Plantsosiologie van die Bloemfontein-Wes-Distrik

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
1992-11
Authors
Malan, Pieter Willem
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: The aim of this study was to identify, characterize and interpret, ecologically, by using hahitat properties, the major vegetation units and their variations. The study area covers approximately 350 000 hectares. Most of the area is intensively utilized for farming practice. The western parts of Bloemfontein are, geologically underlied by the Ecca group. The hilly appearance of this area is caused mainly by dolerite intrusions. Bloemfontein is situated in a semiarid region, having dry, cold winters with frost and warm summers accompanied by a low, irregular rainfall. The mean annual rainfall is 564 mm, but it varies greatly. As far as the biotic environmental factors are concerned, man, especially, plays a great part by affecting the composition of the vegetation and the condition of the habitat. A total of 254 sample plots were used to survey the area. A combination of classification techniques was used to interpret the vegetation, ecologically, and to identify and classify plant communities. The study area was stratified according to land types. The number of sample plots was chosen subjectively and pro rata according to the size of each land type within each land type. Five separate plant sociological tables were compiled, and the results of each of these are discussed separately. Because the Bloemfontein area was previously studied by different authors no survey was made in the Ea-land type. Thirty five plant communities were identified and described. These communities are summarized in a synoptic table for the entire study area. In the synoptic table four vegetation units could be identified. These units are: (1) Communities of the other Rhoetalia ciliato-erosae (2) Communities of the lowland areas (3) and (4) Disturbed communities of the lowland areas The most important tree species are Acacia karroo, Buddleja saligna, Celtis africana, Cussonia paniculata, Ehretia rigida, Grewia occidentalis, Heteromorpha trifoliata, Olea europaea subsp. africana, Rhus lancea and Ziziphus mucronata. The dominant shrubs include: Euclea crispa, Euphorbia mauri tanica, Rhigozum obovatum, Rhus burchellii, R. ciliata en R. erosa. The dominant grass species are Aristida congesta, A. diffusa, Chloris virgata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, E. lehmanniana, E. obtusa, E. superba, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda triandra and Triraphis andropogonoides. Among the dwarf shrubs and herbs Asclepias fruticosa, Berkheya onopordifolia, B. pinnatifida, Chenopodium album, Felicia filifolia, Lactuca dregeana, Chrysocoma ciliata, Cirsium vulgare, Hermannia bryoniifolia, Hertia pallens, Lantana rugosa, Melolobium candicans, Nenax microphylla, Nidorella resedifolia, Protasparagus laricinus, P. striatus, P. suaveolens, Rumex crispus, R. lanceolatus, Salsola kali, Salvia stenophylla, S. verbenaca, Solanum coccineum, S. incanum, Stachys rugosa, Tagetes minuta en Walafrida saxatilis are the most important. The stratification of the study area into land types and the compilation of a separate plant sociological table for each land type resulted in the successful identification of ecologically sound plant communities.
Afrikaans: Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die hoof plantegroeieenhede en hulle variasies in die studiegebied te identifiseer, te karakteriseer en aan die hand van die habitat ekologies te interpreteer. Die studiegebied beslaan ongeveer 350 000 ha waarvan die grootste gedeelte intensief deur boerderypraktyke benut word. Geologies word die westelike gedeelte van die Bloemfonteinomgewing deur die Eccagroep onderlê. Die heuwelagtige voorkoms van hierdie omgewing is hoofsaaklik veroorsaak deur plaatvormige indringings van doleriet. Bloemfontein is in 'n halfdorre gebied geleë. Die winters is droog en koud met ryp. Die somers is warm, met gepaardgaande onreëlmatige en lae reënval. Die jaarlikse gemiddelde reënval is 564 mm, maar groot variasies kom voor. Ten opsigte van die biotiese omgewingsfaktore is dit veral die mens wat deur jarelange boerderyaktiwiteite 'n belangrike rol by die samestelling van die plantegroei en die voorkoms van die habitat speel. 'n Totaal van 254 monsterpersele is in die studiegebied uitgeplaas. 'n Kombinasie van klassifikasietegnieke is gebruik om die plantegroei ekologies te interpreteer en plantgemeenskappe te identifiseer en te klassifiseer. Die studiegebied is volgens landtipes verdeel en die getal monsterpersele is pro rata volgens die grootte van elke landtipe subjektief uitgeplaas. Vyf afsonderlike plantsosiologiese tabelle is saamgestel en die resultate van elkeen van hierdie tabelle is afsonderlik bespreek. Geen opnames is in die Ea-Iandtipe uitgevoer nie, aangesien dié gebied deur vorige outeurs beskryf is. Vyf- en dertig plantgemeenskappe is geïdentifiseer en beskryf. Hierdie plantgemeenskappe is uiteindelik in 'n finale sinoptiese tabel vir die hele studiegebied saamgevat waaruit vier plantegroei-eenhede onderskei kon word. Hierdie eenhede is: (1) Gemeenskappe van die orde Rhoetalia ciliato-erosae (2) Gemeenskappe in die laagliggende dele van die studiegebied (3) en (4) Versteurde, laagliggende dele van die studiegebied. Die belangrikste boomsoorte is Acacia karroo, Buddleja saligna, Celtis africana, Cussonia paniculata, Ehretia rigida, Grewia occidentalis, Heteromorpha trifoliata, Olea europaea subsp. africana, Rhus lancea en Ziziphus mucronata. Die dominante struike sluit in: Euclea crispa, Euphorbia mauritanica, Rhigozum obovatum, Rhus burchellii, R. ciliata en R. erosa. Die vernaamste grasse is Aristida congesta, A. diffusa, Chloris virgata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, E. lehmanniana, E. obtusa, E. superba, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda triandra en Triraphis andropogonoides. Onder die kruide is Asclepias fruticosa, Berkheya onopordifolia, B. pinnatifida, Chenopodium album, Chrysocoma ciliata, Cirsium vulgare, Felicia filifolia, Hermannia bryoniifolia, Hertia pallens, Lactuca dregeana, Lantana rugosa, Melolobium candicans, Nenax microphylla, Nidorella resedifolia, Protasparagus laricinus, P. striatus, P. suaveolens, Rumex crispus, R. lanceolatus, Salsola kali, rugosa, Tagetes minuta coccineum , S. incanum, en Walafrida stenophylla, Stachys Salvia S. verbenaca, Solanum saxatilis die belangrikste. Die stratifisering van die studiegebied in landtipes en die opstel van 'n afsonderlike plantsosiologiese tabel vir elke landtipe het daartoe gelei dat sinvolle en ekologies verantwoorde plantgemeenskappe onderskei kon word.
Description
Keywords
Plant communities, Plant ecology, Dissertation (M.Sc. (Plant Science and Genetics))--University of the Free State, 1992
Citation