Wessels, NG2026-01-202026-01-201991-11-19http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14613The swamp forests between Sodwana Bay and the Msunduze river were mapped. Selected swamp forests were classified using Two-Way Indicator Species Ana lysis (TWINSPAN). Two major communities, namely Phoenix reclinata – Microsorium punctatum forests and Barringtonia racemosa - Nephrolepis bisserata forests were identified. Analysis of diameter data showed that both communities have typical inverse diameter class distributions. However, Voacanga thouarsii is the only tree species which has a typical inverse-J d1ameter distribution in both communities. Vegetation environment relationships were investigated using CANOCO. Three soil variables (pH, magnesium and organic content) and four water variables (pH, calcium, conductivity and pHc) account for some variation in the vegetation of the swamp forests.FulltextenClassificationDiameter distributionCANOCOLake St LuciaSwamp forestTWINSPANOther MaterialN/A