What is veld succession?

What is veld succession?

The successional stage of veld is determined by specific plant species (referred to as indicator plants) occurring in it. According to Mr Donaldson it is an established fact that plant succession is the major ecological process responsible for the stability or deterioration of natural veld.

How can I improve my veld condition?

This can be achieved through a rotational grazing system in which a camp is rested during the growth phase. The rest period must be long enough to allow the palatable species to grow, flower and set seed. The growth vigour of palatable plants should be higher than that of unpalatable plants.

What is veld condition assessment?

Veld condition refers to the condition of the vegetation in relation to some functional characteristic. The technique has been specifically developed for use by wildlife managers and has the ability to indicate the potential of the veld to support bulk grazing animals, to carry a fire and to resist soil erosion.

What is the aim of veld management?

The objective of veld management is to provide good soil cover with edible perennial grass plants that ensure long-term sustainable production with maximum financial return.

What is the difference between sour veld and sweet veld?

Sourveld occurs in areas with high water supply and where parent material gives rise to soils with a low base status. Sweetveld occurs in areas with low water supply and where parent material gives rise to soils with a high base status.

What are the five main areas of veld?

Earlier in this work the constituents of the five basic habitats of forest, bush, scrub, grass and karoo were explained briefly, but it is not sufficient to relate birds onIy to their preferred habitats.

Why is veld condition assessment important?

Veld condition is an important determinant of grazing capacity and the monitoring thereof can detect trends in vegetation change at an early stage. Good veld is characterized by a high percentage of climax grasses or Decreaser species.

How do you manage veld?

(1) match the stocking rate to the carrying capacity; (2) use a rotational rest; (3) use fire appropriately, at the correct time and for the correct reasons; (4) ensure fences are in the correct location and make camps a uniform size; and (5) balance what’s good for the veld with what’s good for the animal.

What is a sour veld?

: African veld that is largely covered with coarse seasonal perennial grasses and affords inferior grazing.

What is a Decreaser species?

Definitions. Decreaser: a dominant grass in good, well-managed veld that will decrease under any form of mismanagement, such as severe disturbance, untimely burn, overgrazing or under-utilisation. Increaser: a grass species that will increase under any type of mismanagement or disturbance.

What does veld condition mean in wildlife management?

WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course– This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. Veld Condition Veld condition refers to the condition of the vegetation in relation to some functional characteristics, generally sustained forage production and resistance to soil erosion.

Which is an indicator of veld’s ability to resist drought?

One of the main indicators of the ability of veld to resist drought is the relative abundance of climax grasses. According to Mr Donaldson it is an established fact that plant succession is the major ecological process responsible for the stability or deterioration of natural veld.

What makes a veld a good veld plant?

A primary requirement of veld in areas subjected to frequent droughts is the ability to resist such droughts. One of the main indicators of the ability of veld to resist drought is the relative abundance of climax grasses.

How long does an overgrazed veld need to rest?

Overgrazed veld may require resting of fire for as long as 3 to 5 years (thus the grass phytomass may then exceed very high levels) or more, depending on the rate of recovery of the veld.