The distribution and extent of declared weeds and invader plants in the macro channel of the Olifants River System, Mpumalanga

Abstract

The vegetation associated with the macro channel of the Olifants River System was investigated to distinguish plant communities at a spatial scale of 1:250 000. The floristic data were analysed in terms of the sectional and longitudinal distribution and extent of declared weeds and invaders recorded during the survey. The results gained using the PHYTOTAB PC-classification and mapping program package revealed eight Grassland Biome and nine Savanna Biome plant communities from it's origin near the town of Breyten up to the border of the Kruger National Park. It was found that different invader species/weeds are associated with different biomes and habitats along the river system and that an alarming number of these species occur throughout the system.