Road reserves as conservation assets : exploring the species of conservation concern and the ecological condition of the N7 road reserve

• Main Author: Nicolson, Gregory
• Other Authors: Hoffman, Timm
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Botany
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11666

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-103). === This thesis documents the ecological condition of the N7 road reserve, focusing on the vegetation condition and conservation value of the reserve and adjacent farmland, and the plant species of conservation concern (Red List species) located within the reserve. The aim was to assess the conservation value of the reserve and identify areas of particular interest and to communicate these findings to relevant conservation and management bodies. The Red List species in the reserve accrue some advan- tages compared to the populations in adjacent farmland. Overall, there were significantly more individuals in reserve populations compared to farmland ones, although this was not the case for all species examined. The long-term persistence of these populations is unknown and is largely dependent on adjacent land use practices and appropriate road reserve management.