The physical environment and major plant communities of the Vredefort–Kroonstad–Lindley–Heilbron area, northern Orange Free State

Abstract

An analysis of the physical environment and associated major plant communities in the study area is presented. Releves were compiled in 183 stratified random sample plots. Care was taken to avoid severely degraded areas. A T winspan classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed three distinct vegetation types. These vegetation types were subdivided into five major plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the five plant communities are presented. The easily distinguishable major plant communities must be managed as separate ecological units in order to achieve optimal utilization and conservation of the vegetation of this part of the Grassland Biome.