Woody vegetation structure in conserved versus communal land in a biodiversity hotspot: a case study in Maputaland, South Africa.

摘要: Abstract This study evaluated the effects of humans and herbivores on woody vegetation structure in woodlands forests Maputaland. The plant communities at three sites within a similar environment but under different utilisation regimes since early 1990s was by means stem diameter tree height class analysis. human were land rural Manqakulane community; herbivore Tembe Elephant Park; because low levels 1992 Tshanini Community Conservation Area used as benchmark for comparisons. In both sand forests, regime resulted changes size distributions, although remained unchanged. communal human-associated disturbance promoted presence small plants. general, conserved animal utilisation, had least plants, most large trees, whereas absence intermediate densities plants found trees. presents first quantification significant Maputaland due to or lack utilisation. It also provides timeframe which use can cause structure.