Abstract

MULLER, M.; SIEBERT, S.J.; NTLOKO, B.R.  and  SIEBERT, F.. A floristic assessment of grassland diversity loss in South Africa. Bothalia (Online) [online]. 2021, vol.51, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2311-9284.  http://dx.doi.org/10.38201/btha.abc.v51.i1.11.

BACKGROUND: Land-use effects on grassland flora are difficult to predict due to poor understanding of species losses caused by transformation. OBJECTIVES: To determine changes in species diversity and composition by comparing transformed with untransformed grassland. METHODS: Floristics of paired plots were sampled within 18 transformed sites (representing agricultural and urban land-uses) and neighbouring untransformed grassland. RESULTS: Endemic and threatened species were negatively affected by transformation, particularly species with belowground bud-banks and storage organs. Species composition, with clear shifts in dominant families, was changed by over 90% on average by transformation CONCLUSION: Land-use transformation lead to the loss of native species and increased alien invasive species.

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