The History of Vegetation Studies in Ndumo: 60 Years of Research in a 100-Year-Old Game Reserve

The mapping of the vegetation of a protected area forms the basis for the understanding of the ecological functions within the landscape. Ndumo Game Reserve falls within one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, and as such presents its diversity across the taxa. The floral assemblages found in Ndumo Game Reserve reflect this diversity from which the abundance and variety of fauna are derived. The most recent vegetation classification and mapping thereof was completed in 2015. However, despite its age as a formal proclaimed protected area, limited vegetation surveys have been undertaken in Ndumo, indicating the challenge of attracting researchers to this field. Several knowledge gaps exist in the understanding of Ndumo's vegetation, notably related to impacts of woody plant encroachment, the ecology of invasive indigenous plant species and overall changes in vegetation structure and composition over time due to environmental factors and management interventions. The first step in rectifying this is for universities and other tertiary institutions to prioritize botanically trained students. Although having students able to undertake floristic surveys, it is more management applicable to have students delve into the drivers of these vegetation changes to understand the ecological implications of these changes. Interpreting these changes and the keys to reversal of these changes within episodic environmental events requires strong botanical training within environmental parameters.