Restoring degraded patches in a semi-arid rangeland of South Africa

Analysis and evaluation of ecological restoration experiments in the Succulent Karoo (South Africa)

“…This is in contrast to many positive results of other experiments with either brushpacks alone as Ludwig & Tongway (1996b) have shown for the establishment and growth of perennial grasses in eastern Australia, the combination of brushpacks and subsequent seeding (Visser et al 2004), or the combination of brushpacking, ripping, oversowing and mulching (van den Berg & Kellner 2005). Brushpacks are therefore a common and effective applied restoration method which is, however, cost intensive.…”

“…Van den Berg & Kellner (2005) report for the Nama Karoo that most notably shrub species were favored by brushpacks and organic amendments. One restoration trial which aimed to rehabilitate overgrazed rangelands near Paulshoek, Upland Namaqualand, used also Galenia africana shrubs to form brushpacks in combination with seed introduction, but with low success (Simons & Allsopp 2007).…”

“…Introduction 2 surface water run-off and direct impact of raindrops on the bare soil surface which lost its vegetation cover due to overgrazing are cause of topsoil erosion (du Toit et al 2009, Snyman 1998 It is known that without active intervention degraded rangelands are unlikely to revert to their pre-disturbance stage (van den Berg & Kellner 2005, Friedel 1991) and the exclusion of livestock alone is not sufficient to restore those (Mucina et al 2006). The need for more active interventions is generally recognized , Snyman 2003, Visser et al 2004) and also particular for the overgrazed rangeland on sheep farms in the Karoo (Wiegand & Milton 1996).…”

Comparing Direct Abiotic Amelioration and Facilitation as Tools for Restoration of Semiarid Grasslands

“…The practices for abiotic amelioration include treatments that break and roughen the soil surface, create dams and microcatchments, and increase organic matter (Shachak et al 1998; Suding et al 2004). These treatments are carried out to increase water infiltration, minimize water and nutrient leakage, and reduce salt content and soil erosion (Shachak et al 1998; Snyman 2003; van den Berg & Kellner 2005; King & Hobbs 2006). With these practices, soil conditions are improved and the feedback loop that maintains the degraded state stable is reversed, and plant establishment is enhanced.…”

Restoring Disturbed Landscapes

“…Trends in three soil-surface indicators on rehabilitated sites aged from three months to seven years, and in nearby rainforests, East Kalimantan.the world (e.g.,Whisenant 1990;Milton et al 2003;van den Berg and Kellner 2005;Kellner and Moussa 2009).…”