The effects of expansive shrubs on plant species richness and soils in semi-arid communal lands, South Africa
- Authors: Sholto-Douglas, Craig , Shackleton, Charlie M , Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Dold, Tony
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398394 , vital:69408 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2745"
- Description: Expansion by expansive species can have severe ecological, social and economic impacts through the reduction of ecosystem goods and services and species richness. However, expansion by expansive species may also offer benefits to ecosystems and humans, through the supply of ecosystem goods and services (such as firewood, fodder and fruits), as well as potentially offering refugia in heavily used landscapes. Here, we examine the effects of four expansive dwarf shrub species (Aspalathus subtingens, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis, Pteronia incana and Oedera genistifolia) on plant species richness (at the point scale), vegetation cover, soil properties and whether the expansive species offer refugia to other species. Plant species richness, cover and soil properties were recorded in 1-m2 quadrats located within a mosaic of expanded and non-expanded patches for the four expansive shrub species. Plant species richness was significantly higher in the non-expanded areas compared to the expanded ones for all four expansive species. Some of the expansive shrubs provided refugia to certain plant species and limited the frequency of other species. With regard to species composition, there was little separation of expanded and non-expanded samples within sites, indicating that the site factors were stronger determinants of plant species richness and composition than expansion. Therefore, it is more likely that the reduction in species richness in expanded sites is caused by multiple drivers, including vegetation attributes cover, litter cover and soil nutrients (organic C, Zn and P) and soil compaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Cryptosepalum exfoliatum subsp. pseudotaxus
- Authors: Pocock, Mary Agard , Dold, Tony
- Date: 1925-06-22 , 2016-05-13
- Subjects: Cryptosepalum exfoliatum , Fabaceae , Cryptosepalum , Cryptosepalum exfoliatum De Wild. subsp. pseudotaxus (Baker f.) P.A. Duvign. & Brenan
- Language: English
- Type: image , specimen , still image , herbarium specimen
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178164 , vital:42917 , M. A. Pocock 6778 , Selmar Schonland Herbarium (GRA)
- Description: Image of original plant specimen held at Selmar Schonland Herbarium, Albany Museum/Rhodes University: M. A. Pocock 6778. Label: Cryptosepalum Pseudotaxus Bak.f = C. exfoliatum De Wild. Location: Kutsi : alt. 4200' : bark used for tying. Legit M.A. Pocock Date 22 June 1925 , Mary Agard Pocock Diary entry: June 22. [1925] : 'Found the bark tree (bark used for tying) in bloom ... got plenty of the curious little, very sweet-scented blooms.' Quoted from 'Bushmen, Botany and Baking Bread. Compiled and edited by Tony Dold and Jean Kelly (2018). , Vernacular plant names: Mbundu - Mukuvi, Mukuve. Bushman - Koviku , Trust: Mary Agard Pocock , Forms part of: Mary Agard Pocock collections
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1925-06-22