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The effect of stocking rate and lick supplementation on the performance of lactating beef cows and its impact on Highland Sourveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: A. Van Niekerk --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region), M.B. Hardy --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region), B.D. Mappledoram --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region), S.F. Lesch --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region),The Highland Sourveld of Natal is an important beef producing area. Although it covers only 13% of the total area of the province, it supports 18% of the beef cattle population. -
The effect of thirty years of burning on the Highland Sourveld of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C.S. Everson --- Department of Environment Affairs, Directorate of Forestry, N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science,A veld condition assessment was used to determine the effect of past burning treatments on the species composition of Highland Sourveld at Cathedral Peak. Veld condition scores in grassland protected from fire were significantly lower than where veld had been... -
Influence of stocking rate and grazing system on plant basal cover and botanical composition of veld in the northern cape1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.H. Fourie --- Department of Agriculture (Free State Region), G.J. Redelinghuys --- Department of Agriculture (Free State Region), D.P.J. Opperman --- Department of Pasture Science,Changes in basal cover and botanical composition were recorded at four stocking rates, both under continuous and rotational grazing in the Northern Cape. The experiment was conducted with cattle. Results suggested that heavier stocking rates could be applied under rotational... -
Conservative stocking or maximum profit: A grazing management dilemma?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), P.G. King --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region),Swards in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape are generally stocked considerably in excess of the rate currently recommended for maximised production on a sustained basis. Economic analysis of the relationship between stocking rate and production per ha reveals... -
Multi‐species wild herbivore systems vs. domestic single species systems: A comparison of net animal productivity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: P.S. Goodman --- Mkuzi Game Reserve,Short and medium term net annual harvested animal production is compared for six areas situated in the semi‐arid bushveld of north eastern Natal. The landuse on these areas was conservation, commercial game ranching and commercial cattle ranching. The objectives of... -
Fire behaviour in the Kruger National Park
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: W.S.W. Trollope --- Sub‐department Pasture Science Faculty of Agriculture, Ciskei A.L.F. Potgieter --- Division Nature Conservation,Fire research in the Kruger National Park has largely been focussed on the effect of the season and frequency of burning on the vegetation. Very little information is available on the effect of fire behaviour and in particular fire intensity,... -
Forage production of some grass species in the false Thornveld of the Eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: I.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), A.I. Aucamp --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), H.I. Barnard --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region),The most commonly occurring grass species in the False Thornveld (Acocks, 1953; veld type no. 21) were clipped before and after grazing on veld in good and poor condition at different times of the year. Herbage yield per species was... -
Effect of continuous grazing in the dohne sourveld on species composition and basal cover
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: P.F. du Toit --- , A.J. Aucamp --- ,In a grazing trial conducted at the Dohne Agricultural Research Station, natural grassland was grazed continuously for 36 years with cattle. In a second investigation conducted on similar grassland, paddocks were grazed or rested, in all combinations of the four... -
Effect of fire intensity on the grass and bush components of the Eastern Cape thornveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: W S W Trollope --- Department of Agronomy, Ciskei N M Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science,Fire intensity is an important component of the fire regime and its effect on the grass sward and bush were investigated in the Eastern Cape thornveld. Research indicated that fire intensity had no effect on the recovery of grass after... -
A comparison of five methods for assessing veld condition in the natal midlands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C A H Heard --- Department of Grassland Science, N M Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science, J Clayton --- Department of Grassland Science, M B Hardy --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region),Site rankings obtained from five methods of scoring veld condition in the highland sourveld and the moist tall grassveld of the Natal Midlands were correlated with rankings from methods of multivariate analysis. With few exceptions, all methods gave rankings which... -
Ordination of land types in the karoo region into reasonably homogeneous farming areas based on vegetation and environmental factors1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: M. Vorster --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), H.R. Becker --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), J.S. Greyling --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), O.J.H. Bosch --- Department of Botany,The 291 preliminary land types in the Karoo Region formed the basis for the demarcation of the 144 Reasonably Homogeneous Farming Areas (RHFAs). The land types were firstly reduced to 23 Floristic Climatic Regions (FCRs) according to character species for... -
Identification and selection of benchmark sites on litholitic soils of the western grassland biome of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: O.J.H. Bosch --- Department Botany, F.P. Janse van Rensburg --- Department Botany, S. du T. Truter --- Department Botany,An approach to identify benchmarks for different ecological situations in the grassland biome is described. The approach is illustrated by using information on vegetation change, role of habitat factors and the relative palatability differences between the species of the vegetation... -
Fertilization of southern tall grassveld of natal: Effects on botanical composition and utilization under grazing
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.R. Barnes --- Department of Grassland Science, D.I. Bransby --- Department of Grassland Science, N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science,The long‐term effects of nitrogen, phosphate and lime on change in botanical composition and utilization under grazing of Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal are presented. Nitrogen, phosphate, lime and type of nitrogen affected botanical composition significantly. Generally, fertilization had the... -
Composition, pattern and diversity of some Transkeian grasslands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: B. McKenzie --- Department of Botany,Species composition, pattern and diversity of selected grassland communities were determined by using point samples, transects and quadrats. The continuously grazed grasslands of Dohne Sourveld generally had the richer species composition, the highest diversity and the most variable intra‐community pattern... -
Ecological status of species on grazing gradients on the shallow soils of the western grassland biome in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: O.J.H. Bosch --- Department Botany, F.P. Janse vanRensburg --- Department Botany,Grasses on the shallow soils of the western grassland biome of South Africa were classified on their ecological status on the basis of their reaction to grazing. Vegetation data were gathered in such a way that those of different successional... -
Growth and desiccation of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus in relation to diminishing moisture availability
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region),Water was withheld from individual plants of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus growing in pots in a greenhouse. Leaf extension growth, followed by successive degrees of tiller desiccation, were monitored on a daily basis and related to diminishing moisture availability... -
The effect of severe drought and management after drought on the mortality and recovery of semi‐arid grassveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), G.C. Stuart‐Hill --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region),The False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape experienced a particularly intense drought during the 1982/83 growing season. Extensive grass mortality took place during the drought. After the drought, recovery was particularly sensitive to the post‐drought management treatment applied. Veld that... -
An evaluation of the economic viability of commercial pastoralism in the smaldeel area of the Eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Eastern Cape Region), J.B. Marais --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Eastern Cape Region),Carrying capacity models and financial data from study group farmers were used to derive attainable net revenue per ha on veld in good, moderate and poor condition. From these data, minimum farm sizes required for a reasonable standard of living... -
Die invloed van brand en maai op onbeweide langgrasveld in Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C.J.G. leRoux --- Departcment Landbou, Republiek van Suid‐AfrikaThe effect of burning and mowing on ungrazed tall grassveld of Natal. The trial was conducted on the Estcourt Research Station to show the effect of 14 burning and mowing treatments without grazing in the tall grassveld of Natal. The... -
The quality of herbage ingested by cattle in rotationally grazed semi‐arid grassveld of the eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.E. Danckwerts --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South AfricaOesophageal fistulated steers were used to sample herbage daily during periods of occupation on veld in good and moderate condition. Forage quality was assessed in terms of in vitro dry matter digestibility and digestible crude protein. The quality of herbage... -
Interrelationships between veld condition, herbage mass, stocking rate and animal performance in the Tall Grassland of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.R. Turner --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaGrazing trials were established at three sites in the Tall Grassveld of Natal. The objectives were to determine (a) patterns in herbage mass in relation to veld condition, stocking rate and commencement of spring grazing, and (b) animal performance in... -
Habitat use by indigenous grazing ungulates in relation to sward structure and veld condition
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: P. Novellie --- , Republic of South AfricaThe objective of the study was to examine the relationships between the habitat requirements of different wild ungulate species, sward structure and veld condition. Veld condition score was correlated with sward height: habitats with high condition scores were dominated by... -
Development of a technique for assessing veld condition in the Kruger National Park using key grass species
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: W.S.W. Trollope --- Sub‐departmont Pasture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, CiskeiA technique based on key grass species was developed for assessing veld condition in the Kruger National Park in terms of its potential to produce grass forage for consumption by herbivores and fine fuels for veld burning. Fourteen grass species... -
Use of multivariate techniques to identify vegetation units and monitor change on a livestock production system in a semi‐arid savanna of the eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.C. Martens --- Departmentof Agricultural Development (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South Africa J.E. Danckwerts --- Departmentof Agricultural Development (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South Africa G.C. Stuart‐Hill --- Departmentof Agricultural Development (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South Africa A.J. Aucamp --- Departmentof Agricultural Development (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South AfricaSpecies composition data of the grass layer were determined from point surveys along permanently demarcated transects. These data were separated into vegetation units using multivariate techniques. The repeatability of this classification was tested on data collected over a period of... -
A conceptual stocking rate model for the moderately dry mixed and sourveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J.R. Turner --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaResults for the 1986/87 season from 15 grazing trials situated at five sites were used to develop a qualitative model describing the relationships between stocking rate and herbage mass and between stocking rate and individual animal performance. Although it cannot... -
Korttermyn invloed van strawwe droogte op veldtoestand en waterverbruiksdoeltreffendheid van grasveld in die sentrale Oranje‐Vrystaat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H.A. Snyman --- , Republiek van Suid‐Afrika W.L.J. van Rensburg --- , Republiek van Suid‐AfrikaShort‐term effect of severe drought on veld condition and water use efficiency of grassveld in the central Orange Free State. The impact of an intensive drought (1982/1983 and 1983/84‐growing seasons) on botanical composition, basal cover, mortality of grazing plants and... -
Towards visual assessment of succulent valley bushveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.C. Stuart‐Hill --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaVisual vegetation assessment was tested for repeatability and accuracy and compared with an objective survey technique for time and cost efficiency. Eighteen operators first inspected a range of sites where ecological status was known. Using these for reference, they then... -
The presence of condensed tannin in the leaves of Eulalia villosa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: E.W. du Toit --- , Republic of South Africa M.M. Wolfson --- , Republic of South Africa R.P. Ellis --- , Republic of South AfricaThe hypothesis that grasses contain tannin deposits in the leaf epidermal cells was tested using the leaf laminas of a southern African sourveld grass, Eulalia villosa (Thunb.) Nees. The leaf material was assayed for total phenols, condensed tannin and biologically‐active... -
Determinants of herbaceous plant species composition on a number of ranches in the north‐western Transvaal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: M.J.S. Peel --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa D. Grossman --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa N. van Rooyen --- Department of Botany, Republic of South AfricaHerbaceous plant species composition was measured on ranches in the Thabazimbi district, Transvaal, to obtain veld composition scores and to quantify the relations between such scores and certain determinants considered important in influencing species composition. Determinants investigated were mean annual... -
Veld management in the communal areas of Ciskei
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: R.G. Forbes --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Ciskei W.S.W. Trollope --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, CiskeiVeld management in Ciskei is based predominantly on a communal land tenure system, and livestock is produced under a ‘Group Ranch’ system. Stocking rates are excessively high and consequently veld degradation is severe, resulting in a lowered carrying capacity and... -
The incompatibility of controlled selective grazing systems with farmers’ needs
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.H. Düvel --- S.A. Institute for Agricultural Extension, Republic of South Africa H.P.J. Scholtz --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaSince extension inputs, subsidy schemes and even legislation over several decades were unable to stem the veld deterioration in southern Africa, a renewed attempt was made to identify the causes of the non‐adoption of recommended veld management practices. The hypothesis... -
Seasonal changes in nutrient content under three defoliation treatments in two coastal grassland communities of Transkei
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C.M. Shackleton --- Department of Botany, Transkei M.T. Mentis --- Department of Botany, Republic of South AfricaChanges in nutrient concentrations were monitored over a two‐year period in two coastal grassland communities. Dry matter digestibility, crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined from hand‐clipped samples of experimental treatments; namely, burning with and without subsequent grazing... -
An evaluation of the empirical basis for grazing management recommendations for rangeland in southern Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: P.J. O'Reagain --- Department of Agricultural Development (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South Africa J.R. Turner --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaAnalysis of over 50 grazing experiments conducted in southern Africa does not support certain management recommendations. Furthermore, the conclusions of some experiments are questionable owing to poor experimental design or confirmation bias. Based on available evidence, it was concluded that... -
A critical analysis of veld management recommendations for sourveld in the south‐eastern Transvaal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: D.L. Barnes --- Department of Agricultural Development (Transvaal Region), Republic of South AfricaSurveys have shown that the grazing value of veld in the south‐eastern Transvaal is well below the estimated potential. Extension efforts aimed at rectifying the situation have been unsuccessful in that most recommendations have not been acceptable to producers. An... -
Veld compositional response to fertilization in the tall grassveld of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: N.P. le Roux --- , M.T. Mentis --- Department of Botany,The plant species compositional response of veld at Ukulinga to application, over 30 years, of nitrogen, phosphate and lime is reported. Two types of nitrogen fertilizer were applied at four levels with and without phosphate, lime and lime + phosphate... -
Organic matter, pH and nutrient distribution in soil layers of a savanna Thornveld subjected to different burning frequencies at Alice in the Eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S.A. Materechera --- Facility of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa O.T. Mandiringana --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa P.M. Mbokodi --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa K. Nyamapfene --- , Republic of South AfricaFire is an important tool for the management of grazed savanna grasslands in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of veld burning frequency on soil properties especially organic matter, pH, exchangeable... -
Seasonal herbage production from two range types in southern Mozambique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: JP Muir A AlageEstimating ideal stocking rates in southern Mozambique based on range productivity is difficult since forage and foggage production of range types receiving different amounts of rainfall have not been quantified to date. Exclosures were constructed in upland and alluvial range... -
Use of the dry-weight-rank method of botanical analysis in semi-arid savanna communities
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: B Dekker KP Kirkman SI du PlessisWhen used in combination with the double sampling (or comparative yield) method of yield estimation, the dry-weight-rank method of botanical analysis provides a rapid non-destructive means of estimating botanical composition. The composition is expressed in terms of the contribution of... -
The relation between canopy spread cover and the aboveground available phytomass of Nama Karoo subshrubs and grasses
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: PCV du ToitThe canopy spread cover of Karoo bushes and grasses in the Nama Karoo was measured and related to the aboveground phytomass available to the grazing animal. A correlation coefficient of r = 0.7456, calculated for Karoo bushes, indicates that this... -
The influence of various types and frequencies of rest on the production and condition of sourveld grazed by sheep or cattle. 2. Vigour
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: KP KirkmanTreatments involving a full growing season rest in alternate years, half a growing season rest (late season) in alternate years and no rest were applied to veld grazed by sheep or cattle at similar stocking rates. Residual effects of the... -
Soil and vegetation changes across a Succulent Karoo grazing gradient
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: P C Beukes F EllisThis study describes soil and vegetation changes radiating out from a central watering point on a livestock farm in the Succulent Ceres Karoo (Tanqua). The aim was to identify possible relationships between long-term grazing pressure, and soil and vegetation properties... -
Ecological effects of fire-breaks in the montane grasslands of the southern Drakensberg, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: TG O'Connor RG Uys AJ MillsFire-breaks, by legislation, are burnt annually before mid-winter in the southern Drakensberg, affecting 5–10% of the landscape, and resulting in marked selection for the early season flush by both livestock and wildlife. This study investigated whether this severe defoliation regime... -
Livestock utilisation of grass species at different distances from water on both traditional cattle post and ranch management systems in Botswana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: WN Mphinyane NFG RethmanIndividual forage species were appraised in varying distances along transects radiating from the water points of the ranch and traditional cattle post management systems. Measurements of plant height were used to assess the degree of forage species utilisation by livestock... -
Pilot survey to assess sample size for herbaceous species composition assessments using a wheel-point apparatus on the Zululand coastal plain
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: BH BrockettA pilot survey to determine sub-sample size (number of point observations per plot) for herbaceous species composition assessments, using a wheel-point apparatus applying the nearest-plant method, was conducted. Three plots differing in species composition on the Zululand coastal plain were... -
Habitat selection by large herbivores in relation to fire at the Bontebok National Park (1974–2009): the effects of management changes
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: T Kraaij --- Scientific Services, South Africa PA Novellie --- Conservation Services Division, PretoriaThe Bontebok National Park has long been faced with the dilemma of reconciling the need for short-interval fires, which promote grazing for bontebok, with that for longer-interval fires to maintain plant diversity. We explored habitat selection by various large herbivores... -
The effect of defoliation during wilting on the production of Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana in semi‐arid grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: H.A. Snyman --- Department of Pasture Science, Republic of South AfricaThe effect of defoliation during wilting on the production of Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana was studied over four years (1977 to 1980). Defoliation whilst the plants were at temporary wilting point in the early growing season (before 1 January)... -
Development of monitoring procedures for the herbaceous layer on the Northeastern Transvaal escarpment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: M. Stalmans --- Resource Ecology Group, Department of Botany, Republic of South Africa M.T. Mentis --- Resource Ecology Group, Department of Botany, Republic of South AfricaA step‐wise approach was followed towards the design of a monitoring system for the herbaceous layer on the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains in the Transvaal, South Africa. The parameter of concern was proportional species composition. In a first phase,... -
Small‐scale reseeding trials in arid rangeland: Effects of rainfall, clearing and grazing on seedling survival
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: S.J. Milton --- FitzPatrick Institute, Republic of South AfricaSeeds 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... -
Evaluation of the point‐centred‐quarter method of sampling Kaffrarian Succulent Thicket
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: G.C. Stuart‐Hill --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaThe objective was to evaluate the efficiency and repeatability of the point‐centred‐quarter method. The parameter which was most efficiently sampled was species composition (relative density) with 90% replicate similarity being achieved with 100 point‐centred‐quarters. However, this technique cannot be recommended,... -
Browse production and leaf phenology of some trees and shrubs in different Colophospermum mopane savanna communities
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: B. Dekker --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa G.N. Smit --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South AfricaLeaf dry mass (DM) at peak biomass was estimated for different plant communities in a semi‐arid savanna. These estimates included the total leaf DM, as well as estimates of the leaf DM at browsing heights of 1.5 m, 2.0 m... -
Research note: Calibrating a disc pasture meter to estimate grass fuel loads on the Zululand coastal plain
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: B.H. Brockett --- , Republic of South AfricaA disc meter was calibrated to estimate fuel load on the Zululand coastal plain. The regression model was valid for fuel load estimates within a disc height of 1–58 cm. The mean calibrated disc height was 11.8 cm. Estimated fuel... -
Description of a method for assessing veld condition in the Karoo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: P.C.V. du Toit --- , Republic of South AfricaIn the past, veld condition in the Karoo was assessed according to the ecological index method. This has recently been replaced by the grazing‐index method. The principles governing the method of botanical survey remain the same, but this methodology has... -
Which grazing management practices are most appropriate for maintaining biodiversity in South African grassland?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: TG O'Connor --- , South Africa P Kuyler --- Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, South Africa KP Kirkman --- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South Africa B Corcoran --- , South AfricaThe relative benefit of different grazing management practices for maintaining grassland biodiversity integrity was assessed. Practices considered were grazing system, stocking rate, animal type, grazing season, fire–grazing interaction, plus burning regime. Sparse empirical data indicated that stocking rate, cattle-to-sheep ratio,... -
Herbaceous plant species richness and composition in moist Midlands Mistbelt Grasslands in KwaZulu-Natal: is there a relationship to veld condition?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: P Ngwenya --- , South AfricaThis study investigated the relationship between grazing veld condition and herbaceous plant species richness in the moist Midlands Mistbelt Grassland in KwaZulu-Natal. The observed herbaceous plant species richness and composition of 12 sample plots (50 m × 50 m) was... -
Rangeland degradation in semi-arid Swaziland: effects of dip-tanks on herbaceous vegetation and soil properties
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Solomon Tefera --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, South AfricaThis study investigated dip-tank use effects on herbaceous vegetation and soil, and relationships between environmental and species variables. Eight dip-tanks, three each in sandy (DPBS) and loamy (DYRL) soils, and two in stony (ROSG) soils were used. Data were collected... -
Association between avian assemblages and mountain bushveld communities along a single mountain slope in the Usuthu Gorge, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Gerard Malan --- Department of Nature Conservation, South Africa RionE Lerm --- Department of Nature Conservation, South AfricaThe study investigated the bird species diversity associated with vegetation communities found on a single mountain slope in the Usuthu Gorge Community Conservation Area, northern KwaZulu-Natal. Thirteen sample sites were surveyed on a monthly basis for 12 months. Over this... -
Challenges for emerging livestock farmers in Limpopo province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: ND MacLeod CK McDonald FP van OudtshoornLand redistribution schemes (e.g. Settlement Land Acquisition Grant and Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development) initiated since the mid-1990s in Limpopo province under national land reform programs have sought to introduce a new generation of previously disadvantaged people to commercial livestock... -
Testing for a decline in secondary productivity under desertification in subtropical thicket, South Africa, using Angora goats: lessons for experimental design
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: TA Milne --- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, South Africa GIH Kerley --- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, South AfricaThere are few tests of the predicted decline of secondary productivity in desertified rangelands, despite this being one of the major concerns around desertification. Subtropical thicket, largely used for goat pastoralism, suffers extensive transformation typical of desertification. We measured body... -
The influence of South Africa's post-apartheid land reform policies on bush encroachment and range condition: a case study of Fort Beaufort's municipal commonage
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: James R Puttick --- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa M Timm Hoffman --- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa James Gambiza --- Department of Environmental Science, South AfricaWe examined the effect of changes in land use and land tenure on bush encroachment and vegetation condition. An analysis of aerial photographs from three time steps (1949, 1985 and 2004) was used to document changes in woody plant density... -
Disaster recovery experiences of a South African rural farming community
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of Psychology in Africa • Authors: Christiaan Becker --- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, South Africa Vera Roos --- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, South Africa Hendri Coetzee --- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, South AfricaThis study explored the bush fire disaster experiences and coping of South African farmers. Participants consisted of seven male farmers (6 = White Afrikaans-speaking; 1 = Black Tswana-speaking). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, nine months after the disaster, and analysed thematically. The findings... -
Sampling strategies for millipedes (Diplopoda), centipedes (Chilopoda) and scorpions (Scorpionida) in savanna habitats
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Dave Druce --- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, George Campbell Building,, South Africa Michelle Hamer --- School of Botany and Zoology, South Africa Rob Slotow --- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, George Campbell Building,, South AfricaAt present considerable effort is being made to document and describe invertebrate diversity as part of numerous biodiversity conservation research projects. In order to determine diversity, rapid and effective sampling and estimation procedures are required and these need to be... -
Long-term response of an herbaceous sward to reduced grazing pressure and rainfall variability in a semi-arid South African savanna
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Tim G O'Connor --- SAEON, South AfricaReduced grazing pressure is expected to promote recovery of degraded semi-arid savanna. Transformation of degraded livestock ranches to a wildlife reserve in 1982 created a system with about one-third of the grazing pressure, which was maintained until 2011. Herbaceous composition... -
Feeding ecology of four livestock species under different management in a semi-arid pastoral system in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Igshaan Samuels --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Clement Cupido --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Melvin B Swarts --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Anthony R Palmer --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, South Africa Jamie W Paulse --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South AfricaThe Leliefontein communal area in Namaqualand is grazed by mixed species herds that have multiple benefits for pastoralists. This study assessed how the management (herding and free-ranging) of different livestock herds affects their feeding ecology during the wet and dry... -
Indexing immunity to malaria in South Africa in the 1920s and 1930s
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Anthropology Southern Africa • Authors: Randall Packard --- Institute of the History of Medicine, United States of AmericaDuring the 1920s and 1930s, medical authorities, municipal officials and employers of African farm labour in the lowveld regions of the former Transvaal constructed a system for classifying Africans in terms of their susceptibility or resistance to malaria. This classification... -
Variations on soil carbon dioxide flux with land-use type and selected soil properties in the hardveld of Botswana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Oagile Dikinya --- Department of Environmental Science, Botswana Julius Atlhopheng --- Department of Environmental Science, Botswana Trust Manyiwa --- Department of Environmental Science, BotswanaThe dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO2) flux in the hardveld regions of Botswana are poorly understood, with previous studies having concentrated on sandveld and pan environments. In particular, soil organic carbon (SOC) has a positive influence on CO2 emissions to... -
Livestock grazing has minimal effect on the species richness and diversity of semi-arid shrubland in the Western Little Karoo, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Nelmarie Saayman --- Directorate of Plant Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South Africa Craig Morris --- Agricultural Research Council–Livestock Business Division, Range and Forage Unit, c/o School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South Africa Hannes Botha --- Directorate of Plant Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South AfricaThe Succulent Karoo, one of two arid biodiversity hotspots in the world, is known for its high plant species richness, but little is known about the influence of topography and how it mediates the potentially deleterious effects of grazing. Changes... -
The ecological integrity of the Lower Olifants River, Limpopo province, South Africa: 2009–2015 – Part A: Olifants River main stem
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: SM Marr --- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa TD Mohlala --- SAEON Ndlovu Node, Kruger National Park, South Africa A Swemmer --- SAEON Ndlovu Node, Kruger National Park, South AfricaThe major rivers of the South African ‘Lowveld’ (low-latitude savanna) suffer numerous impacts from upstream economic activities. Whereas monitoring these rivers is required to detect biodiversity losses, record pollution events and devise mitigation strategies, current monitoring programmes are inadequate. In... -
The ecological integrity of the lower Olifants River, Limpopo province, South Africa: 2009–2015 – Part B: Tributaries of the Olifants River
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: SM Marr --- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa TD Mohlala --- SAEON Ndlovu Node, Kruger National Park, South Africa A Swemmer --- SAEON Ndlovu Node, Kruger National Park, South AfricaMonitoring on the Lowveld reaches of the Olifants River, Limpopo River System, and its Steelpoort, Blyde, Klaserie and Selati tributaries was initiated in 2009. Analysis of the 2009–2015 data from four Olifants River sites showed deterioration in the river’s ecological... -
Effect of stocking density on vegetation and animal performance within the semi-arid shrublands of the Karoo, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Christiaan J Harmse --- Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, South Africa Hannes J Gerber --- Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, South AfricaAs the primary land use in the Karoo, extensive small-stock farming contributes significantly towards the agricultural economy of the region. However, the sustainability of this practice has been questioned for many years. This led to the establishment of a long-term... -
Roosting requirements of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris on Highveld grain and livestock farms with alien tree groves, Gauteng province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Johann H van Niekerk --- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaThis study describes the relationship between Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris and invasive alien trees on livestock and maize farms south-east of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa. The dependence of the birds on alien trees affects strategies for the removal of... -
The impacts of season and livestock management strategy on the quality of diets selected by goats and sheep in the semi-arid rangelands of Namaqualand, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Francuois L Müller --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production, South Africa M Igshaan Samuels --- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Clement F Cupido --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production, South Africa Melvin BV Swarts --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production, South Africa Nefza M Amary --- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Dawood Hattas --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa Craig Morris --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production, South Africa Lilburne F Cyster --- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa J Stephen Boatwright --- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South AfricaAccess to good-quality forages is one of the major limitations to livestock production in semi-arid pastoral systems. This study aimed to determine whether there are differences in the nutritional quality of diets selected by herded and free-ranging goat and sheep... -
Relationships between farmer perceptions and temporal variation in nutritive value of browse species on savanna rangelands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Clarice P Mudzengi --- , Zimbabwe Amon Murwira --- , Zimbabwe Tinyiko Halimani --- , Zimbabwe Herve Fritz --- , France Chrispen Murungweni --- , ZimbabweIn livestock-based livelihoods of the developing world, determination of the nutritive value of browse species is mainly associated with farmer perceptions. Additionally, little is known on seasonal variation in nutritive value of these species in some areas. Therefore, chemical analysis... -
Forage legumes from the Mediterranean Fynbos biome of South Africa with potential for domestication: slope aspect affects tissue fibre and mineral composition
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Samson BM Chimphango --- , South Africa Luke H Gallant --- , South Africa M Igshaan Samuels --- , South Africa Odette E Curtis-Scott --- , South Africa A Muthama Muasya --- , South Africa Clement Cupido --- , South Africa James S Boatwright --- , South Africa John Howieson --- , AustraliaFabaceae plants contribute greatly to a high quality of pasture in rangelands, because of high levels of protein in their tissues. Despite this established importance, only a few southern African legumes have been evaluated for nutritional value and domestication. The... -
On rings related to filial and left filial rings
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Quaestiones Mathematicae • Authors: D.I.C. Mendes --- University of Beira Interior, PortugalA ring R is called filial (left weakly filial) if it satisfies the following condition: for all subrings J and I of R, if J is an ideal of I and I is an ideal of R, then J is... -
Grazing capacity change on a small Mediterranean-type South African offshore island following the control of invasive alien European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaInvasive alien species (IAS) are one of the most important factors driving extinction rates worldwide. Among the IAS, the impacts of introduced mammals on native biodiversity are most severe, with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) being the most problematic. Globally,... -
The primary moult of adult Red-headed Finches Amadina erythrocephala
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: T Scott --- University of Cape Town, South Africa JMH Raijmakers --- , South Africa LG Underhill --- University of Cape Town, South AfricaLittle is known about the biology of the Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala. This study investigates its primary moult, the first aspect of its life history to be looked at in depth. Additionally, we used a modified Cook’s distance algorithm to... -
Grass dynamics along a woody-plant density reduction gradient in a South African savanna
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Piet Monegi --- Animal Production–Agricultural Research Council, South Africa Ntuthuko R. Mkhize --- Animal Production–Agricultural Research Council, South Africa Julius T. Tjelele --- Animal Production–Agricultural Research Council, South Africa David Ward --- Kent State University, United States Zivanai Tsvuura --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaWoody plant encroachment threatens ecosystem services and functioning, thereby reducing herbaceous plant population persistence and community stability. We assessed the impact of woody removal intensity (WRI) on the grass ground cover, grass composition, diversity and richness, and rangeland condition in... -
Veld condition assessments are unrepresentative at the edges of rotational burn management blocks where grass community composition is atypical
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Anne E Goodenough --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK William S Carpenter --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Hannah Toms --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Benjamin A Bayliss --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Chloe J Cookes --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Lena Buerger --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Chloe L Cogdell --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Sara L Evans --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Tom Lancashire --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Fern D Kenyon-Hamp --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Ruari J MacGregor --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Sarah A Morshead --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Candace M Pattison --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Eli Shrubb --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Hannah D Upshall --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Charlene R Watts --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK Lynne MacTavish --- Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, South Africa Melissa Dawson --- Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, South Africa Adam G Hart --- School of Education and Science, University of Gloucestershire, UKFenced reserves provide benefits for wildlife but are vulnerable to overgrazing. Accurate veld condition assessments are essential to inform stocking density, translocation/culling interventions and burn management decisions. Here, for the first time, we test whether atypical changes in the grass... -
Pastures established on rehabilitated surface coal mined land: an assessment of forage production and implications for livestock grazing
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Emmanuel Nkosinathi Cele --- University of Pretoria, South Africa Monde Rapiya --- University of Pretoria, South Africa Wayne Sanders --- University of Pretoria, South Africa Wayne Truter --- Enterprises University of Pretoria, South AfricaCurrently, land rehabilitation best practice in South Africa is to revegetate ameliorated soil with grass mixtures. These grasses have valuable grazing potential that can deliver great benefits to livestock farmers. However, due to paucity of research and published findings, the... -
Seasonal consumption of Thamnochortus spicigerus (Restionaceae) by eland is associated with plant sex and nutrient status
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Petro Botha --- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Bruce Anderson --- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South AfricaHistoric distributions of large herbivores in the Fynbos Biome remain poorly described and, despite ongoing reintroductions, their dietary strategies and forage selection in the Fynbos Biome are understudied. We monitored an introduction of eland into Cape Flats Dune Strandveld vegetation,...