The Major Megetation Types (MVT) and plant communities of the Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism are described in detail, with special reference to the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve. Phytosociological data from 442 sample plots were ordinated using a DEtrended CORrespondence ANAlysis (DECORANA) and classified using TWo-Way INdicator SPecies ANalysis (TWINSPAN). The resulting classification was further refined with table-sorting procedures based on the Braun–Blanquet floristic–sociological approach of vegetation classification using MEGATAB. Eight MVT’s were identified and described as <em>Eragrostis lehmanniana</em> var. <em>lehmanniana–Sclerocarya birrea</em> subsp. <em>caffra</em> Blouberg Northern Plains Bushveld, <em>Euclea divinorum–Acacia tortilis</em> Blouberg Southern Plains Bushveld, <em>Englerophytum magalismontanum–Combretum molle</em> Blouberg Mountain Bushveld, <em>Adansonia digitata–Acacia nigrescens</em> Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld, <em>Catha edulis–Flueggia virosa</em> Soutpansberg Moist Mountain Thickets, <em>Diplorhynchus condylocarpon–Burkea africana</em> Soutpansberg Leached Sandveld, <em>Rhus rigida</em> var. <em>rigida–Rhus magalismontanum</em> subsp. <em>coddii</em> Soutpansberg Mistbelt Vegetation and <em>Xymalos monospora–Rhus chirendensis</em> Soutpansberg Forest Vegetation

Changes in the environment are first observed in changes in the vegetation. Vegetation survey, classification and mapping form the basis on which informed and scientifically defendable decisions on the environment can be taken. The classification and mapping of vegetation is one of the most widely used tools for interpreting complex ecosystems. By identifying different plant communities we are essentially identifying different ecosystems at a particular hierarchical level. Phytosociologists in Europe have been involved in such studies following, in particular, the Braun-Blanquet approach since the early 1900s. In South Africa, such studies were undertaken on a limited basis from the early 1970s and have since then steadily increased. The surveying of the enormous diversity of South African vegetation is one of the objectives of phytosociological studies. The demand for such data has steadily increased over the past few years to guide conservation policies, biodiversity studies and ecosystem management. In South Africa, numerous publications on the vegetation of conservation and other areas in the different biomes have been produced over the last few decades. However, vegetation scientists in South Africa experience unique problems. The purpose of this article is therefore to provide an overview of the history and the specific focus of phytosociological studies in South Africa and to recommend minimum requirements and methods to be followed when conducting such studies. It is believed that the incorporation of these requirements will result in scientifically justifiable research of high quality by phytosociologists in South Africa. Conservation implications: Effective conservation cannot be obtained without a thorough knowledge of the ecosystems present in an area. Consistent vegetation classifications and descriptions form the basis of conservation and monitoring exercises to maintain biodiversity. The incorporation of these guidelines and requirements will facilitate quality phytosociological research in South Africa

Vegetation research is an important tool for the simplified and effective identification, management and conservation of the very complex ecosystems underlying them. Plant community descriptions offer scientists a summary and surrogate of all the biotic and abiotic factors shaping and driving ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify, describe and map the plant communities within the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. A total of 149 vegetation plots were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet technique. Thirteen plant communities were identified using a combination of numeric classification (modified Two-way-Indicator Species Analysis) and ordination (non-metric multidimensional scaling). These communities were described in terms of their structure, floristic composition and distribution. An indirect gradient analysis of the ordination results was conducted to investigate the relationship between plant communities and their potentially important underlying environmental drivers. Based on the results, the floristic conservation importance of each plant community was discussed to provide some means to evaluate the relative contribution of the reserve to regional ecosystem conservation targets.Conservation implications: The uMlalazi Nature Reserve represents numerous ecosystems that are disappearing from a rapidly transforming landscape outside of formally protected areas in Zululand. The descriptions of the plant communities of these relatively pristine ecosystems provide conservation authorities with inventories and benchmarks with which the ecological health of similar ecosystems in the region can be measured.

Background: Didymoplexis verrucosa is a cryptic leafless saprophytic ground orchid (~70 mm tall) growing on the coastal forest floors of southern Zululand and classified as Vulnerable (D2). As part of a population monitoring programme, 960 man-hours of species specific searching over five consecutive flowering seasons were conducted, yielding only one individual plant. Objective: The aim of this study was to increase detection rate by developing a profile of environmental indicators for the accurate identification of suitable habitat. Methods: A detailed description of suitable habitat was compiled based on the Braun-Blanquet approach. Results: The results showed that key attributes shared by localities include similar topographic position in the landscape, hydrology, soils, vegetation composition and structure, forest age, leaf-litter composition of the forest floor, the co-occurrence of Isoglossa woodii, and a similar degree of protection from sunlight, wind and desiccation. Significance of the findings: This profile of essential habitat characteristics can be used as a surrogate in the absence of actual locality data when identifying target conservation areas and compiling management strategies for this very cryptic species. A by-product of this habitat analysis was the discovery of a long list of impacts on the long term survival of D. verrucosa. The combination of these stochastic and deterministic events will drive habitat change at rates beyond the species’ ability to adapt. Managing these variables forms the crux of its successful conservation. A conservation status revision, based on the formal IUCN criteria, indicate that D. verrucosa should be reclassified as Critically Endangered Category B2a and D.

The Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld is one of eight major vegetation types (MVT) described for the Soutpansberg-Blouberg region. The plant communities of this MVT are described in detail. Main ecological drivers of the vegetation structure and species composition of these communities are discussed and some conservation recommendations are made. Phytosociological data from a subset of 72 Braun-Blanquet sample plots collected in the Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld were classified using Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and ordinated using a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA). The resulting classification was further refined with table-sorting procedures based on the Braun-Blanquet floristic-sociological approach to vegetation classification using the computer software MEGATAB and JUICE. Eight plant communities were identified and described as <em>Commiphora tenuipetiolata-Adansonia digitata</em> short open woodland, <em>Ledebouria ovatifolia-Commiphora mollis</em> short bushland, <em>Phyllanthus reticulatus-Acacia nigrescens</em> short bushland, <em>Tinnea rhodesiana-Combretum apiculatum</em> short bushland, <em>Dichrostachys cinerea</em> subsp. <em>africana-Spirostachys africana</em> low thickets, <em>Themeda triandra-Pterocarpus rotundifolius</em> short closed grassland on steep basaltic slopes, <em>Cyperus albostriatus-Syzygium cordatum</em> sandveld wetlands, and <em>Sesamothamnus lugardii-Catophractes alexandri</em> tall sparse shrubland. These plant communities are event-driven ecosystems, predominantly infl uenced by frequent droughts, exposure to desiccation and unpredictable rainfall events. The complex topography of the Soutpansberg further contributes to the aridity of these ecosystems. The classifi cation and ordination analyses show similar groupings in the vegetation of the Soutpansberg Arid Mountain Bushveld. This confi rms the usefulness of complimentary analysis, using both classifi cation and ordination methods on a single data set in order to examine patterns and to search for group structure.<p><strong>Conservation implications:</strong> The results from this study will alter existing regional vegetation maps profoundly. The described plant communities of these arid event-driven ecosystems should be used as benchmark examples of the region’s primary vegetation. Conservation and management planning should be based on these vegetation units.</p><p><strong>How to cite this article:</strong> Mostert, T.H.C., Bredenkamp, G.J. & Mostert, R.E., 2009, ‘Plant communities of the Soutspanberg Arid Northern Bushveld’, <em>Koedoe</em> 51(1), Art. #687, 11 pages. DOI: 10.4102/koedoe.v51i1.687</p>