Vegetation Structure in the Southern Kalahari

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Abstract
Environment and vegetation-types of the southern Kalahari [Africa] are briefly outlined with reference to earlier work. Principal components analysis [PCA] of floristic data indicated one overriding factor-complex of differences in soil-types as the main source of vegetational variation. PCA of life-form data resulted in a clear separation of the savanna, dwarf-shrub and grassland or steppe communities. The main structural variation is explained by the distribution of the therophytes and hemicryptophytes, locally the most important life-forms and also the most important competitors for soil moisture. Competition is most moderate in the savanna communities, which show the greatest variety in community-types, and could be expected to be most severe in the dry river-bed grassland. The special soil conditions in this azonal habitat make avoidance of severe competition possible.

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