Exploring the potential of the descending-point method to measure utilization in Karoo veld.

Abstract

The descending-point method of vegetation survey proved effective in measuring meaningful plant cover changes during a grazing period. No significant changes in basal cover or plant height were detected. Changes in canopy spread and canopy cover could only be used to detect changes in utilization at levels lighter than 50% and 70% respectively. Selective utilization between species implies that it may be extremely difficult to achieve a specified level of utilization in practice. Therefore, in Karoo veld, resting may be considered a more practicable veld management strategy than attempts to achieve a specific utilization intensity. The descending-point method is time-consuming in determining canopy cover. Thus, methods based on more effective point sampling, within the canopy spread, may be more appropriate for this purpose.

Keywords: basal cover; botany; canopy cover; canopy spread; descending point method; grazing; karoo; management strategy; method; plant cover; plant height; sampling; south africa; vegetation survey; veld management