TOWARDS A PROFILE OF AN ENDEMIC MOUNTAIN FYNBOS FLORA - IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION

Patterns of endemism in the fynbos flora of the southern Langeberg mou ntains, Cape Province, South Africa, ave discussed. The majority of en demic species are restricted to 6.7% of the plant families represented , with 48 (30% of total) endemic species in the genus Erica (Ericaceae ) alone. The greater proportion of endemics are found in mesic to wet habitats. Endemics are significantly overrepresented in high-altitude wet habitats where almost twice the number occur than expected on the basis of area occupied by these habitats. This has important implicati ons for conservation because the mesic and wet habitats are the most s usceptible to invasion by alien plants and are most favoured by wildfl ower harvesters. Local endemics in mountain fynbos are most likely to be low, non-sprouting shrubs with short-distance seed dispersal. Endem ics are consequently vulnerable to frequent and unseasonal fires. Inju dicious use of fire and/or frequent wildfires could increase the chanc es of extinction of these species.