Ecological status of grass species in the red turfveld of the Springbok Flats Turf Thornveld, Transvaal

Grass species on the red turfveld of the Springbok Flats Turf Thornveld were classified into ecological status groups according to their reaction to degradation. Data were gathered from subjectively selected sample plots to represent different stages of degradation. The Detrended Correspondence Analysis ordination technique was applied to the data, the object being to identify degradation and other possible gradients. Species frequency curves were fitted statistically to the gradient. The frequency curves were used to classify grass species into ecological status groups. Indicator species of different stages of degradation are proposed. Grasspesies op rooi turfgrond in die Turfdoringveld van die Springbokvlakte is geklassifiseer in ekologiese statusgroepe volgens die spesies se reaksie op degradasie. Data is versamel vanaf subjektief geselekteerde monsterpersele om verskillende stadiums van degradasie te verteenwoordig. Die ‘Decorana’ ordeningstegniek is op die data toegepas om degradasie en ander moontlike gradiënte te identifiseer. Frekwensiekrommes is statisties gepas op die degradasiegradiënt. Frekwensiekrommes is gebruik om grasspesies in verskillende ekologiese statusgroepe in te deel. Indikatorspesies van die verkillende grade van degradasie word voorgestel.