Abstract

To provide a better understanding of spatial pattern and habitat preferences for a cryptic xerophyte, a number of variables were investigated in a 10,000 m(2) (1 ha) study area in a population of L. pseudotruncatella; plant density, spatial arrangement of plants, and habitat specificity. Two censuses, carried out in dry season and in rainy season, revealed a total of 448 and 860 plants, respectively, with a severely clumped distribution. Five out of seven plant density estimation methods, applied in dry season, produced data that vastly over-or under-estimated plant number while Adaptive Cluster Sampling and the Belt Transect method were more accurate, with 557 and 540 plants, respectively. Plant number in 10 x 10 m test plots within the study area was positively associated with a high percentage cover of gravel and pebbles as opposed to sand or stones, and with a gentle rise as opposed to a slope in the topography of the plots. A significant association was found between the occurrence of Lithops and Avonia albissima in the test plots suggesting that the latter, which is more visible, can be used as an indicator of Lithops in the field. (C) 2017 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Lithops pseudotruncatella; Plant density; Spatial arrangement; Habitat preferences; Belt transect

Published in

South African Journal of Botany
2017, Volume: 109, pages: 112-115

SLU Authors

• Loots, Sonja

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Botanical Research Institute

• Nybom, Hilde

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Botany


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2016.12.023

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80343