Survey of plant community structure in two large-herbivore exclosures

A survey of plant community structure was conducted in two large-herbivore exclosures (200x200m) located in the Darlington-section of the Addo Elephant National Park. The exclosures were established in Sundays Noorsveld and Sunday Spekboomveld habitats, respectively, and each were divided into two sections, i.e. excluding all medium- and large-sized herbivores (full exclosure) and excluding only large-sized herbivores (partial exclosure). The current baseline-survey was conducted during 2009, and comprised the following: (1) recording the cover of all plant forms along four 50m line-transects located at each exclosure treatment, and (2) recording the structural characteristics of key plant species, including Euclea undulata, Schotia afra, Boscia oleoides, Pappea capensis and Euphorbia caerulescens. Individual plants were permanently marked and the following variables recorded: maximum canopy height, canopy dimensions, and degree of branching. These quadrats are surveyed at regular intervals.