the vegetation types and veld condition - Maremani Nature Reserve

Approach
CHAPTER 3
METHODS
Stereo aerial photographs were provided by the client. For proper and efficient surveying, an ecological
stratification of 1: 50 000 scale aerial photographs on the basis of terrain morphology and vegetation
cover should be made beforehand. This stratification is used to determine the position and number of
sample plots, and is the basis for identifying habitat types.
Vegetation surveys
An assessment of the habitat, e.g. dominant plant species, topography, geology, rocky outcrops and rock
cover, soil texture, soil depth, slope and aspect, and a visual assessment of veld condition were made at
each sampling plot.
The vegetation survey consisted of recording all identifiable trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, ferns, forbs,
geophytes, succulents, palms and alien (exotic) plants within each sample plot. Forbs are herbaceous
plants not considered as grasses. Each species was allocated a percentage cover value which is required
for the classification and description of the plant communities.
An estimate of the total vegetation cover (%) was given for different strata: trees above 6 m, from 3 m to 6
m, shrubs below 3 m, as well as the herbaceous layer (grasses and forbs). The density (individuals per
ha) of the tree and shrub layers was determined by counting individuals in several quadrats. The average
height of the different strata was estimated as well as the maximum height of the large trees.
Where possible, a point survey of the grass layer was made to determine the frequency (%) of grass
species which is an indication of the dominance or importance of the species. The information was used
to calculate veld condition and the economic carrying capacity of each plant community.
The disc pasture meter was used, where possible, to determine the amount of grass biomass (fuel load).
The rocky outcrops were excluded from measurements with the disc pasture meter.
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