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INDAGO (continuing Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum, Bloemfontein) Published annually for the National Museum, Bloemfontein INDAGO is an accredited journal that publishes original research results in English in both the natural and human sciences. Manuscripts relevant to Africa on topics related to the approved research disciplines of the Museum, and/or those based on study collections of the Museum, and/or studies undertaken in the Free State, will be considered. Submission of a manuscript will be taken to imply that the material is original and that no similar paper is being or will be submitted for publication elsewhere. Authors will bear full responsibility for the factual content of their publications and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Museum. All contributions will be critically reviewed by at least two appropriate external referees. Contributions should be addressed to: The Editor-in-Chief, Indago, National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa and e-mailed to [email protected]. Instructions to authors appear at the back of each volume. Editor-in-Chief Michael F. Bates (Ph.D., Stellenbosch), Department of Herpetology, National Museum, Bloemfontein Associate editors Natural Sciences: Vacant Human Sciences: Shiona Moodley (M.A., Wits), Department of Rock Art, National Museum Marianna Botes (Ph.D., UFS), Department of History, National Museum Consulting Editors Prof. C. Chimimba (Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa) Dr J. Deacon (South African Heritage Resources Agency, Cape Town, South Africa – retired) Dr A. Dippenaar-Schoeman (ARC – Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa) Dr A. Kemp (Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria, South Africa – retired) Dr D.T. Rowe-Rowe (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – retired) Prof. B.S. Rubidge (Centre of Excellence for the Palaeosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) Prof. A.E. van Wyk (Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, South Africa) Prof. A. Wessels (Department of History, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa) Layout Marelie van Rensburg, Design Department, National Museum Hard copies of Indago are available from the Library at the National Museum, Bloemfontein. Free access to electronic copies (PDF) via the Museum’s website www.nasmus.co.za. Cover illustration Hoodia gordonii (Photo: P.C. Zietsman) © 2019 National Museum, Bloemfontein ISSN 0067-9208 ISBN 978-1-86847-183-6 INDAGO DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME 35 ISSN 0067-9208 RESEARCH ARTICLES NATURAL SCIENCES Floristic diversity at Kolomela mine on the Ghaap Plateau, Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province P.C. Zietsman & L.E. Zietsman ............................................................................................................ 1–33 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following individuals contributed to the quality of Indago Vol. 35 (2019) by serving as reviewers. Their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Hugo Bezuidenhout (South Africa) Anonymous (South Africa) Indago Vol. 35 (2019) 1 NATURAL SCIENCES Indago, Vol. 35, 2019, pp. 1–33 Floristic diversity at Kolomela mine on the Ghaap Plateau, Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province P.C. Zietsman1*, 2 & L.E. Zietsman1 1Department of Botany, National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] 2Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa *Corresponding author Abstract As part of a collaborative long-term biodiversity monitoring programme initiated by Kolomela mine (Kumba Iron Ore) with the National Museum (Bloemfontein) and the University of the Free State (Bloemfontein) a plant species list was compiled for Kolomela mine’s property on the Ghaap Plateau. This is the first comprehensive plant species list for this part of the Ghaap Plateau. Kolomela mine is situated west of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 573 plant species, representing 81 families and 311 genera, were recorded. Four pteridophyte (ferns) taxa, 164 monocotyledons and 438 dicotyledons were collected. Three species are nationally protected (TOPS), three are specially protected in the Northern Cape, and 76 are protected in the province. Fifty-four species are endemic to South Africa and an additional 14 are endemic to the Northern Cape. Seven species that are regarded as encroachers were collected and 30 alien invasive species recorded. Based on the diversity of plant species found, it is evident that the area is botanically important. It is also clear that by conserving the non-mining areas on its property, Kolomela mine can contribute towards the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) by conserving and sustainably managing this part of the Ghaap Plateau. (Ghaap Plateau, plant diversity, endemic, Kumba Iron Ore, Anglo American) INTRODUCTION possibilities and opportunities in this very sensitive and arid region. In 2010 they embarked on a long- Kolomela mine (Kumba Iron Ore), subsequently re- term biomonitoring programme, in collaboration ferred to as ‘Kolomela’, is a new open pit iron ore with the National Museum, Bloemfontein and Uni- mine situated approximately 12 km south-west of versity of the Free State. In so doing they contributed Postmasburg on the Ghaap Plateau in the Northern towards improving our knowledge and understanding Cape Province, South Africa (Fig. 1). Production of the biodiversity of the Ghaap Plateau. A thorough started in 2009 and mining activities have started inventory of the flowering plants forms an integral to affect the immediate and regional biodiversity part of this extensive monitoring programme. throughout the life cycle of the mine. Possible nega- tive impacts were identified in the Environmental Im- South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse pact Assessment (EIA) for Kolomela mine, initially countries in the world, topped only by Indonesia and named Sishen South (Anderson 2004). Direct neg- Brazil. It occupies only about 2% of the world’s land ative impacts on the biodiversity of the area include area, but supports nearly 10% of all plant species. land clearance, de-watering and dust generation. The Cape Floristic Region, Succulent Karoo and Ma- putaland-Pondoland are three globally-recognised The farms that belong to Kolomela cover approxi- biodiversity hotspots in South Africa (Klopper et al. mately 33 478 ha. Although no fixed boundaries exist 2010; Driver et al. 2012). for the Ghaap Plateau, it is estimated that these farms represent about 0.6% of the area generally regarded The Ghaap Plateau is part of the Griqualand West as the Ghaap Plateau. Only 8% (2 749 ha) of Kolo- Centre of Endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001) and mela is currently mined or earmarked for future min- is approximately 130 km wide. It stretches from the ing activities. Harts River in the east to the north-south trending Ko- rannaberg and Langberg close to Olifantshoek. The The negative impacts that mining can have on local plateau extends from Vryburg in the north to Prieska and regional biodiversity create opportunities to mi- in the south, and includes the Asbestos Hills west of nimise or prevent such impacts. As custodians of the Griekwastad. Acocks (1988) noted 302 plant spe- mining rights area, the mine’s management accepted cies in a single survey in the Asbestos Hills between the responsibility of managing undisturbed areas to Daniëlskuil and Kuruman on the Ghaap Plateau. This ensure that the biodiversity value of these areas is not is the highest number of species recorded at any of degraded beyond repair. The mine’s management the sampling points he used to produce his Veld Types team recognises its opportunity to develop, build and of South Africa, including the above-mentioned bio- expand biodiversity management into a showcase of diversity hotspots (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). It is Manuscript processed and edited by M.F. Bates (Editor-in-Chief). 2 Zietsman & Zietsman—Floristic diversity at Kolomela mine estimated that succulent species occurring on the The plant diversity of Kolomela is greater than in Ghaap Plateau comprise 32.5% of the endemic or other areas of the Northern Cape due to strong elements near-endemic species of the area, and that due to the from the Eastern Kalahari Bushveld Bioregion, the unexplored status of this area, many new taxa might Kalahari Duneveld Bioregion and the Upper Karoo still be discovered (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). Bioregion of the Nama-Karoo Biome (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). Even though the Ghaap Plateau is Despite Acocks’ (1988) findings, little work has been not regarded as a biodiversity hotspot, both it and the conducted in this area since then. Botanically it is Asbestos Hills have been identified by the Northern unfortunately a neglected part of the country as the Cape Nature Conservation Service as a priority for diversity is deemed to be low. Most studies of the conservation in the Province. They can therefore be Northern Cape included both fauna and flora (Coetzee considered as areas of high conservation value (N. & Werger 1975; Rutherford & Westfall 1986; Sieg- Uys pers. com. 2013). fried 1992; Cowling & Hilton Taylor 1994; Low & Rebelo 1996; Van Rooyen 1999; Van Wyk & Smith A survey of the floristic diversity of these areas is 2001; Mucina & Rutherford 2006; Cromhout 2007; fundamental to the success of Kolomela’s manage- Veldsman 2008; Bezuidenhout 2009; Zietsman 2013, ment programmes