The effect of overstorey proteas on plant species richness in South African mountain fynbos

摘要: Summary Two South African mountain fynbos sites, similar in drainage, elevation, slope angle, aspect and soil type but with differing fire histories, were studied to measure how the effect of high densities overstorey proteas one cycle affects α-diversity levels plant community following fire-cycle, their repeated absence due several short fire-cycles species richness finally, at what spatial scale such patterns are most appropriately measured. High prefire canopy cover percentages increase postfire understorey species. In addition, observed occurred for all higher life history types present. At sites where or more cycles resulted proteas, number present was lower than a site persisted. These results dependent on which is small quadrat sizes (< 5 m2), decrease present, while larger (100 m2) observed. The contradiction conclusions when measured different scales can be attributed patchiness communities. Overstorey play an important role maintaining component communities by diminishing resprouting species, making available regeneration niches maintenance richness. Where quadrats used, dynamics lost. Thus, it prior last that determination