Floristic and structural features of the coastal foreland vegetation south of the Berg River, western Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

Floristic and structural features of the three main vegetation types found in the coastal foreland of the western Cape Province, south of the Berg River, are outlined. Coastal Renosterveld. which occupies 6% of its former extent, is the most threatened type, followed by Coastal Fynbos (14%) and West Coast Strandveld (41%). Coastal Renosterveld is closely related to Mountain Fynbos vegetation found on clay-rich soils together with West Coast Strandveld inclusions in specific habitats. Coastal Renosterveld is the product of recent regular disturbance by a short interval burning regime and overgrazing.