The grassland communities of the midslopes in the northern Orange Free State, South Africa

Abstract

A phytosociological and synecologicai analysis of the vegetation of the midslopes of the Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers area, northern Orange Free State, South Africa, is presented. Releves were compiled in 63 stratified random sample plots. A T winspan classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed eight plant communities. All communities could be related to specific environmental conditions. A hierarchical classification and phytosociological description of the plant communities are presented. ’n Fitososiologiese en sinekologiese analise van die plantegroei van die middelhange in die Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers gebied, noordelike Oranje-Vrystaat, Suid-Afrika, word aangebied. Releves is in 63 gestratifiseerde, ewekansig gekose monsterpersele saamgestel. ’n T winspan -klassifikasie, verfyn deur Braun-Blanquet-tegnieke, het agt piantgemeenskappe aangetoon. Alle plantgemeenskappe is geassosieer met spesifieke omgewingstoestande. ’n Hierargiese klassifikasie en fitososiologiese beskrywing van die plantgemeenskappeword aangebied.