A CLASSIFICATION OF THE VEGETATION OF THE WESTERN TRANSVAAL DOLOMITE AND CHERT GRASSLAND, SOUTH-AFRICA

Relatively little is known about the vegetation of the western Grassla nd Biome in South Africa. The classification of the dolomite and chert grassland in the western Transvaal (Fa land type) forms part of a res earch programme on the syntaxonomic and synecological synthesis of the vegetation of the western Grassland Biome. Using a numerical classifi cation technique (TWINSPAN) as a first approximation, the classificati on was refined by applying Braun-Blanquet procedures. The result is a phytosociological table from which two new alliances, six new associat ions, two new sub-associations and two new communities without syntaxo nomic rank are recognized. The new syntaxa are ecologically interprete d as well as described. Associated gradients in habitat were identifie d by using an ordination algorithm (DECORANA). This study should contr ibute to the present knowledge and ecological understanding of the veg etation of the western Transvaal.