Lesotho
National
Botanical Collecting Expedition to Ha Mohale, 17–22 January 2000
The
aim of this trip was to collect plant specimens (both herbarium and living
specimens), especially rare ones, from the Grid 2829 AC (Ha Mohale area).
This is not a well-collected area and will be affected by the construction
of the Mohale Dam.
Nine
participants went on the collecting trip: three members of the National
Working Group (Mr M. Polaki, Ms Mohloboli, and Ms Kose), the four SABONET–Lesotho
members, and Mr Mahlelebe from the LHDA. Mr Thulo Qhotsokoane, the National
SABONET Lesotho Coordinator, and Mr Mahlelebe organised transport through
the National Environment Secretariat (NES).
Places
where collections were made
Ha Koporale (17/01/2000, morning)
This is in the grassland biome. We found Chrysochoma sp., which is
an indication of overgrazing. We collected on the west-facing mountain slope—a moderately wet/damp area. The substrate was loamy soil with some rocky
areas. Also present was Berkheya sp., which we are monitoring. Here
we collected about 40 specimens.
Molikaliko
Valley (17/01/00, afternoon)
Collecting took place in one of the wetlands that will be flooded by the
Mohale Dam. At this time, aquatic plants, such as Mentha sp. (Koena)
and many other species dominated this area. We found no sign of Berkheya
sp. We collected six different species.
Ha
Mohlabane (18/01/00)
This is situated above Likalaneng and the Senqunyane valley in the grassland
biome, with a few patches of shrubs. We collected on the southeast-facing
slope. Grazing seemed moderate, which could probably be attributed to the
steepness of the slope. The substrate was moist/damp loam and the area dominated
by some perennial herbs. There was no trace of Berkheya sp. here
either. We collected about 60 specimens in this area.
Ha
Liau (19/01/00)
This is situated above the Senqunyane Bridge, in the grassland biome. The
area looked like a moderately grazed area, dominated by Themeda sp.
and with traces of Berkheya sp. The substrate was moist/damp loam
where we collected on the northwest-facing slope. Here we collected about
40 specimens.
Likalaneng
Plateau (20/01/00)
This
is situated in the Thaba-Putsoa, above Ha Mofa and Litsaneng in the grassland
biome. The area was burned just before, and the biodiversity was low. The
substrate was moist/damp loamy soil. We collected on the west-facing slope,
totalling about 50 specimens.
Molimo
Nthuse Valley (21/01/00)
Situated near Molimo Nthuse Lodge, we collected in the valley facing west
and found the biodiversity to be high, although there was no trace of Berkheya
sp. The substrate was moist/damp loamy soil. We collected about 50 specimens.
Conclusion
We collected about 400
herbarium specimens, as well as many living specimens. The living specimens
were planted at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Botanical Garden
(this included rare plants such as Eucomis autumnalis, Boophane
disticha, Gladiolus sp., Cotyledon orbiculata). Owing
to the high humidity of the area, some specimens were damaged by fungi and
we were left with about 300 herbarium specimens of which about 60% are of
a high quality. As this was the first national botanical collecting trip
in Lesotho, I personally think it was a success.
—by Motebang Molise
