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Classification of the Eastern Scarp Forests

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Vegetation Survey and Classification of Subtropical Forests of Southern Africa

Part of the book series: Geobotany Studies ((GEOBOT))

Abstract

This chapter brings the first comprehensive classification of the Eastern Scarp Forest. These are very fragmented and relictual forests, structurally complex, rich in tropical elements as well as species of conservation and horticultural value. Nearly all play an important cultural role for the local communities and deserve formal protection. Sixteen habitat-level communities, classified into eight forest subtypes were recognised. The floristic and geographical data support a move to split the Eastern Scarp Forest (type) into two new forest types, i.e. KwaZulu-Natal Scarp and Northern Scarp.

Author “C. Robert Scott-Shaw” is deceased at the time of publication

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA, 6009, Perth, Australia

    Ladislav Mucina

  2. Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Ladislav Mucina

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Ladislav Mucina

  4. Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, P/Bag X1088, Lydenburg, 1120, South Africa

    Mervyn C. Lötter

  5. Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic

    Lubomír Tichý

  6. Unit of Environmental Science, University of North-West, Potch Campus, P/Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    Stefan J. Siebert

  7. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Queen Elizabeth Park, P.O. Box 13053, Cascades, 3202, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    C. Robert Scott-Shaw

Authors
  1. Ladislav Mucina
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  2. Mervyn C. Lötter
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  3. Lubomír Tichý
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  4. Stefan J. Siebert
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  5. C. Robert Scott-Shaw
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ladislav Mucina .

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Mucina, L., Lötter, M.C., Tichý, L., Siebert, S.J., Scott-Shaw, C.R. (2018). Classification of the Eastern Scarp Forests. In: Vegetation Survey and Classification of Subtropical Forests of Southern Africa. Geobotany Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67831-3_6

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