Abstract:
The need for a scientifically-based wildlife management plan and for more
knowledge on the vegetation and ecology of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve led
to the plant ecological investigation of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve. The main
aims of this study were, firstly, to identify, describe and ecologically interpret
the vegetation of the Reserve; secondly, to compile a phytosociological and
synecological synthesis of the vegetation; and thirdly, to derive a structural
classification of the woody component using species size classes and to
compare them with the plant communities, recognised through floristic
classification. This would then result in recognising ecologically sound
management units and the compilation of an ecologically sound management
plan for the Reserve in order to achieve sustained utilisation of the natural
resources.
