This natural zoning is less well-defined than in some other mountain systems, but is nevertheless present, and is associated with the principal topographic features. Three such belts (or zones) are generally recognized in the Drakensberg and the Maloti component of it (white 1978, Killick 1978, Jacot Guillarmod 1963). These authors provide detailed descriptions of the wide range of habitat types present. The three belts present and their approximate altitudinal limits are as follows:

Alpine Belt Approximately 2 750 m and above
Sub alpine Belt -do- 2 200 – 2 750 m
Montane Belt -do- 1 250 – 2 200 m

These belts have been widely used by authors describing various aspects of this region. In the paragraphs that follow it will be explained how they have been classified, why they are unique and the reasons why representative sample areas should be conserved.

Killick (1994) termed the plateau region of the Drakensberg above 2750 m (the Alpine Belt) the Drakensberg Alpine Region, based largely on a climatological perspective. This approach is widely supported and together with the known high species richness and high endemism described by Hilliard & Burtt (1987). This region is thus a recognized Centre of Plant Diversity. Recently Killick (1997) provided a detailed description of the climate, soils, vegetation and fauna and he argued the case for it being recognized as alpine tundra. There is widespread acceptance of this classification (A.E. van Wyk pers. comm.). This form of alpine tundra, termed Drakensberg Alpine Tundra by Killick (ibid.) is unique to southern Africa and the Drakensberg-Maloti Highlands and most occurs within Lesotho. In summary, the region may be classified from three different perspectives:

A climatological perspective = Drakensberg Alpine Region;
A phytogeograhical perspective = Drakensberg Alpine Centre;
An ecosystem perspective = Drakensberg Alpine Tundra.

The unique attributes of the alpine flora and ecosystem clearly indicate the need for priority to be given to sustainable land uses and appropriate conservation measures for the vegetation.

The three belts have also, broadly been classified further from a phytogeographic perspective. Many of the high altitude vegetation formations present in these three zones is found nowhere else, and constitute two of the seven floristic regions of Africa south of the Sahara, namely the Afroalpine (the first two belts above) and the Afromontane Regions. The principal occurrence of Afroalpine vegetation in southern Africa is in eastern Lesotho, and the western portion of Kwazulu-Natal together with the northern portion of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. However, the greatest portion lies within Lesotho.

According to Killick (1978) the degree of floral distinction between Afroalpine vegetation in the Drakensberg Mountain Range and that in the mountains of Africa north of the Zambezi River, merits its distinction as a separate phytochorion, namely the Austral Afroalpine Phytochorion.

The afromontane Phytochorion also differs from Afromontane vegetation to the north, but White (1978) considers that the Afroalpine and Afromontane Regions are only feebly distinct, and should be considered a single Region. The Drakensberg is characterized by a relatively high levels of species-richness; one of the highest of any on the sub-continent. Hilliard & Burtt (1987) however stress that there are less affinities with Africa to the north, and rather closer affinities to the Cape flora and higher local origin as indicated in the more than 30% endemism noted in the southern Drakensberg. They consequently have described an “Eastern Mountain Regional Mosaic” also referred to as the Eastern Mountain Region. This has over 2000 species present (Scott-Shaw 1996). Van Wyk & van Wyk (1997) included most of the Eastern Mountain Region in their Drakensberg Alpine Centre.

Furthermore the Eastern Mountain Region is of special conservation importance from other biodiversity perspectives. Cowling & Hillton-Taylor (1994) have identified eight biological diversity (biodiversity) “hot-spots” (sensu Myers, 1988) in southern Africa, one of which is the Eastern Mountain Hot-spot, which includes the Alpine areas of Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. A Biodiversity “hot-spots” is defined as an area characterized by high species-richness, high concentration of endemic species and which is experiencing high rates of habitat modification or loss. Indications of the high levels of biodiversity present in the Maloti Mountains, and threats to these resources, are provided in subsequent sections below.

At a smaller spatial scale many of the classifications referred to above include vegetation communities that are in their own right unique and in many cases threatened with extinction. These (such as subalpine fynbos, alpine heath, alpine bogs) are described in detail in subsequent sections.

The vegetation of the highest mountain system throughout the world, but especially in tropical Africa, is so different from that of surrounding lower-lying areas that it has long attracted the attention of travelers and scientists. The vegetation of the Drakensberg Mountain Range (which includes the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho) is no exception. The diversity of habitat types is exceptionally high and derived from the large altitudinal range (from about 1 830 to 3 377 m) in Lesotho and the wide variation of geology, geomorphology, soils, aspect and climate, as well as other factors.

As indicated above, by affording legal protection to TNP and Bokong Nature Reserve as well as the proposed intervening biosphere reserve would make a significant contribution to the permanent conservation of a representative sample of this unique vegetation type.

The vegetation formations present in the TNP

Introduction

The altitudinal range of TNP is approximately between 1 900 to 3 150 m, a range of 1 250 m. At least 90% of the area lies between 2 100 and 2 900 m.

Considered on a sub continental scale, the vegetation may be classified entirely within Acock’s Veld Type No. 58, Themeda-Festuca Alpine Veld, and Rebelo’s No. 46, Alti-Mountain Grassland.

Considered at the scale of the park, there are several major vegetation types in each belt or bioclimatic zone mentioned in earlier sections. These are poorly distinguished on the ground as a result of anthropogenic factors. These are (adapted from Killick 1990 & 1997 and Herbst & Roberts 1974)

PLANT LIST

FLORA OF TSEHLANYANE NATIONAL PARK (as at July 1998)

A preliminary list by Rob Scott-Shaw – Flowering plants only (no Gymnosperms are recorded for the reserve) – many of the identifications are outstanding. List is taxonomic order.

ANGIOSPERMS

APONOGETONACEAE

HYDROCHARITACEAE

Drakensberg alpine tundra = Alpine Belt

Erica-Helichrysum healthland
Merxemuellera-Pentaschistis dominated plateau grassland

Subalpine Belt

Grasslands
Themeda triandra grasslands
Temperate grasslands
Tall grasslands
Rock outcrop communities
Streambank communities
Cliffortia scrub
Merxmuellera community
Bracken Veld

Montane Belt

Forest
Streambank communities
Leucosidea scrub and forest
Grassland
Scrub

Noteworthy plant communities

The subalpine fynbos communities of TNP are of exceptional conservation importance for the following reasons:

They are a very rare type of plant community – there are few occurrences elsewhere in the Drakensberg mountain system;

They are endemic – they do not occur elsewhere in the world;
In extent the TNP communities are probably the largest in the entire mountain range – estimated to cover some 5000ha in extent
The composition is significantly different compared to these communities in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg – e.g. Widdringtonia nodiflora, encephalartos ghellinchii, Protea subvestita, P dracomontana and Myrsine pillansii are absent whereas berg bamboo (Thamnocalamus tessellates) and Eurypos evansii are both abundant and larger growing; and
It is a highly threatened community having suffered considerably as a result of increased fire frequencies induced by man this century.

The heath communities of the alpine tundra are of exceptional conservation importance for the same reasons as the subalpine fynbos. However there is little left on the summits of TNP, probably as a result of the persistent fires of the past. Most of the constituent Erica and Helichrysum species in this are regarded as narrow endemic (species with a distribution range of less than 100 km) of the Drakensberg-Maloti system. In addition to this community being regarded as highly threatened, it is also a plant community particularly sensitive to fire.

The Leucosidea forest and scrub community is of special conservation importance because here it is far the most extensive and best-preserved example anywhere in southern Africa. It is likely that further work will bring in other special attributes of this community.

Floristic composition of TNP

Species richness is very high. Provisional estimates are that in excess of 220 flowering plant species are present (excluding ferns, mosses and liverworts). As the park becomes better known, it is possible that the total number of taxa present in the park could be double this figure. Work undertaken to date has already indicated the species richness is spread over a large number of plant genera, which indicates high taxic or compositional diversity. It would appear, therefore, that the park is still in relatively pristine condition, despite the disturbances, which have taken place in the recent past. It is also likely that there have probably not been any local extinction of plants, despite the shift in proportions that have taken place as a result of the combination of livestock use, and a fire regime, which was aimed at favouring forage production for livestock.

Role of TNP in the maintenance of biodiversity of the region

The vegetation of TNP is highly representative of the greater Drakensberg region. This applies to all communities discussed above. Furthermore in many cases, these are also in a near-pristine state. Only a few alien species have spread away from old cattle pots and these remain confined to distribution of the park to the maintenance of biodiversity at a local level is very significant. The park is well positioned (by virtue of the central position it occupies) to act as an effective habitat island, acting both as a refuge and corridor to facilitate dispersal of plant species. Similarly seasonal altitudinal migrations will also be facilitated. Lying, as it does, at the headwaters of major east, west, north and south-flowing rivers, the dispersal of aquatic species is also well provided for.

Animals

The park contains a diversity of faunal species, many of which occur only in the high altitude regions of the Maloti-Drakensberg mountain complex.

Mammals

Of some 24 mammalian species recorded in the Highlands area, only the ice rat, Otomys sloggetti, is endemic. Small to medium sizes mammal species present in the park include the ice rat, the clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), African wild cat (Felis lybica) (there is circumstantial evidence that leopard (Panthera pardus) still occurs in a few refuge habitats), black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), caracal (Felis caracal), grey rhebuck (Palea capreolus), and rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). All of these species with the exception of the clawless otter, grey rhebuck and rock hyrax are considered to be endangered in the park area (although not necessarily in the sub-region as a whole). The only Red Data mammal present, according to the Loxton Venn and Associates (1993) survey, is the white-tailed rat (Mystromys albicaudatus). This species is listed as vulnerable.

Although no formal assessments have yet been made of the mammals present in the park, the following list of twelve species has been taken from patrol reports.
Small mammals such the striped field mouse would not normally be reported by field staff.

African wildcat
Baboon (Papio ursinus)
Grey rhebuck
Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
Smith’s red rock rabbit (Pronolagus rupestris)
Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
Rock hyrax
Ice rat
Black backed jackal
Small grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta Basutica)
Water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus)
Striped polecat (zorilla) (icotonyx striatus)

Hunting is known to have been taking place within the park in the past. Foot traffic and horse will be a permanent feature on the Holomo pass, and consequently, some illegal hunting must be expected. The good quality access road from Hlotse to the park provides access to the boundary of the park and with this, a similar threat of illegal hunting. Current faunal population levels are probably lower than what is considered to be the natural carrying capacity of the park.

This list will be expanded as further works is undertaken.

Reptiles and amphibian

The six lizard and four snake species recorded in the Highland area are generally widely distributed in South Africa, the exception being Essex’s mountain lizard (Tropidosaura essexi). This species is known only from the summit slopes of the Drakensberg, the adjacent Free State and the Lesotho highlands.

Seven amphibian species were recorded by Loxton-Venn (ibid). of these, two are essentially aquatic (Xenopus laevis and Rana vartebralis). Of the remainder, three are more or less closely associated with water (Heleophyrne natalensis, Rana dracomontana and Strongylopus grayii) and two are terrestrial toads (Buforangeri and B. gariepensis).

This list will be expanded as further work is undertaken.

Fish

No information is available on the fish species present in the Tsehlanyane River. There is circumstantial evidence that trout were previously introduced into the river, and that a residual population exists downstream of the park. A weir has been constructed in the lower reaches of the river within the park, and it is considered likely (but not confirmed) that this forms a barrier to fish migration, and that therefore; no trout are present in the park itself. Surveys will be undertaken to sample the river above the weir, to determine the possible existence of both indigenous species such as the Maloti Minnow, as well as exotic fish species, such as trout.

Birds

Ten Red Data bird species occur in the Alpine and Subalpine Belt. These are the Cape Vulture (Gyps corprotheres), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbaratus), White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), House Martin (Delichon urbica), Mountain Pipit (Anthus boeschi), Bald Ibis (Geronticus calvus), Black Harrier (Circus maurus), Cape Eagle Owl (Bubo capensis) and Rock Pipit (Anthus crenatus). Of a total of 119 species recorded in the Highlands, 67 species are resident, 22 are visitor, 5 partial resident/partial visitor, 7 vagrants and 22 of unknown status (Loxton-Venn and Associates 1992).

No information is available on the avifauna of the park, other than the limited surveys undertaken by field staff to date. The very provisional list prepared to date indicates the presence of some 69 species, listed in Annex 2.

The list included two of the Red Data species listed above (bearded and Cape vultures), and only one (orange-breasted rock jumper) of the three southern African endemic species considered to be globally “near-threatened” because of restricted range (vide Collar et al.1994) and which Bibby et al. (1992) have proposed as indicator species to define the ‘Drakensberg Mountains Endemic Bird Area’-the other two are mountain pipit and Drakensberg siskin). It is likely that further work will considerably extend this list. It is considered that it is highly likely that species such as the mountain pipit and a number of other species characteristic of the Alpine and Subalpine Belts will found to be present.

BIRD LIST
TS’EHLANYANE NATIONAL PARK

Black-headed heron
Cattle egret
Hamerkop
Yellow-billed duck
African black duck
Bearded vulturu
Blackshouldered kite
Steppe buzzard
Jackal buzzard
Lanner falcon
Rock kestrel
Greywing francolin
Helmeted guineafowl
Rook pigeon
Cape turtle dove
Laughing dove
Red chested cuckoo
Diedrik cuckoo
Spotted eagle owl
Black swift
Speckled mousebird
Pied barbed
Ground woodpecker
Long billed lark
Red-capped lark
European swallow
Rock martin
Banded martin
Black crow
Pied crow
White necked raven
Red-eye bulbul
Cape rock thrush
Sentinel rock thrush
Mountain chat
Familiar chat
Stonechat
Orange-breasted rockjumper
Spotted flyctcher
Fairy flycatcher
Cape wagtail
Orangethroated longclaw
Fiscal shrike
Pied starling
Red-winged starling

Malachite sunbird
Cape white-eye
House sparrow
Cape sparrow
Cape weaver
Masked weaver
Pintailed whydah
Black-throated canary
Cape canary
Yellow canary
Cape bunting
Rock bunting

Invertebrates

Little information is available on the invertebrates present in the park, but it is known that both the grassland and heathland communities are associated with a high diversity of insects, especially grasshoppers, moths and butterflies.

Work in the Natal Drakensberg Park has shown that the heathland populations of the Natal Drakensberg support a range of endemic invertebrates (including a number of flightless species). It is likely that the heathlands of the park also support a range of endemic species.

The extensive berg bamboo communities support an indigenous butterfly Metisella syrinx.

Surveys will be undertaken of the invertebrate populations present in the park, when resources and opportunities permit.