12. WATERBERG MOIST MOUNTAIN BUSHVELD

Synonyms:

Sour Bushveld (A20); Upland Sub-humid Mountain Bushveld.

Statistics:

12 356 km²; ± 28% transformed; 8.55% conserved.

Locality & Physical Geography:

Although related to the Soutpansberg Arid Mountain Bushveld, this type occurs on the sandstone and quartzite of the rugged and rocky Waterberg Mountains. The altitude ranges from 1 200 to 1 500 m.

Climate:

Annual rainfall varies from 650 to 900 mm. Temperatures range from -61°C to 39°C, with an average of 18°C.

Geology & Soil.

The substrate is characterised by an acidic sandy, loamy to gravelly soil derived from sandstone, quartzite or shale.

Vegetation:

The tree layer is characterised by African Beechwood Faurea saligna, Common Hookthorn Acacia caffra, Red Seringa Burkea africana, Terminalia sericea and Peltophorum africanum on the deep sandy areas, with White Seringa Kirkia acuminata, Stemfruit Englerophytum magalismontanum, Common Sugarbush Protea caffra, Croton gratissimus, Combretum apiculatum, Diplorrhynchus condylocarpon, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Albizia tanganyicensis and Combretum molle characteristic of the rocky slopes. The shrub layer is moderately developed and individuals of Sandpaper Raisin Grewia flavescens, Peeling Plane Ochna pulchra, Blue Guarri Euclea crispa, Rhus zeyheri, Vangueria infausta, Rhoicissus revoilii and Tapiphyllum parvifolium are commonly found. The grass layer is moderately to well developed, and grasses such as Wire Grass Elionurus muticus, Common Russet Grass Loudetia simplex, Broadleaf Bluestem Diheteropogon amplectens, Trachypogon spicatus, Panicum maximum, Digitaria eriantha, Setaria lindenbergiana, Pogonarthria squarrosa and Urelytrum agropyroides are the conspicuous species. Other grasses that can be found are Rock Three-awns Aristida transvaalensis, Natal Redtop Melinis repens, Golden Bristlegrass Setaria sphacelata and Themeda triandra.

Key Environmental Parameters:

Fire and grazing are important parameters in this vegetation type which is restricted to the rocky slopes and summits of the Waterberg Mountains. Aspect plays an important role in the distribution of the plant species.

Economic Uses:

Game and cattle farming, and ecotourism.

Conservation Status:

Fairly well conserved in the Marekela National Park, and many private conservation areas and game farms, such as Lapalala Wilderness, Touch Stone, Kwalata, Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve, Emaweni Nature Reserve, Hans Strijdom Dam Nature Reserve and Mabalingwe Nature Reserve.

Key References:

Coetzee et al. (1976), Westfall (1981), Westfall et al. (1985), Van Staden (1995).

Authors:

Noel van Rooyen & George Bredenkamp.