Page 1 of 34 | Original research BOTHALIA – African Biodiversity & Conservation ISSN: (Online) 2311-9284, (Print) 0006-8241 A rapid biodiversity assessment of Lesotho’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve: a case study of Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park Authors Lerato Seleteng-Kose Khotso Kobisi 4 Ruida Pool-Stanvliet 5 Khotso Mohapi 1,2 3 Affiliations Department of Biology, National University of Lesotho, Roma 180, Lesotho. 2 Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. 3 Independent Researcher and Plant Collector, P.O. Box 148, Machache 130, Lesotho. 4 P.O. Box 6147, Uniedal, 7612, South Africa. 5 Department of Environment, Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture, P. O. Box 10993, Maseru, Lesotho 1 Corresponding Author Lerato Seleteng-Kose; e-mail: leratoseletengkose@gmail.com Dates Submitted: 27 March 2020 Accepted: 13 May 2021 Published: 23 August 2021 How to cite this article: Seleteng-Kose, L., Kobisi, K., PoolStanvliet, R. & Mohapi, K., 2021, ‘A rapid biodiversity assessment of Lesotho’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve: a case study of Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park’, Bothalia 51(2), a6. http://dx.doi. org/10.38201/btha.abc.v51.i2.6 Copyright: © 2021. The Authors Licensee: SANBI. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Background: Two of Lesotho’s protected areas, namely Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park, form the core area of the country’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve. Biodiversity is a key aspect needed to justify nomination of a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. Previously documented biodiversity of the two protected areas is limited in terms of coverage and scope as well as being outdated. The aim of the current study was to conduct a rapid assessment of the biodiversity, including endemism, of the proposed Biosphere Reserve to inform the formal nomination process. Methods: A field survey was undertaken over 112 033 ha in the core, buffer and transition zones of the proposed Biosphere Reserve during which species of both flora and fauna were documented. Purposeful recordings were made during different seasons to incorporate various flowering seasons of the plants, as well as faunal species that may hibernate or migrate seasonally. Results: A total of 380 plant species was recorded, 30 of which are legally protected in the country, 60 endemic to the Drakensberg Mountain Centre, and two species (Aloe polyphylla and Glumicalyx lesuticus) are endemic to Lesotho. The former is the national flower of Lesotho and is under threat due to illegal trade. Sixteen mammal species were recorded, seven of which are legally protected in the country, as well as 53 bird species (including the IUCN Red Listed vulture species, Gyps coprotheres and Gypaetus barbatus). Two fish species were also recorded including Pseudobarbus quathlambae, which is Lesotho’s only known endemic vertebrate species, as well as seven reptile and three amphibian species (two of which are near endemic namely Amietia delalandii and A. vertebralis). Conclusion: This survey has provided valuable baseline information on the biodiversity (particularly regarding the flora and avifauna) of the proposed Biosphere Reserve, which includes two protected areas namely Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park. The findings reflect the biodiversity value of the area and will contribute towards its nomination as Lesotho’s first Biosphere Reserve. Keywords: Drakensberg Mountain Centre, MAB Programme, endemics, Red Listed species, UNESCO Introduction The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is an intergovernmental scientific programme that seeks to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments. The Programme is implemented through establishment of Biosphere Reserves (BRs), which are http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Page 2 of 34 aimed at balancing human’s dependence on biological resources with the ecological integrity of the natural resource base. The MAB Programme contributes to implementing elements of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through i) conservation of genetic resources, species and ecosystems; ii) scientific research and monitoring; and iii) promoting sustainable development in communities (UNESCO 1996). The guidelines indicate that each BR should contain three elements, namely: a core area/s, which is/are securely protected for conserving biological diversity as well as undertaking non-destructive research and other low-impact uses; a buffer zone, which usually surrounds or adjoins the core area/s, and is used for co-operative activities compatible with sound ecological practices; a flexible transition area, which incorporates a variety of activities including agriculture and human settlements where various stakeholders work together to manage and sustainably develop the area’s resources (UNESCO 1996). In Lesotho, two protected areas (PAs) namely Bokong Nature Reserve (BNR) and Tšehlanyane National Park (TNP) form the core areas of a proposed BR (Figure 1). The area occurs within the Grassland Biome of southern Africa, which is the second largest biome after the Savanna Biome (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The PAs have been established under the auspices of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The BNR covers an area of about 1 970 ha, and is endowed with wetlands that provide water to the Katse Dam, which in turn supplies water to Gauteng Province in South Africa (LHDA 1998a). The wetlands also provide a habitat to the rare Sloggett’s ice rat (Otomys sloggetti Thomas, 1902), which is endemic to southern Africa, being confined to South Africa and Lesotho (Maloti–Drakensberg). Interestingly, BNR is the highest elevation PA in Lesotho, lying between 2 600 and 3 152 m above sea level (m.a.s.l). Tšehlanyane National Park covers an area of 5 600 ha, and serves as a conservation area for mature Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh. riparian woodland, which forms the largest woodland cover of all areas in Lesotho. Woodland vegetation covers only about 1% of the whole country (May 2000). The most conspicuous plants in TNP is the oldwood (Leucosidea sericea), quilted sagewood (Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam. and Drakensberg bamboo (Thamnocalamus tessellatus (Nees)) (Soderstrom & R.P.Ellis 1982). The latter is the only endemic southern African bamboo, and occurs from the Western Cape province of South Africa, through Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal to the Free State, at elevations of about 1 500–2 500 masl (Soderstrom & Ellis 1982). Indeed, the name of the park originates from the colour of the Drakensberg bamboo, which is yellowish (translating into Tšehlanyane in Sesotho – the local language). The plant is globally rare and provides a habitat for the Red Listed, Endangered butterfly known as the Bamboo Sylph (Metisella syrinx (Trimen, 1868)), which is known only http://abcjournal.org | | Original research from mountain summits of South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal) and Lesotho (Soderstrom & Ellis 1982). Bokong Nature Reserve and TNP fall within the high elevation catchments of Lesotho (Lahmeyer Macdonald Consortium & Oliver Shand Consortium 1986). Being situated at a high elevation, up to 3 152 masl, the proposed BR experiences occasional snow, particularly during winter months (May to July). This has resulted in the area developing unique subalpine vegetation typical of the Maloti–Drakensberg (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). It is estimated that 30% of the plant species occurring in the area are endemic (NES 2000). However, Carbutt and Edwards (2001) considered this to be an over-estimate since the flora of the Lesotho Highlands and Eastern Cape Drakensberg was poorly explored at the time, and thus was not incorporated into the calculation of the area’s endemism. Nevertheless, the area is recognised as one of southern Africa’s eight hot-spots of botanical diversity as indexed by its species richness and endemism (Cowling & Hilton-Taylor 1994). Van Wyk and Smith (2001) rank the area as having the fourth richest regional flora in southern Africa. A number of studies have discussed the biodiversity of the proposed BR, however, they were based largely on outdated literature. In addition, most of these studies were limited either in terms of scope, documenting mainly dominant and economically important species, or extent, covering only parts of the proposed BR. For example, the Conservation Development and Management Plan of BNR (LHDA 1998a) estimated floral species richness of the area at 180 flowering plants, based mainly on literature. Similarly, the Management and Development Plan for TNP (LHDA 1998b) estimated the floristic composition of the park at 220 flowering species, which is representative of the western Maloti (i.e. from Sentinel Peak to Mohale’s Hoek) of the greater Drakensberg region, and documented 24 mammalian species, even though no field assessment had been made. Insights into the biodiversity of the proposed BR were provided by Carbutt and Edwards (2004) who documented the native flora of the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC), currently known as Drakensberg Mountain Centre (DMC), as comprising 2 818 taxa in 205 families and 781 genera. Of the 2 818 taxa, 89% were angiosperms, 7% bryophytes, 3% pteridophytes and 0.2% gymnosperms. In addition, they recorded 166 exotic angiosperm species. However, the work of Carbutt and Edwards (2004) is outdated and relied on literature, using regional floras such as Jacot Guillarmod (1971) and Kobisi and Kose (2003) for the Flora of Lesotho, Hilliard and Burtt (1987) and Meter et al. (2002) for the southern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg; and Porter et al. (1999) for the uKhahlamba–Drakensberg Park; as well as regional field guides for the trees (Pooley 1993) and mountain flowers (Pooley 2003) in the | Open access Page 3 of 34 A | Original research B Figure 1. A & B, Lesotho’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve, showing the core (Tšehlanyane National Park and Bokong Nature Reserve), buffer and transition zones (Source: T. Leballo). Maloti–Drakensberg. As they were using regional references, Carbutt and Edwards (2004) were not able to specify which of the recorded species occur in the PAs of the proposed BR. A publication by Carbutt and Edwards (2006) focused on the endemic and near-endemic angiosperms of the DAC, recording 334 and 595 species respectively, also based on existing literature. The study emphasised that the flora of the area must continue to receive conservation attention because many of its taxa are rare and highly restricted in distribution, and more than half of its endemics are regarded as either Red or Orange Data species. Carbutt (2019) revised the profile of angiosperm endemics provided by Carbutt and Edwards (2006), as well as the boundary of the former DAC. The study recorded 227 angiosperm species, representing 90 genera, as endemic to the DMC, based on previous literature, as well as using Google Earth Pro to delineate new boundaries of the DMC. The revision resulted in removal of about 32% of the species, which were previously regarded as endemic from the account of Carbutt and Edwards (2006), and added two more recently described species to the list. The most focused work on the biodiversity within the proposed BR was conducted by Letšela et al. (2003), http://abcjournal.org | who presented findings from a survey aimed at inventorying resources on which people rely, and that were likely to be affected by the establishment of a BR that encompases both TNP and BNR. This publication is now also outdated and was confined to the proposed core area, as well as to specific taxa with socio-economic benefit. It was therefore evident that no comprehensive documentation of the biodiversity of the proposed BR had been undertaken. As a result, a detailed biodiversity survey covering the core area (BNR and TNP) as well as buffer and transition zones, was necessary to appraise the value of the area, hence supporting its nomination as a BR. Methodology Study area The proposed BR covers a total area of about 112 033 ha, encompassing the core (BNR and TNP, 7 570 ha), buffer (31 050 ha) and transition zones (66 577 ha) (Figure 1), with an elevation ranging between 1 636 and 3 152 masl The area falls within the temperate grassland of southern Africa. It is located in the Leribe District in the northern part of Lesotho | Open access Page 4 of 34 (Figure 1A,B). The proposed BR forms part of the larger area covered by the Maloti–Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Programme (MDTCDP), which spans the border between Lesotho and South Africa, covering certain parts of the two countries (northeastern, eastern and southeastern parts of Lesotho, as well as the adjacent parts of South Africa). Data collection The survey stems from the need to profile the biodiversity of the proposed BR, which is needed for supporting nomination of the area to UNESCO. Therefore a rapid survey was undertaken, targeted at both flora and fauna occurring within the proposed BR (core, buffer and transition zones). Four purposeful surveys were conducted by the second and fourth authors, spanning different seasons between August 2018 and May 2019. This was done to target flowering seasons of different plant species to enable their identification, as well as to | Original research maximise opportunities to observe faunal species that may hibernate or migrate seasonally. Each of the four surveys lasted for a period of two weeks. Research and collecting permits were provided by the Department of Environment (under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture in Lesotho), which is also the custodian of the core area that forms part of the proposed BR. The approach used for data collection was a purposeful field survey undertaken by travelling throughout the core, buffer and transition zones of the proposed BR on foot and on horseback, targeting accessible areas of the proposed BR. Data were collected by identifying and documenting species of both flora and fauna encountered in the area. Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates were recorded (using Garmin Etrex 10) to map the area covered during the survey (Figure 2). Plants that could not be identified on site were collected and later identified using the literature or herbarium collections at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) herbarium (ROML), where the collected specimens were also deposited. Figure 2. Transect walks covered during the different phases of the biodiversity survey (data collection) in the proposed Biosphere Reserve (Source: T. Leballo). http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Page 5 of 34 Fish and aquatic amphibian species were surveyed with the aid of an electro-shocker (powered by a generator) which forced organisms to float on the water surface, where they were identified. The shocking effect was temporary to avoid causing harm. The assessment was conducted in both the Bokong and Tšehlanyane rivers. Reptiles were surveyed by turning over stones and searching in the thicket. Birds were photographed using a Canon EOS 1100D camera (with a telephoto lens of 300 mm), and identified at a later stage, whereas mammals were recorded through observation. The majority of the species were photographed to allow confirmation of their identification. Data collection and identification of species was conducted on-site by the second author, a renowned biodiversity specialist who has contributed to various literature resources on Lesotho’s flora, such as the Preliminary Checklist of the Plants of Lesotho (Kobisi 2005), a Checklist of Grasses of Lesotho (Kobisi & Kose 2003), as well as the Grassland Biome chapter in the Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina et al. 2006). Species identification was also confirmed by the first author who is a botanist and a Senior Lecturer at the National University of Lesotho. The fourth author also formed part of the expedition team, being the Conservation Officer in the Lesotho’s Northern Parks (under which BNR and TNP fall), who has also been involved in several biodiversity expeditions in the country. Various literature resources were used for identification including: Moffett (1997, 2010), Van Wyk and Van Wyk (1997), Pooley (1998, 2003), Van Oudtshoorn (1999), May (2000), Van Wyk and Gericke (2000), Talukdar (2002), Coopero-Driver et al. (2008), Van Wyk et al. (2009), Bromilow (2010), Van Wyk and Smith (2014) for plants; Stuart and Stuart (2015) for mammals; Sinclair et al. (2002) for birds; Alexander and Marais (2008) for reptiles; Du Preez and Carruthers (2009) for amphibians; and NES (2000) for fish. Limitations of the study The surveys were undertaken when Lesotho was experiencing dry conditions due to delayed rains in 2018 to 2019. As a result, this delayed the flowering season of the majority of the plants and some specimens could only be identified to genus level. The area is not easily accessible and surveys required long, arduous walks, lasting from sunrise to sunset and are situated in areas with mountainous topography (Figure 3A, B). Results and discussions Species lists The current study provides a detailed compilation of species recorded in the proposed BR (core, buffer and http://abcjournal.org | | Original research transition zones), covering both flora and fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians). Species lists are provided in Tables 1–6, where scientific, English (common) and vernacular (Sesotho) names have been provided, where available. The Plantzafrica website (pza.sanbi.org), as well as Pooley (1998, 2003) were used as the basis for the plant names for taxa recorded in the current study. In the case of fauna, Sinclair et al. (2002) was used for birds; Stuart and Stuart (2007, 2015) for mammals; Alexander and Marais (2008) for reptiles; NES (2000) for fish; and Du Preez and Carruthers (2009) for amphibians. The IUCN Red List status of the different species is also provided, where available. Lesotho conducted the last flora Red List assessment in 2002, focusing on a limited number of species, and based on literature (Talukdar, 2002). Therefore in most cases the Red List of South African plants has been used in the current study (http://redlist. sanbi.org). Similarly, in the case of fauna, Red Listing for Lesotho was last undertaken in 2000, also based on literature. Therefore the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species website (https://www.iucnredlist.org) has been used to provide the conservation status of the fauna species listed in Tables 2–6. Flora A total of 380 plant species were recorded in the proposed BR during the four biodiversity surveys undertaken (Table 1). However, six species were only identified to genus level due to absence of flowers at the time of undertaking the survey. These include Cyrtanthus sp. Aiton, Delosperma sp. N.E.Br and Eulophia sp. R.Br. ex Lindl. Thirty of the 380 recorded species are declared protected by law in the country (Legal Notice No. 36 of 1969, as amended by Legal Notice No. 93 of 2004 and No. 38 of 2006), and these include Drakensberg bamboo, giant alepidea (Alepidea amatymbica Eckl & Zeyh.), Lesotho carnation (Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy), quilted sagewood (Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam.) and Aloe L. spp. (Table 1). The most represented genera include Helichrysum Mill. consisting of 25 species, followed by Senecio L. with eight species and Aloe with six species. The findings of the current study are in agreement with those of Cowling and Hilton-Taylor (1994), who ranked Helichrysum and Senecio as the top two genera with the largest number of species in the area. Similarly, Carbutt and Edwards (2006) indicated that these two genera contribute the most to the endemic and near-endemic species of the area. In addition, LHDA (1998b) also reported extensive Drakensberg bamboo communities in the area. Of the 380 recorded plant species, 41 are exotic (marked with an asterisk in Table 1), these include black poplar (Populus nigra L.), four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa L.), khakiweed (Tagetes minuta L.), inkberry (Phytolacca octandra L.), peach tree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and | Open access Page 6 of 34 A | Original research B C D F G E H I J K Figure 3. A & B, the spectacular scenery of mountaineous landscapes forming part of the proposed BR; C, the endemic spiral aloe; D, the near-endemic Lesotho lily; E, the Lesotho red-hot poker; F, locally uncommon fern – bracken; G, endemic Maloti minnow; H, common eland; and I, its presence on rock paintings; J, some of the wetlands in the BNR; K, some of them damaged by diggings of Sloggett’s ice rat (Source: K. Kobisi). http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance *Acacia dealbata Link Blue wattle tjobasele Terrestrial Tree Firewood Not evaluated Very common Afroaster erucifolius (Thell.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Hoary ragwort mohontsoane-oa-loti Aquatic Herb Least Concern Not common phoa Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Afroaster hispida (Thunb.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Bell agapanthus leta-la-phofu Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Agave americana L. Blue agave lekhala-le-leputsoa Terrestrial Tree Ropes Not evaluated Common Agrostis capillaris L. Astoria bent, black couch, brown bentgrass mohloa-oa-mafika Aquatic Grass Lawns, golf course fairways Not evaluated Common Agrostis lachnantha Nees Bent grass, south african bent grass joang-ba-phororo Aquatic Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Ajuga ophrydis Burch. ex Benth. Bugle plant senyarela Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Alectra sessiliflora (Vahl) Kuntze Yellow witchweed mokhele, sono Terrestrial Forb Parasitic Least Concern Common 3 Giant alepidea lesoko Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Endangered Very common Natal star flower lesokoana Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common lesokoana Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Not common | Agapanthus campanulatus F.M.Leight. subsp. patens (F.M.Leight.) F.M.Leight. Page 7 of 34 http://abcjournal.org 1 | Open access Alepidea natalensis J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans 1 Alepidea thodei Dummer 3 Broad-leaved grass aloe 3 Ecklon’s aloe moroba-lihale Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Not common 3 Aloe boylei Baker Aloe ecklonis Salm-Dyck Common soap aloe lekhala-la-bafu Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Not common 2,3 Aloe maculata All. Aloe polyphylla Schönland ex Pillans Spiral aloe lekhala-kharetsa Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Vulnerable Not common 3 Aloiampelos striatula (Haw.) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. Hardy aloe mohalakane Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common Andropogon eucomus Nees Snowflake grass mohlala Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Common Anisodontea julii (Burch.ex DC.) Bates subsp. pannosa (Bolus) Bates African mallow letjeane-la-noka Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Forb Not evaluated Common Anthemis cotula L. * 1 Dogfennel 2 3 exotic; DMC (EMR) endemic; Lesotho endemic; declared legally protected in the country Ornamental Original research | Alepidea amatymbica Eckl & Zeyh. Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance phakisane Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Rare Common Argyrolobium marginatum Bolus Terrestrial Herb Grazed Least Concern Common Argyrolobium molle Eckl.&Zeyh. Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Anthospermum streyi Puff lebesa Terrestrial Herb Eaten Least Concern Not common Aristaloe aristata (Haw.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning Torch aloe sereleli, lekhalana Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Not common Aristea abysinnica Pax Blue-eyed grass Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Aristea woodii N.E.Br. Wood’s aristea lethepu-le-lenyenyane Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Aristida adscensionis L. Annual three-awn mohlolohali Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Aristida diffusa Trin. subsp. burkei (Stapf) Melderis Iron grass bohlanya-ba-lipere Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Terrestrial Grass Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Very common | Terrestrial Herb Eaten Least Concern Common Original research | Little russet pea Aristida junciformis Trin. & Rupr. | Open access Artemisia afra Jacq.ex Willd. var. afra Wormwood Asclepias humilis (E.Mey.) Schltr. Drakensberg meadowstar Asclepias stellifera Schltr. Common meadow-star moholantja Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce Broad-leaved asparagus sethota-sa-mathuoela, khopa Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common lehonyeli Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Asparagus microraphis (Kunth)Baker * lengana Asparagus racemosus Willd. Shatavari lerara-tau Terrestrial Shrub Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. var. adiantum-nigrum Black spleenwort lehorometso Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Asplenium cordatum (Thunb.) Sw. Resurrection fern lehorometso Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Asplenium monanthes L. Single-sori fern Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Athrixia angustissima DC. Phefshoana-e-nyenyane Athrixia fontana MacOwan sepinare exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Medicinal Aquatic Herb Page 8 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Argyrolobium tuberosum Eckl. & Zeyh. 1 Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Athyrium schimperi Moug. Ex Fée Grassland lady-fern 1 Berkheya cirsiifolia (DC.) Roessler Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Terrestrial Herb mohato-o-mosoeu Terrestrial Herb Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Doringrige bergdissel (Afrikaans) mohatollo Aquatic Herb 1 Rosette thistle ntsoantsoane Terrestrial Shrub Berkheya setifera DC. Buffalo-tongue leleme-la-khomo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Bidens formosa Cav. Cosmos Terrestrial Forb Ornamental Not evaluated Very common *Bidens pilosa L. Common black-jack Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Not evaluated Very common 3 Poison bulb leshoma Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Endangered Common Brachystelma circinatum E.Mey. Bird-cage brachystelma karana Terrestrial Herb Eaten Least Concern Not common Bromus firmior (Nees) Stapf Strong brome mukuru-oa-thaba Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Brownleea parviflora Harv. Ex Lindl. mametsana Terrestrial Orchid Least Concern Not common Brownleea macroceras Sond. lefokotsane Aquatic Orchid Least Concern Not common Berkheya multijuga (DC.) Roessler Berkheya rosulata Roessler http://abcjournal.org Boophane disticha (L.f.) Herb. | Page 9 of 34 1 | Mountain sagewood lelora Terrestrial Tree Firewood Least Concern Very common 1,3 Quilted sagewood lelothoane Terrestrial Tree Firewood Least Concern Very common Bulbine asphodeloides (L.) Spreng. Spreading bulbine pekane Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Carex cognata Kunth Nodding sedge lesuoane Aquatic Sedge Grazing Least Concern Common Catalepis gracilis Stapf & Stent Gause grass joang-ba-matlapa Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Cerastium arabidis E.Mey.ex.Fenzl. Snow flower qoqobala-ea-loti Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Cheilanthes eckloniana (Kunze) Mett. Resurrection fern mamarakoaneng Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common Lehorometso Terrestrial Fern Least Concern Common Buddleja loricata Leeuwenberg Open access Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam. Cheilanthes hirta Sw. Cheilanthes quadripinnata (Forssk.) Kuhn Four-pinnate lip fern lehorometso Terrestrial Fern Medicinal Least Concern Common Chrysocoma ciliata L. Bitter bush sehalahala Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common tlali-tlali, khotolia Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common Terrestrial Forb Not evaluated Common Cineraria lyratiformis Cron *Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. * Medicinal exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research | 1,3 Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Clematis brachiata Thunb. Traveller’s joy morarana-oa-mafehlo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Cliffortia nitidula (Engl.) Starry rice-bush lenyofane Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Not evaluated Common mosali-mofubelu Terrestrial Shrub Fuel Wood, Medicinal Least Concern Very common Conium fontanum Hilliard & Burtt Aquatic Herb Least Concern Very common Cotula hispida (DC.) Harv. Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common serelile Terrestrial Succulent Least Concern Not common feko Terrestrial Succulent Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Succulent Least Concern Common Clutia natalensis Bernh. http://abcjournal.org Cotyledon orbiculata L. var.oblonga (Haw.) DC. Pig’s ears Crassula alba Forssk. Crassula dependens Bolus Medicinal bohobe-ba-setsomi Aquatic Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Common Crassula peploides Harv serelilenyana Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Common Crassula sarcocaulis Eckl. & Zeyh. serelilenyana Terrestrial Succulent Medicinal Least Concern Common | Crassula setulosa Harv. serelilenyana Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Original research | Crassula natalensis Schönl. | Open access Ctenium concinnum Nees Sickle grass Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common *Cupressus arizonica Greene var. glabra (Sudw.) Little. Blue Arizona cypress Terrestrial Tree Firewood Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Forb Parasitic Not evaluated Common motšetše Terrestrial Tree Medicinal Least Concern Not common bohome-ba-lipoli Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Not common *Cuscuta campestris Yunck. 3 Cussonia paniculata Eckl. & Zeyh. var. sinuata (Reyneke & Kok) DeWinter Mountain cabbage *Cyathula capitata Moq. Cymbopogon marginatus (Steud.)Stapf ex Burtt Davy Turpentine grass lebate Terrestrial Grass Thatching Least Concern Common Cymbopogon plurinodis (Steud.)Stapf ex Burtt Davy Narrow-leaved turpentine grass moshanyana-maralleng Terrestrial Grass Medicinal Not evaluated Common *Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers Couch grass, quick grass mohloa Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common qoqothoane Terrestrial Sedge Least Concern Common Cyperus congestus Vahl * Page 10 of 11 Taxon exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Herb Least Concern Common Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Aquatic Succulent 1 Cyrtanthus attenuatus R.A.Dyer 1 Cyrtanthus flanaganii Baker Flanagan’s cyrtanthus yellow dobo lily Cyrtanthus sp.Aiton Growth Form Uses Common Wild fumaria musa-pelo-oa-noka Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Datura stramonium L. Jimsonweed letjoi Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Common Delosperma cooperi (Hook.f.) L.Bolus Table mountain Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Delosperma lineare L.Bolus Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Delosperma sp. N.E.Br Terrestrial Succulent Terrestrial Herb Terrestrial Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy Lesotho carnation hlokoana-la-tsela Diascia barberae Hook. f. | Diclis rotundifolia (Hiern) Hilliard & Burtt leanya-poli Dierama argyreum L.Bolus Drakensberg hairbell Dimorphotheca jucunda E.Phillips Trailing pink daisy 1 Firesticks Star-apple Dierama robustum N.E.Br. lethepu Least Concern Not common Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Herb Handicrafts Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Fuel Wood Least Concern Common Terrestrial Orchid Rare Common Medicinal | Open access Diospyros austro-africana DeWinter var. rubriflora (DeWinter) DeWinter senokonoko Disa cephalotes Reichb.f. subsp. frigida (Schltr.) H.P.Linder Disa cornuta (L.) Swartz Golden orchid Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Disa fragrans Schltr. Fragrant disa Terrestrial Orchid Least Concern Common Aquatic Orchid Least Concern Not common Aquatic Sedge Least Concern Common Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common joang-ba-mafika Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Common tsaane Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Common Disperis cooperi Harv. Dracoscirpoides ficinioides (Kunth) Muasya Empodium monophyllum (Nel) B.L.Burtt sechaba, leloli Golden star Eragrostis caesia Stapf Eragrostis chloromelas Steud. * Curly leaf exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Handicrafts Original research 1 Common | 3 Page 11 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Cysticapnos pruinosa (Bernh.) Lidén Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Eragrostis plana Nees Fan love grass, tough love grass molula Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Eragrostis planiculmis Nees Broom love grass joang-ba-tsaane molelengoane Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common lekhapu-le-lenyenyane Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common molomo-oaLekolikotoana Terrestrial Dwarf shrub Fuel Least Concern Common 1 lekhapu Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common 1 khoarai Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common nyokoana-ea-likhoho Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Tree Firewood ralikokotoana Terrestrial Tree Medicinal Least Concern Common 1 Erica algida H.Bolus Erica alopecurus Harv. Foxtail erica http://abcjournal.org Eriocaulon dregei Hochst. Water pom-pom *Eucalyptus sp. L’Hér Gum tree | 3 Erica dominans Killick Erica frigida H.Bolus Euclea coriacea A.DC. khapumpu Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Vulnerable Common 1,3 Miniature eucomis khapumpu Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common makholela Terrestrial Herb Terrestrial Shrub lirulello Terrestrial Dwarf shrub sehloko Terrestrial Succulent Euphorbia ericoides Lam. Terrestrial 1 | Open access 3 Eulophia sp. R.Br. ex Lindl. 1 Eumorphia prostrata Bolus 1 Eumorphia sericea Wood & Evans 3 Euphorbia clavarioides Boiss. Lion’s spoor Least Concern Very common Fuel Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Shrublet Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common Terrestrial Tree Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common sehlakoana-sesenyenyane Terrestrial Shrub Ornamental Least Concern Not common sehalahala Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Common Euryops decumbens B.Nord. Euryops evansii Schltr. sehlakoana Euryops laxus (Harv.) Burtt Davy 1 Euryops tysonii E.Phillips Felicia filifolia (Vent.) Burtt Davy Fine-leaved Felicia Common exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Medicinal Original research Common pineapple lily | 3 Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. subsp. clavata (Baker) Reyneke Eucomis schijffii Reyneke * Common Page 12 of 34 Taxon Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Felicia muricata (Thunb.) Nees Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance mamileng, mosala-tsela Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common letsiri Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Common lekolojane Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Common Felicia rosulata P.F.Yeo 1 Festuca caprina Nees Goat-beard grass Festuca costata Nees Thimble grass thitapoho Aquatic Grass Brooms Least Concern Common Gazania krebsiana Less. Terracotta Gazania, common Gazania tsikitlane Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Aquatic Herb Rare Not common Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Geranium pulchrum N.E. Br. Terrestrial Subshrub Ornamental Least Concern Common Gerbera ambigua (Cass.)Sch.Bip. Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common 1 Geranium drakensbergensis Hilliard&B.L.Burtt Geranium multisectum N.E.Br. hlapi-e-kholo | Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Very common Geum capense Thunb. thejana, qojoana Aquatic Forb Least Concern Very common Original research Open access tsebe-ea-pela | | Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass. 3 African gladiolus mokhabebe Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common 1 Lesotho lily mokhabebe Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common 1 Terrestrial Dwarf shrublet Least Concern Not Common 1 Terrestrial Dwarf shrublet Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common Gladiolus dalenii VanGeel subsp. dalenii Gladiolus saundersii Hook f. 2 Glumicalyx lesuticus Hillard & Burtt 1 Glumicalyx nutans (Rolfe) Hilliard & Burtt theleli Gnidia aberrans C.H.Wright Gnidia propinqua (Hilliard) B.Peterson Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Aiton f. Milkweed Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey. Milkweed moithimolo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Gomphostigma virgatum (L.f.) Baill. River stars koete-le-boima Aquatic Shrublet Medicinal Least Concern Common 3 Mild rhubarb qobo Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Gunnera perpensa L. * Page 13 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Fingerhuthia sesleriiformis Nees exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Haemanthus humilis Jacq. Rabbits ears tsebe-ea-phofu Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Haplocarpha scaposa Harv. False gerbera papetloana, khutsana, lengoako Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Harpochloa falx (L.f.)Kuntze Caterpillar grass lefokololi Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Very common moshoa-fela Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Ointment Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Shrublet Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common Least Concern Common 1 Harveya huttonii (= H. pulchra Hilliard & Burtt) http://abcjournal.org Harveya speciosa Bernh. Tall white ink-flower 1 Hebenstretia dura Choisy Helichrysum cymosum (L.) D.Don tsitoane Yellow-tipped strawflowers Helichrysum trilineatum DC. hokobetsi | Helichrysum allioides DC. Terrestrial 1 leabane Herb Least Concern Common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Least Concern Common | Helichrysum basalticum Hilliard Open access Helichrysum bellum Hilliard Helichrysum caespititium (DC.) Harv. Speelwonderblom (Afrikaans) phate-ea-ngaka Terrestrial Herb Helichrysum chionosphaerum DC. Tiny snowball everlasting Molepelle Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Helichrysum glomeratum Klatt Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Helichrysum krookii Moeser Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Helichrysum lingulatum Hilliard Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Helichrysum hyphocephalum Hilliard 1 tooane-balingoana-etsoeu Terrestrial Dwarf shrub Helichrysum mundtii Harv. phefo-ea-liliba Terrestrial Herb Helichrysum marginatum DC. * exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Medicinal Medicinal Original research Terrestrial | Helichrysum aureum (Houtt) Merrill var. serotinum Hilliard Page 14 of 34 Taxon Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Helichrysum nudifolium (L.) Less. Hottentot’s tea mohlomela-tsie, tee-eabaroa Terrestrial Herb Tea Least Concern Common boleba, lebeko Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common phefo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Helichrysum sp. Mill. Terrestrial Herb tooane-ea-metsi Terrestrial Herb tooane-ea-meru Terrestrial Shrublet Helichrysum sutherlandii Harv. molepelle Terrestrial Helichrysum trilineatum DC. hokobetsi Helichrysum nudifolium (L.) Less. var. pilosellum (L.f.) Beentje Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet Most fragrant helichrysum http://abcjournal.org Helichrysum praecurrens Hilliard Helichrysum retortoides N.E.Br. Helichrysum sessilioides Hilliard Helichrysum spiralepis Hilliard & B.L.Burtt | Helichrysum splendidum (Thunb.) Less. Cape gold Common Common Medicinal, ornamental Least Concern Common Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Not common Grazed Least Concern Common | Least Concern Page 15 of 34 Taxon Open access Helichrysum witbergense H.Bolus Helictotrichon turgidulum (Stapf) Schweick. Terrestrial Grass 1 Small oats grass Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Hermannia coccocarpa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common Hermannia sandersonii Harv. Terrestrial Herb Vulnerable Not common khukhu-e-nyane Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common khahla Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Aquatic Herb Not evaluated Not common Heliophila formosa Hilliard & Burtt Hesperantha baurii Baker subsp. baurii Hesperantha coccinea (Backh. & Harv.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning Scarlet river lily 1 Hesperantha crocopsis Hilliard & Burtt * exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Corms eaten Original research | 1 Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance 3 Heteromorpha arborescens (Spreng.) Cham. & Schltdl. var. abyssinica (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) H.Wolff Parsley-tree monkhoane Terrestrial Tree Medicinal Least Concern Common Hilliardiella hirsuta (DC.) H.Rob. Guilted-leaved vernonia hlele-hlele Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common shoeshoe-ea-loti Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common 3 Hirpicium armerioides (DC.)Roessler Holothrix scopularia (Lindl.) Reichb.f. Common thatching grass mohlomo Terrestrial Grass Thatching Least Concern Very common 3 Blue thatching grass qokoa Terrestrial Grass Thatching Least Concern Very common Hypericum lalandii Choisy Spindly hypericum bohlokoana Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf Hyparrhenia tamba (Steud.) Stapf 3 moli-kharetsa Terrestrial Forb Hypoxis obtusa Burch. ex Ker Gawl moli-boea Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common holi Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common | Original research Hypoxis costata Baker | Hypoxis rigidula Baker Silver-leaved star-flower Indigofera cuneifolia Eckl. & Zeyh. Wedge-leaved indingo 1 khato Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Very common 1 pokaetsi, phiri-eahlaha, sesepa-sa-linoha, letsoalo Terrestrial Shrublet Fishing Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrublet Terrestrial Herb | Inulanthera thodei (Bolus) Källersjö Open access Jamesbrittenia pristisepala (Hiern) Hilliard Jamesbrittenia sp. Kuntze Kedrostris capensis (Sond.) A.Meeuse sesepa-sa-linoha Kiggelaria africana L. Wild peach lekhatsi 3 Lesotho red-hot poker leloele-la-loti Kniphofia caulescens Baker 1,3 Kniphofia evansii Baker Kniphofia hirsuta Codd Common Least Concern Not common Tree Ornamental Least Concern Not common Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Rare Not common leloele Aquatic Forb Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Evan’s poker 1,3 3 Broad-leaved poker leloele Aquatic Koeleria capensis (Steud.) Nees June grass boshoane Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common Kohautia amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. Tremble tops lerete-la-ntja Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Kniphofia northiae Bak. * Page 16 of 34 http://abcjournal.org 3 exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Ledebouria cooperi (Hook. f.) Jessop Cooper’s ledebouria leptjetlane Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Ledebouria sandersonii (Baker) S.Venter & T.J.Edwards Leobordea divaricata Eckl. & Zeyh. Hairy lotononis Lessertia depressa Harv. namele Terrestrial musa-pelo Terrestrial Shrublet Cancer-bush, mountain ballon pea musa-pelo Terrestrial Herb Lessertia perennans (Jacq.) DC. Lessertia musa-pelo Terrestrial Shrublet 3 Oldwood cheche Terrestrial Tree Firewood Least Concern Very common tsika-metsi Aquatic Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Aquatic Herb Least Concern Not common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Common | Original research Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh. Limosella grandiflora Benth. 1 Limosella vesiculosa Hilliard & Burtt | 1 Lobelia galpinii Schltr. tenane 1 Lotononis galpinii Dummer Medicinal Grazed | Lotononis laxa Eckl. & Zeyh. Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Open access musa-pelo-oa-matlapao-monyenyana Lotononis lotononoides (Scott-Elliot) B.-E. vanWyk mosita-tlali Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common 1 motoaitoai Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Common 1 mamotasi Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Shrub Ornamental Least Concern Not common mofahla-toeba Terrestrial Shrublet Grains Protector Least Concern Common Water mint koena-ea-mekhoabo Aquatic Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Wild spearmint koena Aquatic Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Lotononis sericophylla Benth. Macowania pulvinaris N.E.Br. 1 Macowania sororis Compton *Marrubium vulgare L. Horehound Melianthus comosus Vahl Maroon honey-flower Melolobium microphyllum (L.f.) Eckl.&Zeyh. 3 Mentha aquatica L. # * Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. monyeloa-ke-ntja exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Page 17 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning subsp. frutescens Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Merwilla plumbea (Lindl.) Speta Large blue scilla kherere Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Near Threatened Very common 1,3 mosika-nokana, mosea, molala-hlolo Aquatic Grass Thatching, brooms, ropes, hats, mats Least Concern Very common 3 molalahlolo Terrestrial Grass Thatching Least Concern Very common tee Terrestrial Shrub Fumigant Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Herb Ornamental Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Grass Thatching Least Concern Common Terrestrial Grass Stabilising riverbanks Least Concern Very common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common 1 Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Moraea brevistyla (Goldblatt) Goldblatt Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common Moraea modesta Killick Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Original research Vernacular (Sesotho) names | Common names Page 18 of 34 Taxon Merxmuellera macowanii (Stapf) Conert http://abcjournal.org Merxmuellera stereophylla (J.G.Anders.) Conert Metalasia densa (Lam.) P.O.Karis Drakensberg steekbos *Mirabilis jalapa L. Four o’clock 1 East-coast broom grass Miscanthus junceus (Stapf) Pilg. Wireleaf daba grass Miscanthus ecklonii (Nees) Mabb. mothala | Mohria rigida J.P.Roux Moraea alpina Goldblatt 1 | Moraea alticola Goldblatt teele-e-kholo Open access Moraea stricta Baker Bloutulp (Afrikaans) qhekoe Terrestrial Herb Corms eaten Least Concern Common 3 Lance-leaved waxberry maleleka Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Vulnerable Not Common Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Data Deficient Taxonomically Problematic Common Morella serrata (Lam.) Killick 1 Muraltia flanaganii Bolus Myosotis semiamplexicaulis A.DC. Forget-me-not Myrsine africana L. Cape myrtle moroka-pheleu Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common Nasturtium officinale R.Br. Watercress semetsing, selae Aquatic Herb Vegetables Not evaluated Common Nemesia caerulea Hiern Nemesia Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Nemesia rupicola Hilliard * Ornamental 1 2 3 exotic; DMC (EMR) endemic; Lesotho endemic; declared legally protected in the country Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance *Nicotiana sylvestris Speg. & Comes Woodland tobacco setalane Terrestrial Herb Tobacco Not evaluated Common Aquatic Forb Least Concern Nidorella pinnata (L.f.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Yellow evening primrose Ornithogalum juncifolium Jacq. Grass-leaved Not evaluated Common Least Concern Common Ornithogalum viridiflorum (I.Verd.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Green berg lily Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Not common 1 Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Not common Othonna burttii B. Nord. Terrestrial Herb Grazing Least Concern Not common Orthochilus aculeatus (L.f.) Bytebier subsp. huttonii (Rolfe) Bytebier lijo-tsa-noko, mahae mametsana Osteospermum thodei Markötter Terrestrial Herb Aquatic Herb Terrestrial Medicinal | bolila Terrestrial Herb Eaten Least Concern Common Oxalis smithiana Eckl. & Zeyh. Narrow-leaved sorrel boli-ba-lipoli Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common 3 Mountain pachycarpus leshokhoa Terrestrial Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Papaver aculeatum Thunb. Orange poppy sehlohlo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Grass Grazing Not evaluated Common Pachycarpus vexillaris E.Mey. | Open access *Paspalum dilatatum Poir. 1 Drakensberg passerina lekhapu Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common 1 Mountain passerina lekhapu Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common Pelargonium alchemilloides (L.) L’Hér. Pink trailing pelargonium bolila-ba-litsoene Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Pelargonium bowkeri Harv. Carrot-leaved pelargonium bolila-ba-litsoene Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Not Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Very common Least Concern Common Passerina drakensbergensis Hilliard & Burtt Passerina montana Thoday Pelargonium ranunculophyllum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Baker Peltocalathos baurii (MacOwan) Tamura Large-leaved ranunculus qojoana Aquatic Herb *Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov. Kikiyu mohloa-tsepe Terrestrial Grass Grazing Not evaluated Very common Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Very common Pentameris airoides Nees subsp. airoides * exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research Oblique-leaved sorrel | Oxalis obliquifolia Steud. ex A.Rich. Page 19 of 34 http://abcjournal.org *Oenothera elata Kunth. Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Pentameris oreodoxa (Schweick.) Galley & H.P.Linder Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Very common Pentameris setifolia (Thunb.) Galley & H.P.Linder Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Very common lelingoana Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Very common Pentzia cooperi Harv. Vernacular (Sesotho) names tolo-la-khongoana-lelenyenyane Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Gray Spotted knotweed khamane-ea-noka Aquatic Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Common 3 Common reed lehlaka Aquatic robust Grass Thatching Least Concern Common Phygelius aequalis Harv. Ex Hiern River bells mafifi-matso Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Phygelius capensis E.Mey. ex Benth. Southern phygelius mafifi-matso Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common *Phytolacca octandra L. Inkberry monatja Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Common *Pinus radiata D.Don Pine tree phaena Terrestrial Tree Firewood Not evaluated Common | *Plantago lanceolata L. bolilanyana, setlabocha Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Open access Narrow-leaved ribwort, plantain *Plectranthus dolichopodus Briq. Blue yonder Terrestrial Herb Ornamental Least Concern Common Plectranthus esculentus N.E.Br. African potato lephelephele Terrestrial Herb Eaten Data Deficient Insufficient Information Not common Plectranthus grallatus Briq. Tuberous spur-flower lephelephele Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Polemannia simplicior Hilliard & Burtt Terrestrial Shrub Least Concern Common Polygala gracilenta Burtt Davy Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Shrub Ornamental Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common Least Concern Not common Phragmites australis (Cav.)Steud. | Page 20 of 34 Knotweed http://abcjournal.org Persicaria decipiens (R.Br.) K.L.Wilson | September bush Polygala rhinostigma Chodat Polygala virgata Thunb. Purple broom ntsebele-ea-moru Terrestrial Shrub 1 Arching fronds lehorometso Terrestrial Fern Polystichum monticola N.C. Anthony & Schelpe * exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research Polygala myrtifolia L. Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names *Populus deltoides Marshall Eastern cottonwood *Populus nigra L. Black poplar *Populus x canescens (Aiton) Sm. Vernacular (Sesotho) names Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Terrestrial Tree Poles, Firewood Not evaluated Common maipopo Terrestrial Tree Poles, Firewood Not evaluated Common Grey poplar papoleri Terrestrial Tree Poles, Firewood Not evaluated Very common *Portulaca oleracea L. Common purslane sereleli Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Common Potomageton pusillus L. Narrow-leaved pondweed joang-ba-metsi-boboholo Least Concern Common Printzia auriculata Harv. Giant daisy bush sephomolo Least Concern Common Least Concern Common Herb Terrestrial Shrub Terrestrial Herb Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Tree Fruits Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Tree Fruits Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Fern Medicinal Least Concern Very common Pterygodium alticola (Parkman & Schelpe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt Terrestrial Orchid Rare Common Pterygodium caffrum (L.) Sw. Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Pterygodium cooperi Rolfe Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Tree Not evaluated Common Not evaluated Common 1 Printzia nutans (Bolus) Leins Printzia pyrifolia Less. lekhisa Ornamental | Apricot tree *Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Peach tree Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Bracken fern | *Prunus armeniaca L. Page 21 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Habitat Open access Narrowleaf firethorn Ranunculus meyeri Harv. Bog buttercup bolila-ba-linku-ba-metsi Ranunculus multifidus Forsk. sens. lat. Common buttercup tlhapi Hedge Herb Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Herb Vegetables Not evaluated Very common *Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All. Wild mustard 3 Glossyleaf Dogwood mofifi Terrestrial Tree Medicinal Least Concern Very common Rhynchosia totta (Thunb.) DC. Yellow carpet bean seoelioetla, sehoete, sebalibetloa Terrestrial Forb Tuber eaten Least Concern Common exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research | *Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid. Rhamnus prinoides L’Hèrit * perekisi Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) | Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance *Robinia pseudoacacia L. Black locust leoka Terrestrial Tree Poles, Firewood Not evaluated Common *Rorippa nudiuscula Thell. Yellow cress papasane Terrestrial Herb Vegetable Least Concern Common *Rosa rubiginosa L. Sweet-briar, rosehip moroboi Terrestrial Shrub Hedge, Cosmetics Not evaluated Very common *Rumex sagittatus Thunb. Climbing rumex bolila-bo-boholo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Salix babylonica L. Weeping willow Aquatic Tree Firewood Not evaluated Very common *Salix fragilis L. Basket willow Aquatic Tree Firewood Not evaluated Very common Satyrium longicauda Lindl. Blushing bride satyrium Terrestrial Orchid Medicinal Not evaluated Common Scabiosa columbaria L Wild scabious selomi Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Schistostephium crataegifolium (DC.) Fenzl. ex Harv. Golden flat-flower kobo-ea-Marena Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common sehoete-moru Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Schizoglossum atropurpureum E.Mey. subsp. atropurpureum moluoane 1 Hilliard’s schizoglosum 1 Grassveld currant mohlohloane Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Not Common Searsia divaricata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Moffett Rusty leaves currant kolitsana Terrestrial Shrub Medicinal Least Concern Very common Searsia pyroides (Burch.) Moffett Common currant kolitsane Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Common 1 marama-a-baroetsana Aquatic Herb Least Concern Not common Sebaea natalensis Schinz marama-a-baroetsana Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common Sebaea sedoides Gilg marama-a-baroetsana Aquatic Herb Least Concern Common 1 marama-a-baroetsanaa-masoeu Aquatic Herb Least Concern Not Common 1 lenyofane Terrestrial Subshrub Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Very common | Schizoglossum hilliardiae Kupicha Open access Searsia discolor (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Sond. Sebaea marlothii Gilg Sebaea thodeana Gilg Selago flanaganii Rolfe Selago trauseldii Killick Senecio asperulus DC. * Moferefere exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Medicinal Medicinal Original research Vernacular (Sesotho) names | Common names Page 22 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Taxon Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Senecio humidanus C.Jeffrey lehlomane-le-leholo Terrestrial Herb Senecio inornatus DC. lehlongoane-le-leholo Terrestrial Herb Abundance Least Concern Common Medicinal Least Concern Common lehlomane-le-leholo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Senecio macrocephalus DC. sens. lat. sebea-mollo Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Senecio othonniflorus DC. lehlomane Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Senecio rhomboideus Harv. lelutla-la-pula Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common 1 khotolia-ea-noka Aquatic Dwarf shrub Medicinal Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common limomonyane Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common taraputsoe Terrestrial Herb Herbal tea Least Concern Common sehalahala Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Parasitic Least Concern Common Dan’s cabbage http://abcjournal.org Senecio seminiveus Wood&Evans Silene bellidioides DC. Solanum retroflexum Dunal Sobosobo berry | Stachys rugosa Aiton Uses Bankrupt bush Striga bilabiata subsp. bilabiata (Thunb.) O.Kuntze Small witchweed *Tagetes minuta L. Khakiweed monkhane, lechuchutha Terrestrial Forb Dye Not evaluated Common *Taraxacum officinale Weber sensu lato Common dandelion lenyoka Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Not evaluated Very common Tarchonanthus camphoratus L. Wild camphor bush Terrestrial Shrub Firewood Least Concern Not common 3 Tenaxia disticha (Nees) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder var. disticha Copper wire grass Terrestrial Grass Least Concern Very common 3 Thamnocalamus tessellatus (Nees) Sonderstrom & Ellis Drakensberg bamboo leqala, tsehlanyane Terrestrial Grass Thatching Vulnerable Very common Themeda triandra Forssk. Red grass seboku Terrestrial Grass Grazed Least Concern Very common marakalle Terrestrial Shrublet Least Concern Common moetse-oa-pere Terrestrial Forb Vegetable Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common | Stoebe plumosa (L.) Thunb. Page 23 of 34 IUCN Conservation Status Senecio isatideus DC. Common names Open access *Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow goat’s beard Trichoneura grandiglumis (Nees) Ekman * exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research | Thesium costatum A.W.Hill Table 1. Plant species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Habitat Growth Form Uses IUCN Conservation Status Abundance Trifolium burchellianum Ser. Wild clover moroko Aquatic Forb Medicinal Least Concern Common Aquatic Forb Grazing Not evaluated Common Terrestrial Grass Grazing Least Concern Common moelela Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Typha capensis (Rohrb.) N.E.Br. motsitla Aquatic Forb Hat Least Concern Common *Urtica urens L. bobatsi Terrestrial Herb Vegetables Not evaluated Common seliba/Motetele Aquatic Herb Medicinal Least Concern Very common Terrestrial Forb Not evaluated Common Aquatic Herb Least Concern Very common *Trifolium repens L. Tristachya leucothrix Trin. ex Nees Hairy trident grass Tulbaghia acutiloba Harv. Wild garlic Wahlenbergia krebsii Cham. subsp. krebsii Fairy bell-flowers moopetsane Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common | Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Ashwagandha moferangope Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Page 24 of 34 1 Terrestrial Fern Least Concern Not Common | 1 Aquatic Herb Least Concern Not Common Aquatic Herb Ropes Least Concern Common Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Not Common Herb Medicinal Least Concern Not common Medicinal Least Concern Not common Cape valerian Tall verbena, purple top Valeriana capensis Thunb. Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. Woodsia montevidensis (Spreng.)Hieron. Wurmbea burttii B.Nord. | Open access Xerophyta viscosa Baker Small black-stick lily 3 Scented xysmalobium Xysmalobium parviflorum Harv. ex Scott Elliot Octopus cartwheel 3 Mountain uzura Terrestrial Herb Zaluzianskya microsiphon (O.Kuntze) K.Schum. Short-tubed drumsticks Terrestrial Forb Least Concern Common lebohlollo, theleli Terrestrial Herb Least Concern Common Xysmalobium involucratum (E. Mey.) Decne. Xysmalobium stockenstromense Scott Elliot Zaluzianskya pulvinata Killick * lefiroane leoto-la-khoho Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. White arum lily mohalalitoe Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill. Arrow-leaved arum mohalalitoe Terrestrial Herb Medicinal Least Concern Common *Zinnia peruviana (L.) L. Redstar zinnia pilopilo Terrestrial Forb Whistles Not evaluated Very common exotic;1DMC (EMR) endemic; 2Lesotho endemic; 3declared legally protected in the country Original research http://abcjournal.org *Verbena bonariensis L. 1 Page 25 of 34 rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa L.). Even though some of the exotic species are invasive, such as yellowcress (Rorippa nudiuscula Thell.) and khakiweed (Tagetes minuta L.), some of these exotic species are of commercial importance. For example, rosehip is consumed for its edible fruits and is also used for medicinal purposes. In fact, Lesotho is currently exporting rosehip fruits to Germany for making tea and jam, as well as for the production of essential oils used in the cosmetics industry. The residue from the plant is reported to induce fertility in animals (Kobisi et al. 2019). Sixty of the 380 recorded species are endemic to the DMC. Two of the recorded species are endemic to Lesotho namely Glumicalyx lesuticus Hillard & Burtt and spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla Schönl. ex Pillans, Figure 3C), whereas Othonna burttii B.Nord. and Lesotho lily (Gladiolus saundersii Hook.f., Figure 3D) are near endemic. Spiral aloe is the national flower of Lesotho and is under threat due to illegal trade. Some natural populations are now extinct from certain areas in the country where the plant used to be abundant (pers. obs.). However, it is surprising that spiral aloe is listed as Vulnerable, whereas G. lesuticus and O. burttii have an IUCN conservation status of Least Concern, despite their limited distribution and population in the country. On the other hand, G. lesuticus and O. burttii have not previously been recorded by authors who documented the flora of Lesotho (e.g. Phillips 1917; Jacot Guillarmod 1971; Schmitz 1982; Kobisi 2005), even though these plants have been listed as Lesotho endemics (NES 2000) and are Red Listed (Talukdar 2002). | Original research birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians), and these are discussed in more detail in the sections that follow. Fauna Mammals: A total of 16 mammal species were recorded in the proposed BR, including rodents, jackal, antelope, dassies, rabbits and baboons (Table 2). Seven of the 16 recorded species are declared legally protected, and these include African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis Schinz, 1821), Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis Peters, 1852), chacma baboon (Papio ursinus ursinus (Kerr, 1792)), grey rhebok (Pelea capreolus (Forster, 1790)) and common eland (Tragelaphus oryx (Pallas, 1766)). The common eland seems to have been previously widespread in the country, as evidenced by the many occurrences of rockart (Figures 3H, I). However, the species was locally extirpated mainly due to hunting prior to being reintroduced into TNP following declaration of the area as a PA. In comparison, LHDA (1998a, 1998b) reported 11 mammals in BNR and 12 in TNP, based on reports from field staff in the area. Even though a limited number of mammals have been recorded in the current study, archaeological records indicate that several species of mammals were historically (during the Holocene) widespread in the country (Grab & Nash 2020). These include aardwolf (Proteles cristata Sparrman, 1783), African wild cat (Felis lybica Forster, 1780), black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas Schreber, 1775), black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou (Zimmermann, 1780)), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi Harper, 1939), Cape fox (Vulpes chama (A.Smith, 1833)), common genet (Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758)), scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis F.Cuvier, 1823), klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783)), mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula (Afzelius, 1815)), red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus (Pallas, 1766)), rock hyrax (Procavia capensis (Pallas, 1766)), slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea (Rüppell, 1835)), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis (Zimmermann, 1780)), Cape porcupine (H. africaeaustralis), steenbok (Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811)) and common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin, 1788)) (Grab & Nash 2020). Given the drastic extinction rate of fauna species in Lesotho, the recording of six of these species in the current study, namely African wild cat, black-backed jackal, common genet, scrub hare, rock hyrax and Cape porcupine, adds to the biodiversity value of the proposed BR. However, absence of some of these species currently reveals a major loss of fauna in Lesotho over the past 200 years as discussed by Grab and Nash (2020). Even though a majority of wild species of fauna has been hunted down close to extinction in different parts of the country, a number of species still exist in the proposed BR, particularly birds and mammals. As a result, many of these species are declared legally protected in the country, and these include antelope, baboons, monkeys, bearded vultures, other birds of prey, cranes, storks and herons. A number of species have been recorded in the current study for the five classes of vertebrates (mammals, Birds: Fifty-three bird species were recorded in the proposed BR, 13 of which are declared legally protected in the country (Table 3). It is important to note that two of the 13 protected species, namely Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres (Forster, 1798)) and Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus, 1758)), have a limited distribution and are globally listed as Endangered and Near Threatened respectively (Hockey et al. 2006). Indeed LHDA (1998a, 1998b) reported a total of ten A notably conspicuous but locally uncommon fern, known as bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Figure 3F), which has a narrow distribution in Lesotho, was also recorded in TNP. Cooper-Driver et al. (2008) stated that even though bracken is a common weedy plant worldwide, it is surprisingly rare in Lesotho. Bracken was found forming a colony within a thicket of oldwood in TNP at an elevation of 2 037 masl, at GPS coordinates of S 28°55’ 28.5”, E 028°26’ 44.8”. The only other records of this plant in the country are Ha Ntsi, on the way to Mohale Dam, and Ha Mamokoaqo in the Leribe District, collected by Dieterlen in 1903 (Cooper-Driver et al. 2008). The fern is unique in that it is very large compared to other common fern species occurring in the country, growing to a height of 1.5 m. http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Page 26 of 34 | Original research Table 2. Mammals species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names IUCN Conservation Status Habitat Abundance 3 African clawless otter qibi Near Threatened Aquatic Not Common Canis mesomelas Schreber Black-backed jackal Phokojoe Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Caracal Thoalere Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Cryptomys hottentotus Lesson Common african mole-rat Mokunyane Least Concern Terrestrial Common Felis lybica Schreber African wild cat Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Galerella pulverulenta Wagner Small grey mongoose Mochalla Least Concern Terrestrial Common Genetta genetta L. Small-spotted genet Qoako Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Cape porcupine Noko Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Ictonyx striatus Perry Striped polecat Nakeli Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Leptailurus serval Schreber Serval Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Lepus saxatilis F. Cuvier Scrub hare Least Concern Terrestrial Common Mystromys albicaudatus Smith White-tailed rat Vulnerable Terrestrial Not Common Otomys sloggetti Thomas Sloggett’s ice rat Leboli-leqhoa Least Concern Terrestrial Very Common 3 Papio cynocephalus ursinus Kerr Chacma baboon Tsoene Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Pelea capreolus Forster Grey rhebok Letsa Near Threatened Terrestrial Common Procavia capensis Pallas Rock dassie Pela Least Concern Terrestrial Very Common Pronolagus rupestris A.Smith Red rock rabbit Thlolo Least Concern Terrestrial Common 3 Common eland Phoofu Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Aonyx capensis Schinz Caracal caracal Schreber Hystrix africaeaustralis Peters Tragelaphus oryx Pallas Mutlanyana 3 Declared legally protected in the country Red-listed bird species, including the Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture in both BNR and TNP. Even though their common breeding sites are the high elevation cliffs in Lesotho, the two bird species occassionally migrate to neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana, northern Namibia and southern Zimbabwe (Hockey et al. 2006). Lesotho has also legally protected the two bird species (under Legal Notice No. 36 of 1969, as amended by Legal Notice No. 93 of 2004 and No. 38 of 2006), as well as listing them under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Lesotho is reported to be the main breeding ground to the rare Bearded Vulture in southern Africa (NES 2000). A study by Donázar et al. (1993) revealed that elevation and ruggedness of the topography probably influence the existence of adequate breeding places for the Bearded Vulture, as is the case in the proposed BR, however, human disturbance negatively affects the breeding success of the bird. In fact, the population http://abcjournal.org | of the species has declined drastically, mainly due to hunting of adults and robbery of eggs and chicks, as well as fire, decline in food supply, gin traps and collection of the birds for skins and plumage. In addition, since the Bearded Vulture is a specialised species in terms of its habitat requirements and food choice, Colahan (2004) suggested establishment of partnerships between conservation organisations for management and conservation of the population. Several efforts are currently being undertaken by the Department of Environment in Lesotho (of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture) together with South Africa, under a bilateral programme targeted towards enhanced breeding of the species. A Bearded Vulture Management Plan has also been developed for conservation of the species. The decline of Bearded Vulture populations has also been observed in other parts of the world. For example, the decline is reported to have started in the mid-nineteenth century in Europe and North America, | Open access Table 3. Bird species species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Form IUCN Conservation Status Habitat Abundance Anas sparsa Eyton African Black Duck letata Fish eater, aquatic insect Least Concern Aquatic Not Common Anthus hoeschi Stresemann Mountain Pipit tšaase-ea-loti Insects-eater Near Threatened Terrestrial Common 3 Black Eagle moja-lipela Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Grey Heron kokolofitoe Birds of Prey Least Concern Aquatic Common 3 Hadeda Ibis lengangane Insects and frogs eater Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Bubo capensis Smith Cape Eagle-owl Medium-sized mammals and birds Least Concern Terrestrial Common 3 Jackal Buzzard khajoane Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Common Chaetops aurantius Layard Drakensberg Rockjumper mamolisa-lipela Rock Jumper Near Threatened Terrestrial Common 3 Speckled Rock Pigeon leeba-la-thaba Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Corvus albicollis Latham White-necked Raven lekhoaba Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Cossypha caffra L. Cape Robin-chat sethoena-moru Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Coturnix coturnix L. Common Quail khoale Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Emberiza capensis L. Cape Bunting maborokoane Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Emberiza flaviventris Stephens Golden-breasted Bunting maborokoane Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Emberiza tahapisi Smith Cinnamon-breasted Bunting maborokoane Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Estrilda melanotis Temminck Swee Waxbill Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Euplectes ardens Boddaert Red-collared Widowbird Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common 3 Lanner Falcon phakoe Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Rock Kestrel seotsanyana Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common 3 Southern Bald Ibis mokhotlo Insects-eater Vulnerable Terrestrial Common 3 Bearded Vulture ntsu-kobokobo Birds of Prey Near Threatened Terrestrial Not Common 3 Cape Vulture lenong, letlaaka Bird of Prey Endangered Terrestrial Not Common Hirundo albigularis Strickland White-throated Swallow lekabelane Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Hirundo cucullata Boddaert Greater Striped Swallow lehaqasi Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Aquila verreauxii Lesson Ardea cinerea Bostrychia hagedash Latham http://abcjournal.org Buteo rufofuscus Forster Columba guinea L. | Page 27 of 34 Taxon | Open access Falco rupicolis Dupont Geronticus calvus Boddaert Gypaetus barbatus L. Gyps coprotheres Forster 3 Declared legally protected in the country Original research | Falco biarmicus Temminck Table 3. Bird species species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) | Vernacular (Sesotho) names Form IUCN Conservation Status Habitat Abundance Lamprotornis bicolor Gmelin African Pied Starling leholi Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Lanius collaris L. Common Fiscal tšemeli Bird of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Common Melaenornis silens Shaw Fiscal Flycatcher tšemeli Birds of Prey Least Concern Terrestrial Common Monticola explorator Vieillot Sentinel Rock Thrush mohetle Insects-eater Near Threatened Terrestrial Common Motacilla capensis L. Cape Wagtail motjoli Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Nectarinia famosa L. Female Malachite Sunbird taletale Insects-eater and nectar Least Concern Terrestrial Common Numida meleagris L. Helmeted Guinea Fowl khaka Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Onychognathus morio L. Red-Winged Starling letsomila Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Passer domesticus L. House Sparrow seroebele Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Passer melanurus Statius Müller Cape Sparrow seroebele Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Petronia superciliaris Blyth (= Gymnoris superciliaris) Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow seroebele Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Phalacrocorax lucidus Lichtenstein White-breasted Cormorant seinuli Fish-eater Least Concern Aquatic Common Ploceus capensis L. Cape Weaver letholoptjoe Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Prinia maculosa Boddaert Karoo Prinia motinyane Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Pternistis swainsonii Smith Swainson’s Spurfowl khoale Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Ptyonoprogne fuligula Lichtenstein Rock Martin lekabelane Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Pycnonotus nigricans Vieillot African Red-eyed Bulbul hlakahlothoana, Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common 3 Sagittarius serpentarius J. F. Miller Secretarybird mamolangone Birds of Prey Vulnerable Terrestrial Not Common | Common names Page 28 of 34 http://abcjournal.org Taxon Open access African Stonechat tlhatsinyane Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Hamerkop mamasianoke Frogs, crabs Least Concern Terrestrial Not Common Serinus canicollis Swainson Cape Canary tsoere Seeds-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Sphenoeacus afer Gmelin Cape Grassbird nkhonoa-litali Insects-eater Least Concern Terrestrial Common Scopus umbretta Gmelin 3 Declared legally protected in the country Original research | Saxicola torquata L. 3 Common Terrestrial Least Concern Common Terrestrial Declared legally protected in the country 3 Cape White-Eye Zosterops virens Sundevall mahloanalitsepe Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea L. tjobolo Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Pallas molepe African Grass-Owl Tyto capensis Smith http://abcjournal.org | Original research causing the populations to approach extinction (Ogada et al. 2012). A similar observation has also been made in the Middle East, as well as Central and South America (Ogada et al. 2012). According to Di Vittorio et al. (2018), vulture populations in West Africa are also undergoing dramatic decline, particularly due to factors such as environmental changes, poisoning and bioaccumulation of toxic substances from agricultural products, pesticides, and veterinary drugs used in cattle livestock. In addition, the vultures are subject to direct persecution for the trade of products used in traditional medicine (Di Vittorio et al. 2018). The proposed BR would assist in creating a platform for enhanced breeding of the species to increase the population size. In addition, raising awareness of the biodiversity wealth of the area amongst all residents and role-players could potentially result in reduced utilisation of natural resources specifically within the core areas. Interestingly, Birdlife International categorises the Lesotho Highlands (under which the proposed BR falls) as an Endemic Bird Area of high priority and lists the Drakensberg Rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius Layard, 1867), Mountain Pipit (Anthus hoeschi Stresemann, 1938) and Drakensberg Siskin (Crithagra symonsi (Roberts, 1916)) to be of particular global interest (LHDA 1998a, 1998b). Therefore the proposed BR has potential to become a popular spot for birders who are interested in high elevation species, and thus enhance tourism in the area. Seeds-eater Least Concern Common Terrestrial Least Concern Not Common Terrestrial Least Concern Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana Smith 3 Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus L. sephooko ptjemptjete Bird of Prey Terrestrial Least Concern Common Terrestrial Least Concern Insects-eater Common Common Least Concern Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis L. mofubetsoana Seeds-eater Terrestrial Common Terrestrial Least Concern Seeds-eater molala-motso Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola Sundevall Vernacular (Sesotho) names Common names Taxon Table 3. Bird species species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho (continued) Habitat IUCN Conservation Status Form Abundance Page 29 of 34 | Fish: Only two fish species were recorded in the current study namely Maloti minnow or Maloti redfin (Pseudobarbus quathlambae (Barnard, 1938)), (Figure 3G) and rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)), as summarized in Table 4. It is reported that Maloti minnow was first discovered in the headwaters of the uMkhomazana River in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa (Barnard 1938), but was subsequently feared extinct (Jubb 1971). The fish was rediscovered at Sehlaba-thebe in Lesotho in 1970 (Jubb 1971). However, although the South African population was feared to be certainly extinct, the species was recently rediscovered in the Mzimkhulu River system in KwaZulu-Natal (Kubheka et al. 2017) and therefore considered near endemic in Lesotho. The recording of Maloti minnow in the Bokong River during this survey adds tremendous clout to the biodiversity rationale of the proposed BR, particularly because the species is Lesotho’s only known endemic vertebrate. However, rainbow trout have been introduced in the country. Indeed, LHDA (1998b) indicated that there was circumstantial evidence that rainbow trout were previously introduced into the Tšehlanyane River, and that a residual population existed downstream of TNP. Therefore, the occurrence of the two fish species in two separate rivers, minimises the possibility of one species being a threat to the other (feeding on the other). Reptiles: A total of seven reptiles were recorded in the proposed BR, comprising four snakes and three lizards (Table 5). Some of the snakes are venomous, namely | Open access Page 30 of 34 | Original research Table 4. Fish species recorded in the first proposed Biosphere Reserve of Lesotho Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names IUCN Conservation Status Abandance *Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum Rainbow trout trautu Not Evaluated common 2 Maloti minnow thoboshana Endangered common Pseudobarbus quathlambae Barnard * Introduced species; 2 Lesotho endemic berg adder (Bitis atropos (Linnaeus, 1758)), puff adder (Bitis arietans (Merrem, 1820)) and rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus (Bonnaterre, 1790)). Berg adder is known from high elevations in the Maloti–Drakensberg, but also occurs at lower elevations in the Cape Fold Mountains of the Western Cape of South Africa (Barlow et al. 2019). On the other hand, LHDA (1998a, 1998b) previously reported six lizards and four snakes in both BNR and TNP, including the Essex’s mountain lizard (Tropidosaura essexi Hewitt, 1927), which is known only from the summit slopes of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, the adjacent Free State province and the Lesotho Highlands. Amphibians: Three amphibian species were recorded, two of which are aquatic, namely Drakensberg frog (Amietia delalandii (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) and Maloti River Frog (Amietia vertebralis (Hewitt, 1927)), as well as one terrestrial Bufonid, called Gariep toad or mountain toad (Vandijkophrynus gariepensis (Smith, 1848)), summarised in Table 6. Ametia delalandii and A. vertebralis are reported as near endemic in the country (NES 2000). A study by LHDA (1998a, 1998b) reported seven amphibian species in both BNR and TNP. These are African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis Daudin, 1802), Gray’s stream frog (Strongylopus grayii (Smith, 1849)), Natal ghost frog (Heleophryne natalensis (Hewitt, 1913)) and ranger’s toad (Amietophrynus rangeri Hewitt, 1935), as well as the three species recorded in the current study. Generally, Lesotho is reported to have a total of 19 amphibian species, with only two near-endemic species (NES 2000). Amphibians are reported to be one of the most sensitive group of animals in the world which react rapidly to substantial changes in their environments (Saber et al. 2017). As a result, they are useful indicators of pollution and climate change. Other biophysical aspects (wetlands) Three major wetlands were observed in the core area of the proposed BR, and four others in the transition zone. These wetlands do not only provide habitats for certain flora and fauna species, but also provide water for many river basins in the country as well as transboundary rivers. As a result, these wetlands play a major role in the ecology and hydrology of downstream systems including the provision of water to the Katse Dam, which supplies water to Gauteng province in South Africa. In addition, the wetlands provide water for livestock drinking and domestic use to surrounding communities. However, it was observed that wetlands in the transition zone lack effective management systems and are vulnerable to degradation and consequent reduction of ecosystem services. Some sections within the wetlands are intact while other patches are degrading due to erosion, thus threatening the intact portions. The longterm productivity of these ecosystems is threatened by encroachment through ploughing in surrounding fields and poor road construction practices. In addition, a majority of wetlands in the transition zone are under threat due to cropfield encroachment, roads/paths that go through them, as well as grazing. Similarly, a study Table 5. A list of recorded reptiles Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) Names IUCN Conservation Status Form Agama atra Peters Southern rock agama mankhoshepe Least Concern Agama Bitis arietans Merrem Puff adder marabe Not Evaluated Adder Bitis atropos L. Berg adder qooane Least Concern Adder Duberria lutrix lutrix Linnaeus Common slug-eater Least Concern Snake Hemachatus haemachatus Bonnaterre Rinkhals masumo Least Concern Cobra-like Snake Pseudocordylus melanotus A. Smith Drakensberg crag lizard checheiki Least Concern Lizard Trachylepis punctatissima Smith Montane speckled skink mokholutsoane Least Concern Skink Tropidosaura essexi Hewitt Essex’s mountain lizard Least Concern Lizard http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Page 31 of 34 | Original research Table 6. A list of recorded amphibian species Taxon Common names Vernacular (Sesotho) names Form Habitat IUCN Conservation Status Amietia delalandii Duméril and Bibron (= A. dracomontana Channing) Drakensberg frog seqaqana Frog Aquatic Least Concern Amietia vertebralis Hewitt Maluti river frog letlametlu Frog Aquatic Least Concern Vandijkophrynus gariepensis A. Smith Gariep toad Mountain toad marokolo Toad Terrestrial Least Concern by Chatanga et al. (2020) indicated that wetlands in the Maloti–Drakensberg region are generally intensively utilised and degraded, with very high anthropogenic pressures, particularly in the highlands of Lesotho. The wetlands are also a habitat for Sloggett’s ice rat, which is endemic to southern Africa, being confined to South Africa and Lesotho. However, the species causes damage to the wetlands by digging holes that destroy the vegetation (Figures 3J, K). A study by Mokotjomela et al. (2009) revealed that the damage caused by Sloggett’s ice rat through soil erosion and loss exceeds effects of domestic livestock. This mammal species is also found in rocky habitats and alpine grassland, both wet and dry, at elevations of more than 2 000 m (6 600 ft). It is reported in the Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, as well as Lesotho (Monadjem et al. 2015). Bokong Nature Reserve and Tšehlanyane National Park. The survey recorded a total of 380 plant species, 60 of which are endemic to the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (formerly known as Drakensberg Alpine Centre), whereas 30 are declared legally protected in the country. Two plants endemic to Lesotho have been documented in the area namely spiral aloe and Glumicalyx lesuticus. The former is the national flower of Lesotho, which is under immense pressure in the wild due to illegal trade. The near-endemic (confined to South Africa and Lesotho) Drakensberg bamboo was found widespread in Tšehlanyane National Park, and it is reported to provide a habitat for the Red-listed Endangered butterfly species known as Metisella syrinx. However, the search for this butterfly during the survey was not successful. Conclusion In the case of fauna, 16 mammalian species were recorded, seven of which are declared legally protected in the country. These include Sloggett’s ice rat, which is endemic to southern Africa, being confined to South Africa and Lesotho. This species is however, causing damage to the wetlands, which provide ecosystem services such as water and livestock grazing. These wetlands supply water to the Katse Dam of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which in turn provides water to parts of Gauteng in South Africa. A total of 53 bird species were documented, 13 of which are declared legally protected. Among these are the Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture, which are IUCN listed as Endangered and Near Threatened respectively, and have limited distribution being endemic to southern Africa. Lesotho is currently the main breeding ground for the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa. Two fish species were recorded namely Maloti minnow and rainbow trout, with the former being Lesotho’s only known true endemic vertebrate species. A total of seven reptiles were recorded, three of which are venomous snakes namely puff adder, berg adder and rinkhals. In addition, three amphibian species were recorded, two of which are reported as near endemic in the country, namely Amietia delalandii and A. vertebralis. The current study provides findings of a rapid biodiversity survey undertaken in Lesotho’s first proposed Biosphere Reserve, the core area of which comprises The survey has filled some gaps by providing valuable information on the biodiversity (particularly regarding the flora and avifauna) of the proposed Biosphere Reserve. Notable plant species recorded in the wetlands include: copper wire grass (Merxmuellera macowanii (Stapf) Conert), which is used for making crafts (brooms, baskets, traditional Basotho hats) and thatching, as well as mild rhubarb (Gunnera perpensa L.), water mint (Mentha aquatica L.), and wild clover (Trifolium L. spp), used for medicinal purposes. In addition, Lesotho red-hot poker (Kniphofia caulescens Baker) adds beautiful scenery to high elevation valleys of the Maloti–Drakensberg, particularly in summer (Figure 3E). This plant is endemic to the Maloti–Drakensberg region, even though it is reported to be relatively rare on the South African side (being found in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal). A study by Chatanga et al. (2019) reported a total of 16 wetland types associated with the Maloti–Drakensberg region, and these include M. macowanii wetland, G. perpensa wetland, K. caulescens wetland and Mentha longifolia–Juncus inflexus wetland. The study also discussed the classification, description and environmental factors of montane wetland vegetation of the Maloti–Drakensberg region. http://abcjournal.org | | Open access Page 32 of 34 The presence of important species, i.e. some being endemic to Lesotho, endemic to the Maloti–Drakensberg area, Red Data-listed, or declared legally protected in the country, contribute tremendously to the biodiversity value of the proposed BR. Therefore, the findings of the current study will contribute towards justification of the area to be nominated as Lesotho’s first Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO MAB Programme. However, management plans of the proposed Biosphere Reserve should be developed, to address, amongst others, the challenges of managing invasive species and fire that may negatively affect the biodiversity of the area. | Original research Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’contributions LSK drafted the manuscript, KK and KM collected the data, and RPS edited the manuscript and added valuable information. Funding Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to UNESCO and the Lesotho Government for financial support to undertake the study. We thank the two anonymous reviewers for their useful suggestions to improve the manuscript. 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