The plant communities and species richness of the <i>Alepidea longifolia- Monocymbium ceresiiforme</i> High-altitude Grassland of northern KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

As part of a vegetation survey of the grasslands of northern KwaZulu-Natal, this survey was conducted within the Alepidea longifolia-Monocymbium ceresiiforme grassland of high altitudes. Releves were compiled in 156 stratified random sample plots. The data set was classified using TWINSPAN. Subsequent refinement by Braun-Blanquet procedures produced 15 plant communities. Species richness was determined for each community. According to naturalness and species richness two communities were selected as being of conservation importance. An ordination algorithm (DECORANA) was also applied to describe the relationships between the vegetation units and the physical environment.

Keywords

• Braun-Blanquet method, classification, diagnostic species, grassland, species richness.