Influence of Tree Density on Vegetation Composition and Soil Chemical Properties in Savanna Rangeland of Eastern Cape, South Africa — Oak Academic Publishing
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Influence of Tree Density on Vegetation Composition and Soil Chemical Properties in Savanna Rangeland of Eastern Cape, South Africa
Department of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa
,
Department of Livestock & Pasture, University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa
,
Livestock and Poultry Research Center, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
1 Department of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa
2 Department of Livestock & Pasture, University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa
3 Livestock and Poultry Research Center, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
The proliferation of woody species alters the vegetation structure, leading to loss of rangeland productivity. It aimed to assess the influence of tree density on vegetation and soil chemical properties at three levels of encroachment; open, moderate and dense. Each level of encroachment was replicated 3 times, a 5000 m 2 plot was marked per replicate. Four belt transects 200 m 2 were placed per plot. Woody species within each belt transect per replicate were identified and recorded to evaluate woody species composition. Grass species composition was assessed using a step point method. Soil was sampled per replicate and analysed for chemical properties. Results showed that 71% of grasses were increasers and 29% decreasers. Digitaria eriantha and Eragrostis obtusa were the most dominant species. Vachellia karoo and Aloe ferox were the most dominant woody species. The dense had high nitrogen (1.48%) compared to the moderate (0.23%) and the open (0.17%). Increaser species, soil carbon, soil pH increased with the increase of tree density. It was concluded that the replacement of highly palatable grasses with inferior ones was due to improper rangeland management practices. It was recommended that land users form rangeland management associations and set up conservation agreements for proper management of resources.
KeywordsEncroachmentCompositionDensityRangeland
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