Species data collected for a study on the Impact of livestock grazing intensity on the plant diversity of species-rich montane grassland in the northern Drakensberg, South Africa

This data was collected and digitised by Thamsanqa Alfred Shezi as part of his thesis, "Impact of livestock grazing intensity on the plant diversity of species-rich montane grassland in the northern Drakensberg, South Africa".

All 90 plots (5 x 5 m) were placed along spurs and at as regular distances as possible to each other to capture the gradient. Every species within a plot was listed and its cover scored using the Domin scale (Jager and Looman 1987). Plant species that were unidentifiable in the field (outside protected areas) were collected, pressed, and later identified at the John Bews herbarium, Pietermaritzburg, and at the KwaZulu-Natal herbarium, Durban.

Vegetation composition was recorded in 40 adjacent pairs of plots (5 x 5 m) along a 4 km fence-line for the Golden Gate Highlands National Park-QwaQwa contrast, and in 20 adjacent pairs for the Royal Natal National Park-QwaQwa Communal area contrast. The plots were placed 100 m apart as paired plots 10 m away from the fence to prevent trampling impacts by livestock. A visual estimation of percentage cover of each species on each plot was done using the Domin scale (Jager and Looman 1987). A Garmin GPS was used to record altitude in metres and to mark plots