The immediate effects of intensive grazing of mixed Karoo veld

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine the immediate effects of intensive grazing on the vegetation, the grazing animals (Merino ewes) and the soil surface. Twelve experimental camps were used and grazed at a stocking density of 20 sheep to the morgen for 14 or 15 days per camp. The results showed that the sheep were capable of reducing the basal, canopy, and canopy-spread cover significantly. The various species were not all grazed to the same extent. The trampling and disturbing of the ground surface, and foot path formation, were the most conspicuous effects of intensive grazing. At this stage this is regarded as the greatest drawback in the application of this method of grazing. No harmful effects could be seen on the grazing animals.

Keywords: soil surfaces|species lists|grazing systems|disturbances|trampling|canopies|stocking densities|mixed veld|veld|Karoo|sheep|merino sheep|grazing|vegetation|basal covers