Research Note:Evaluation of the reliability of local farmer knowledge in Namaqualand, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract:Local farmer knowledge of species distribution patterns and plant palatibality in Namaqualand, South Africa, was assessed using Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques. These findings were compared with the results obtained using phytosociological techniques (species distribution), and with palatability indices published in the literature. It was found that farmers were knowledgeable of species distribution close to the settlement. Farmer plant palatability rankings did not correlate well with the palatability indices found in the published literature, which suggests that palatability in semi-arid regions are locality specific.

Keywords:Keywords: palatability, participatory rural appraisal, plant distribution patterns, stock farmers

African Journal of Range oand Forage Science 15(1&2): 64–67