The bryofloristic regions of southern Africa
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Date
Authors
Van Rooy, Jacques
Van Wyk, Abraham Erasmus (Braam)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Maney
Abstract
A TWINSPAN classification divides southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho) into two main bryofloristic regions: (1) a subtropical or palaeotropical region in the northern, eastern and southern parts, characterised by a predominantly mesophytic moss flora; and (2) a temperate or austral region in the central and western parts of the study area with a xerophytic moss flora. The subtropical region is subdivided into the Zambezian and Afromontane Regions, and the temperate region into the Karoo- Namib and Highlands Regions. The four regions are further subdivided into eight domains: (1) the Zambezian Region into the Caprivi and Bushveld Domains; (2) the Afromontane Region into the Drakensberg and Cape Domains; (3) the Karoo-Namib Region into the Western Cape and Namaqua Domains; and (4) the Highlands Region into the Drakensberg Alpine and Upper Karoo Domains. Meaningful phytogeographical classification of the arid and semi-arid central and northwestern sectors of the study area is dependent on future plant collecting or sampling efforts.
Description
Keywords
Distribution patterns, Floristic regions, Moss flora, Numerical classification, TWINSPAN, Plant biogeography, Bryofloristic regions
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Van Rooy, J & Van Wyk, AE 2010, 'The bryofloristic regions of southern Africa, 'Journal of Bryology, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 80-91. [http://maney.co.uk/index.php/journals/jbr/]