A vegetation classification and description of Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

Aims: This study identified, classified and mapped the different plant communities found on the Telperion Nature Reserve. Study area: Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumulanga, South Africa. Methods: Using a 1:10,000 aerial photograph, Telperion was delineated into homogenous physiognomic-physiographic units. 294 sample plots (100 m2) were placed in a randomly stratified manner within identified homogenous units. Plant species present in sample plots were recorded and allocated a modified Braun-Blanquet cover abundance scale value. Sample plot data were captured into TURBOVEG and exported for editing, classification and processing in JUICE. A modified TWINSPAN classification was applied to derive a first approximation of the plant communities in a synoptic table that was refined using Braun-Blanquet procedures. Species were manually arranged into groups. Diagnostic, constant and dominant species were statistically determined from the synoptic table. Threshold values for fidelity, frequency and canopy cover were set and a final phytosociological table was produced for describing the plant species composition for the different plant communities. Results: 22 plant communities were identified for Telperion. Five were major communities, 14 were sub-communities and 13 were variants. The five major plant communities were Cyathea dregei–Ilex mitis ravine woodland, Paspalum urvillei–Phragmites australis valley bottom wetland, Diospyros lycioides–Combretum erythrophyllum riparian woodland, Eragrostis curvula–Seriphium plumosum midslope plateau grassland, and Combretum molle–Englerophytum magalismontanum rocky ridge woodland. The plant communities were also described and mapped. Conclusions: The classification, description and mapping of Telperion’s vegetation provides a basis for management decision making about wildlife stocking rates, fire planning, and vegetation management. Findings indicate that Bankenveld vegetation is heterogeneous with a variety of habitats including woodland and grassland components. Telperion has a variety of plant communities and a high plant species diversity, making it a reservoir for plant species and an important conservation area. Taxonomic reference: SA-Plant Checklist-2019–2020, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2020, Botanical Database of Southern Africa (BODATSA) (http://posa.sanbi.org/) [accessed January 2022]. Abbreviations: BB = Braun-Blanquet; m a.s.l. = metres above sea level; TWINSPAN = Two-way indicator species analysis.

A New Proposed Symbiotic Plant–Herbivore Relationship between Burkea africana Trees, Cirina forda Caterpillars and Their Associated Fungi Pleurostomophora richardsiae and Aspergillus nomius

“…Telperion is situated in the summer rainfall region of South Africa, with annual rainfall ranging from 570–730 mm [ 24 ]. According to Brown et al [ 25 ], the average temperature indicates February to be the hottest month of the year, with 26.4 °C as the average daily maximum, whilst 15.1 °C is the average daily minimum. The collection period of September–November falls within the spring and summer seasons, with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 24 °C and a minimum of 12 °C.…”

Global Overview of the Application of the Braun-Blanquet Approach in Research

“…For the first time in Bulgaria, the syntaxonomy of the class Polygono-Poetea has been developed and analyzed [149]. New results have been obtained in the syntaxonomy of the East African wetlands [150] and of the South Africa Nature Reserve [151][152][153] and mountainous grassland ecosystem [154]. The approach has been successfully used to study and classify rocky vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula [155].…”