The vegetation of the alkali granite and bordering quartzite in the Vredefort Dome north-west of Parys

Abstract

An investigation was made to determine the influence of alkali granite and bordering rocks on the distribution of plant species and plant communities. Six plant communities were successfully distinguished in the study area by using the TWINSPAN numerical classification technique, followed by refinement using the Braun-Blanquet technique. The plant communities could easily be correlated with specific habitat types. The results show that rock type as well as aspect (north and south facing slopes) influence the distribution of plant communities strongly. Groups of species which are reliable indicators for specific habitat conditions were also identified.