Plant communities and veld condition of Glencoe farm in the North-Eastern Cape Grasslands Priority areas, South Africa

Abstract

Privately owned properties declared as protected areas through Biodiversity Stewardship Programme (BSP) increase South Africa's priority biodiversity areas. The North-Eastern Cape grasslands, recognised as high biodiversity areas, are crucial for conserving the Grassland Biome. BSP plays a key role in effectively managing these vital vegetation types, securing and preserving threatened species. This study aimed to describe the vegetation and to determine the condition of Glencoe farm, located within the Eastern Cape Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area and planning domain for the Eastern Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy priority areas. The Braun-Blanquet method was employed to classify the plant communities. Two major communities consisting of three subcommunities and four variants were classified. Fifty-nine sample plots were surveyed and 156 plant species dominated by herbaceous species (137), and only 19 woody species were recorded. The area has high species diversity (Shannon Diversity Index: H’ = 2.272) that is evenly distributed (E_H = 0.987). The Ecological Index Method (EIM) results indicated a moderate veld condition score of 49%. The area is dominated by Increaser II species (52%) followed by Increaser I (16%) species. These findings have broader implications for stakeholders managing privately owned properties designated as protected areas through the BSP in South Africa. The North-Eastern Cape grasslands, recognized for their significant biodiversity, require safeguarding to preserve the Grassland Biome. Effective management of these critical vegetation types is essential for securing and conserving threatened ecosystems, thereby protecting South Africa's priority biodiversity areas.