Abstract
A temperature and moisture gradient on the equator-facing slope of Jonaskop on the Riviersonderend Mountain. Westem Cape has been selected as an important gradient for monitoring the effects of climate change on fynbos and the Fynbos- Succulent Karoo ecotone. This study provides a description of plant diversity patterns, growth form composition and species turnover across the gradient and the results of four years of climate monitoring at selected points along the altitudinal gradient.The aim o f this study is to provide data for a focused monitoring strategy for the early detection of climate change-related shifts in species’ ranges, as well as gaining a better understanding of the role of climate variability in shaping species growth responses, their distributions, and other ecosystem processes.
Highlights
The vegetation of mountain ranges of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is characterized by gradients of high species turnover
In inland intermontane valleys in the Westem Cape interior, fynbos is replaced by Succulent Karoo, an arid shrubland, at lower eleva tions with an ecotonal zone in between, called renoster veld (Cowling & Holmes 1992)
Modelling of future climate scenarios for the Westem Cape indicates that large areas of fynbos will be subjected to warmer and drier climate conditions similar to what is currently associated with Succulent Karoo, and that vegetation shifts might take place resulting in a loss of distribu tion area of fynbos due to a southward shift of Succulent Karoo (Rutherford et al 2000)
Summary
The vegetation of mountain ranges of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is characterized by gradients of high species turnover. These gradients are associated with increasing precipitation and lower temperatures with increasing elevation, as well as edaphic diversity (Goldblatt 1997). Areas of transition between distinct biomes or vegetation types, have been pointed out as important areas for monitoring the effects of global cli mate change (Kupfer & Caims 1996). Vegetation gradients incorporating transitions between fynbos and Succulent Karoo are important areas to monitor for the early detection of climate change-induced biome shifts
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