Table 4 in Temperate grassy wetlands of South Africa: Description, classification and explanatory environmental factors

Table 4 Description of vegetation types of temperate grassy wetlands.
No.Wetland vegetation typeNo. comm.Dominant speciesVegetation structureEnvironmental conditionsDistributionCommentsSpecies diversity1Waterbiesie2Eleocharis dregeana, LeersiaDense, medium tall sedges orMostly pans, gleyed clay soils,Inland parts of Eastern SouthLeersia hexandra is the most commonMedian 6wetlandsdregeanagrasses (20–50 cm tall)seasonally or permanently wetAfricawetland grass in South Africa(1–23)2Pond sedge wetlands1Carex acutiformisDense medium tall sedges (30–80Mostly valley bottom wetlands, onInland parts of Eastern SouthThe species Carex acutiformis isMedian 4cm tall)clay or peat, permanently wetAfrica, mostly around thewidely distributed and it is not clear(1–18)escarpmentwhether it is indigenous to SouthAfrica3Grassy everlasting1Aristida junciformis,Dense short grassland (20–50 cm tall)Seasonally or temporarily wetInland parts of Eastern SouthConspicuous because of the presenceMedian 13wetlandsHelichrysum aureonitensgrasslands, mostly on loam soilsAfrica, most common around theof the everlasting Helichrysum(5–24)Drakensbergaureonitens4Highveld mixed6Cyperus denudatus,Dense medium tall to tall sedge orVarious habitats, mostly in valleyWidespread in Eastern SouthFew communities are dominated byMedian 8sedge wetlandsSchoenoplectus brachyceras,grassland (20–120 cm tall)bottom wetlands and floodplains, onAfrica, but also in the Capegrasses, but the wetter communities(1–22)Juncus effususclay or loam soils of different wetnessby sedges and rushes5Eragrostis1Eragrostis planiculmisDense tall grassland (80–120 cm)Temporarily to seasonally wet clay soilsInland parts of Eastern SouthMedian 9planiculmis wetlandsAfrica(3–19)6Chichi mixed2Arundinella nepalensis,Dense tall grassland (80–120 cm) orTemporarily to seasonally wet loamInland parts of Eastern SouthThe bush ‘Chichi’ or ‘Ouhout’ becomesMedian 11wetlandsLeucosidea sericeashort grassland with shrubs up to 3 m.soils, mostly in mountainous terrainAfrica, most common around thedominant in disturbed grasslands, but(3–24)Drakensbergalso in floodplains and seepages7Rooivleigrass3Hemarthria altissima,Open to dense, medium tall grasslandMostly around the edge of pans orInland parts of eastern SouthMedian 9wetlandsCyperus marginatus,or sedgeland (30–60 cm)valley bottom wetlands, on temporarilyAfrica, extending into the Western(2–34)Paspalum dilatatumto seasonally wet loam soilsFree State8Red grass wetlands1Themeda triandraDense short grassland (20–50 cm tall)Temporarily wet grassland areasWidespread across the HighveldThe grass Themeda triandraMedian 11and around the Drakensbergrepresents the most dominant grass(3–26)species in the upland areas of theHighveld region, and it can dealreasonably well with inundation9Cyperus fastigiatus1Cyperus fastigiatusDense tall sedgeland (100–180 cmPermanently wet areas in valley bottomThroughout the country, includingDifferent forms of the species occur,Median 6wetlandstall)wetlands, either on clay or peatthe Cape and tropical areas, butespecially in the tropical areas(1–16)absent from the drier areas10Silver spike grass4Imperata cylindrica,Medium tall to tall mixedTemporarily to seasonally wet,Mostly in the Northern Highveld,Imperata cylindrica is commonlyMedian 10wetlandsMiscanthus junceusgrasslands (50–120 cm)mostly sandy areasNorthern KwaZulu-Natal and in thefound in disturbed soils, for example(2–30)Capein road verges11Eragrostis plana1Eragrostis planaOpen to dense medium tallTemporarily or seasonally wet loamInland parts of Eastern South AfricaOften an indicator of disturbanceMedian 11wetlandsgrasslandor clay soilsas well as the Cape(4–27)12Common bullrush1Typha capensisDense tall reedlandsSeasonally to permanently wet clay orCommon in Northern South Africa,The dominant species occurs often inMedian 4.5wetlandspeat soils, often with high nutrientNatal and the Capeurban wetlands as it can deal very(1–18)loadswell with pollution and high nutrientloads13Common reed1Phragmites australisOpen to dense tall reedlandsMany different habitats, mostlyThroughout the whole countryOne of the most competitive wetlandMedian 4wetlandsseasonally to permanently wet, alsoplants. Benefits from high nutrient(1–30)dealing well with salinityloads and stabilized water levels.