Original Articles

A preliminary investigation of area‐selective grazing in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal

Published in: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Volume 7 , issue 4 , 1990 , pages: 238–242

DOI: 10.1080/02566702.1990.9648241

Author(s): G.P. Hatch Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa , N.M. Tainton Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa

Keywords: Grazing effects , soil compaction

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Abstract

The consequences of area‐selective grazing by cattle under three stocking rates and at two sites in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal were investigated. Soil compaction was found to significantly distinguish area‐selected patches from non‐selected veld (P≤0.01), while non‐significant differences in soil nutrient and moisture status were recorded. Area‐selected and non‐selected patches may be distinguished on the basis of species composition. Area‐selected patches are characterized by Aristida congesta subsp. barbicollis, Microchloa caffra and Eragrostis racemosa. Non‐selected veld is characterized by Themeda iriandra, Tristachya leucothrix and Hyparrhenia hirta.

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