Small‐scale reseeding trials in arid rangeland: Effects of rainfall, clearing and grazing on seedling survival

Abstract

Seeds of four indigenous plant species were sown in 1990 in small‐scale field trials in an arid, non‐seasonal rainfall region of the southern Karoo, South Africa. Seeds of a winter annual Tetragonia echinata (Aizoaceae) showed innate dormancy but those of three perennial shrubs Pteronia empetrifolia, P. pollens and Osteospermum sinuatum (all Asteraceae) emerged only after the first substantial autumn rain. In good rangeland, seedling growth and survival was better in clearings than in undisturbed vegetation. In poor, continuously‐grazed rangeland, sheep had more influence on growth and survival of O. sinuatum seedlings than did vegetation clearing. These findings should be tested by means of large‐scale trials replicated in time and space.