A phytosociological classification of the Witwatersrand National Botanic Garden

Abstract

The vegetation of the Witwatersrand National Botanic Garden was classified using two-way indicator species analysis and the Braun–Blanquet technique. The analyses resulted in the identification of 12 habitat-related plant communities that can be related to specific habitat conditions. Descriptions of the plant communities include diagnostic species as well as prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub and herbaceous strata. Habitat features include topography, especially elevation, aspect and slope, and soil factors such as soil type, depth and rockiness of the soil surface. Die plantegroei van die Witwatersrand Nasionale Botaniese Tuin is deur middel van twee-rigting indikator-spesie-analise en die Braun–Blanquet-tegniek geklassifiseer. Die analises het die identifikasie van 12 ekologies-verantwoordbare plantgemeenskappe, wat met spesifieke habitattoestande geassosieer is, tot gevolg gehad. Beskrywings van die plantgemeenskappe sluit diagnostiese spesies sowel as prominente en minder opvallende spesies van die boom-, struik- en kruidstratums in. Habitatkenmerke sluit topografiese faktore, veral hoogte bo seespiëel, aspek en helling, en grondfaktore soos grondtipe, diepte en klipperigheid van die grondoppervlak in.