Grass species diversity response to brush packing in semi-arid rangelands of South Africa

Mangani, Tshepiso; Marquart, Arnim; Chirima, George; Kellner, Klaus

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2022.104832

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, highly palatable grass species ( B. catharticus , C. hirsutas , D. eriantha , P. dilatatum and T. triandra ) tend to decrease in abundance as bush cover increases, while moderately palatable grass species ( A. congesta, E. muticus, E. chloromelas , M. decumbens , M. disticha and M. macowanii) increase with increasing bush density, especially for I. thodei and H. trilineatum . These findings concur with Mangani et al (2022) who reported that bush encroachment suppresses palatable grasses. Bushes have been reported to outcompete the palatable plant species (Van Oudtshoorn, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in a montane area

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although bush encroachment in rangelands is a widely reported phenomenon, particularly in the arid and semi‐arid regions of southern Africa, the knowledge of the impact of bush encroachment in montane rangelands is inadequate to support the sustainable management of these important ecosystems. This study assessed how herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in the montane rangelands of Sehlabathebe in the Qacha's Nek District of Lesotho. Fifty 16 m2 vegetation plots were randomly selected on a bush‐encroached rangeland area. In each plot, bush species data, including canopy cover, richness, density and height, were recorded. The Braun‐Blanquet method was used to assess herbaceous vegetation. The data were analysed using regression analysis, correlation analysis and ordination. Forb and graminoids attributes (Shannon‐Wiener diversity, species richness, evenness and percentage cover) together with bush attributes (height, density, diversity, evenness, richness and cover %) were subjected to regression and ordination. Results revealed that bush cover was negatively correlated with both forb and graminoids vegetation cover. While forb species richness, evenness and Shannon‐Wiener diversity increased with an increase in bush encroachment intensity, graminoid species abundance and diversity decreased. Overall, bush encroachment negatively impacted the structure and composition of graminoids. This implies that bush encroachment compromises the condition of montane rangelands because graminoids contribute to grazable forage more than forbs in these montane ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in a montane area

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Brush packing as a mulch is a commonly used technique in veld conservation to improve grass production ( Mangani et al., 2022 ). The microclimate beneath the brush packing modifies the balance between the absorbed and reflected radiation transmitted through the branches ( Ruíz-Machuca et al., 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using mulching to reduce soil surface temperature to facilitate grass production

Mangani

Mangani²,

Chirima³

et al. 2022

Heliyon

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drought release and post-drought changes in herbaceous composition and diversity in two land uses subjected to selective bush control in a semi-arid Kalahari savanna

Staden

Marquart

Kellner

2023

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Grass species diversity response to brush packing in semi-arid rangelands of South Africa

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in a montane area

Herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in a montane area

Using mulching to reduce soil surface temperature to facilitate grass production

Drought release and post-drought changes in herbaceous composition and diversity in two land uses subjected to selective bush control in a semi-arid Kalahari savanna

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About