THE PHYSICAL-ENVIRONMENT AND MAJOR PLANT-COMMUNITIES OF THE HEILBRON-LINDLEY-WARDEN-VILLIERS AREA, NORTHERN ORANGE-FREE-STATE

An analysis of the physical environment and associated major plant com munities of the Heilbron-Lindley-Warden-Villiers area (northern Orange Free State) is presented. Releves were compiled in 263 stratified ran dom sample plots. Care was taken to avoid severely degraded areas. A T WINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed three distinct vegetation types. These vegetation types were subdivid ed into seven major plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the seven major plant com munities are presented. The easily distinguishable major plant communi ties should be managed as separate ecological units in order to achiev e optimal utilization and conservation of the vegetation of this part of the Grassland Biome.