Vegetation ecology of the southern Free State: Vegetation of the drainage channels

Malan, P.W.; Venter, H.J.T.; Preez, P.J. du

doi:10.1016/s0254-6299(15)31092-9

Cited by 7 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Plot sizes were fixed at 16 m² Malan 1998). After a recognisance of the study area, a total of 169 sample plots were placed on a stratified-random basis within representative stands of vegetation to exclude as much heterogeneity as possible with regard to floristic composition, structure and habitat.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Grassland vegetation of Platberg, eastern Free State, South Africa

Brand

Brown

Preez

2011

Koedoe

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Platberg is an inselberg that presents a refuge for indigenous plants and animals. Uncontrolled human access to this area threatens this sensitive ecosystem. The vegetation of Platberg was investigated to obtain an inventory of the different plant species and communities present in this area. A hierarchical classification, a description and an ecological interpretation of the grassland communities of Platberg are presented. A total of 169 sample plots were placed on a stratified random basis within the study area. From a TWINSPAN classification a total of 27 different plant communities, which can be grouped into two major community types, nine communities, 18 sub-communities and six variants, were identified. A significant difference in species richness was found between the two major communities, with the higher-altitude communities having a higher species richness than the communities on the lower-lying slopes. A total of 26 endemic or near endemic Drakensberg Alpine Centre species were recorded. Conservation implications:Anthropogenic influences are felt globally on ecosystems. Highaltitude habitats and organisms will be affected first. Inselbergs have high levels of endemic organisms and are reservoirs and refugia for unique genetic material. This grassland plant community survey of Platberg provides valuable information on inselberg ecology for conservation planning.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Grassland vegetation of Platberg, eastern Free State, South Africa

Brand

Brown

Preez

2011

Koedoe

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“…Plot sizes were fixed at 6 x 5 m to give a total surface area of 30 m² (Du Preez, 1991;Malan, 1998;Whittaker, 1980). In all the sample plots, each species was recorded, all the woody plants were counted and all the cover/abundance was calculated with the Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale (Behr and Bredenkamp, 1988;Brown, Marais, Henzi and Barrett, 2005;Clever, Brown and Bredenkamp, 2005;Mueller-Dombois and ellenberg, 1974;Westhoff and Van der Maarel, 1980;Whittaker, 1980 to confirm the names of the taxa.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous phytosociological studies (Barrett, Brown, Barrett and Henzi, 2006;Bredenkamp and Brown, 2003;Du Preez, 1991Eckhardt et al, 1995;Eckhardt, Van rooyen and Bredenkamp, 1993;Grobler, Bredenkamp and Brown, 2002;Hoare and Bredenkamp, 2001;Malan, 1998;Pond, Beesley, Brown and Bezuidenhout, 2002;Smit, Bredenkamp and Van Rooyen, 1995) have shown that the Braun-Blanquet classification (Kent and Coker, 1992;Whittaker, 1980) is the most efficient phytosociological method to use. Habitat as well as floristic data were processed with TURBoVeG (Hennekens, 1996a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is considered to be one of the diagnostic families used as a distinguishing part of fynbos. The restionaceae genus Ischyrolepis schoenoides is found on Platberg as well as other inselbergs in the Free State (Du Preez, 1991Du Preez and Bredenkamp, 1991;Malan, 1998) and the main Drakensberg (Carbutt and Edwards, 2004;Hilliard and Burtt, 1987;Körner, 2003;Pooley, 2003). It can be regarded as a replacement genus for the genus Restio, as its growth form is similar and phylogenetically these two genera are closely related (Haaksma & Linder, 2002).…”

Section: Affinities With Platbergmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A floristic description of the Afromontane fynbos communities on Platberg, Eastern Free State, South Africa

Brand

Preez

Brown

2008

Koedoe

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Within the Platberg area and the wider Drakensberg region, the shrinking natural resources and the threat posed to biodiversity are of concern to conservation management and require an understanding of long-term ecological processes. The vegetation of Platberg was investigated as part of an ecological survey to establish Afromontane floristic links to the Drakensberg as well as for the management of natural resources. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by the Braun-Blanquet method, four main plant communities were identified, which were subdivided into fynbos, wetland, a woody/ shrub community and grassland. A classification and description of the fynbos are presented in this article.The analysis showed the fynbos divided into two communities comprising four sub-communities and seven variants. The fynbos community had an average of 28.34 species per relevé, ranging from 14 to 54 species per sample plot. Twenty-four endemic or near-endemic Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) species and 22 exotic (alien-invasive) species were recorded. Numerous floristic links with the DAC, Cape flora fynbos and grassland bioregions to the north and west were also found. The description of the fynbos plant communities can serve as a basis for the formulation of management plans for the area.

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“…Plot sizes were fixed at 4 x 4 m to give a total surface area of 16 m² (Du Preez, 1991;Malan, 1998). All plant species growing in the sample plots were recorded and their cover abundance assessed using a modified Braun-Blanquet cover abundance scale (Brown, et al, 2005;Mueller-Dombois & Ellenberg, 1974;Westhoff & Van der Maarel, 1980).…”

Section: Vegetation Datamentioning

confidence: 99%