Long-term vegetation change in the Succulent Karoo, South Africa following 67 years of rest from grazing
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Published source details
Rahlao S.J., Hoffman M.T., Todd S.W. & McGrath K. (2008) Long-term vegetation change in the Succulent Karoo, South Africa following 67 years of rest from grazing. Journal of Arid Environments, 72, 808-819.
Published source details Rahlao S.J., Hoffman M.T., Todd S.W. & McGrath K. (2008) Long-term vegetation change in the Succulent Karoo, South Africa following 67 years of rest from grazing. Journal of Arid Environments, 72, 808-819.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Reduce number of livestock Action Link |
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Reduce number of livestock
A before-and-after trial in 1935–2004 in karoo habitat in Western Cape, South Africa (Rahlao et al. 2008) found that stopping livestock grazing led to increases in the cover of shrubs and trees, decreases in the cover of succulent plants, and no change in grass cover after 67 years. In three of four locations shrub cover was higher 67 years after grazing stopped (33–56%) than when the area was grazed (30–40%). Tree cover increased in two of four cases (before: 1–5%, after: 12–13%), while grass cover did not significantly change in four of four cases (before: 0–1%, after: 1–2%). However, in one of four cases the cover of succulent plants was lower 67 years after grazing was halted (38%) than before grazing stopped (60%). In 1935 all cattle were removed from the site. In 1935 vegetation cover was visually estimated in seven hundred and two 900 m2 quadrats and in 2004 in seventy 900 m2 quadrats distributed across four distinct areas of the site.
(Summarised by: Phil Martin)
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