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Phalaborwa-Timbavati MopaneveldPhalaborwa-Timbavati Mopaneveld (Figure 5) is an open tree savanna which occurs on undulatingplains, with the sandy uplands dominated by C. apiculatum, T. sericea and C. mopane trees. On theclayey bottomlands the dominant species changes as T. sericea and C. apiculatum are less common,while trees such as A. nigrescens and C. mopane increase in dominance. The field layer is usually welldevelopedand species include Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii, Eragrostis rigidior, P. squarrosa,Andropogon gayanus and Aristida congesta (grasses); and Evolvulus alsinoides, Heliotropium steudneri,Hemizygia elliottii and Ipomoea magnusiana (herbs). A feature of the northern sections of this unit isthe large number of termite mounds on the uplands.Tsende MopaneveldTsende Mopaneveld occurring at the LRNR (Figure 5) is characterised by medium to high shrubdominated savannah, with scattered trees and a dense field layer. Tree and shrub species include A.nigrescens and Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra (tall trees); C. mopane and C. apiculatum (small trees);and C. hereroense, D. cinerea, Euclea divinorum and Grewia bicolor (tall shrubs), amongst others. Thefield layer comprises Clerodendrum ternatum and Indigofera schimperi (low shrubs); Bothriochloaradicans, Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii, Heteropogon contortus and Panicum maximum (grasses); andBlepharis integrifolia, Ceratotheca triloba and Chamaecrista absus (herbs), amongst others.2.4.6.2 Species of Conservation ConcernTable 4 lists the plant species of conservation concern known to occur in the LRNR area 3 .Table 4: Plant species of conservation concern known to occur in the Letaba Ranch Nature Reserve areaPLANT SCIENTIFIC NAMENemesia zimbabwensisBrachystelma villosumIUCN STATUSEndangeredRare2.4.6.3 Invasive Alien PlantsDetailed information on the extent and density of infestation by invasive alien plants within the LRNR iscurrently unknown. Alien plant control does, however, take place on an ad hoc basis.2.4.7 FaunaThe LRNR borders on the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the game fence that separated the propertiesin the past has been removed. The LRNR therefore plays a critical part in acting not only as a buffer tothe surrounding communities and mining operations, but also as an overflow for all wildlife from theKNP. Just in terms of the overwhelming biodiversity, the LRNR must rank as one of the most importantnature reserves of Limpopo Province.A historical mammal list for the LRNR can be compiled based on the results of aerial game countsconducted in the area in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2012. A total of 26 larger mammal specieswere recorded in the reserve during this period, namely Blue Wildebeest, Cape Buffalo, Burchell’sZebra, Hippopotamus, Sable Antelope, Warthog, Waterbuck, White Rhino, Bushpig, Common Duiker,Eland, African Elephant, Impala, Nyala, Sharpe's Grysbok, Steenbok, Bushbuck, Giraffe, Klipspringer,3 The species of conservation concern indicated in this section have a strong probability of occurrence at this reserve, based on the Plants ofSouth Africa (POSA) database. The POSA includes a database of all plants recorded by means of voucher specimens lodged with one of therecognised herbaria in South Africa. The actual occurrence of these species will, however, need to be ground-truthed as part of KPA 1:Biodiversity and Heritage Conservation (Objective 1.5).Reserve Management Documents: Letaba Ranch Nature Reserve (Strategic Plan) 31