Description of a proteoid-restioid stand in Mesic Mountain Fynbos of the south-western Cape and some aspects of its ecology

Abstract

A description of the community and its climatic and edaphic environments is given for a stand of Mountain Fynbos vegetation codominated by  Leucadendron xanthoconus and  Chondropetalum hookerianum.  The paper categorizes aspects of the study site either according to existing classifications, or by comparison with other fynbos systems. Comparison of rainfall and temperature data with those collected at an agricultural research station in the region indicated high variability in the spatial and temporal pattern of precipitation, and an air temperature regime which was influenced by the topography. Analysis of vegetation data revealed a species richness lower than other fynbos communities, but a species turnover of similar magnitude. A list of flowering plants and ferns found in the stand is appended. The soil of Table Mountain Group origin comprised a colluvial A -E horizon with a well defined stone-line, and residual B and C horizons of shale origin. It had low pH and nutrient status, with a high measured concentration of aluminium, especially in the B horizon.