Abstract
The Marloth Nature Reserve, encompassing the mountain catchments of the southern Langeberg immediately above Swellendam, Cape Province. South Africa, is described. The vegetation of the reserve was sampled along a transect representing the variation in plant communities over the range from the lower south to the lower north slopes. Eighty-three sample sites were subjectively located in mature stands of fynbos vegetation (10 years old). The relev£ data were initially classified using TWINSPAN and then refined by Braun-Blanquet (BB) phytosociological procedures. The Afromontane Forest patches which occur mainly on the lower south slopes were not sampled but are briefly discussed. The fynbos plant communities are described, based on tables, and a hierarchical classification is proposed.
Highlights
The Marloth Nature Reserve, encompassing the mountain catchments of the southern Langeberg immediately above Swellendam, Cape Province
The transect covered a narrow belt and consequent relatively small area compared with the whole Marloth Nature Reserve (MNR), it allowed for sam pling of the variety of fynbos plant communities present (Figure 2)
This association was divided into three subassociations, two of which are found in the MNR: Cunonia capensis— Platylophus trifoliatus Subassociation and Carissa bispinosa—Canthium ventosum—Canthium mundianum— Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus Subassociation
Summary
During 1988, 1989 and 1990, 83 plots were sampled along a predetermined transect in the study area (Figure 2). Relation ships between the communities described here and com munities described in other studies of mountain fynbos are given as far as possible. These relationships were determined by comparing the floristic composition of the communities of this study with the respective communi ties of other studies as indicated below [note that Camp bell (1985) gave ‘floristics’ for each of his lowest level structural units]. McKenzie (1978) described the ‘Rapanea melanophloeos—Hartogiella schinoides-Podocarpus latifolius Forest Association’ as the general type found in the southwestern Cape This association was divided into three subassociations, two of which are found in the MNR: Cunonia capensis— Platylophus trifoliatus Subassociation and Carissa bispinosa—Canthium ventosum—Canthium mundianum— Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus Subassociation. At the lower levels of the TWINSPAN classifica tion there is some agreement between this analysis and the BB-classification, the latter classification is favoured since it yields fewer units that are more interpreted and identified in the field
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
