scholarly journals The genus Helicotylenchus in the Grassland Biome of South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Marais ◽  
A. Swart ◽  
A. S. Schoeman ◽  
L. R. Tiedt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Grassland Biome

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. 

Wetland vegetation of southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Perkins ◽  
G. J. Bredenkamp ◽  
J. E. Granger
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Wetland Vegetation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Entire Data ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Twinspan Classification ◽  
Grassland Biome

Vegetation data from southern KwaZulu-Natal were analysed. TWINSPAN classification separated the entire data set (547 releves) into five subsets. One subset, representing the vegetation of the wetlands of southern Kw aZulu-Natal, was further classified by Braun-Blanquet procedures. Eight plant communities and fourteen subcommunities were identified and described. The results can be integrated with existing phytosociological classifications of the Grassland Biome.

scholarly journals Grassland communities of urban open spaces in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamokete N.V. Dingaan ◽  
Pieter J. Du Preez
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Vegetation ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Proper Management ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Twinspan Classification ◽  
Natural Forms ◽  
Grassland Biome ◽  
Grassland Communities

Natural vegetation in urban environments is greatly impacted by human activities and it is in constant threat of degradation and destruction as a result of urbanisation. This vegetation, although fragmented, serves an important ecological function and needs to be properly managed and conserved. Studies on urban vegetation are lacking in South Africa, with only a handful having been carried out since the end of the last century. This study was initiated to identify, classify and describe the grassland communities of the urban open spaces in Bloemfontein. Relevés were compiled in 61 sample plots, where species present and habitat information were recorded. Care was taken to restrict sample plots to vegetation in pristine condition, wherever possible, and severely degraded stands were avoided. A two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed two distinct major communities, seven communities and four sub-communities. Both detrended and canonical correspondence analyses indicated the vegetation units to be associated with soil texture and pH, although biotic factors such as overgrazing, burning and mowing also influence the composition of the vegetation. The proper management and conservation of urban open spaces requires in-depth knowledge of the spatial distribution, floristic, structural and functional compositions within the major vegetation types in this environment. The present study further contributed towards formulating ways for the proper management, utilisation and functioning of the open spaces within the Bloemfontein area.Conservation implications: The Grassland Biome of South Africa is poorly conserved, mainly because of its status as an agricultural hub of the country. The preservation of natural and semi-natural forms of urban vegetation is important because such vegetation, although often disturbed and degraded, could form dispersal corridors between peri-urban and rural vegetation.

A new leafhopper genus and four new species from the Grassland Biome of South Africa (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2794 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. STILLER
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Posterior Margin ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Grassland Biome

A new endemic deltocephaline leafhopper, Tetramelasma gen.n. is described from the Grassland Biome of South Africa, comprising four new species: T. litopyx sp. n., T. nodosatha sp. n., T. scolosatha sp. n. and T. tanyphysis sp. n. Two paired dark markings on the vertex of the head are striking features of this genus and it is found in association with a number of grass species usually at high altitudes in the Grassland Biome. Species of this genus are characterized in the male by a short, truncated plate with a dorsal sclerotized process, the aedeagus with a long, slender shaft that is fused with the connective. Tribal placement in Deltocephalini is based on the fusion between the aedeagus and connective. The style has the posterior apophysis short and hollow or elongate and somewhat serrated. Females are characterized by the sternite 7 that is deeply invaginated along the posterior margin or only with a shallow notch, semicircular and sclerotized laterally.

scholarly journals Landscape connectivity of the grassland biome in Mpumalanga, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Fourie ◽  
Mathieu Rouget ◽  
Mervyn Lötter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Grassland Biome

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.

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