XVI International Botanical Congess
Increasing human activity is leading to salinization of soils, especially in arid and semi-arid areas world-wide. Attention has been focused on halophytic and halomorphic plants as possible solutions for crop production on such soils. Basic research is necessary to collect and disseminate information on the maintenance and utilization of halophytic plants and ecosystems. Such information should lead to the development of reference points to determine salinity tolerance of halophytic plants. However, little information is currently available on the halophytic species establishing on the numerous salt pans in South Africa. Three salt pans, differing floristically and edaphically, were investigated. Morphological variations within species were studied and anthropogenic pressure, such as grazing and trampling, were also considered.