Veld Condition Assessment and Management - Bezhoek · Veld Condition Assessment and Management...

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Transcript of Veld Condition Assessment and Management - Bezhoek · Veld Condition Assessment and Management...

Veld Condition Assessment and Management

Bezuidenhoutshoek Nature Reserve

JANUARY 2016

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Study objective

The assessments in December 2015 were carried out with the following objectives:

To assess potential areas for patch-mosaic burns in autumn 2016 and

To assess the grazing impact on areas burned in 2014.

The grass regrowth at areas that were burned in 2015 were insufficient to evaluate in December 2015.

These areas that burned in 2015 will be evaluated in April 2016 (to allow grass to regrowth after the rains in

December 2015 and January 2016, or thereafter).

1.2. Location

Bezuidenhoutshoek Game Reserve is located 3.5 km directly west of the town Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

The location has been described in the Vegetation and Wildlife Management Plan for the farm

Bezuidenhoutshoek by Brown et al, 2005 and has since been updated by Prof Leslie Brown

(September 2009).

1.3. Climate

Mean average precipitation within the Rand Highveld Grassland ranges between 570 mm and 730 mm.

The average rainfall for Middelburg, Mpumalanga, is 572 mm per year (www.yr.no). The rain falls mainly in

summer. Most of the rainfall falls in summer, in the form of thunder showers.

See the monthly average rainfall illustrated in the graph below.

The area experiences frosty winters (10-35 days a year, Mucina and Rutherford, 2004).

The average temperature for Middelburg, Mpumalanga, varies between 3.2OC in winter to 25.3 OC in summer

(www.yr.no). See the monthly average minimum and maximum temperatures illustrated in the graph below.

The climate of the farm Bezuidenhoutshoek have been described in more detail in the Vegetation and

Wildlife Management Plan Brown et al, 2005 and has since been updated by Prof Leslie Brown

(September 2009).

1.4. Geology and Soils

The Waterberg Group covers part of the Transvaal Sequence in the Mpumalanga, Witbank and Kwamhlanga

Districts and also the Bezuidenhoutshoek Game Reserve (Mucina and Rutherford, 2004). Lithology consists of

coarse sandstone. Soils are generally sandy, described in more detail in the previous veld condition assessment

and management report (De Wet & Van den Berg, 2010). Generally the soil depth varies between shallow

rocky soils (Glenrosa and Mispah forms) to deep sandy soils (Clovelly and Pinedene forms). Dolerite intrusions

are rare and limited to a few small areas, where soil colour is red and not yellowish, which is the typical colour of

most of the soils overlying sandstone areas. (Hutton soils are most represented within the red doleritic sandy

clay loam soils).

The geology of the farm Bezuidenhoutshoek has been described in the Vegetation and

Wildlife Management Plan by Brown et al, 2005 and has since been updated by Prof Leslie Brown

(September 2009).

1.5. Vegetation

The study area falls within the Rand Highveld Grassland, Veld Type Gm 11 of Mucina and Rutherford 2004.

This veld type has endangered status and is poorly conserved (1%, according to Mucina and Rutherford, 2004).

Vegetation within this veld type is described as species-rich, wiry, sour grassland alternating with low, sour

shrubland on rocky outcrops and steeper slopes.

Grasses most represented within this veld type (not necessary applicable to this farm, but it includes a wider

area) are listed as:

• Themeda triandra

• Eragrostis species

• Heteropogon contortus and

• Elionurus muticus.

High diversity of herbs (forbs) many of which belong to the Asteraceae is also a typical feature.

Rocky hills and ridges carry sparse woodlands with Protea caffra subsp. caffra, P. welwitchii,

Acacia caffra and Celtis africana, accompanied with a rich suite of shrubs among which the genus Rhus

(especially Rhus magalismontanum) is most prominent. Endemic taxa are, amongst others,

Encephalartos lanatus and E. middelburgensis. The vegetation has been described in the Vegetation and Wildlife

Management Plan for the Farm Bezuidenhoudhoek by Brown et al, 2005 and has since been updated by

Prof Leslie Brown (September 2009).

1.6. Veld Condition Assessment

Grassland condition, or the veld condition, as it is described within South African grasslands and savanna

areas, has been defined as the state of health of the veld in terms of its ecological status, resistance to soil

erosion and its potential for producing forage for sustained optimum livestock production

(Trollope et al., in Tainton, 1999).

Biodiversity potential, which includes flora diversity, is also found to be highest within sub-climax veld at Highveld

and Mesic grasslands where the climax is defined at tall grass and Increaser 1 dominated areas. However, in the

Highveld this situation is often found with Thatching Grass dominating extensively in climax conditions on all

terrain units. Climatic climax areas are found with a diversity of other Increaser 1 species such as Hairy Trident,

Giant Spear Grass, etc.

With the Highveld Increaser 1 species often contribute to more than 25% of the composition of the grass layer.

Climax species such as Turpentine Grass (Cymbopogon caesius or Cymbopogon pospischilii) should therefore

not contribute more than 25% of the grass composition. Thatching Grass however, may be more abundant at

seep-lines and at higher lying areas if the water table is high.

The veld condition can therefore generally be considered as well managed if the ecological status, amongst other

criteria, is high.

The following are some of the criteria of a high ecological status that are expected under well managed veld:

Grass species composition should reflect an abundance of palatable non-pioneer species

(utilized by bulk feeders such as buffalo and elephant). Pioneer grasses and Increaser 2 grasses that are

abundant with overgrazing can lead to buffalo avoiding an area. Important grasses of this category are

Three-awn grasses (Aristida species), Purple Spike Catstail (Perotis patens), etc.

Palatable, productive sub-climax or fire climax species should be abundant (i.e. Themeda triandra in a

non-moribund or non-woody state). Palatable and productive grasses that will attract buffalo are

Decreasers such as Rooigras (Themeda triandra) or short grass perennial species that are palatable as

well as providing good cover throughout the year (i.e. Smuts’ Fingergrass, Digitaria eriantha).

Grass basal cover should be good and soil erodability therefore very low to minimal.

Grasslands are dynamic and the veld condition can be expected to change over time, trends over a few years can

be expected but short term changes as result of an above average rainfall or drought in the past year can also be

reflected. The changes can therefore be expected in species composition, abundance and cover, as result of the

influence of climate, grazing and fire.

The influence of overgrazing may lead to the decrease in abundance of palatable short grass species

(Decreasers). These Decreaser species can be replaced by less palatable and pioneer grass species

(Increaser 2 species). Some of these unpalatable sub-climax species may be tall grasses which may have a more

woody character.

An assessment of the condition of the grass communities constitutes a convenient means of comparing them, as

well as of providing a way to quantify and observe spatial and temporal changes within a particular community or

vegetation type (Tainton, 1999).

Management of any plant community should be governed by knowledge of its ‘ideal’ condition, which depends on

the management objectives (Tainton, 1999) for the specific game reserve. The benchmark (or ‘ideal’ condition)

may also be specific for each veld type, soil type, or terrain morphological unit.

Veld condition should therefore be determined initially as part of a baseline survey and follow-up monitoring of the

condition will reflect the impact of fire, grazing or climate on the grass layer. Regular monitoring of the

composition will provide the necessary information on the trend of change, (towards improvement or towards

overgrazing) and to correlate the change in composition with management actions that are applied.

Veld condition trends can thus be followed within pre-defined domains. Whilst the focus is kept on veld condition,

change in numbers of game or fire frequency could be reflected on a veld condition model, specific for the soils or

part of a particular management unit.

1.7. General Management Objectives

Veld condition within a predefined domain

The condition reflected on a degradation axis or veld condition model can be followed between predefined limits,

for example, between two thresholds near the extreme sides of the x-axis (one on the overgrazing side of the axis

and the other on the climax side of the degradation axis).

Veld condition deteriorating towards a certain domain

With wildlife management active veld management would be needed to reverse a trend in condition.

The corrective action and management strategies needed to impact significantly on tall grass dominated areas

may be more extreme.

The management objective could for example be to:

Reverse a trend from a domain where overgrazing results in irreversible loss in grass cover, or where forb

or woody species invasion (e.g. ‘sekelbos verdigting’) is irreversible, unless if hands-on active management

is applied;

Reverse the trend from a domain where over-resting results in an irreversible increase in abundance of tall

grasses (such as Thatching Grass);

Reverse a trend which is observed where the trend is towards climax conditions, where unpalatable and tall

climax grass species dominate and where the climax conditions resulted in the loss in basal cover and

increase in non-grass woody invaders, such as for example, bramble. (This is also more applicable to high

rainfall grasslands or Highveld grasslands).

Manipulation of the distribution of game

The use of fire as management tool, (and under certain circumstances also the use of water points which are not

permanent but where water supply can be regulated) can be very effective to manipulate the movements of

game. Grazing pressure will be concentrated at frequently burned areas. Patch burning and staggering of block

burns can be effective as a counter strategy against selective grazing.

Mowing is also a tool to manipulate movement of especially short grass grazers. The use of mowing as

management tool, (and under certain circumstances also to artificially create habitat conditions by improving

visibility) can be very effective to manipulate the movements of certain game. However, veld condition and long

term grazing capacity for game may be permanently affected and it is important to concentrate disturbances on

areas where the clay content is higher, such as on red sandy clay loams (not on sandy soils where the grass

layer is expected to be less resilient).

1.8. General Management Strategies

The frequency of burning should depend, amongst other factors, on the

Grazing phytomass, or grass fuel load (Reflected by rainfall, or consequent production of grass in that

period) – 4 tons/ha is set as a minimum phytomass required. (Grass curing must also be taken into

account);

Figure 1: Photo of disc meter

A disc pasture meter is used to determine grazing phytomass, which is a factor of both grass

produced within the management unit (as result of rainfall) and the grazing pressure within the

period (or the available fuel load after grazing). An average compressed height of 10cm is

equivalent to the threshold of 4000kg/ha. Higher levels can be to the detriment of the grass layer

and the grass composition - where grass is so dense that sunlight is prevented to fall directly on the

soil surface, where dead plant material can accumulate to a level where it prevent the germination

of grass seed and a loss in basal cover can lead to the increase in erosion potential.

Veld condition – grass composition, abundance of productive and palatable grasses –

Decreasers should therefore dominate.

Themeda triandra and Digitaria brazzae are possibly the two most important Decreaser species

within Bezuidenhoutshoek. Themeda triandra is the most important Decreaser on clayey soils.

Digitaria brazzae is more associated with sandy soils, but is never abundant. More research is

needed to confirm how important D. brazzae is (if it could qualify as a key grass species).

This grass species has recently been more conspicuous than what was understood to be in the

2009-2010 study. It is however envisaged to be a very important forage species, for it appears to

be more frequently utilized than Red Grass.

The ecological status of the veld (as result of past disturbance or management) should therefore be

considered before deciding on whether the grassland or savanna qualifies to burn or not, or

whether it should be protected against fire - until sufficient improvement in the grass layer is

observed.

Decreased fire frequency

The management strategy could be to burn less frequently in areas where trends in degradation or overgrazing

are observed, even if the grass fuel load exceeds the 4 ton/ha threshold. Overgrazed veld may require resting of

fire for as long as three to five years (thus the grass phytomass may then exceed very high levels) or more,

depending on the rate of recovery of the veld.

Increased fire frequency

On the other hand, the management strategy could be to burn areas more frequently that show trends towards

the climax side of the degradation axis (applicable to this veld type or other areas at the Highveld or

Montane Grasslands). A burning frequency of once in every two years may be required under certain

circumstances, where corrective actions are needed to reverse the trend.

Stricter control of grazing rotation

Selectively grazed conditions would require burning and grazing within a higher level of control, i.e. burning

smaller management blocks more frequently whilst allowing higher grazing pressure on the management blocks.

It is therefore essential to have monitoring of the veld condition in place if a higher burning frequency is applied.

Licks and water points

The manipulation of game movements through licks and water points are also options to consider in the

grassland management.

1.9. Grassland Monitoring

The frequent monitoring of grass composition or of the abundance of grass species will provide objective

information for decision making. This will allow timeous corrective actions to be applied to ensure that

management objectives are reached.

As stated in the paragraphs above, the proactive monitoring and management will ensure that veld condition

remain within predefined limits. This will therefore prevent deterioration in veld condition towards a domain

(past an ecological threshold) where active management through fire is no more an economical viable option.

The more frequently a grassland is monitored the sooner veld condition trend can be determined.

Monitoring should be on a yearly basis because of the annual influence of rainfall on grass species dynamics and

because of the impact of fire and grazing.

Grass species composition and abundance, grass basal cover (or the average tuft to point distance) and bare

ground, grass phytomass (or grass fuel load), and the abundance of non-grassy forbs are all important aspects

that form part of monitoring (see more description of these under the Methods, below). Veld condition and

grass composition form the basis for management decisions – i.e., stocking rates, grazing spectrum (bulk grazers

versus selective grazers) and the type of grazing management applied. Veld condition assessments should thus

reveal whether the grassland area has been well managed or mismanaged.

With well managed conditions the grassland is burnt frequently enough, followed by light to moderate grazing and

within an optimal grazing period, so that the Decreaser grasses are not grazed out. With mismanaged conditions

the grassland can be over-rested (under-grazed), selectively grazed or overgrazed.

With infrequently burned grassland and with under-grazing, the grass layer can become selectively grazed when

too large areas are burned, followed by little control after the burn, therefore poor control of the movements of the

grazers so that the grazers have such a large area from which they can select the Decreaser grasses and

overgraze them, resulting in areas where the grass layer is under-grazed and where climax grass species

increase in abundance, together with areas within the grassland where pioneer species dominate because of the

overgrazing of palatable species.

Overgrazing on the other hand can follow when a grassland is too frequently burnt and grazed or where too small

areas are burned and grazed, or simply by having too many grazers on the property.

Trends in veld condition (towards under-utilization or overgrazing) should therefore be determined or monitored

over time by regular veld condition assessments.

2. METHODS

The veld condition is assessed by analysing three important components of veld condition, i.e.:

1) Grazing Phytomass, above ground plant material, of which part will be palatable and attractive to

grazers.

2) Grass cover, expressed as distances between tufts and

3) Grass Species Composition and Grass species Abundance.

Grazing phytomass was assessed with a disc meter as illustrated in the paragraphs above.

A total of 100 readings were taken of compressed grass height by dropping the disc within the same

transect line that grass species composition is assessed. Average height in cm is then translated to grass

mass per unit area or kilograms per hectare. The disc meter was calibrated within Kruger National Park

(Kruger Park) by Trollope and Potgieter (1986). The same formula converting compressed grass height

from a disc meter to tons/ha derived from the calibration in the Kruger Park is now applied to all grassland

and savannah areas in Africa (which is acceptable for determining trend).

Grass tuft distances were assessed by measuring the distance between the monitoring rod and the nearest

rooted part of the grass tufts. A total of 100 measurements are taken at the same transect line where grass

species composition is surveyed. The closest rooted part of the grass tuft to the randomly placed

monitoring rod is measured and expressed as average distance in centimetre.

Grass composition and grass species frequency abundance was assessed from 100 sampling sites within

an area 2m x 50m. The grass species closest to the monitoring rod is recorded at each of the 100 intervals.

The number of grass species are listed with the total of frequency recorded for each species.

Grass species are then grouped according to ecological categories Increasers and Decreasers.

The proportion between Decreasers, Increasers 1 and Increasers 2 is an important key to understand the

condition of the veld and to decide on appropriate applications of grazing management strategies that

would be in line with management objectives.

Figure 3: The photo below where a soil auger was used illustrates grass cover at moderately grazed conditions,

with grazing intensity as one factor affecting grass cover. An average of 3.9 cm tuft distance from 100 readings

reflected low erodability potential. The tuft distance affects soil erodability or water catchment potential (which is

inversely related). Other factors also affects soil erodability. Soil texture, e.g. sandy soil textures, as illustrated from

the photo below, would be more erodible under similar grazing intensities compared to clayey soils, but ultimately the

chemical composition of the soil and slope of the terrain are important factors affecting grass cover and soil erosion.

Therefore grass cover or the condition resulting from grazing affects soil erosion, but it is also the inherent soil factors

mentioned above that affects grass cover.

3. SITE SELECTION FOR ASSESSMENT

In 2009 a total of 70 grassland monitoring sites were selected to represent the variation in vegetation and a

vegetation and habitat map was produced (see veld condition assessment report of 2010).

In December 2015, after the late first rains, a total of nine survey sites within areas that could either potentially

qualify for autumn burns in 2016, or where current grazing impacts were noted following the 2014 burns.

These sites were selected and re-assessed (except for four new sites selected for specific reasons to be

assessed). The monitoring at these areas serves the purpose to follow and compare changes over time, to

determine trends in grass composition and in veld condition. These sites would mostly reflect grazing impacts

after fire or where there was concern of a deteriorating trend in veld condition, due to under- or selective grazing.

The Google Earth image below shows the distribution and localities of the December 2015 grassland monitoring

sites.

4. VELD CONDITION RESULTS AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Refer to detailed records within Veld Condition Tables and Site Reports appended.

The results are presented within a summary table below, which contain within two main components, namely

grass cover and veld condition.

Grass cover is assessed from measuring the grass phytomass from compressed disc height and

tuft distances are a reflection of basal cover. Although grass tuft distances without tuft diameter could be

misleading, the results are carefully interpreted, to point out where tuft distances decreased due to pioneer

grasses. Grass phytomass is measured using the disc meter, as described earlier.

Veld condition is also assessed from species abundance within veld condition categories

(Decreasers and Increasers) and following trends on ISPD degradation graphs.

The veld condition assessment on Bezuidenhoutshoek Game Reserve can be summarized, with trends that can

be observed, as follows.

Veld Condition Trend - December 2015 assessments at potential areas for patch-mosaic burning and areas experiencing grazing impact following 2014 burns.

Site Veld

Condition Trend in VCA

Trend in Tuft

DistanceTrend in Species richness Most recent Grass Fuel Load

Notes and Management

Recommendations

13 Good Pos itive CloserNegative, but the Decreaser

Setaria nigrirostris now dominates

Low; grazing impact last two years

after burn in 2014

Trend towards IMPROVEMENT.

Protect against fi re in 2016.

21Selectively

grazedPos itive Closer

Pos itive, with Digi taria brazzae

inceas ing in abundance

Low; grazing impact last two years

after burn in 2014

Trend towards IMPROVEMENT.

Protect against fi re in 2016.

22Under-to

Selectively

grazed

NegativeCloser (due to

Coach Grass)

Negative, with an increase in

pioneer grass associated with

severe overgrazing

Medium, reflecting grazing impact

near water hole

NEGATIVE trend - towards overgrazing

(trend expected - due to impact of newly

constructed water point).

Protect against fi re in 2016; do not burn.

32Under-to

Selectively

grazed

Negative CloserNegative, with a dominance of

undes ired cl imax E. curvulaVery high

NEGATIVE trend (towards undes ired

cl imax). Patch-mosaic burn is recommended

in autumn 2016.

38Selectively

grazed

Recently s table,

but genera l

trend towards

cl imax, which is

negative

Fluctuating but

recently closer,

due to increased

abundance of A.

transvaalensis

Negative. Decrease in grass

species richness .High

NEGATIVE trend, towards selective

grazing. Rockiness of terra in affects

rel iable comparison due to chal lenge in

repeatabi l i ty of monitoring (between

rocks). Patch-mosaic burn is recommended

in autumn 2016.

81Under-to

Selectively

grazed

No trend can be

observed yet;

basel ine infoN/a N/a Very high

Basel ine info, so too early to detect

trend. Thatching Grass seems less

conspicuous . Control led burn in 2014

appl ied to open up ta l l grass layer for

game. Patch-mosaic burn is recommended

in autumn 2016.

82 Undergrazed

No trend can be

observed yet;

basel ine infoN/a N/a High

Basel ine info, therefore too early to

detect trend. Thatching Grass less

conspicuous . Cattle used to open up

grass layer for other game. Patch-mosaic

burn is recommended in autumn 2016.

83 Undergrazed

No trend can be

observed yet;

basel ine infoN/a N/a Very high

Basel ine info, therefore too early to

detect trend. Patch-mosaic burning

recommended in autumn. Patch-mosaic

burn is recommended in autumn 2016.

84 Undergrazed

No trend can be

observed yet;

basel ine infoN/a N/a Very high

Basel ine info, therefore too early to

detect trend. Patch-mosaic burning

recommended in autumn 2016.

5. CONCLUSION

The following conclusions follow from this study:

a) Positive results are observed due to active and informed management strategies applied, for which the owners

of Bezuidenhoutshoek Game Reserve should be congratulated. Every window of opportunity was used I the

last few years to burn where it was required, based on veld condition results from yearly grassland monitoring.

b) A positive trend in veld condition is observed in areas burned in 2014 and where there was defoliation from

grazers.

c) Most of the nine areas assessed in December 2015 for potential autumn burns qualify to burn in 2016.

d) Negative trends in veld condition can be correlated with under-grazing or selective grazing, but not with

overgrazing. The only area where the veld condition trend is towards overgrazing is at a grassland where a

small dam was constructed, resulting at overgrazing closer to the water hole, which is to be expected.

e) There is still a presence of grazers and the impact of defoliation is observed in the areas that burned in 2014

(or specifically referring to the grasslands assessed that were burned in 2014).

f) Grass phytomass levels at areas that are currently experiencing grazing pressure are therefore still below

the threshold of burning (and these areas should therefore not be burned in 2016).

g) Trend in closer tuft distances correlated to either shortly grazed areas following 2014 burns, or due to pioneer

grasses that can be correlated with overgrazing (overgrazing is not generally observed at Bezuidenhoutshoek,

but it can be expected specifically at water holes).

h) Grass species richness decreased generally, which could be linked to lower rainfall in the last year compared

to when previous assessments were done.

i) Most of the grassland areas assessed were under-grazed (or being selectively grazed).

j) Positive trends in veld condition are envisaged within areas where cattle is used to induce grazing succession

(Site 82) and where controlled tall grass burns were carried out in 2014 (Site 81).

6. REFERENCES

BOTHMA, J. du P. 1996. Game Ranch Management. J.L. van Schaik.639 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. 1989. Degradation of the semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa. Journal of

Arid Environments (1989) 16, 165-175

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and

ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

BOSCH, O. J. H. and BOOYSEN, J. 1992. An Integrated System for Plant Dynamics – a Decision

support Tool for use at farm and paddock level. Sheep Industry Software, Agricultural Systems &

Information Technology. Vol. 4 No. 1.

DE WET, S.F. 1988. Habitat en voedingsvoorkeure van die blouwildebees (Connochaetes taurinus

taurinus Burchell, 1923) en ander diersoorte in die Nasionale Krugerwildtuin. M.Sc. Thesis. University of

Pretoria.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter,

Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1999. Veld Management in South Africa. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.

472 pp.

TROLLOPE, W.S.W. & POTGIETER, A. 1986. Estimating Grass Fuel Loads With A Disc Meter In

The Kruger National Park – J. Grassl. Soc. Sth. Afr. 3,4:148-152.

APPENDIX A: EXPLANATION OF GRASSLAND DYNAMICS

The following paragraphs illustrate the way in which grassland dynamics can be interpreted:

Veld condition can be interpreted by grouping the grass species into ecological categories or classes.

Grass species are classified into four groups, as follows:

1. Decreaser species (indicators of well managed veld) – i.e. those which dominate in veld which is in

good condition and which decline in abundance when overgrazing or degradation takes place;

2. Increaser I species (indicators of under-utilization) – i.e. those which are not abundant in veld which

is in good condition, but which increase when veld is under-utilized (over-rested) or burnt on a

overly low frequency;

3. Increaser II species (indicators of degradation) – i.e. those which are not abundant in veld which is

in good condition, but which increase when veld is over-utilized or degraded by too much burning.

Tainton (1988) states the following: “If the decline in veld condition over a period of time is the result of a increase

in the proportion of Increaser I species, then it is clear that the area is being under-utilized and so stocking rate or

burning frequency should be increased;

If a decline in veld condition is associated with a replacement of Decreaser species by Increaser II species, then

the area has been over-utilized and the stocking rate or the burning frequency should be reduced and if possible

longer resting periods should be applied;

Therefore, in order to monitor the veld condition trends, one needs to repeat the monitoring over a period of time.

APPENDIX B

VELD CONDITION SITE REPORTS

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 44' 43.3'' 29° 20' 07.2''

FARM Bezuidenhoudshoek

22/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 13

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Diabase - Red Sandy Clay Loam

DATE VISITED 22/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 8 species (17 incl. <1% species) = Low (Medium)

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Setaria sphacelata (Common Bristle Grass) – 56% Setaria nigrirostris (Rootstock Manna Grass) – 30% Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass) – 7%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 3.4 cm = High

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

1854 kg/ha =Low

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Good

VELD CONDITION TREND Trend is towards improvement.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 4.1 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Protect against fire in 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.).

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 42' 37.9'' 29° 18' 00.0''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

23/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 21

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 23/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 9 species (13 incl. <1% species) = Low (Medium)

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass) – 42% Digitaria brazzae (Brown Finger Grass) – 19% Setaria sphacelata (Common Bristle Grass) – 17%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 5.2 cm = Medium

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

1711 kg/ha =Low

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND

Veld condition trend is towards improvement, with a significant increase in abundance of the palatable Decreaser grass, Digitaria brazzae.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 5.3 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Protect against fire in 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.).

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 42' 41.1'' 29° 18' 06.7''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

22/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 22

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 22/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 10 species (11 incl. <1% species) = Medium

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Cynodon dactylon (Couch Grass) – 47% Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass) – 26% Aristida vestita (Aristida) – 10%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 6.6 cm = Low

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

2257 kg/ha =Medium

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Under-grazed to Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND

Veld condition trend is towards the overgrazing domain, with a decrease in abundance of the undesired climax Eragrostis curvula, but an increase in pioneer grass, Cynodon dactylon. This is to be expected (grazing impact close to water hole envisaged) - due to the impact of the new little dam attracting grazers within 100 m of the area where the veld condition is assessed.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 6.1 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Protect against fire in 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.).

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 43' 27.4'' 29° 20' 07.8''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

22/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 32

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 22/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 16 species (19 incl. <1% species) = Medium

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass) – 43% Setaria sphacelata (Common Bristle Grass) – 9% Tristachya biseriata (Tristachya ) – 9%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 6.9 cm = Low

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

4473 kg/ha =Very High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Undergrazed to Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND Trend is towards undesired climax, with E. curvula that increased significantly.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 6.3 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Burn in autumn 2016. Apply patch mosaic burn.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.).

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 42' 03.6'' 29° 18' 44.0''

FARM Bezuidenhoudshoek

24/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 38

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 19 - Sourish Mixed Bushveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 24/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 17 species (30 incl. <1% species) = Medium (High)

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Sporobolus festivus (Red Dropseed) – 21% Tristachya biseriata (Tristachya) – 16%

Aristida transvaalensis (Rock Three-awn ) – 16%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 7.9 cm = Low

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

3203 kg/ha =High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND

Trend has been towards further selective grazing and undesired climax conditions, but although veld condition is similar to the previous assessment, a reversal of the trend is not yet observed. This grassland has the record of most species recorded per square meter (less species recorded in recent years possibly due to lower rainfall conditions).

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 7.5 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Apply patch-mosaic burn in autumn 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.).

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 42' 07.7'' 29° 19' 33.7''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

23/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 81

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 23/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 16 species (19 incl. <1% species) = Medium

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love Grass) – 25% Setaria sphacelata (Common Bristle Grass) – 19% Hyparrhenia anamesa (Bundle Thatching Grass) – 15%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 5.3 cm =Medium

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

4790 kg/ha =Very High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Under-grazed to Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND This is baseline data, no trend can be established yet.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 6.0 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Burn in autumn 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.). THIS IS BASELINE DATA, NO TREND CAN BE ESTABLISHED

YET.

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 42' 44.2'' 29° 19' 18.5''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

23/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 82

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 23/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 14 species (17 incl. <1% species) = Medium

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Cynodon dactylon (Couch Grass) – 21% Eragrostis capensis (Heart-seed Love Grass) – 17% Hyparrhenia anamesa (Bundle Thatching Grass) – 17%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 4.7 cm =Medium

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

3461 kg/ha =High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Selectively Grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND This is baseline data, no trend can be established yet.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 6.3 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Burn in autumn 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.). THIS IS BASELINE DATA; NO TREND CAN BE ESTABLISHED

YET.

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 43' 28.2'' 29° 18' 16.8''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

23/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 83

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 23/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 12 species (20 incl. <1% species) = Medium (High)

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Tristachya biseriata (Tristachya) – 43% Loudetia simplex (Common Russet Grass) – 36% Setaria sphacelata (Common Bristle Grass) – 5%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 8.9 cm =Low

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

5070 kg/ha =Very High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Under-grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND This is baseline data, no trend can be established yet.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 8.8 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Burn in autumn 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.). THIS IS BASELINE DATA; NO TREND CAN BE ESTABLISHED

YET.

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

VELD CONDITION ASSESSMENT SITE REPORT – DECEMBER 2015

(SEE ATTACHED TABLE)

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE FOCUS AREA

GOOGLE IMAGE OF THE SITE

25° 44' 50.3'' 29° 19' 12.8''

FARM Bezuidenhoutshoek

24/12/2015

SITE NUMBER Site 84

VELD TYPE - ACOCKS Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

VELD TYPE – MUCINA &

RUTHERFORD

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

GEOLOGY AND SOILS Sandstone - Sandy

DATE VISITED 24/12/2015

GRASS SPECIES RICHNESS (Number of grass species:

<10 spp = low; 10-19 spp = medium; >20 spp = high) 13 species (23 incl. <1% species) = Medium (High)

GRASS SPECIES ABUNDANCE (DOMINANT SPECIES)

Aristida junciformis (Ngongoni Three-awn) – 40% Eragrostis gummiflua (Gum Grass) – 14% Eragrostis capensis (Heart-seed Love Grass) – 11%

AVERAGE GRASS TUFT DISTANCE (Water Catchment

Potential: High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6cm) 10.5 cm =Low

GRASS PHYTOMASS (Fuel Load) - 3 tons/ha is threshold

for burning climax or selectively grazed areas; 4

tons/ha for other areas, including wetland ecotones.

6133 kg/ha =Very High

VELD CONDITION (according to Tainton, 1988) Under-grazed

VELD CONDITION TREND This is baseline data, no trend can be established yet.

CURRENT GRAZING CAPACITY 11.9 ha/LSU (According to Tainton’s Benchmark Method).

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Burn in autumn 2016.

ISPD FIGURE – POSITION OF RED VERTICAL ARROW ILLUSTRATES THE CONDITION ON A DEGRADATION AXIS AND THE DIRECTION OF THE TREND CAN

BE OBSERVED FROM FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSMENTS (i.e. Run 1 = Year 1, Run 2 = Year 2 etc.). THIS IS BASELINE DATA; NO TREND CAN BE ESTABLISHED

YET.

LITERATURE

ACOCKS, J.P.H. 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Botanical Research Institute. 146 pp

BOSCH, O. J. H. and GAUGH, H. 1991. The use of degradation gradients for the assessment and ecological interpretation of range condition. Tydskrif

Weidingsveren. S. Afr. (1991), 8. (4). Pp 138-146.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Tien Wah Press, Singapore. 807 pp.

TAINTON, N.M. 1988. Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa. Shuter & Shooter, Pietermaritzburg. 481 pp.

APPENDIX C

TABLES

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSAndropogon schirensis Stab GrassBewsia biflora False Love Grass 4 4Brachiaria serrata Red Top Grass / RooisinjaalgrasDigitaria brazzae Brown Finger GrassDiheteropogon amplectens Broad-leaved Bluestem / Breeblaar Andropogon ** **Setaria nigrirostris Rootstock Manna Grass 10 10Setaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone Mannagras 38 43Themeda triandra Rooigras 3 4TOTAL (Decreaser category): 55 61INCREASERS ICymbopogon caesius Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass ** **Cymbopogon pospischilii Narrow-leaved Turpentine GrassElionurus muticus Wire Grass / Koperdraad / Suurpol 4 4Eragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / OulandsgrasHyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching Grass ** **Hyparrhenia filipendula Fine Thatching GrassMelinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red Top 1 1Monocot Forbs, including sedges (Cyperaceae) 2cf. Pennisetum thunbergii PennisetumTrachypogon spicatus Giant Spear Grass / Reusepylgras 3 3Triraphis andropogonoides Broom Needle GrassTristachya leucothrix Hairy Trident Grass / Harige-drieblomgras 25 25TOTAL (Increaser I cat.): 35 33INCREASERS IIAristida bipartita Rolling GrassCynodon dactylon Couch Grass / KweekEragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love Grass / Hartjie-eragrostisEragrostis plana Tough Love GrassEragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass / Smalhartjie-eragrostis 2 2Eragrostis cf. rotifer Pearly Love GrassHeteropogon contortus Spear Grass 2 2Microchloa caffra Pincushion Grass 2 2Sporobolus africanus Ratstail DropseedSporobolus festivus Red DropseedBare Ground 0 0TOTAL (Increaser II cat.): 6 6Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs 4Unidentified 0 0TOTAL 100 100** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Decreaser species (%) 55 61Increaser I species (%) 35 33Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%) 6 6Unidentified species (%) 0 0Bare Ground (%) 0 0Total (%) 100 100Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).December 2015 February 2015 2009

> 4 000 Very High X3 000-4 000 High2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low X X

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.24 4.1 0.24 4.2Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

00

100

CREST

PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2016

Low78.5

GOOD

Medium

Low

****

5

**

2

**

**

2

**

88

7

**

13056

29° 20' 07.2''1461320°

1

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

SITE 13Diabase - Red Sandy Clay Loam

CREST

Gm11 - Rand Highveld GrasslandVeld Type 61 - Bankenveld

3.41854

25° 44' 43.3''

**

5

1

SITE 13

88

**

0

4.0

ISPD 3614

Medium

**

**

1585

**7

1

GOOD

SITE NUMBER: 13

CRESTSITE 13

CLIMAX

POTENTIAL

7141

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

VOLUME (kg/ha)

ISPD 3339

100

500

85

2

11

**

**

**

**

****

10000

140

3

3

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 13

8526912

Excl. Sedges & ForbsFebruary 2015

February 2015

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

None recorded

25° 44' 43.2''29° 20' 07.4''

1478180°

2009

2009

Excl. Sedges & ForbsFebruary 2015

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

SITE 13December 2015None recorded

CREST

1476

4.1

29° 20' 06.4''

None recorded

4.01585

1

**

1

11 (14)

4.1Medium

ISPD 1762

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2009 & 2015).

310°

25° 44' 41.5''48102009

3.4

BURN IN 2009

81.7CLIMAX

Very High

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough frequencies Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies

SUMMARY

4810

PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2015

December 2015High

8 (17)Low (Medium)

1854

The site was assessed as the Sweet Veld was recently burned. Black Wildebeest in area. Shortly grazed (1-5cm) especially

to the east of this survey area.

GOOD

High11 (21)

The reason for the VCA is to assess the impact after the burn recently (2014). Herd

of Blue Wildebeest present in the area (resting). Within the general area where it was most recently burned (May 2015;Burn

4), but outside the burned area.

72.0

GOOD100

00

Not applicableMedium

Medium (High)

February 2015 2009

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSDigitaria brazzae Brown Finger Grass 3 3Digitaria eriantha Finger Grass / VingergrasSetaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone Mannagras ** **TOTAL (Decreaser category): 3 3INCREASERS IAristida transvaalensis Rock Three-awnEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / Oulandsgras 40 47Eragrostis gummiflua Gum Grass ** **Hyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching GrassMonocot Forbs, including sedges (Cyperaceae) 10Schizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / Rooidekgras ** **Tristachya rehmannii Broom Trident Grass 2 2TOTAL (Increaser I cat.): 52 49INCREASERS IIAristida congesta subsp. congesta Tassel Three-awn 1 1Aristida vestita Aristida 2 2Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass ** **Eragrostis chloromelas Curly-leaf Lovegrass ** **Melinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluim 7 7Microchloa caffra Pincushion GrassPerotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike Grass 20 20Pogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / Sekelgras 12 18Bare Ground 0 0TOTAL (Increaser II cat.): 42 48Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs 3Unidentified 0 0TOTAL 100 100** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Decreaser species (%) 3 3Increaser I species (%) 52 49Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%) 42 48Unidentified species (%) 0 0Bare Ground (%) 0 0Total (%) 100 100Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).December 2015 2009

> 4 000 Very High3 000-4 000 High X2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low X

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.19 5.3Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)Notes

Management Recommendation PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2016

MediumThe reason for the VCA is to assess the impact after the 2014 burn. Herd of Blue

Wildebeest in the area.

Low (Medium)1711Low80.0

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2009

SITE NUMBER: 21

December 2015ISPD 3615

Not assessed

5.2Medium9 (13)

CRESTSITE 21

66.6

10000174736

CRESTSITE 21

December 2015Not recorded

472

0

17

9

19

3

3617

**

**1

42

3**

25° 42' 37.9''29° 18' 00.0''

1361

Sandstone - Sandy

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

300°1370100°

25° 42' 37.8''

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

VOLUME (kg/ha)

December 2015Excl. Sedges & Forbs

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

2009

0

0

4

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in High enough frequencies Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too High frequencies

SUMMARY

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

ISPD 1770

None recorded

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

POTENTIAL

2009

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2009 & 2015).

3721

20095.7

CREST

SITE 21

December 2015

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 21

5.21711

29° 18' 00.4''

SITE 21

**

CREST

Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

100

0

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

High3721

2009

Low (Medium)8 (13)

5.7Medium

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSAndropogon schirensis Stab Grass ** **Brachiaria serrata Red Top Grass / Rooisinjaalgras 1 1Setaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone Mannagras 6 6Themeda triandra Red GrassTOTAL (Decreaser category): 7 7INCREASERS IAristida transvaalensis Rock Three-awn ** **Eragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / Oulandsgras 50 56Eragrostis gummiflua Gum Grass 3 3Hyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching Grass ** **Hyparrhenia filipendula Fine Thatching Grass / FyntamboekiegrasMonocot Forbs, including sedges (Cyperaceae) 0 0Panicum natalense Natal Buffalo Grass / Natalbuffelsgras ** **Schizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / Rooidekgras ** **TOTAL (Increaser I cat.): 53 59INCREASERS IIAristida congesta subsp. congesta Tassel Three-awn ** **Aristida vestita Aristida 4 4Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass 17 18Digitaria longiflora False Couch GrassEragrostis chloromelas Curly-leaf Lovegrass 4 4cf. Eragrostis lehmanniana Lehmann's Love Grass ** **Heteropogon contortus Spear Grass 1 1Melinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluim 3 3Perotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike Grass ** **Pogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / Sekelgras 4 4Sporobolus sp. Sporobolus ** **Bare Ground 0 0TOTAL (Increaser II cat.): 33 34Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs 7Unidentified 0 0TOTAL 100 100** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Decreaser species (%) 7 7Increaser I species (%) 53 59Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%) 33 34Unidentified species (%) 0 0Bare Ground (%) 0 0Total (%) 100 100Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

100°Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld

Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

4

4

25° 42' 41.0''

2009

136429° 18' 06.5''

100

29° 18' 06.7''

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2009 & 2015).

3233

20098.0

SITE 22Sandstone - Sandy

CREST

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

6.6

December 2015

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

None recorded

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough frequencies Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies

SITE 22

UNDER-GRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

2009

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

2

CREST

4710

225725° 42' 41.1''

5

1363125°

29

1

660

0

0

1

3

1

26

100016629

**

CRESTSITE 22

December 2015Not recorded

4

UNDER-GRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 22

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).December 2015 2009

> 4 000 Very High3 000-4 000 High X2 000-3 000 Medium Xless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.16 6.1Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2009

70.4UNDER-GRAZED TO

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

High3233

2009

Medium10 (19)

8.0Low

SUMMARY ISPD 1771

POTENTIALVOLUME (kg/ha)

Medium52.3

SITE NUMBER: 22

CRESTSITE 22

December 2015ISPD 3616

6.6

UNDER-GRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2016

Not assessed

The reason for the VCA is to assess the grazing impact after the creation of the new water point. In recent years a waterhole has

been placed within 100m of survey site which is a significant factor in the change in VCA.

Outside Burn 6 - unburned area. Grass grazed short by Zebra and Warthog. Digitaria longiflora is a new species record for

Bezuidenhoudshoek.

Medium

Low10 (11)Medium

2257

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSAndropogon schirensis Stab Grass 1 1 ** **Bewsia biflora False Love Grass 2 2Brachiaria serrata Red Top Grass / Rooisinjaalgras 1 1 ** **Digitaria brazzae Brown Finger Grass 4 4 1 1Diheteropogon amplectens Broad-leaved Bluestem 1 1 4 4Monocymbium ceresiiforme Boat Grass / Bootjiesgras ** **Setaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone Mannagras 1 1 12 12Themeda triandra Red Grass 5 5 6 8TOTAL (Decreaser category): 13 13 25 27INCREASERS IAristida transvaalensis Rock Three-awn 1 1Ctenium concinnum Sickle Grass / SekelgrasCymbopogon caesius Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass ** **Elionurus muticus Wire Grass / Koperdraad / Suurpol 5 5Eragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / Oulandsgras 3 4 2 2Eragrostis gummiflua Gum Grass ** **Hyparrhenia cf. filipendula Fine Thatching Grass / Fyntamboekiegras ** *****Loudetia simplex Common Russet Grass 5 5 5 5Melinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red Top 4 4 6 6Monocot Forbs, including sedges (Cyperaceae) 2 1Panicum natalense Natal PanicumSchizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / Rooidekgras ** ** 4 6Schizachyrium sp. SchizachyriumSporobolus pectinatus Fringed Dropseed / Kammetjiesgras 1 1 1 1Trachypogon spicatus Giant Spear Grass 2 2 1 1Tristachya biseriata Tristachya 53 54 39 44Tristachya rehmannii Broom Trident Grass ** **TOTAL (Increaser I cat.): 76 76 59 65INCREASERS IIAristida congesta subsp. congesta Tassel Three-awnAristida cf. diffusa Iron Grass 5 5 4 5Aristida vestita AristidaCynodon dactylon Couch Grass / KweekDigitaria longiflora False Couch GrassDigitaria monodactyla One Finger Grass / Eenvingergras 1 1Eragrostis capensis Hartjie-eragrostis ** **Eragrostis chloromelas Curly-leaf Lovegrass ** **Eragrostis lehmanniana Lehmann's Love Grass ** **Eragrostis plana Tough Love GrassEragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass 4 4 1 1Eragrostis sclerantha Wooly Love Grass 1 1 ** 1Heteropogon contortus Spear GrassMelinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluim 1 1 ** **Microchloa caffra Pincushion GrassPerotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike GrassPogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / Sekelgras ** ** ** **Trichoneura grandiglumis Rolling GrassBare Ground 0 0 0 0TOTAL (Increaser II cat.): 11 11 6 8Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs 0 10Unidentified 0 0 0 0TOTAL 100 100 100 100** Less than 1% of species recorded at site*** Loudetia simplex includes both Loudetia simplex and Loudetia flavida .Table 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Decreaser species (%) 13 13 25 27Increaser I species (%) 76 76 59 65Increaser II species (%) 11 11 6 8Bare Ground (%) 0 0 0 0Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs (%) 0 0 10 0Unidentified species (%) 0 0 0 0Total (%) 100 100 100 100Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

2009

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

2012OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough frequencies

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

1504m

533625° 43' 36.5''

SITE 32

UNDERGRAZED

29° 20' 07.9''

240°

25° 43' 27.5''

2009

SITE 32

2012

None recordedNone recorded

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidentoudshoek (2009 - 2015).

1495m

4012

20098.6

Gymnosporia tenuispina / Xerophyta retinervis / Protea welwitchii climax grassland / open shrubland

100° 10°

UNDERGRAZED

CREST

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 32Excl. Sedges & Forbs

February 2015

SITE 32B

12

SITE 32December 2015

December 2015

23

8.91963

25° 43' 32.6''29° 19' 59.2''

1499m

SITE 32BExcl. Sedges & Forbs

February 2015

February 2015None recorded

12**

UNDERGRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

100

1**2

**11

1

1

**

**

4

1

9

16

65113**

**

5

3

SITE 32B

2

13

10000

230

7

**

2

4

1

**3

**

**

December 2015Excl. Sedges & Forbs

SITE 32

1485m350°

Gm11 - Rand Highveld GrasslandVeld Type 61 - Bankenveld

Sandstone - SandyCREST

6.94473

25° 43' 27.4''29° 20' 07.8''

6.9

SITE 32

2012

29° 19' 58.0''

21

1

9619

7

431

**1

1

9

63

0

5

1800

100

1

**

517**

CRESTSITE 32

None recorded

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

196318

65

000

100UNDERGRAZED TO

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

000

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).December 2015 February 2015 2012 2009

> 4 000 Very High X X X3 000-4 000 High2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low X

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.16 6.3 0.12 8.3Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

ISPD 1780

BURN IN 2012

6.9Low

SUMMARY

Medium (High)16 (22)

Low

BURN IN 2009

86.7UNDERGRAZED

Very High4012

PROTECT AGINST FIRE IN 2015

POTENTIALVOLUME (kg/ha)

SITE 32ISPD 2287

2012 2009February 2015

SITE 32B

1963Low78.9

UNDERGRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

5336

Low20 (31)

High

8.6

Very High92.1

UNDERGRAZED

Not applicable

18 (26)Medium (High)

Not applicable

8.9

ISPD 3345

160m SW from original Site 32. The area was assessed as it is an area of concern

after being burned. There coud be a grazing impact which could result in a

negative trend. 3 Blue Wildebeest bulls in the area. Grass shortly grazed in patches

(1-5cm). Shallow sandy soils on rocky sandstone. Mosaic of patches shortly

grazed and taller ungrazed grass (where soil is deeper).

Low

CRESTSITE 32

SITE NUMBER: 32

ISPD 3617

6.9Low

16 (19)Medium

4473

December 2015

Very High82.1

UNDERGRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

Medium

The reason for the VCA is this site is a potential autumn burn area. The site is outside (North) of Burn 3 i.e. unburned

veld. Rocky Sandstone area.

BURN IN AUTUMN 2016

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSAndropogon chinensis Hairy Blue Grass 1 1Andropogon schirensis Stab Grass ** ** 1 1Bewsia biflora False Love Grass ** **Brachiaria brizantha Common Signal Grass 2 2 1 1Brachiaria nigropedata Black-footed Grass ** ** ** **Brachiaria serrata Red Top Grass / Rooisinjaalgras 2 2 1 1Diheteropogon amplectens Broad-leaved Bluestem ** ** 2 2Eustachys paspaloides Brown Rhodes Grass ** **Setaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone Mannagras 10 10 6 6Themeda triandra Red Grass 2 2 4 4TOTAL (Decreaser category): 16 16 16 16INCREASERS Icf. Alloteropsis semialata Black-seed Grass / DonkersaadgrasAndropogon eucomus Snowflake Grass ** **Aristida meridionalis Giant Three-awn ** ** ** **Aristida transvaalensis Rock Three-awn 10 10 ** **Arundinella nepalensis River Grass ** **Cymbopogon caesius Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass ** **Elionurus muticus Wire Grass / Koperdraad / SuurpolEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / Oulandsgras ** ** 1 1Eragrostis gummiflua Gum Grass ** ** 3 3Eragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass 4 5*Hyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching Grass ** ** ** **Hyparrhenia dregeana Thatching Grass ** *****Loudetia simplex Common Russet Grass 4 4 5 5Melinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red Top ** ** 1 1Monocot Forbs, including sedges (Cyperaceae) 0 4Panicum natalense Natal Panicum 12 12Paspalum notatum Bahia GrassRendlia altera Mahem's Crest 2 2Schizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / Rooidekgras 4 4 13 14Sporobolus centrifugus Olive DropseedTrachypogon spicatus Giant Spear Grass 2 2 ** **Tristachya biseriata Tristachya 24 24 12 13Tristachya rehmannii Broom Trident Grass ** **Urelytrum agropyroides Quinine Grass 7 8 1 1TOTAL (Increaser I cat.): 63 64 46 45INCREASERS IIAristida congesta subsp. barbicollis Spreading Three-awn ** **Aristida congesta subsp. congesta Tassel Three-awn ** **Aristida cf. diffusa Iron Grass 19 20Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass ** **Digitaria longiflora False Couch GrassDigitaria monodactyla One Finger Grass / Eenvingergras 2 2 5 6Eragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love Grass / Hartjiesgras ** **Eragrostis chloromelas Curly-leaf Lovegrass 5 6Eragrostis nindensis Wether Love Grass 3 3Eragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass 12 12Heteropogon contortus Spear Grass ** ** ** **Melinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluim ** ** ** **Microchloa caffra Pincushion GrassPerotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike Grass ** **Pogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / Sekelgras 2 2 2 2Sporobolus africanus Ratstail Dropseed ** **Sporobolus festivus Red DropseedSporobolus ioclados Pan DropseedSporobolus sp. SporobolusSporobolus stapfianus Fibrous Dropseed ** **Tricholaena monachne Blousaadgras ** **Trichoneura grandiglumis Rolling Grass / Waaigras 4 4 2 2Bare Ground 0 0 0 0TOTAL (Increaser II cat.): 20 20 36 39Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs 1 2Unidentified 0 0 0 0TOTAL 100 100 100 100

** Less than 1% of species recorded at site*** Loudetia simplex includes both Loudetia simplex and Loudetia flavida .Table 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Incl. Sedges & Forbs

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

Decreaser species (%) 16 16 16 16Increaser I species (%) 63 64 46 45Increaser II species (%) 20 20 36 39Bare Ground (%) 0 0 0 0Dicot Herbaceous Perennial Forbs (%) 1 0 2 0Unidentified species (%) 0 0 0 0Total (%) 100 100 100 100Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

100

**

03200

7****2**

21

**2

**51

****

3

**16

1

2

10**

**111

16

**1

13117

CREST

7.93203

Gm11 - Rand Highveld GrasslandVeld Type 19 - Sourish Mixed Bushveld

25° 42' 03.6''

2012

1330m

Not recorded

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

29° 18' 44.0''1325m

210°

CREST

* Hyparrhenia anamesa, Hyparrhenia filipendula and Hyparrhenia hirta grouped together.

2013

2013

SELECTIVELY GRAZED to UNDER-GRAZED

SITE 38

2013

5821

255°

5011

CRESTSITE 38

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies

2012

3

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

December 2015

December 2015

Not recorded

1

2012

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough frequencies

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

**2

Not recorded

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

1751320

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2012 - 2015).

Seasonal to semi-permanent wetlands (this site is on an ecotone between rocky outcrops and a seepage pan area)

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

9.08.4

**

February 2015

00

100

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 38Excl. Sedges & Forbs

7.6

**

**

SITE 38Sandstone - Sandy

14

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

2**

2663

240°

23116

4723

3

****

**

30

47****

100

2

**

3

Excl. Sedges & ForbsFebruary 2015

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

000

Not recorded

25

**

**

300**

****

**

February 2015

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

8**21

**

**

10000

19

**

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).Dec 2015 Feb 2015 2013 2012

> 4 000 Very High X X3 000-4 000 High X2 000-3 000 Medium Xless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.13 7.5 0.14 7.2Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

LowThe site was assessed as it has a

high species richness and due to the identification of a potential new

species.

BURN AUTUMN 2016. APPLY PATCH-MOSAIC BURN.

Medium (High)3203High84.9

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

7.9Low

SITE 38

9.0Low

February 2015

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

15 (31)

2012

Medium (High)5821

BURN IN 2013

ISPD 280720138.4Low

PROTECT AGAINST FIRE IN 2015

The site was assessed as it is a species rich area and there are concerns of a negative trend. 1

Reedbuck juvenile present.

SELECTIVELY GRAZED to UNDER-GRAZEDSELECTIVELY GRAZED

Low

Very High81.9

ISPD 2290

High (Very High)

CREST

22 (38)

December 2015SUMMARY

POTENTIALVOLUME (kg/ha)

APPLY STRICTER BURNING/GRAZING

MANAGEMENT, BURN 50 HA BLOCKS AND STAGGER

BURNS

5011Very High

75.2

SITE NUMBER: 38

ISPD 3618 ISPD 3346

2663Medium

17 (30)

7.6Low

14 (41)Medium (Very High)

85.3

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSBrachiaria brizantha Common Signal GrassSetaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone MannagrasThemeda triandra Red GrassTOTAL (Decreaser category):INCREASERS IElionurus muticus Wire Grass / Koperdraad / SuurpolEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / OulandsgrasEragrostis gummiflua Gum GrassHyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching GrassMelinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red TopPaspalum notatum Bahia GrassSchizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / RooidekgrasTOTAL (Increaser I cat.):INCREASERS IIAristida vestita AristidaCynodon dactylon Couch GrassDigitaria longiflora False Couch GrassEragrostis capensis Hartjie-eragrostisEragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass / Smalhartjie-eragrostisHeteropogon contortus Spear GrassMelinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluimPerotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike GrassPogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / SekelgrasBare GroundTOTAL (Increaser II cat.):Dicot Herbaceous Perennial ForbsUnidentifiedTOTAL** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Decreaser species (%)Increaser I species (%)Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%)Unidentified species (%)Bare Ground (%)Total (%)Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).SITE: 81

December 2015> 4 000 Very High X3 000-4 000 High2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.17 6.0Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

VOLUME (kg/ha)

02747

0

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough frequencies

SUMMARY

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

December 2015

MIDSLOPESITE 81

MIDSLOPE

POTENTIAL

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

26

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2015).

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 81

25° 42' 07.7''

1

Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

MIDSLOPESandstone - Sandy

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

SITE 81

5.34790

29° 19' 33.7''1400145°

26

19

8

1

472

3

4

December 2015Not recorded

UNDER-GRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

100

25

1000

270

0

4790Very High

74.7

SITE 81

MIDSLOPESITE 81

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

1

**

**

MediumThe reason for the VCA is to assess the grazing impact after Hyparrhenia burn.Controlled burn in 2014 within this area to encourage grazing in a Hyparrhenia anamesa dominated grassland.

Porcupine activity. Stoebe present.

BURN AUTUMN 2016

5.3Medium16 (19)Medium

UNDER-GRAZED TO SELECTIVELY GRAZED

15

**

ISPD 3619

3

9

2

3

2

2

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSSetaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone MannagrasTOTAL (Decreaser category):INCREASERS IAndropogon eucomus Snowflake GrassAristida junciformis Ngongoni Three-awnArundinella nepalensis River GrassEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / OulandsgrasEragrostis gummiflua Gum GrassHyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching GrassPaspalum notatum Bahia GrassPaspalum urvillei Vasey Grass / Langbeen PaspalumTOTAL (Increaser I cat.):INCREASERS IICynodon dactylon Couch GrassEragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love GrassEragrostis plana TaaipoleragrostisEragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass / Smalhartjie-eragrostis*Eragrostis sp. EragrostisHeteropogon contortus Spear GrassPogonarthria squarrosa Herringbone Grass / SekelgrasSporobolus africanus TaaipolBare GroundTOTAL (Increaser II cat.):Dicot Herbaceous Perennial ForbsUnidentifiedTOTAL* Eragrostis specie for identification.** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Decreaser species (%)Increaser I species (%)Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%)Unidentified species (%)Bare Ground (%)Total (%)Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).SITE: 82

December 2015> 4 000 Very High3 000-4 000 High X2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.16 6.3Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

VOLUME (kg/ha)

05345

0

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough

SUMMARY

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

December 2015

MIDSLOPE-VALLEY BOTTOM ECOTONE

SITE 82

MIDSLOPE-VALLEY BOTTOM ECOTONE

POTENTIAL

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

2

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2015).

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 82

25° 42' 44.2''

6

Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

MIDSLOPE-VALLEY BOTTOM ECOTONE

Sandstone - Sandy

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

45

**

**

SITE 82

4.73461

29° 19' 18.5''1386210°

17

22

10

ISPD 3620

Not recorded

SELECTIVELY GRAZED100

10

1000

530

December 2015

Reason for the VCA is to assess grazing impact after cattle grazing. Area not

burned but cattle grazed grassland area, followed by game. Stoebe invasion

visible.

BURN AUTUMN 2016

4.7Medium14 (17)Medium

SELECTIVELY GRAZED

3461High62.8

1

1

4

Medium

SITE 82

MIDSLOPE-VALLEY BOTTOM ECOTONE

SITE 82

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

2

December 2015

**

21

11

0

7

17

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSBewsia biflora False Love GrassBrachiaria serrata Red Top Grass / RooisinjaalgrasDigitaria brazzae Brown Finger GrassDiheteropogon amplectens Broad-leaved BluestemSetaria lindenbergiana Mountain Bristle GrassSetaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone MannagrasThemeda triandra Red GrassTOTAL (Decreaser category):INCREASERS IEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / OulandsgrasHyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching GrassLoudetia simplex Common Russet GrassMelinis nerviglumis Bristle-leaved Red TopPanicum natalense Natal PanicumSchizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / RooidekgrasTrachypogon spicatus Giant Spear GrassTristachya biseriata Tristachya Urelytrum agropyroides Quinine GrassTOTAL (Increaser I cat.):INCREASERS IIEragrostis racemosa Narrow Heart Love Grass / Smalhartjie-eragrostisMelinis repens Natal Red Top / Natal-rooipluimPerotis patens Bottle Brush Grass / Purple Spike GrassBare GroundTOTAL (Increaser II cat.):Dicot Herbaceous Perennial ForbsUnidentifiedTOTAL** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Decreaser species (%)Increaser I species (%)Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%)Unidentified species (%)Bare Ground (%)Total (%)Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).SITE: 83

December 2015> 4 000 Very High X3 000-4 000 High2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.11 8.8Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

SITE 83

43

36

2

1

1

1

1

**

**

94.4UNDER-GRAZED

4

ISPD 3621

2

**

**

**0

0

**

LowThe reason for the VCA is to assess this area as a potential autumn burn area.

Rocky Sandstone. Blue Wildebeest Bull in the area.

BURN AUTUMN 2016

8.9Low

12 (20)Medium (High)

5070Very High

5

CRESTSITE 83

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

**

December 2015Not recorded

UNDER-GRAZED100

87

2

**

1002

2

9

8.95070

29° 18' 16.8''1456360°

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2015).

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 83

25° 43' 28.2''

Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

CRESTSandstone - Sandy

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

SITE 83

SUMMARY

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)

December 2015

CRESTSITE 83

CREST

POTENTIAL

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

9

VOLUME (kg/ha)

2287

0

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough

TUFT DISTANCES (in cm) : High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cmPHYTOMASS / FUEL LOAD (in kg/ha)CO-ORDINATES: South EastHEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m)DIRECTION OF TRANSECTVELD TYPE (Acock's, 1953 ) VELD TYPE (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) GRASS SPECIES IN CATEGORIESDECREASERSAndropogon appendiculatus BlougrasSetaria sphacelata Common Bristle Grass / Gewone MannagrasTOTAL (Decreaser category):INCREASERS IAndropogon eucomus Snowflake GrassAristida junciformis Ngongoni Three-awnCalamagrostis epigejos subsp. capensis CalamagrostisDiheteropogon filifolius Thread-leaved Bluestem / SmalblaarblougrasEragrostis curvula Weeping Love Grass / OulandsgrasEragrostis gummiflua Gum GrassHyparrhenia anamesa Bundle Thatching GrassImperata cylindrica Cottonwool GrassLoudetia simplex Common Russet GrassPanicum natalense Natal PanicumPaspalum notatum Bahia GrassPaspalum urvillei Vasey Grass / Langbeen PaspalumSchizachyrium sanguineum Red Autumn Grass / RooidekgrasSporobolus sp. Sporobolus Trachypogon spicatus Giant Spear GrassUrelytrum agropyroides Quinine GrassTOTAL (Increaser I cat.):INCREASERS IIEragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love GrassEragrostis plana TaaipoleragrostisPaspalum dilatatum Dallis GrassPaspalum scrobiculatum Creeping Paspalum / DronkgrasSporobolus africanus TaaipolBare GroundTOTAL (Increaser II cat.):Dicot Herbaceous Perennial ForbsUnidentifiedTOTAL** Less than 1% of species recorded at siteTable 1.2: Other non-grass herbaceous plant, including protected or geophyte species.

Geophyte or red data species recorded

Table 1.3: Trends in species composition, from Table 1.1.

Decreaser species (%)Increaser I species (%)Increaser II species, excluding forbs and sedges (%)Unidentified species (%)Bare Ground (%)Total (%)Veld Condition (Tainton's Method)

Table 1.4 : Fuel load (in kg/ha).SITE: 84

December 2015> 4 000 Very High X3 000-4 000 High2 000-3 000 Mediumless 2000 Low

Table 1.5: Summary.

Tuft distance (cm)Water Catchment Potential (High is ≤4 cm, Medium >4-6 cm & Low > 6 cm)Number of grass species present per 2500 square meters (excl. and incl. <1% species)Grass Species Richness (High is = 20-30 spp, Low < 10 species)Fuel load (4 tons per ha = threshhold for burning)Fuel load potential (from Table 1.4)Condition on ISPD Degradation Axis (%) - Norm between 60% and 80%ISPD Veld Condition AssessmentTainton's method - LAU/ha & ha/LAU (calculated from veld condition, habitat & soil info) 0.08 11.9Current Grazing Capacity (High <4ha/LAU; Medium 4-7ha/LAU & Low >7ha/LAU)

Notes

Management Recommendation

****

**

**

**

ISPD 3622

6

SITE 84

The reason for the VCA is that this site is a potential winter burn area.

Signs of Stoebe invasion. BURN AUTUMN 2016

10.5Low

13 (23)Medium (High)

6133Very High

84.0UNDER-GRAZED

UNDER-GRAZED100

6

Increaser I species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is under-utilized or not burned in high enough

SUMMARY

Low

4

**

1000

180

0

5

1

11

76****

**

1

6

**

29° 19' 12.8''1399350°

651

Sandstone - Sandy

Excl. Sedges & ForbsDecember 2015

SITE 84

10.56133

Table 1.1: Veld condition assessment table: Grass species cover and composition at Bezuidenhoutshoek (2015).

BEZUIDENHOUTSHOEK: SITE 84

25° 44' 50.3''

40

1

5

14

Veld Type 61 - Bankenveld Gm11 - Rand Highveld Grassland

MIDSLOPE - VALLEY BOTTOM

December 2015

MIDSLOPE - VALLEY BOTTOMSITE 84

MIDSLOPE - VALLEY BOTTOM

POTENTIAL

Legend: Decreaser species - Grass and herbaceous species which decrease when veld is over-utilized or burned too frequently

MIDSLOPE - VALLEY BOTTOM

VOLUME (kg/ha)

SITE 84

Excl. Sedges & Forbs

01876

0

Increaser II species - Grass and herbaceous species which increase when veld is over-utilized or burned in too high frequencies

OTHER HERBACEOUS SPECIES

VELD CONDITION SUMMARY OF TREND (TAINTON'S METHOD)December 2015

December 2015Not recorded

Veld Condition Trend - December 2015 assessments at potential areas for patch-mosaic burning and areas experiencing grazing impact following 2014 burns.Site Veld

Condition Trend in VCA Trend in Tuft Distance Trend in Species richness Most recent Grass Fuel Load Notes and Management

Recommendations13 Good Positive Closer Negative, but the Decreaser Setaria

nigrirostris now dominatesLow; grazing impact last two years after

burn in 2014Trend towards IMPROVEMENT. Protect

against fire in 2016.21 Selectively

grazed Positive Closer Positive, with Digitaria brazzae inceasing in abundance

Low; grazing impact last two years after burn in 2014

Trend towards IMPROVEMENT. Protect against fire in 2016.

22 Under-to Selectively

grazedNegative Closer (due to

Coach Grass)Negative, with an increase in pioneer

grass associated with severe overgrazingMedium, reflecting grazing impact near

water holeNEGATIVE trend - towards overgrazing (trend

expected - due to impact of newly constructed water point). Protect against fire in

2016; do not burn.32 Under-to

Selectively grazed

Negative Closer Negative, with a dominance of undesired climax E. curvula Very high

NEGATIVE trend (towards undesired climax). Patch-mosaic burn is recommended in autumn

2016.

38 Selectively grazed

Recently stable, but general trend

towards climax, which is negative

Fluctuating but recently closer,

due to increased abundance of A. transvaalensis

Negative. Decrease in grass species richness. High

NEGATIVE trend, towards selective grazing. Rockiness of terrain affects reliable comparison due to challenge in repeatability of monitoring

(between rocks). Patch-mosaic burn is recommended in autumn 2016.

81 Under-to Selectively

grazedNo trend can be

observed yet; baseline info N/a N/a Very high

Baseline info, so too early to detect trend. Thatching Grass seems less conspicuous.

Controlled burn in 2014 applied to open up tall grass layer for game. Patch-mosaic burn is

recommended in autumn 2016.

82 UndergrazedNo trend can be

observed yet; baseline info N/a N/a High

Baseline info, therefore too early to detect trend. Thatching Grass less conspicuous. Cattle used to

open up grass layer for other game. Patch-mosaic burn is recommended in autumn 2016.

83 UndergrazedNo trend can be

observed yet; baseline info N/a N/a Very high

Baseline info, therefore too early to detect trend. Patch-mosaic burning recommended in autumn. Patch-mosaic burn is recommended in autumn

2016.84 Undergrazed

No trend can be observed yet; baseline info N/a N/a Very high Baseline info, therefore too early to detect trend.

Patch-mosaic burning recommended in autumn 2016.