A floristic assessment of grassland diversity loss in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Land-use effects on grassland flora are difficult to predict due to poor understanding of species losses caused by transformation. Objectives: To determine changes in species diversity and composition by comparing transformed with untransformed grassland. Methods: Floristics of paired plots were sampled within 18 transformed sites (representing agricultural and urban land-uses) and neighbouring untransformed grassland. Results: Endemic and threatened species were negatively affected by transformation, particularly species with belowground bud-banks and storage organs. Species composition, with clear shifts in dominant families, was changed by over 90% on average by transformation. Conclusion: Land-use transformation lead to the loss of native species and increased alien invasive species.