Stable production versus resilience: A grazing management conflict?.

Abstract

The dynamics of grazed semi-arid savannas are analysed in terms of four main variables, viz. Grass, woody vegetation, soil moisture and herbivore stocking rate. It is contended that under conditions of good veld management the composition and structure of the vegetation changes such that the system becomes potentially more susceptible to severe degradation than one which has been subjected, at least periodically, to severe or excessive grazing.

Keywords: botany; composition; condition; degradation; dynamics; grass; grasses; grazing management; production; semi-arid savanna; soil moisture; south africa; stocking rate; vegetation change; vegetation changes; veld management; woody vegetation