Demography and dynamics of the dominant woody species in a communal and protected area of the eastern Transvaal Lowveld

The size class distributions of the seven most abundant woody species in an area of the Transvaal Lowveld were determined for two contrasting management systems, i.e. communal land and a protected area. Most of the size class profiles indicated that the populations were not stable, experiencing fluctuating recruitment and/or mortality rates. This is probably the norm in semi-arid environments characterized by large fluctuations in the timing and intensity of controlling variables. Communal management reduced absolute densities and altered the size class profile of all but one of the species considered. This was usually manifested as a reduction in the proportion of larger individuals. Die grootteklasverspreidings van sewe van die volopste houtagtige plantspesies is vir twee verskillende bestuurstelsels in die Transvaalse Laeveld bepaal: gemeenskapsgrond en beskermde area. Die meeste van die grootteklasprofiele het getoon dat die populasies nie stabiel is nie en dat hulle wisselend aanwas en/of afsterf. Dit is waarskynlik die normale proses in semi-ariede omgewings wat gekenmerk word deur groot wisselinge in die skedulering en intensiteit van bepalende veranderlikes. Gemeenskapsbestuur het die absolute digtheid van alle spesies, behalwe een, verminder en die grootteklasprofiel verander. In die meeste gevalle was daar ’n vermindering in die verhouding van die groter individue.