A plant ecological study and wildlife management plan of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve, North-West Province

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.