S. Afr. J. Bot.. 1995.61(1): 9-17 9

The grassland vegetation of the Low Drakensberg escarpment in the north-western KwaZulu-Natal and north-eastern Orange Free State border area

C.M. Smit, G.J. Bredenkamp' and N. van Rooyen Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, 0002 Pretoria. Republic of South Africa

Received: 17 Augll.u /99-1; revised I J October 1994

This study of the grasslands of the Low Drakenberg escarpment in the Newcastle-Meme] area forms part of the Grassland Biome Project. The 44 releves compiled in the Fa land type which represents the escarpment. were numer­ ically classified (TWINSPAN), and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The analyses revealed nine plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the nine plant communities are presented.

Hi erdie ondersoek van die grasvelde van die Lae Drakensberg platorand in die Newcastle-Memel gebied maak deel uit van die Grasveldbioomprojek. Die 44 rei eves wat saamgestel is in die Fa landtipe wat die platorand verleen­ woordig, is numeries geklassifiseer (TWINSPAN) en die resultate is met behulp van Braun-Blanquet prosedures verfyn. Nege plantgemeenskappe is onderskei. 'n Hierargiese klassifikasie, beskrywing en ekologiese interpretasie van die nege plantgemeenskappe word aangebied.

Keywords: Braun-8lanquet procedures, eastern escarpment, ecological in terpretation, Fa land type, grassland, vegetation classification .

• To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Introduction have been completed in the north-eastern Transvaal by Deall ct The Drakensberg Range forms part of the Great Escarpmenl at al. (1989) and Matthews et al. (1991. 1992a & 1992b). in the the eastern edge of the interi or plateau of southern Africa (Par­ eastern Oran ge Free State by Du Preez and Bredenkamp (1991), tridge & Maud 1987). The vegetation on the Low Drakensberg Du Preez et al. (1991) and Eckhardt et al. (1993a & 1993b). and escarpment in the Newcastle-Memel area (Figure 1) conforms to in KwaZulu-Natal by Smit et al. (1992. 1993a, 1993b & 1993c). Highland Sourveld (Acocks 1988) and Up lands Vegetation Generally. the vegetation within th e study area can broadly be (Edwards 1967), and forms part of the Afromontane Region divided into two di stinct types, namely grassland and woodland. (White 1978.1983). White (1983) indicated that this regi on con­ The woodland plant communit ies of the Fa land typl.! of the tains at least 4000 plant species, of which the remarkably hi gh escarpment were described by Smit et (It. (1993a) and were. in a proportion of 75% are endemic. Due to the complex origin and synthesis by Smit (1992), classified under Podocarpus l(llI/utitls evolutionary history of the Afromonlane flora, a strong plea for forest. In spite of these studies. little is known about the grass­ the preservation of the entire Afromontane flora was made by land plant communities of the escarpment arcas in the Newcas­ White (1981). Additi onally, the sources of many rivers are in tle- Memel area. Grassland vegetation is, however. of great the.«ie high-altitude catchment areas. Therefore, within a conser­ importance in these regions, as nearl y all of the 113 endemic vation frame of reference, the vegetation types of the eastern plant species recognized in the Wolkbcrg area of the eastern escarpment of southern Africa should have high priority, not only Transvaal escarpment are grassland-associated herbaceous plants because of the scenic beauty of the area (Dcall et ai. 1989), but (Matthews et al. 1993). This study aims to identify. classify, especially because of the high biodiversity and floristic richness describe and interpret ecologicall y the grassland communities of the endemic flora (Matthews et al. 1993; White 1983). On the fou nd on the Low Drakcnsberg escarpment. represented by the contrary, however, large parts of the southern African Afromon­ Fa land type (Land Type Survey Staff 1990) in th e Ncwcastle­ tane region are presently under considerable pressure due to Memel area (Figure I). development, especially by the timber industry (Matthews el al. 1993). In many parts. extensive afforestation has destroyed most Study area of the natural vegetation and alien trees have invaded large tracts This study formed part of a more extcnsive phytosociological of land . This is in direct connict with the need to protect moun­ survey of the Newcastle-Mcmel-Chelm sford Dam area (Smil tain catchmems. conserve natural ecosystems and preserve sce­ 1992). nic landscapes for the highly esteemed ecotourist industry (see The study area is situated between 27°33' and 28°00' S lati­ also Deall et ",. 1989). tude and 29°33' and 30°00' E longitude. representing the Grass­ Knowledge of the vegetation of a region forms the basis for land Biome in the border area of north-western KwaZulu-Natal understand ing and managing the natural resources and (he envi­ and north-eastern Orange Free State, South Africa. A detai led ronment, and rational land use planning is required to resolve description of the physical environment of the area was given by conflict between developers and conservationists (Ferrar et al. Smit (1992). The Fa land type comprises the principally cast­ 1988). Mentis and Huntley (1982) and Scheepers (1986) further­ facing escarpment of the Low Drakensberg at an altitude of more stated the necessity to identify and describe the major vege­ between 1530 and 1935 m. The position of the Fa land type tation types within the Grass land Biome of South Africa. This withi n the entire study area is indicated in Figure I. should clearly not only serve as inve ntori es but also as the sci en­ While not more than 15% of the land on the steep Drakensbcrg tific baseline for the development of resource managemcnt strat­ escarpment is arable (Land Type Survey Staff 1990), and due to egies. Within the escarpment area. phytosociological surveys the inaccessability of the terrain. th e land is mainly used for 10 S.-Afr.Tydskr.Plantk. 1995. 61(I)

SCALE: ~O ______5~ ____~1~O ____~1~?~ __~~OKM

Bb Land type Fa Land type

...... :::::::::::.. ~ Ad Land type EEITl...... Ea Land type ~

1 :1Ac Land type CJ Ca Land type .::::;:r- Dra1nage lines Roads 1 :::::' 1Bd Land type -"-'" Natal IDE'S Border \I{,:.:~-.- '¥. Marshland

Border of Study Area

.. Ncandu Forest Reserve (e Zeekoeivlei Figure 1 Pusition of the land types in the Newcastle-Memel- Chelmsford Dam area. stock-farming. Exi sti ng conservational areas are the Natal Parks area by Smit (1992), the Fa land type consists mainly of the Board Ncandu Forest Reserve (Figure 1) where the Ncandu Lower Beaufort Stage (Visser & Bishopp 1976). Largely sand­ Ri ve r originates. and part of the farm Buffelshoek. which was stone , shale and mudstone of the Beaufort Group (provisionally proclaimed a natural heritage site and which hosts the Holkrans Estcourt Formation) occur here. with shale of the Volksrust For­ hiking trai l. mation (Ecca Group), as well as dolerite (Land Type Survey Staff 1990) present locally. Geology and topography The Fa land type refers to rugged hill s, ridges and steep moun­ According to the detailed description of the geology of the study tain slopes in which lime is rare or absent in the entire landscape S. Afr. J. Bot.. 1995.61(1) II

(Land Type Survey Staff 1984). Most of it forms the escarpment approximation of the vegetation types of a particular area (Westhoff of the Low Drakensberg, incised by many streams and valleys. & Van der Maarel 1978; Behr & Bredenkamp 1988; Bredenkamp et Due to the steep and rugged terrain, the Fa land type is mainly of at. 1991). The semi-quantitative floristic data were therefore classi­ the multi phase terrain type (Land Type Survey Staff 1984). fied by TwINSPAN. These results were considered a first approxima­ Sheltered, moist valleys or ravines on the southern or south­ tion of the vegetation types of the area, and were then further refined eastern aspects arc often covered with temperate forest and asso­ by using Braun-Blanquet procedures. The results of TwINS PAN were ciated with permanent streams (Du Preez & Bredenkamp 1991; considered to be only preliminary. and are not discussed. The final Smit et al. 1993a), while the drier northern aspects and exposed results are presented in a phytosociological table (Table 1). ridges arc t:overed with grassland. Results and Discussion According to the Land Type Survey Staff (1990), the terrain types in the Fa land type in the study area arc all classified as DS . Classification 'D' means that less than 20% of the area has slopes less than 8% The grassland is classified as a Themeda triandm-Watsonia and '5' indicates local relief, and means that the difference lepida grassland with variations in vegetation associated with between the highest and lowest points in the landscape may vary slope, aspect, rockiness and degree of disturbance. A conspicu­ from 300 to 900 m. Sandstone cliffs are a common feature and ous difference between this grassland and the Themeda triandra­ where dolerite intruded, weather-resistant dolerite cliffs form the Monocymbium ceresiiforme Grassland of the B land type (Smit base for many spectacular waterfalls. er al. 1992). is the presence of the monocolyledonous geophyte, Walsonia lepida, in the former plant community. Soils The grassland communities were hierarchically classified as The predominant soil forms in the Fa land type arc Mispah and follows: Glenrosa. Due to the steep topography of the escarpment of the 1. The Themeda triandra-Watsonia lepida Grassland Low Drakensberg, it is described as a pedologic ally young land­ J .1 The Themeda triandra- Agapanrhus nutans Grassland scape that is not predominantly rock and not predominantly allu­ of steep, cool, non-rocky south-eastern aspects vial or aeolian. Rock weathering, the formation of orthic topsoil 1.2 The Themeda triandm-Rhus discolor Grassland on dry horizons and clay illuviation are the dominant soil-forming pro­ rocky north-western slopes on dolerite and sandstone cesses which have given rise to typically lithocutanic soil hori­ 1.3 The Themeda triandm-Monocymbium ceresiiforme zons (Land Type Survey Staff 1984; Van der Eyk et af. 1969). Grassland of crests and moderate slopes Other soil forms such as Hutton, CIovelly, Oakleaf and Katspruit 1.3.1 The Monocymbium ceresiiforme- Pygmaeo­ were also encountered locally. Soil nomenclature conforms to thamnus chamaedendrum Grassland on non­ that of MacVicar et at. (1977). rocky soils of gradual southern aspects 1.3.2 The Monocymbium ceresiiforme-Rhynchosia Climate lotta Grassland of deep and non-rocky soils on crests and easterly aspects In a detailed description of the climate of the study area, Smit 1.3.3 The Trachypogoll spicatus-Alloteropsis semi­ (1992) referred to the region which includes the Fa 28 land type alala Grassland on crests and gentle slopes as the 'Mountain Regions'. This land type (Figure 1) is situated (a) The Trachypogon spicatus-Hemizygia pre­ in Bioclimatic Group 4 (Phillips 1973). The Fa 48 land type. on toriae Grassland variation on shallow, the contrary (Figure 1), is situated in Bioclimatic Group 8. Ac­ rocky soils on easterly aspects of the Fa 28 cording to Koppen's classification (Schulze & McGee 1978), the land type climate of the study area is of the Cwb type, indicating warm (b) The Trachypogon spicatus- Helichrysum temperate climates with dry winter seasons and the warmest oreophyllum Grassland variation on less month's average temperature below 22°C. The mean annual pre­ rocky soils on the Fa 48 land type cipitation for Bioclimatic Group 8 is 720 mm and for the Moun­ 1.4 The Protea roupelliae-Andropogon schirensis Grass­ tain Regions 1120 mm (Weather Bureau 1990). Schulze (1982) land on rocky sandstone outcrops pointed out that temperatures of KwaZulu-Natal are closely re­ 1.5 The Themeda triandra- Aristida junciformis Grassland lated to the physiographic divisions. However, both regions have on rocky dolerite and sandstone a mean annual temperature of 14°C. The rugged topography may 2. The Hyparrhenia hirta-Eragrostis plana disturbed Grassland cause variation in microclirnatic conditions in the protected val­ on floodplains. leys and exposed ridges. Description of the communities Methods 1. The Themeda triandra-Watsonia /epida Grassland Over the entire study area (Figure I), releves were compiled in 282 This community represents the widespread major grassland type stratified random sample plots. Stratification was based firstly on which generally occurs on exposed ridges, small plateaux and land type. The number of sample plots allocated to the various land types recognized in the area, was determined pro rata on an area size steep slopes found in the Fa land type of the Low Drakensberg basis. In this way, 44 sample plots were allocated to grassland areas Range. The diagnostic species for this community appear under in the Fa land type. For grassland vegetation the plot size was 10 x species group L (Table I). These include the deciduous but sea­ 10 m (Brcdenkamp 1982). sonally conspicuous geophyte Watsonia lepida, the fern Pte­ The Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale (Mueller-Dombois & ridium aquilinum and the forbs Acalypha punctala and Ellenberg 1974) was used to record the total floristic composition of Schistostephium crataegifolium. Except for the fairly widespread each sample plot. Habitat information, such as geology, topography, Pteridium aquilinum, all the other diagnostic species are soil form and series, rockiness. rock size and vegetation structure restricted to the Drakensberg Range or similar high-altitude (Edwards 1983), was also recorded. Names of taxa conform to those areas, e.g. the high-altitude plateau of the Suikerbosrand (Bre­ of Arnold and De Wet (1993). denkamp & Theron 1980). Several authors have indicated that numerical classi fication meth­ Themeda triandm is generally the dominant grass, but grass ods, for example the Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TwIN­ species such as Alloteropsis semialata, Eragrostis racemosa, SPAN) (Hill 1979) may be used successfully to create a first Tristachya leucothrix, Panicum natalense and Aristida junci- 12 S. -Arr.Tydskr.Planlk. 1995,61 (I ) lormis, and the forbs Berkheya echillacea, B. radlda and Rah­ group C) and AilOleropsis semiafata (species group N) (Table I). dosiella cafycina are al ways prominently present (species group The small tree species Protea caffra (species group K , Table 1) is N, Table I ). The common species from species group P (Table I) found sparsely scancred throughout this vegetation. also occur scattered throughout this community. T he diagnostic species of this community arc li sted under spe­ This vegetation can be considered as the broad climax grass­ cies group C (Table I), including the prominent grass species land community of the Fa land type in particular, but also of the Monocymbium ceresiljorme. and forbs such as Acalypha schillzii, Drakensberg escarpment area in general. The abundance of Heiichrysum micolliijolilll1l, Sebaea grandis, S. sedoides and Hyparrhellia hirta (species group P) among the climax grasses of Gllidia kmussiana. this region may be indicative of over-utilization by grazi ng Floristic va riation linked wi th differences in aspect. rockiness (Tainton 1981), although rhi s species is often abundantly present and [Crrain type revealed three sub-communities. in lower altitude regions of KwaZulu-Natal. Various sub-com­ Similar Monocymbium ceresiijorme grassland communities munities of different ranks were recognized. are found over the entire range of the Drakcnsberg Escarpment Similar vegetati on is also found in the eastern Transvaal area (Bredenkamp & Theron 1980: Smit 1992: MaHhews el ai. escarpment (Matthews er 01. I 992a). I 992a; Eckhardt er 01. 1993a).

1.1 The Themeda triandra-Agapallthus lIutalls Grassland 1.3.1 The MOflocymbillm ceresiiJorme-Pygmaeothanl1lus This community is restricted to isolated patches high up (> 1700 chamaedendrum Grassland m) on cool and moist, non-rocky but ve ry steep, south -east This community occurs at Normandien Pass and Muller's Pass facing slopes in the Ncandu Forest Reserve and other similar (Figure 1) on non-rocky soil s of crests or plateaux and gradual. sites. This is a rare community with a very limited distribution cooler slopes facing south-west, south-east and south. Altitudes range. Although the normally shallow Mispah soil form was are mostly above 1600 rn . The area is extensively grazed by identified here, the A horizon, overlying rock, is fairly deep, non­ cattle. rocky and loamy. The soil s are prcdominanlly non-rocky and represent the dys­ The monocotyledonous forb, Agapamhlls flutallS, is an obvi­ trophic deeper Avalon. C lovell y and thc non-calcareous shallow ous, dominant species, especially conspicuous during its flower­ Mispah soil forms. Both soi l series are acidic and clayey. have a ing time in December/January, and it is often accompanied by the fairl y high water retentivity. but few exchangeable cmions, and a bracken fern, Pteridium aqltilinum. These two species arc the fairly high electrical resistance (Land Type Survey Staff 1990). tallest (l-1.5 m). and may overshadow the most prominent grass The dominant grasses arc Themedn lrinlldra (species group L, species. Themeda triandra. The diagnostic species of thi s com­ Table I) and MOllocymbilfl1l ceresiijorme. The abundance of munity appear under species group A (Table I). These include Alloleropsi.~ semialata (species group N. Table I ) is probably due the restricted inu[anthem calva, Cerastiwn arabidis and Euphor­ to the relatively high amount of exchangeable alluminium in the bia striata, while the diagnostic grass species Koeleria capellsis soil (Tainton 1981). Scattered individuals of the small tree Prolea and Festllca costata occur typically on these cool, moist, high en!fm (species group K, Table I) may be found in this grassland altitudes. community. The diagnostic species of this sub-community (species group 1.2 The Themeda trialldra-Rhus discolor Grassland D, Table 1) include PygmaeothmwlI/s chnmaedendrul1I, Heli­ Within the study area this grassland occurs typically on dry. chryswn aClltatum, H)poxis iridifoLia and Hypericum aelhiopi­ rocky, gradual northerly facing dolerite slopes and crests , but cum, while the presence of Arislida congesla indicates the also on steeper, rocky westerly facing sandstone slopes. disturbance caused by overgrazing by cattle. The sparse occurrence of diagnostic small trees. e.g. Cll.HOllia ptlllicul{/tn , and small shrubs, c.g. Rhus discolor, Crys(Illthe­ 1.3.2 The MOllocymbiul1l ceresiifonne-RhYllchosia totta moides mOllilifem, Cephaianrhlls natalellsis, Diospyros auslro­ Grassland africana, Cafpumia ;ntrusa and Prinlzia pyrifoLia, are character­ This community occurs at Muller's Pass (Figure I) on decp, non­ istic of this rocky habitat. Further diagnostic species for this rocky soils of moderate south-eastern slopes, on the crests of dol­ community. typically found in the escarpment areas. inter alia erite hills and on crests or plateaux and modaate slopes. include the monocotyledonous geophytes Eucomis tWlumnalis The Clovelly, Hulton and Mispah soil forms were identified. and Scilla l1(lwlensis, and the dicotyledonous forbs Aster bakera­ The soils arc dystrophic and acidic. but the Hunan form , Fam­ IIUS, Tllllllbergia ntriplicifolia and Vern onia hirsutus (species ingham seri es, is less clayey and has more exchangeable cations group B. Table I). Although the widespread Themeda triandra (Land Type Survey Staff 1990). and Hyparrhenia hirfa arc oftcn dominant, the diagnostic grass The dominant grass species arc Themeda triandra (species species Digiraria diagollaiis, Cymbopogoll validlls and Miscan ­ group P, Table 1), MOllocymbiul1I ceresiiforme (s pecies group C. rhus capensis may be very prominent locally. Table I) and Emgrostis racemosa (species group N, Table I ). Diagnostic species arc li sted under species group E (Table I), 1.3 The Themeda trialldra-Mollocymbium ceresiiforme and include the forb RhYflchosia tONa which also occurs on the Grassland western Transvaal inland plateau (Bezuidenhout er ai. 1994) and This extensive and variable grassland community is characteris­ the Suikerbosrand in southern Transvaal (Bredenkamp & Theron tic of plateaux or crests and exposed, moderate slopes, and repre­ 1980), and typical species of the Drakensberg escarpment, sents the most typical and most widespread sub-community of namely the forbs Alltltospermum It erbaceum, Ph ymaspermllm the Themeda triandra-Watsollia Lepida Grassland. (/cerosum and Helichrysum appelldicuialUm, and the grass spe­ The soils are mostly deep and of the Avalon, Clovelly and cies Relldlia ahem (Matthews et af. 1992a). Hutton forms. A few patchy occurrences of the shallow Mispah soil form were observed, especially in the habitat of community 1.3.3 The Traclzypogolt spicatus-Alloteropsis semialata U .3(a). Grassland The dominant grass species of this community are Themeda This grassland community differs from communities 1.3.1 and triandra (species group L), MOlloc:vmbiwn ceresiiforme (species 1.3.2 in that MOHocymbiIlnI ceresiijorme becomes less dominant S. Afr.!. Bot .. 1995.61(1)

Table 1 A phytosociological table of the grassland communities of the Low Drakens­ berg escarpment in the Newcastle- Memel area j 11 j 11222j 00000100 j 112222 j 11111 21 j222j22111 i222j222j Releve number 122100 260)777S9099 1790 24 4 14555546 1S6611123315061 3 44 1 1:~I:::~:I:~:~~~~ : I:~~~: : I :: :: : ~:I :~: i~:= := I~~: , :~:1 ) 1 1 1.. 1.3.1 I 1.3.2 1. 3 . 3 a 1.3 1 . 4 11 .5 ) 2 I Communi ty number 1 I 1 :::: ______:______: ______: :3~: ____ _:_ __ :___ : Species group A I I I I I I I I I 1,,1+ I I I I I I Agapanthus nutana I I I I I I I I Inulanthe r a calva 1:+1 + I I I I I I Hypoxls krausaiana LedebourJ.3 cooperil. I + I I I I I I I Ceraatium arabidia 1+ I I I I I I I Koeleria capensls 1+ I I + I I I I I I Festues costata 1+ I I I I I I I I Euphorbia striata :+ : : I : :: : I I I I I I I I Species group B I I I I I I I I I I Rhus dlscolor 1 1...... +I ... I ... I I...... R I 1 Eucomis autumnal loS I 1-+++++ 1 ... + I ...... I ... 1 I ... I ... I Aster bakeranus I 1++ ...... 1 ... 1+ +1 1 1 I 1 1 Pelargonium luridum Digitaria diagonalJ.D I.. ~:+ I + + +I I II I I I Scilla natalensis 1+ H I I I I I I Hyparrhenia quarrei Thunbergia atripll.cifolia 1:: 1+1 1 ... 1 1 I I I Cussonia paniculata IR + RI I I I I I I Ipomoea crassipes Miscan t hus capensis 1;+ ,+1 I 1 I 1 I I Setaria s phacelata 1+ + I I I I I I I Chrysanthemoides mo n ilif era 1+ + I I I I I I Phyllantus glaucophyllus I Mohria caffrorum 1++ ...... 1 + 1 I I i + I Diospyros austro-afrl.cana I + +1 I I I I I Vernonl.a hirsuta I ++ I I I I I I + I Calpurnia sericea +' ++ I + I 1 I 1 1 1 Pri ntZl.a pyrifolia I ...... 1 -I- I I I I +1 1 Cephalanthus natalensia IR R: :: I : 1 : I I I I I I I Species group c I I I I I I I I Monocymbium ceresiiforme Acalypha schinzii I ! !+!!!!!+! 1+!3::! ! ! 2 1 ~ :! + 1 ! ! Anthospermum hispl.dulum I 1+...... + ++ I + I ++ ...... 1... + I I + I I Hypoxia rigidula , I '" 1+ 1++ ++ I + +1'" 1"' + I ' I I I He lichrysum miconl. ifolium I ! ++ ++ + I + + 1+ ...... + I + I I I Sebaea grandis 1 1+++ ... + + I ... +... 1 + 1 1 I I Gnidia krausni ana I I + +1 + ++"'1 +... ++ I 1 Sebaea sedoides I I +++ 1 ++++ I + ,,'" I + I Aristea woodil. , I ...... +I ++ 1 .... + I I I I Species group 0 I I I I I I I I I I II I I Pygtnaeothamnus chamaadendrum I + J ++ +++ 1 + 1 + + r I Halichrysum acutatum I I ++++ 1 + I I I I 1 Hypoxis i ridifolia I + I + H+ I I II I I I Hypericum a ethiop l.cum I 1+ + I I I I I Arl.stida congesta I : + H: : + I : I 1 I I I I I I I SpaCl. as group S I I I I I I I Rhynchosia totta + I + I ++++ I + 1 1 + 1 I Anchospermum herbacaum ...... 1 1++ + 1 1+ + j Phymaspermum acarosum I I + + + I I I I Rendlia altera I I + + I I , I I I Hell.chrjsum appendiculatum : :++ : : : : : I I I I I I I Species group F I I I I I I I Trachypogon Sp1catus I I 1 1)331 1+3 I 1 I Clutl.a monticola I ! 1++++++ 1++ I I I I I I: I I SpeCl.es group G I I I I I I I Heml. =ygl.a pretoriae : + : : +++ +H : : : I Gn l.dia caffra I + J +++ ... I I I I cyperus obtusl.floruG urelytrum agropyrol.des J 1 I + 1+ +:+:2 i I I i I I I I I III I Specl.e s gro up H I I I I I I I Hell.chrysum o reophilum II + + I 1+ + + 1212 1 + 1 + I ' Eragrostl.s capensl.s J I 1 + 1+++ 1 1 I I I I I I I I Spec:les group I I I I I I I I I Pentanisia angustl.fo ll.a I ++ + ++++ ++ I 1+"'++ I ...... + +I I I II I Diheteropogon amplec tens Bec:lum obovatum I:: 1++:++: +!//+:)+ +:+ : ~+ I ) ! Vernonia natalens i s j ... + +1 • + 1 + ++ I + + I +1 I I 1 Brachl.aria cerra ta Indigofera hila ris + I ... :: 1 : ++ 1 + +: I +:+ +, I 1 1: I s cabiosa columbaria + I + + 1-+ 1 + 1 + 1++ r I 1 A1epidea 10n9i£01ia 1++ + 1 1 ++ I + 1 I ... + 1 r Srl.osema cordatum 1++ +j + + I I .. I 1 1 I I 14 S. -Afr.Tydskr.Plantk. 1995.61 (1)

Table 1 Continued

Releve number

Commuo1ty number

Speciee group J

Andropogon schirenais Pratea roupelliae Helichryaum opacum Mansonia attenuata Polygala amatymbica cycnium racemosum Stachya aeaailia Aritea mont.ana Helich rysum adenocarpum Hesperantha baurii

Species group K

Vernon ia o11gocephala Senecio venosus Briosema krauasiana Haplocarpa scaposa Helichryaum piloaellum Scilla nervesa Loudetia simplex Gra deria acabra Dicoma anoma la Diheterop ogon filifol1uS Prot-ea caffra Spec:l.ea group L Wataonia lepida pteridium aquilinum Acalypha punctata Schiatoatephium crataegifolium

SpecJ.es group M

Pelicia muricata Co~elin a african« Hypochoeris radicata Harpochloa falx Helichrysum callicomum Monso nia angustifolia Digitaria ternata Phy llanthu5 burchellii schkuhria pinnata Senecio erubescens Senecio harveyanuo Nidorella anomala Che~la n thes multifida crasaula setulosa cyathula cylindrica Eragrostis gummi flua Euphorbia clavarioides Pollichia campestr ~n Rumex acetoce lla Silene burchelli1 Manulea crans ifol1a Delosperma gracile Berkheya setifera Cineraria aspera

Species group N

Alloteropsis sem ~ala ta Eragrostis racemoaa Tr~stachya leucothr1X eerkheya echinacea eerkheya radula Panicum natalense Rabdosiella c a lycin a Arist~da juncifo rmi s

Spec~eo group 0

Bragrostis plana Chamaecrista str1cta Artemi3ia afra Conyza ob:)cura eidena f o rmosa Conyza c h ilensis Hibiscus trionum Ranunculus multiEidus Richardia braziliensis Senecio inornatus vernonia c apensi s Indigofera sanguinea cucumis zeyheri Datura stramonium Cleoma monoph ylla Ge rbera pilose lloides Xanthium struma rium verbena braziliensis Conyza s umatrenS1s s. Arr. J Bol., 1995.61(1) 15

Table 1 Continued

Releve number

Community number

Species group P

Themeda triandra Hyparrhen~a h~rta OXal lS obliquifolla He l lchrysum rugulonum He l lchrysum subluteum Helichrysum areo-nitens cymbopogon excavatus Raphlonacme hirsuta Eragrostis curvula CraS9u!a vaginata Gladiolus crassifollUS Vernonia galplnii Wahlenbergia squamifoli a Micro chl oa caffra sopubia cana

and is replaced by Tmchypogol/ spicatus (species group F, Table the diagnostic small tree Protea roupeLliae (species group J), and 1), while the semi-woody small shrublet Clulia monticola is also P caffm, which has a wider distribution (species group K). diagnostic. Themeda friandrel is the dominant grass, accompa­ Further diagnostic species for this community are listed under nied by Alloteropsis semiafata. species gr.oup J (Table I). This vegetation is found on crests and moderate slopes, and Themedcl triandra. Andropogoll schirensis and Tristachya leu­ two variations were recognized: one on rocky Mispah Iithosols cothrix are the dominant grasses. un the Fa 28 land type (Figure I). and the other on deeper soils on the Fa 48 land type (Figur.c I). 1.S The Themeda triandra-Aristidajuncijormis Grassland The habitat of this community consists of very rocky dolerite and L3,3(a) The Trachypogon spicatus-Hemizygia pretoriae sandstone areas on south and south-east facing slopes. Grassland Variation The many diagnostic species of this community are listed in This community occurs in the Ncandu Forest Reserve. on pla­ species group M (Table 1). These include many hardy pioneer teaux and on moderate, south-east or north-east facing slopes on species. e.g. dwarf shrubs such as Felicia murica/a and Pollichia the Fa 28 land type, on shallow, rocky Mispah soils. campestris, and the herbaceous plants Monsonia angllstifolia, The diagnostic species for this variation include thc forbs Schkuhria pill1zata, Senecio erubescens, S. harveyanus. Nidorella Hemizif!,ia pretoriae and Gnidia caffra. the sedge Cyperus 111l0mlllll, Cyathula cylindrica, Rumex acetosella and Cineraria ohtllsijlorus and the grass Urelytrum agropyroides (species aspera. all indicative of extremely shallow, low-potential soils or gr.oup Q, Table I ). of a degree of degradation, mostly caused by overgrazing. The The dominant grass species arc Themeda trial/dra, Trachypo­ abundance of Aristida }lInciformis (Ngongoni grass) is a danger gon SpicatllS and Alloteropsis semiaLata. Protea caffra is found sign of veld deterioration caused by overgrazing (Tainton 1981). scattered about in this grassland. TIle most abundant grasses are Aristida }uncifonnis (species group N, Table 1) and Themedcl triandra (species group L, Table 1). 1.3.3(b) The Trachypogon spicatus-Helichrysum oreophilum Similar plant communities with Aristida }unciformis as a Grassland Variation prominent species, were described by Eckhardt et ai. (1993a, This community is restricted to the less rocky soil of the Fa 48 1993b) and Fuls (1993), fr.om the undulating foothills of the land type, at an altitude of 1600-1700 m. Situated in Bioclimatic Drakensberg in the north-eastern Orange Free State. Group 8, it has a lower mean annual precipitation than the Fa 28 land type (Bioclimatic Group 4). This community occurs on pla­ 2. The Hyparrhenia hirta-Eragrostis plana disturbed Grass­ teaux and on slopes of rocky dolerite hills. The vegetation in all land sample plots was heavily grazed. The narrow gorge through which the Ncandu River flows, wid­ The soils on these plateaux were identified as the Hutton form, ens suddenly to form an extensive flood-plain, the habitat of this Farningham series, and the Clovelly form, Clovelly series. Soil community. The soil represents the sandy to loamy Dundee and on the slopes is mainly of a loamy Mispah soil form. Oakleaf soil forms. Both these soil types are of relatively recent The dominant grasses are Themeda triandra. Monocymbiwn origin, mostly restricted to river banks or other flooded areas. A ceresiiforme and Trachypogofl spicatlls. but the latter species is large part of this level terrain area was ploughed many years ago not as abundant in this variation as in \.3.3(a). The diagnostic and most of the diagnostic species in species group 0 (Table 1) species are Helichrysutn oreophilutn and Emgrostis capensis are indicative of this disturbance. (species gr.oup H, Table I). The diagnostic species include either hygrophilous species, e.g. Eragrostis plana, Ranuncllius multifidus and Gerhera 1.4 The Protea roupelliae-Andropogon schirensis Grassland piloselloides, or hardy, often exotic, annual weeds or pioneers This community is situated on very rocky sandstone outcrops, such as COllyza ObSCllfa, C. chiLensis, C. sumatrensis, Bidensfor­ predominantly on south-east facing slopes at high altitudes mosa, Hibiscus trioll11m, Richardia braziliensis, Datura stramo­ (1800-1935 m). Very characteristic of these rocky habitats at this nium, Cleome monophylla, Xanthium strumarium and Verbena altitude, is the presence of the diagnostic grass species Andropo­ braziliensis (species group 0, Table I), all indicative of the pre­ gem schirensis (species group J) and the scattered occurrence of vious disturbances. The only dominant grass is Hyparrhenia 16 S.-Mr.Tydskr.Plantk. 1995, 6 1( I)

hirta (spedt:s group P, Table I). which in this case indicates a Orange Free State 1. The Podocarpetafia lat({olii. S. Afr. 1. Bot. 57: secondary grassland which developed after cultivation was aban~ 189-206. doned a cons iderable time ago. Taimon (1981) pointed out that ECKHARDT. H.C. , VAN ROOYEN, N. & BREDENKAMP, G.J . Themeda trialldm fails to develop in the recovery stages of the 1993a. An overview of the vegetation o f the Vrede- Memel- Warden vegetation in such arcas. area. north-eastern Orange Free State. S. A.f1: 1. BOI. 59: 391-400. ECKHARDT. H.C., VAN ROOYEN. N. & BREDENKAMP, G.J. Concluding remarks 1993b. The phytosocIology of the thic ket and woodland vegetation of the north-eastern Orange Free State. S. Afr. 1. Bo!. 59: 401- 409. In this study the results of a TWINSPAN classification, refined by EDWARDS. D. 1967. A plant ecological survey of th e TugeJa Basin. Braun-Blanquet procedures. were successfully applied (Bredcn­ Mem. bot. SUn!. S. Afr. 35: 1- 285. kamp & Bchr 1988; B redenkamp et al. 1991). Eaeh recognized EDWARDS. O. 1983 . A broad-scale classification of vegetation for plant community is indicative of specific environmental condi­ practical purposes. Bothalia 14: 705-7 r 2. tions and is considered to be ecologically interpretable. FERRAR. A .A ., IS AACS, G. & STACEY. J.R. 1988. Environmental In the final synthesis of (he plant communi ties of the Ncwcas­ conservation features of the Transvaal Escarpment: an information tlc- Memcl- Chclmsford Dam area (Smil 1992), the Themeda tri­ hase for regional planning. Ecosystems Programmes Occasional lllldra-Wat.l'Olli{/ Lepida Grassland is classified under the Report No . 3 1: 1- 20. Themedll trialldra- MonocymbiltU! ceresiiformc Grassland, the FULS, E.R. \993. Vegetation ecology of the northern Orange Free State. major vegetation type of the Drakcnsberg Mountains. Various Ph.D. dissertation, University of Pretoria. Pretoria. plant communities representing this major grassland vegetation HILL, M.O. \979. TWINSI'AN - a FORTRAN program for arranging multi­ type also occur on the Ac (Smit et al. 1993c), Ad (Smit et al. variate data in an ordered two-way table by classification of individu­ 1993b) a nd Bb (Smit et al. 1992) land Iypes, w ithin the s tudy als and attribu tes. Cornell, New York . area. Smit ( 1992), in accordance w ith Tainton (1981), regarded LAND TYPE SURVEY STAFF 1984. Land types of the maps 2522 this grassland as a fire climax grassland. Bray, 2622 Morokweng, 2524 Mafeking. 2624 Vryburg. Mem. agric. This investigation of the vegetation of the Newcastle- Memel flal. Resourr:es S. Afr. I: 1-281 . area was undertaken in order to: LAND TYPE SURVEY STAFF. 1990. Geological, climatological & soil (a) serve as a basis for future land use planning; analyses data for the 2728 Frankfort land type map. Computer print­ (h) serve as a basis for manage me nt of farms and conservation oul, Soil and Irrigation Research Institute, Pretoria. areas, a!' each plant community should be regarded as a MACVICAR. C.N., LOXTON, R.F, LAMBRECHTS. J.J .N ., LE uniqUe! ecological and management unit: ROUX, 1., DE VILLIERS, 1.M., VERSTER, E., MERRYWEATHER, (c) serve as a record of the natural vegetation of the area, which FR., VAN ROOYEN, T.H. & HARMSE, H.J. VON M. 1977. Soil classi fi cation. a binomial system for South Africa. Department of is disappearing fast under industrial deve lopment, fo restry Agricultural Technical Services. Pretoria. and agriculture; MATTHEWS, W.S., BREDENKAMP. G.J. & VAN ROOYEN, N. 1991. (d) detect the presence of rarc, endangered and endemic plant The graSSland-associated vegetation of the Black Reef Quartzite and species. associated large rocky outcrops in the north-eastern mountain sour­ The results of this phytosocioiogical study should be incorpo­ veld of the Transvaal escarpment. S. Afr. 1. Bot. 57: 143- 150. rated with those of the other vegetation classifications of the MATTHEWS, W.s., BREDENKAMP, G.J. & VAN ROOYEN, N. adjacent areas (Smit 1992). A hie rarchical syntaxonomy of the 1992a. The phytosociology of the high altitude hygrophilous vegeta­ vegetation of the north-western part of KwaZulu-Natal and the tion regions of the north-eastern mountain sourveld in the Transvaal. adjacant part or the Orange Free State wi ll then be possible. South Africa. Phyto(.'oell%gia 20: 559- 574. MATTHEWS, W.S., BREDENKAMP, G.J. & VAN ROOYEN, N. References I 992b. The vegetation of the dry dolomitic regions of the nOrlh-east­ ACOCKS, J.P.H. 198R. Veld types of South Africa, 3rd, edn. Mem. bot. ern mountain sourveld of the Transvaal escarpment. Phywcoell%gia SI/rv. s. Afr. 57: 1-146. 20: 467-488. ARNOLD. T.H. & DE WET, B.C. 1993. Pla nts of southern Africa: MATTHEWS, W.S ., VAN WYK, A.E. & BREDENKAMP. G.J . 1993. names and distribution. Men? bill. Surv. S. Afr. 62: 1- 825. Endemic flora of the north-eas tern Transvaal escarpment, South BEHR, C.M.J. & BREDENKAMP. G.J. 1988. A phytosociologic classi­ Africa. Bio/. COllurv. 63: 83-94. fi cation of the Wi twatersrand National Botanic Garden. S. Afr. 1. Bot. MENTIS, M.T. & HUNTLEY. BJ. 1982. A description of the Grassland 54: 525- 533 . Biome Project. Co-operati ve Scientific Programme, CSIR Report No. BEZUIDENHOUT, H., BREDENKAMP, G.J. & T HERON, G.K. 1994. 62. Graphic Arts Division, CSIR. Pretoria. Phytosociological classes of the western Transvaal grasslands, South MUELLER-DOMBOIS, D. & ELLENBERG, H. 1974. Aims and meth­ Africa. Ko(!rioe 37: 1-1 8. ods of vegetation ecology. 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