The influence of high stocking density on the utilization of a number of species in the Central Upper Karroo.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of a high stocking density for a short period of stay on the utilization of 11 species in the Central Upper Karroo. Utilization was determined by comparing the mean dry mass of 50 plants per species before and after grazing. The results showed that the percentage utilization varied between species from 12,9 to 89,0 percent. Grazing with a high stocking density for a short period does not seem to be a suitable utilization practice for the veld in question.

Keywords: afrikaans; botany; dry mass; eragrostis capensis; eriocephalus ericoides; eriocephalus spinescens; felicia muricata; grazing; grazing pressure; hermannia multiflora; karoo; pentzia incana; percentage utilization; pteronia sordida; ruschia ferox; selago; selective grazing; south africa; stipagrostis ciliata; stocking density; tetragonia fruticosa

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.