Ruderal and degraded natural vegetation on vacant lots in the Potchefstroom Municipal Area, North West Province, South Africa

Relatively little is known about ruderal and degraded natural vegetation in urban open spaces in the Grassland Biome of South Africa. The classification of the vegetation on vacant lots forms part of a research programme on spontaneous vegetation in urban open spaces in the North West Province, South Africa. Using a numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) as a first approximation, the classification was refined by applying Braun-Blanquet procedures. The result is a phytosociological table from which six communities and seven sub-communities, belonging to two main groups, namely degraded natural and ruderal communities, are recogised. The communities which are mainly characterised by one dominant species, a few abundant species and many species with low frequency, are described. Associated gradients in habitat or disturbances are identified by using an ordination algorithm (DECORANA). Possible dynamic relationships between the communities are also discusse

Phytosociology of the B land type in the Newcastle – Memel – Chelmsford Dam area

This study forms part of the Grassland Biome Project. The results of a numerical classification (Twinspan) of 74 relevés compiled in the Bb and Bd land types of the Newcastle – Memel – Chelmsford Dam area, were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The analyses revealed five major plant communities which may be divided into seventeen plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities are presented

The phytosociology of the grasslands of the Ba and Ib land types in the Pretoria–Witbank–Heidelberg area

An analysis of the plant communities of the grasslands of the Pretoria–Witbank–Heidelberg area is presented. Relevés were compiled in 148 stratified random sample plots. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed fourteen plant communities, and a hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of these plant communities are presented. Each of these plant communities may be regarded as an entity with a unique species composition, and with specific environmental relationships and an inherent forage production potential. The identification, classification and description of these plant communities are not only important for management purposes, but also for the preservation of biotic diversity

The vegetation of the Kroonstad area: A description of the grassland communities

A phytosociological analysis of the grassland vegetation data from the Kroonstad area is presented. The data set (193 relevés) was initially classified by using Twinspan, and the results refined by applying Braun-Blanquet procedures. Ten communities, grouped into four major communities, were identified and described

The physical environment and major plant communities of the Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers area, northern Orange Free State

An analysis of the physical environment and associated major plant communities of the Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers area (northern Orange Free State) is presented. Relevés were compiled in 263 stratified random sample plots. Care was taken to avoid severely degraded areas. A Twinspan classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed three distinct vegetation types. These vegetation types were subdivided into seven major plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the seven major plant communities are presented. The easily distinguishable major plant communities should be managed as separate ecological units in order to achieve optimal utilization and conservation of the vegetation of this part of the Grassland Biome

The grasses of the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve: Their habitat preferences and synecological significance.

A classification is presented of the vegetation of the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, based on the habitat preferences of the grass species, and processed according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Habitat factors correlated with the grasses include geological formation, altitude, aspect, slope, stoniness, soil depth, soil pH and soil texture. The classification comprises 12 vegetation units which mostly coincide with the higher units of a previous classification based on total floristic composition. These ecologically meaningful vegetation units represent practical units which may be valuable in a management programme.Keywords: altitude; aspect; botany; braun-blanquet; classification; composition; floristic composition; grass; grasses; habitat factors; habitat preferences; management; ph; poaceae; slope; soil depth; soil texture; south africa; suikerbosrand nature reserve; vegetation; vegetation unit