackenridgea zanguebarica, Clivia caulescens,Dioscorea sylvatica,Elaeodendron transvaalense, Encephalartos woodii,Eucomis pallidiflorasubsp.pole-evansii,Merwilla plumbea,Mondia whitei,Prunus africana, Siphonochilus aethiopicus, Synaptolepis oliveriana,andWarburgia salutarisare of conservation concern and listed on the South African Red Data List.Findings of this study call for effective law enforcement to curb illegal removal of wild plants especially those species that are at the verge of extinction.

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