National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004)

Aloe ferox seeds are wind-dispersed (Holland, 1978). Dispersal is thought to be limited at a small scale, but is medially efficient at a large scale as is evident in the relatively large distribution range of the species. Dispersal distance is dependent on plant height and wind speed (Stokes and Yeaton 1995). There is little or no empirical evidence on A. ferox wind dispersal distance. However, Stokes and Yeaton (1995) suggest that selection for limited seed dispersal occurs in the closely related Aloe candelabrum, resulting in the clumped distributions of young populations. These clumps act as nuclei from which new plants spread slowly over time, with mature individuals forming the center of the densest stands (Stokes and Yeaton, 1995). At a wind speed of 20 km/hour, seeds can be dispersed over 30 m from individuals that are 3 m tall. During spring winds (40 km/hour), the dispersal distance may exceed 50 m from plants that are taller than 5 m (Stokes and Yeaton, 1995). The relatively large distribution range of A. ferox generally implies that the species has a "good" or high dispersal efficiency; medium is selected here as a compromise.