Syntaxonomy and synecology of western Transvaal grasslands

Abstract

The western Transvaal grassland is presently under great threat because of the ever increasing population as well as the exploitation of the natural resources. The vegetation, as one of these resources, was relatively unknown and the need for a phytosociological investigation was urgent. A phytosociological research programme on the plant communities of the western Transvaal grassland, was initiated in conjunction with a more comprehensive Grassland Biome Project which aims at a synecological and syntaxonomical synthesis of the Biome in southern Africa. The main purpose of this study was to identify, classify, describe and determine the location of the grassland plant communities and other vegetation types within the western Transvaal grasslands. A new procedure was used to compile a synecological and syntaxonomical synthesis of the vegetation of the western Transvaal grasslands. By using land types as first stratification it presented an easily interpretable vegetationcum- habitat classification and thus much needed information on the vegetation ecology of the study area. This should be used for future land-use planning, management, utilization, research and conservation of the natural resources. The synthesis of the western Transvaal grasslands make a contribution towards the compilation of the synthesis of the Grassland Biome of southern Africa.