Dynamics of two South African floodplain forests

Riverine systems are an important component of landscape diversity because of the interaction of biodiversity patterns, disturbance regimes and environmental gradients therein. They stabilise migrating river channels and ameliorate hydrological extremes. Concern is growing over the degradation of riparian environments through upstream abstraction, impoundments, altered flood regimes and increased incidence of low flows. These processes may lead to subtle or significant vegetation changes that will affect the understanding, management and conservation of these systems. This is particularly true in semi-arid environments where a functioning river is a vital source of water and nutrients for the maintenance of riparian biota, especially riverine forests. There remains, however, a lack of ecological understanding of riparian forests in Africa, especially tree regeneration requirements, community level patterns and water relations. The major determinants of tree distribution have yet to be fully elucidated for many riverine systems, particularly in tropical areas, and the potential consequences of changes in causal agents are unquantified.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Botha, Mark

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10165

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10165