Ecological research in conserved areas in the Orange Free State

Abstract

There is a need for the protection and scientific management of representative samples of each ecological area of the Orange Free State. Considerable progress has been made with the establishment of a large number of nature reserves by various authorities. Various ecological investigations have been undertaken in these reserves and a number of problems have been identified as a result of these studies. Priorities for future research are based on present information which has exposed gaps in ecological knowledge required for further management of reserved areas.

Keywords: ecological research sites|conservation areas|Orange Free State (map)|protected areas|management|nature reserves|ecological studies|reserves|research|botanical analyses