This study aimed to quantify and evaluate the effects of heavy land utilisation, mainly grazing, on plant species richness and diversity, species abundance, vegetation structure and soil characteristics in a communal area in Colophospermum mopane dominated savanna in southern Africa. The treatment was benchmarked against a relatively lightly stocked neighbouring farm. An assessment of termite richness across the contrasting land-use areas was also made. Significant differences were found mainly in plant structure, with reduced plant canopy cover and plant height on the communal land, thus transforming a woodland to a predominantly shrubland physiognomy. There was no significant effect of heavy utilisation on richness or diversity of plant or termite taxa. Species compositional shifts were reflected by significant species associations with either land-use type. Forb species formed an important component of the vegetation irrespective of grazing intensity. Cover of annual plants did not increase with heavy utilisation owing to the increase of 'weedy' annual species being counterbalanced by declining cover of palatable annual plants. Biological soil crusts were markedly less common on the communal land, which may result in an increased hydraulic conductivity of the soil. Other soil properties measured appeared to be insensitive to the intense level of land utilisation.

Edford Wood, near Holcombe in Somerset, England has a rich and varied flora. Topography and species composition indicate that much of the woodland is of ancient origin. The history of the site is complex, with the woodland long subjected to considerable human disturbance from surface mining of coal, drainage and the felling of larger trees. Documentary and other evidence has revealed that part of the wood has developed from grassland during the present century. This area of secondary woodland illustrates processes of succession as woodland plants invade. 0 1998 The Linnean Sociew of London ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS:-bulbous perennialsconservationnative status -