Grass protein content and soils as factors affecting area-selective grazing by wild herbivores in the Umfolozi Game Reserve, Zululand.

Abstract

Wild herbivore grazing preference for sites on illuvial soils, as opposed, to eluvial or sandy soils, were explained in terms of differences in the crude protein content of Panicum maximum, P. deustum and Themeda triandra growing on the several sites; but differences in P, Ca, Mg, K and Na were not thought important. However, significant differences in protein content between grasses growing on the same site indicated that species selection preferences might also affect choice of grazing site. A high protein content maintained by P. maximum on generally infertile soils was apparently due to localised soil enrichment by woody plants. Management suggestions were made towards correction of imbalances in the grazing utilisation pattern in the Reserve.

Keywords: crude protein; crude protein content; enrichment; grass; grasses; grazing; grazing preferences; herbivores; kwazulu-natal; management; panicum maximum; preference; protein; soil enrichment; south africa; species selection; themeda triandra; umfolozi game reserve; utilisation; woody plants