The Maputaland Coastal Plain in Kwa Zulu-Natal is covered by aeolian sands . According to the
national wetland delineation manual delineating wetlands in this area is complex due to
problematic wetland soils. The aim of this study was to classify and describe the vegetation of
the different zones of the wetland systems to determine the main drivers of the plant
communities. The understanding of these complex ecosystems could assist in wetland
delineation. Twenty wetlands from five wetland systems were surveyed. The vegetation zones
of each wetland were sampled and basic environmental data were collected.
The results from this study indicate that different plant species assemblages are characteristic
for the wetland zones. However, zone delineation using vegetation composition varies between
the different wetland systems, and should be evaluated according to the system in question.
The major determinants of the vegetation communities in wetlands on the MCP are the
substrate type and hydrological regime / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/9470 |
| Date | 14 May 2013 |
| Creators | Pretorius, Mathilde Luïse |
| Contributors | Brown, L. R., Bredenkamp, George J., Van Huyssteen, C. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (122 leaves.) |
| Rights | University of South Africa |
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