Topo-edaphic environment and forestry plantation disturbance affect the distribution of grassland forage and non-forage resources, Maputaland, South Africa

Abstract

Grasslands are integral to rural livelihoods in southern Africa, because they provide hydrological regulation services and a variety of plant resources, including livestock fodder, medicines, and food products. To ensure ongoing provision of these resources in rapidly developing rural landscapes, an understanding of the relationships between grassland species composition and ecosystem services is required. This study examines the provision of grassland forage and non-forage resources across five grassland types in relation to environmental determinants of site topography, soil conditions, and plantation-forestry disturbance. Grasslands characteristic of low-lying and fertile landscape positions were dominated by nutritious lawn grasses and therefore tended to complement rangeland practices, whereas grasslands associated with elevated areas or infertile conditions were diverse in species composition and consequently provided the majority of plant medicines, spiritual resources, fruit-beverage resources, oils, and craft materials. Secondary grassland, resulting from forestry plantation abandonment, had moderate forage potential and limited non-forage resources. Our results provide a simple framework for approaching grassland resource classification, grassland conservation and land use management on the Maputaland coastal plain.