The application of state-and transition models to rangeland research and management in arid succulent and semi-arid grassy karoo, South Africa

Abstract

We evaluate the ability of existing models of vegetation dynamics to explain how drought and herbivory by domestic livestock can change Karoo vegetation, and why the vegetation does not always return to its original composition when livestock are withdrawn. Using published data for the arid southern and semi-arid eastern Karoo, we provide new conceptual models of the dynamics of these vegetation types and discuss their relevance for research into the conservation and rehabilitation of Karoo rangelands.

Keywords: botany; composition; conceptual models; conservation; drought; herbivory; karoo; livestock; management; models; rangeland; rangelands; rehabilitation; semi-arid; south africa; vegetation change; vegetation dynamics; vegetation types

African Journal of Range & Forage Science, Vol. 11(1), pp. 18-26