Area and species selection by wild ungulates in coastal sour grasslands of Mkambati Game Reserve, Transkei, southern Africa

Shackleton, Charlie M.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1992.tb00494.x

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Several studies in the region have demonstrated that heterogeneous frequent fires improve and maintain the nutritional quality of grasslands making it highly attractive to grazing animals (Aranibar et al, ; Munthali & Banda, ; Parsons, Shackleton, & Scholes, ; Shackleton, ; Trollope et al., ; West, ). Even though this hypothesis was not tested in our study, we consider that it is important to address it in the future, in view of establishing a fire management system with a focus on LNP's wildlife.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of fire frequency on the structure and botanical composition of savanna ecosystems

Ribeiro

Ruecker²,

Govender

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Savannas cover 60% of the land surface in Southern Africa, with fires and herbivory playing a key role in their ecology. The Limpopo National Park (LNP) is a 10,000 km 2 conservation area in southern Mozambique and key to protecting savannas in the region. Fire is an important factor in LNP's landscapes, but little is known about its role in the park's ecology. In this study, we explored the interaction between fire frequency (FF), landscape type, and vegetation. To assess the FF, we analyzed ten years of the Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) burned area product (2003–2013). A stratified random sampling approach was used to assess biodiversity across three dominant landscapes (Nwambia Sandveld‐NS, Lebombo North‐LN, and Shrubveld Mopane on Calcrete‐C) and two FF levels ( low —twice or less; and high —3 times or more, during 10 years). Six ha were sampled in each stratum, except for the LN versus high FF in which low accessibility allowed only 3 ha sampling. FF was higher in NS and LN landscapes, where 25% and 34% of the area, respectively, burned more than three times in 10 years. The landscape type was the main determinant of grass composition and biomass. However, in the sandy NS biomass was higher under high FF. The three landscapes supported three different tree/shrub communities, but FF resulted in compositional variations in NS and LN. Fire frequency had no marked influence on woody structural parameters (height, density, and phytomass). We concluded that the savannas in LNP are mainly driven by landscape type (geology), but FF may impose specific modifications. We recommend a fire laissez‐faire management system for most of the park and a long‐term monitoring system of vegetation to address vegetation changes related to fire. Fire management should be coordinated with the neighboring Kruger National Park, given its long history of fire management. Synthesis : This study revealed that grass and tree/shrub density, biomass, and composition in LNP are determined by the landscape type, but FF determines some important modifications. We conclude that at the current levels FF is not dramatically affecting the savanna ecosystem in the LNP (Figure 1). However, an increase in FF may drive key ecosystem changes in grass biomass and tree/shrub species composition, height, phytomass, and density.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of fire frequency on the structure and botanical composition of savanna ecosystems

Ribeiro

Ruecker²,

Govender

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Examples abound for vertebrates and invertebrates, which may also be NTFP species in some regions. Mammals such as rhinoceros, antelope, and viverrids maintain dung middens much of the year, resulting in small (< 20 m²), nutrient-enriched patches that are later colonized by particular plant species (Tinley 1978, Shackleton 1992. The colonizing vegetation is typically nutrient-rich, and can eventually lead to persistent grazing lawns (Cromsigt and Olff 2008).…”

Section: Nutrient Cyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontimber forest products as ecological and biocultural keystone species

Shackleton¹,

Ticktin²,

Cunningham³

2018

E&S

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Nontimber forests products (NTFPs) are the mainstay of rural livelihoods and local economies the world over. As such they are of interest to a wide disciplinary range of researchers and development and government agencies seeking to promote livelihoods, incomes, and ecologically sustainable practices. With the attention on the various human uses of NTFPs, their role and networks in the broader biological communities in which they are located are frequently overlooked. Harvesting of many NTFPs has effects not only at the organism and population scales, but also on co-occurring species, some of which may also be NTFPs. Thus, reduction or loss of one NTFP population or species in a specific area may have cascade effects on other NTFP species, including those used for cultural purposes. We illustrate the little appreciated importance of NTFPs in broader ecological and social systems by assessing and illustrating the importance of NTFP species as ecological or biocultural keystones in providing regulating and supporting ecological services to other species and cultural services to people. We present a number of examples where NTFP species act as keystones in ecological and cultural systems, including food, pollination and dispersal, animal health, nutrients, shelter and protection, and cultural symbolism, most of which have not been considered by NTFP researchers and practitioners. From these examples we distill six propositions regarding NTFPs and discuss the value of recognizing some NTFPs as biocultural keystones to acknowledge and highlight their roles at broader scales.

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“…It occurs as pure stands over large areas as the dominant woody component in open through to dense, dwarf tree savanna (Teague, 1989; Teague & Teague, 1990). Attempts at restoring the encroached rangelands have included the cutting down of trees, controlled burning, chemical application, broadcast sowing of grass seeds and controlled browsing with goats (Trollope, 1983; Shackleton, 1992; Teague, 1992; Carser & Campbell, 1995; Jacobs & Biggs, 2001). Despite these attempts, bush encroachment still persists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

Trollope

Scogings

2009

African Journal of Ecology

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The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, grass competition and clipping were investigated for one growing season at the research farm of the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the experiment was to assess the short‐term performance of Acacia karroo seedlings under different environmental conditions and the implications of such factors on the long‐term recruitment of plant species in savanna rangelands. There were no significant treatment effects on the survival of A. karroo seedlings. Using stem length and basal diameter as growth parameters, it was observed that irrigation enhanced both variables, while nitrogen fertilization did not have any significant effects. Clipping, grass competition and their interaction greatly suppressed the growth of the seedlings. Clipping increased the mean stem length when they were irrigated and fertilized. Control and fertilized plants had the highest stem length in the absence of grass competition, while grass competition combined with clipping resulted in the lowest stem length in both irrigated and nonirrigated plants. It was concluded that in the presence of grass competition, controlled browsing could be a viable solution to the problem of bush encroachment in savanna rangelands.

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Area and species selection by wild ungulates in coastal sour grasslands of Mkambati Game Reserve, Transkei, southern Africa

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

The influence of fire frequency on the structure and botanical composition of savanna ecosystems

The influence of fire frequency on the structure and botanical composition of savanna ecosystems

Nontimber forest products as ecological and biocultural keystone species

Effects of moisture, nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

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