A hierarchical phytosociology of the Greater Zandvlei area

The Zandvlei Nature Reserve is to be expanded to form the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve and will encorporate a much greater area (250 more hectares). The Greater Zandvlei area was classified by means of Zurich Montpellier (Braun Blanquet) procedures. 60 relevés were used to create a hierarchical phytosociology using TWINSPAN and DCA-ordination analyses. 3 major community types were identified, which were then subdivided to reveal 6 community types important to future management: Moist Grassland/Wetland Disturbed Parkland, Dune Asteraceous Fynbos, Thicket/Shrub Mosaic, Rhus-Euclea Dune Thicket and Homogenous Patches. CCA-ordination indicates that the abiotic soil factors sampled (texture composition, pH, carbon content and visible disturbance) explain very little of the variation between the communities (r²=0.002). This phytosociology is provided as a tool for future research in the area, and it is hoped to assist in future management decisions regarding the newly founded GZENR.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Szöke, Tim

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hoffmann, Timm

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/24963

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/24963