Abstract
One of the major plant communities identified in the Marakele National Park was forest. It became clear that this major forest community contained various forest and thicket communities. Relevés compiled in the forest were classified by TWINSPAN and Braun-Blanquet procedures identified six communities that are hierarchically classified. The forests dominated by Podocarpus latifolius and Widdringtonia nodiflora represent Afromontane Forests, whereas the Buxus macowanii-dominated dry forests and Olea europaea subsp. africana represent Northern Highveld Forests. A further group of communities represent thickets on termitaria with floristic affinities to both savanna and forest. The floristic composition and relationships of the forest and thicket communities are discussed.
Highlights
In an overview of the vegetation of Marakele National Park, Van Staden & Bredenkamp (2005) recognised five major plant communities, of which one represents forests
This paper aims to describe the forest plant communities of the Marakele National Park, to provide an inventory of the biodiversity of the plant community at the plant species level
The phytosociological classification of forests and thickets in the study area resulted in the identification of five forest communities with one of the communities having two sub-communities
Summary
In an overview of the vegetation of Marakele National Park, Van Staden & Bredenkamp (2005) recognised five major plant communities, of which one represents forests. These forests are mostly restricted to moist, sheltered valleys, and represent typical Marakele Afromontane Forest (Von Maltitz 2003). Du Preez et al (1991) classified this type of forest as typical Afromontane Forests, the Marakele forests exist under much drier conditions than in the Drakensberg (Von Maltitz 2003) These forests occur in specific niches in deep valleys, protected gorges and ravines along the eastern and western slopes of the Drakensberg mountain range. This paper aims to describe the forest plant communities of the Marakele National Park, to provide an inventory of the biodiversity of the plant community at the plant species level
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