Spatio-Temporal Variation In Forage Production In A Key Resource Area In Succulent Karoo Rangeland, South Africa
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Date
2021
Authors
Konje, Martha
Muoria, Paul
Wabuyele, Emily
Vetter, Susanne
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal Publishing
Abstract
For herbivores to survive in arid rangelands, they largely depend on landscapes that act as grazing reserves
during the dry seasons. In Richtersveld National Park, the dry season forage consists of browse from tree
branches, litter and grass that grow along the Orange River. The aim of the study was to determine how browse
production by tree species along the riparian zone (a key resource area), vary between the sites, with time and
among the tree species, as well as the implication of a dry season key resource in management of rangelands.
Sampling of tree species took place at three study sites along the riparian zone. In each site, temporal available
standing biomass, browse and litter production by the seven dominant tree species were sampled. To calculate
the total biomass production per tree canopy area, branch-count method was used up to a height of 1.5 m.
Browse production differed between the tree species and between sampling periods but not between the
sampling sites. Key resource area was found to play an important role in sustaining herbivores populations
during the dry seasons as well as to reduce the negative effects associated with continuous grazing on the
landscapes.
Description
A research article published in Researchjournali’s Journal of Ecology
Keywords
Browse, Herbivores, Pastoralism, Richtersveld, Riparian, Equilibrium
Citation
Journal of Ecology. Vol 8 No 1, 2021