The effects of topo-edaphic variables and cultivation on the woody vegetation of Weenen Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

Breebaart, L; O’Connor, T.G.; Hughes, J. C.; Morris, CD; Rushworth, IA

doi:10.2989/10220110109485760

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…According to Oldeman & Tomlinson (1978), mortalities among seeds and seedlings are much higher than in any other ontogenic stage, so certain speculations can be made concerning the causes of such an outcome. There is substantial evidence in the literature to suggest that soil moisture and nutrients greatly influence the survival and overall performance of plants in savanna ecosystems (Teague, 1988; O’connor, 1994; Flyman, 1999; Breebaart et al. , 2001; Kranz, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

Trollope

Scogings

2009

African Journal of Ecology

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The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, grass competition and clipping were investigated for one growing season at the research farm of the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the experiment was to assess the short‐term performance of Acacia karroo seedlings under different environmental conditions and the implications of such factors on the long‐term recruitment of plant species in savanna rangelands. There were no significant treatment effects on the survival of A. karroo seedlings. Using stem length and basal diameter as growth parameters, it was observed that irrigation enhanced both variables, while nitrogen fertilization did not have any significant effects. Clipping, grass competition and their interaction greatly suppressed the growth of the seedlings. Clipping increased the mean stem length when they were irrigated and fertilized. Control and fertilized plants had the highest stem length in the absence of grass competition, while grass competition combined with clipping resulted in the lowest stem length in both irrigated and nonirrigated plants. It was concluded that in the presence of grass competition, controlled browsing could be a viable solution to the problem of bush encroachment in savanna rangelands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

Trollope

Scogings

2009

African Journal of Ecology

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“…The woody species were divided into three groups, namely microphyllous, broadleaved and invasive-alien. In the structural assessment of the three groups, all species were divided into three height classes, namely short (0,5 to 1,5 m), medium (1,5 to 3 m) and tall (> 3 m), based on Breebaart et al (2001). The woody cover and density of individuals in each height class within each group were determined for each sample plot.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aerial photographs clearly indicate whether the woody component of the vegetation in an area has increased during a given period (Breebaart, O'Connor, Morris & Rushworth, 2001). A comparison of aerial photographs of OSCA taken in 1937 and 1996 (Fig.…”

Section: Disturbance Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of the woody assemblages of Zululand coastal thornveld along the Nseleni river

Linden

Siebert

et al. 2008

Koedoe

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A classification of the woody component of the riparian vegetation of Zululand coastal thornveld is analysed using the height classes of different woody species as an indication of age. A total of 43 randomly stratified plots was selected using aerial photographs to include all the different plant communities in this rare and endemic vegetation type. A floristic survey of the woody component was conducted within each sample plot. Species data recorded included tree cover and tree richness. Environmental data recorded included altitude, soil type, soil chemistry, aspect and slope. The data set was analysed with TWINSPAN and four woody-plant assemblages were identified. An ordination using CANOCO was applied to examine the relationships between species distribution and associated environmental gradients. Changes in the species composition of woody assemblages occurred along an environmental gradient determined by soil properties and past land use

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“…crest, mid-slope and bottom land) that influence nutrient availability or water-holding capacity (Witkowski and O'Connor 1996). Conspicuous variation in vegetation may also result from successional processes Introduction Downloaded by [Florida State University] at 20:05 25 December 2014 Clegg and O'Connor 110 resulting from the history of human land use, especially for areas used for agricultural purposes (Breebaart et al 2001).…”

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confidence: 99%

The vegetation of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, south-eastern Zimbabwe

Clegg

O’Connor

2012

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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The vegetation of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe (39 378 ha) was classified and mapped in 2003 using an integrated approach of ground-based measurement and remote sensing. Environmental variables, structure and composition of the tree, shrub and herbaceous layers were sampled at 201 sites across the reserve. Thirty-eight vegetation types were identified using TWINSPAN, and a map of the types was created by supervised classification of a Landsat 7 ETM image (2000). A discriminant function analysis showed that the types were primarily separated along a soil textural gradient. A secondary gradient, associated with changes in soil depth, rockiness, slope and topographical position, was also important. Ordination indicated that several other independent environmental gradients appeared to be influencing the vegetation. Comparisons with other southern African savannas are made, and similarities and differences are discussed.Online supplementary material: Data on the mean canopy volume and mean aerial cover of each plant species in each vegetation type, and a checklist of vascular plants for Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, are available as online supplementary material at http://dx.

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The effects of topo-edaphic variables and cultivation on the woody vegetation of Weenen Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

Characterisation of the woody assemblages of Zululand coastal thornveld along the Nseleni river

The vegetation of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, south-eastern Zimbabwe

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