NEWS
tiation of the grassland types . The 72 grassland vegetation types have been arranged into three broad groups based on their species composition , community structure , ecological characteristics and response to management .
• Dry Highveld Grassland
• Mesic Grassland
• Mesic Highveld Grassland
• High-Altitude Grassland
• Sub-Escarpment Grassland
• Coastal Grasslands
• Maputaland Coastal and Wooded Grassland
• Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Grassland
• KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt
• Transkei Coastal Belt
Although the grassland ecosystems have similarities , each is unique in its sensitivity and response to grazing and burning , and requires a slightly different management approach . Within the ecosystems , the vegetation types share similar structure and species composition , are maintained by similar ecological processes and have similar management requirements .
Grassland management involves integrating the two primary tools of grazing and burning , particularly in the more mesic grasslands . As the principles of biodiversity-friendly grazing and burning are applied across increasing areas of grasslands , there is a better chance for the persistence of biodiversity across the large portions of the grassland biome used for extensive animal production .
Rangeland management
These biodiversity-friendly management guidelines build on an extensive body of agricultural principles , such as moderate stocking rate and rest , that complement biodiversity conservation . Indeed , a minimum starting point for biodiversity-friendly rangeland management is to correctly apply the agricultural best practices that emphasise healthy veld and soil . There is a correlation between veld condition and biodiversity values .
Several methods of grazing , differing significantly from one another in theory and practice , have been published . Indeed , grazing and burning management in South Africa is a hotly debated topic . This series does not attempt to review the strengths and weaknesses of these regimes , but rather focuses on the principles of biodiversity-friendly grazing that managers can apply .
At the end of the series , a model for grazing and burning is presented as an example on which a land manager can develop his or her own model . This should by no means be seen as the only model . Relatively little research has been done on biodiversity-friendly grazing and burning . This allows the debate to be dominated by anecdotal evidence and speculation rather than by sound science . Considering that grasslands are complex systems about which there is insufficient knowledge , the focus of the guidelines will be on management principles . Conservative practices are applied to guard against damage through ignorance .
Action based on observation
There will never be a single recipe for successful management in all grassland ecosystems and socio-economic contexts . It is thus better to avoid a strict rules-based approach in favour of a principled , adaptive management approach that recognises the saying , slightly modified for this context :
• “ The eye of the owner makes for healthy veld and fat cattle ”.
In short , the manager should observe the grassland and so acquire knowledge of how it responds to various management and climatic regimes . Management decisions can then be based on these observations and the principles presented in the guidelines .
Phone Tsumbedzo Mudalahothe on 012 843 5000 or e-mail t . mudalahothe @ sanbi . org . za , or email Dr Richard Lechmere- Oertel at richard . bpm @ gmail . com . Visit www . grasslands . org . za .
Irrigated mixed pasture systems on the Outeniqua Research Farm near George .
31 Grassroots Vol 22 No 2 July 2022