The population biology of the sweetthorn acacia karroo in rehabilitating coastal dune forests in northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

The study investigated age-related trends in a Acacia karroo population and how these may relate to a developing woody broad-leaved community on rehabilitating coastal dunes. The results of the study showed that the A. karroo population in older stands are senescent (no recruitment is taking place) and that all attributes of the developing woody broad-leaved communities suggest that directional and cumulative changes are taking place. Although species richness and diversity are not yet comparable to those for "mature" dune forests, these are increasing with stand regeneration age. The results suggest that forest-type succession is taking place on previously mined stands at Richards Bay and that the rehabilitation programme has so far been successful.