Reserve systems for limestone endemic flora of the Cape Lowland Fynbos: Iterative versus linear programming Original Research Article

A comparison was made between two iterative algorithms and linear programming in determining the ideal reserve configuration for the limestone endemic flora of the lowland fynbos, Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Owing to the high degree of local endemism amongst the flora, the three techniques selected the same number of reserve sites, although a slightly different spatial configuration. Except for De Hoop and Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserves, the existing reserve configuration is inadequate for the conservation of limestone endemic plants. Recommendations are made as to where potential reserve sites should be located, and which approaches should be developed to select reserves.