Browsing by Author "Simmons, Mark Trevor"

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    Vegetation, diversity and rarity on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa
    (1997) Simmons, Mark Trevor; Cowling, Richard M
    The Cape Peninsula, (471 km²) with over 2285 vascular plant species, is characterised by the combination of a diversity of habitats supporting a mosaic of vegetation types. This study attempts to describe and explain some of the determinants of species pattern and distribution. The first part of this thesis compares a simple vegetation classification, derived from visual examination of dominant species and environmental characteristics, with the result of a multivariate classification derived from the analysis of an extensive database (835 plots, 833 species). This rapid system of classification of fynbos showed an 81 similarity with Two-Way Analysis (TWA) classification. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Colonial Analysis (CCA) were used to relate floristic variation to environmental factors. These analyses revealed that altitude, rainfall and soil fertility were the principle environmental factors explaining species distribution.