Vegetation of the coastal fynbos and rocky headlands south of George, South Africa

Community structure and composition of the coastal fynbos and rocky headlan d plant communities south of George, southern Cape, were studied. Vegetatio n was analysed using standard sampling procedures of the floristic-sociolog ical approach of Braun-Blanquet The releve data were subject to TWINSPAN-ba sed divisive classification, and ordinated by Principal Coordinates Analysi s with the aim to identify Vegetation coenocline subsequently interpreted i n terms of underlying environmental gradients. Most of the sampled vegetati on was classified as coastal fynbos. The Leucadendron salignum-Tetraria cus pidata Fynbos Community was found to occupy sheltered habitats. whereas the Relhania calycina-Pusserina vulgaris Fynbos Community was found in exposed habitats. The other two communities characterise strongly exposed rocky he adlands. The Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus-Ruschia tenella Community is wind -sheared scrub, and the Gazania rigens- Limonium scabrum Rocky Headland Com munity is a loose-canopy, low-grown herbland, characterised by the occurren ce of partly salt-tolerant and succulent herbs. The ordination of the fynbo s communities revealed a horseshoe structure allowing a direct recognition of a coenocline spanning two fynbos communities along the Axis 1 interprete d in terms of exposure to wind and salt spray. A considerable amount of ali en plant infestation was also present. This appears to be the largest threa t to the continued existence of this coastal fynbos.