Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa
The conservation status of Euphorbia perangusta R. A. Dyer, an endangered plant restricted to the Marico District of the Transvaal, South Africa, and adjoining parts of Bophuthatswana was determined. The distribution, habitat and population dynamics of E. perangusta are discussed. The monitoring o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African National Biodiversity Institut
1988-10-01
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| Series: | Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation |
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| Online Access: | https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/991 |
| _version_ | 1828284781306052608 |
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| author | P. A. Raal |
| author_facet | P. A. Raal |
| author_sort | P. A. Raal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The conservation status of Euphorbia perangusta R. A. Dyer, an endangered plant restricted to the Marico District of the Transvaal, South Africa, and adjoining parts of Bophuthatswana was determined. The distribution, habitat and population dynamics of E. perangusta are discussed.
The monitoring of the largest known population has revealed that this population has declined rapidly since the onset of a drought in 1983. The major cause of this decline appears to be the destruction of the plants by porcupines which feed on E. perangusta during droughts.
It appears that, during droughts, E. perangusta is restricted to rocky ridges because there is an increase in porcupine damage on more accessible populations. The species is also subjected to other factors which reduce flower formation in a large proportion of plants. If these factors continue to operate, the species could become extinct in the near future. Conservation recommendations are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:05:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3c47c476b4b45b4b295a13db05a2370 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0006-8241 2311-9284 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T09:05:58Z |
| publishDate | 1988-10-01 |
| publisher | South African National Biodiversity Institut |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3c47c476b4b45b4b295a13db05a23702022-12-22T02:53:00ZengSouth African National Biodiversity InstitutBothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation0006-82412311-92841988-10-0118110511010.4102/abc.v18i1.991920Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South AfricaP. A. Raal0Transvaal Provincial Administration, Division of Nature ConservationThe conservation status of Euphorbia perangusta R. A. Dyer, an endangered plant restricted to the Marico District of the Transvaal, South Africa, and adjoining parts of Bophuthatswana was determined. The distribution, habitat and population dynamics of E. perangusta are discussed. The monitoring of the largest known population has revealed that this population has declined rapidly since the onset of a drought in 1983. The major cause of this decline appears to be the destruction of the plants by porcupines which feed on E. perangusta during droughts. It appears that, during droughts, E. perangusta is restricted to rocky ridges because there is an increase in porcupine damage on more accessible populations. The species is also subjected to other factors which reduce flower formation in a large proportion of plants. If these factors continue to operate, the species could become extinct in the near future. Conservation recommendations are discussed.https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/991conservation statusecology endangered species<i>Euphorbia perangusta</i>Euphorbiaceaehabitatmonitoringpopulation biologyTransvaal |
| spellingShingle | P. A. Raal Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa Bothalia: African Biodiversity & Conservation conservation status ecology endangered species <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> Euphorbiaceae habitat monitoring population biology Transvaal |
| title | Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa |
| title_full | Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa |
| title_short | Ecology and population biology of <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa |
| title_sort | ecology and population biology of i euphorbia perangusta i euphorbiaceae in the transvaal south africa |
| topic | conservation status ecology endangered species <i>Euphorbia perangusta</i> Euphorbiaceae habitat monitoring population biology Transvaal |
| url | https://abcjournal.org/index.php/abc/article/view/991 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT paraal ecologyandpopulationbiologyofieuphorbiaperangustaieuphorbiaceaeinthetransvaalsouthafrica |