Changes in soil characteristics and grass layer condition in relation to land management systems in the semi-arid savannas of Swaziland

Tefera, Solomon; Dlamini, B.J.; Dlamini, A.M.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.10.016

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The eradication of Buffel grass is controversial because the species is highly valued as a pastoral species and more recently for mine site rehabilitation and erosion control (Bhattarai et al, 2008;Guevara et al, 2009;Harwood et al, 1999;Praveen et al, 2005;Tefera et al, 2010;Walker and Weston, 1990). Buffel grass is uniquely suited to these purposes because it has high nutritional value for sheep and cattle, high tolerance to drought, an ability to withstand heavy grazing, a deep stabilising root system and responds quickly to rainfall events (Lazarides et al, 1997;Phillips, 1931).…”

Section: The Controversymentioning

confidence: 99%

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review

Marshall

Lewis

Ostendorf

2012

Journal of Arid Environments

222

215

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a b s t r a c tPopular pastoral species, Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is receiving long overdue attention as an invasive weed that poses serious threats to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Most research focuses on the species as forage plant and is largely published in agricultural and grey literature. Meanwhile, there is a dearth of information about the species ecology in natural landscapes despite strong evidence from field workers and managers that the species is an aggressive invader and threat to biodiversity in many environments. We present a comprehensive review of the ecology, distribution and biodiversity impacts of Buffel grass when behaving as an invasive species. Foundations are laid for research into localised habitat requirements of the species that will aid in the management of Buffel grass invasions now and into the future.

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Section: The Controversymentioning

confidence: 99%

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review

Marshall

Lewis

Ostendorf

2012

Journal of Arid Environments

222

215

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“…In other similar acidic soils, studies often report no impact of grazing on soil pH e.g. semi-arid savannas of Swaziland (Tefera et al, 2010). In Bloemfontein, relatively high soil pH occurs under high grazing, compared with low grazing ( Table 2).…”

Section: Grazing and Soil Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animal trampling may have a major impact on soil structure and subsequently alter the soil water infiltration and availability to plants (Yates, 2000). Grazing is further associated with changes in soil pH and organic carbon, and soil nutrients such as N, P and K (Cui et al, 2005;Jeddi and Chaieb, 2010;Tefera et al, 2010;Yates, 2010). Accordingly, species composition and biomass production may be influenced through the direct effects of defoliation and trampling, and the indirect effects of nutrient enrichment and depletion (Snyman, 1998; Fernandez-Gimenez and Allen-Diaz, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Grazing on Plant Diversityproductivity Relationship in Semi-Arid Grassland of South Africa

Dingaan¹,

Walker²,

Tsubo³

et al. 2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

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Abstract.The relationship between plant diversity and productivity has been hotly debated over the last two decades. What makes the relationship complex is, in part, the interplay of several biotic and abiotic effects, which include rainfall variability, soil characteristics and grazing. We investigated the influence of grazing intensity on the diversity-productivity relationship in a wide range of soil pH along a rainfall gradient in semi-arid grassland. Vegetation and soil surveys were conducted in high grazing (HG) and low grazing (LG) grasslands around Bethlehem (716 mm mean annual rainfall, moderately acidic soil), Bloemfontein (543 mm, slightly acidic/neutral soil) and Kimberley (467 mm, neutral/slightly alkaline soil) in South Africa. Plant species occurring in the study area were recorded, and aboveground biomass was estimated by clippings. Soils sampled were analysed for chemical properties. Species richness increased with increasing biomass and decreasing pH in Kimberley and Bloemfontein and subsequently declined with increasing biomass and decreasing pH in Bethlehem. The relationship between species richness and biomass was hump-shaped across the study area but when we differentiated between the degrees of grazing, we found linear positive relationships at both LG and HG sites. This suggests that the diversity-productivity relationship needs to be carefully examined in grazing land.

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“…The decrease in nutrients could be caused by high grazing intensity and its accompanied depletion of plant cover and litter input as well as trampling of the soil (Kotzé et al, 2013;Zhou et al, 2010). The nutrient losses could also be the result of erosion and low nutrient input of plants (Snyman and du Preez, 2005;Tefera et al, 2010). In the case of zinc ions, which exist in the soil primarily as stable complexes with proteins and nucleic acids (Alloway, 2009).…”

Section: Mechanism Of Soc and Son Stock Depletionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land degradation impact on soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks of sub-tropical humid grasslands in South Africa

Dlamini

Chivenge

Manson³

et al. 2014

Geoderma

128

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Changes in soil characteristics and grass layer condition in relation to land management systems in the semi-arid savannas of Swaziland

Cited by 25 publications

References 29 publications

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review

Influence of Grazing on Plant Diversityproductivity Relationship in Semi-Arid Grassland of South Africa

Land degradation impact on soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks of sub-tropical humid grasslands in South Africa

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