Jp. Coetzee et al., THE PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF THE GRASSLANDS OF THE BA AND IB LAND TYPES IN THE PRETORIA-WITBANK-HEIDELBERG AREA, South African journal of botany, 61(3), 1995, pp. 123-133
An analysis of the plant communities of the grasslands of the Pretoria
-Witbank-Heidelberg area is presented. Releves were compiled in 148 st
ratified random sample plots. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Br
aun-Blanquet procedures, revealed fourteen plant communities, and a hi
erarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation o
f these plant communities are presented. Each of these plant communiti
es may be regarded as an entity with a unique species composition, and
with specific environmental relationships and an inherent forage prod
uction potential. The identification, classification and description o
f these plant communities are not only important for management purpos
es, but also for the preservation of biotic diversity.