Prunus africana in the Bloukrans River Gorge, Southern Cape

Abstract

The decline of Prunus africana in the most southern end of its distribution is attributed to unsuitable establishment conditions for the seedlings and adverse climatic conditions. Only 43 trees ≥ 10 cm D.B.H. occur 47% of which are dead. The trees grow low down near streams in the sheltered river gorge on warmer north-eastern slopes on the more fertile shale band. Seedlings establish only on bare soil caused by road collapse or other exposed sites with sufficient moisture on north-eastern slopes within otherwise steady-state, all-aged closed forest.