Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Cereus jamacaru The queen of the night is a thick, spiny succulent with prominent ribs (Appendix 4) that can reach a height in excess of 7 m. A large number of individuals were identified distributed throughout Marloth Park. As this is a declared noxious weed (Category 1) it must be eradicated. It is recommended that these plants be chemically treated by injection with MSMA ® and only removed after it has died. Follow-up inspections are required and can be implemented annually. It is recommended that these plant rests be burned, as any green vegetative parts can propagate vegetative again. Harrisia martinii The moon cactus is a much branched, spiny succulent with bright red fruits and snowy white flowers (Appendix 4). The distribution is currently limited to two properties, where they have apparently been planted without knowing the implications to the ecosystem on Marloth Park. Due to a prolific seed production and the ease of seed distribution by birds and other animals, this plant species is a classified Category 1 invader species and must be eradicated. Any eradication programme, however, that is not conducted in co-operation with the property owners is doomed to fail, as re-infestation will occur. Bio-control methods are currently being investigated, but success can be achieved by mechanical removal or chemically treated by injection with MSMA ® . The dead plants can then be removed and burned, as any green vegetative parts will propagate vegetative again. Lantana camara Lantana is an attractive ornamental shrub with colourful, compact flower heads (Appendix 4). Due to the invasive properties of this exotic plant, it is now a declared noxious weed (category 1) and must be eradicated. This shrub is found in dense clusters in isolated patches in Marloth Park. It is recommended that an intensive eradication project that include a follow- up and maintenance control programme, be initiated as soon as possible. These plants can be mechanically uprooted and placed upside down to die. Dead plant material will be removed during the implemented burning regime for Marloth Park. Opuntia ficus-indica The prickly pear (Appendix 4) is widely distributed throughout Marloth Park with plants found, virtually, on ever property. Due to its ability to distribute seed and propagate readily, this Category 1 invader species must be eradicated. It is recommended that these plants be chemically treated by injection with MSMA ® , removed and burned after it has died, as any green vegetative parts will propagate vegetative again. © Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 95
Ricinus communis, Solanum sisymbriifolium and Xanthium strumarium The castor bean Ricinus communis (Category 2) can be recognized by its large shiny palmate (hand-shaped) leafs. The wild tomato Solanum sisymbriifolium is also a noxious weed (Category 1), but recognized by it prickly appearance. The large cocklebur Xanthium strumarium is characterized by it profusion of spiky seedpods, and due to its invasive properties classified as an undesirable weed (Category 1). These species can be found distributed throughout Marloth Park, but nowhere in large densities. It is, however, recommended that all these species be mechanically removed when encountered. The castor bean and the wild tomato are relatively low priority species, but wild tomato and large cocklebur should be considered high priority species that must be controlled. Alien species There are a myriad of other alien species found on Marloth Park, many of these considered naturalized weeds or acceptable garden plants. Undesirable weeds such as Amaranthus sp., Bidens pilosa and Tagetes minuta are all considered low priority plant species found throughout Marloth Park. These plant species are usually associated with disturbed areas such as roadsides. Control of these plants can effectively be obtained by a natural burning regime, as the application of herbicide, although effective, is not considered economically viable. BUSH ENCROACHMENT Bush encroachment is commonly defined as an increasing woody plant density. With the woody plant component increasing the grass sward diminishes, as the woody seedlings out compete the herbaceous layer for water supplies. This causes a decrease in an areas´ grazing capacity. Effects of overgrazing become more and more severe. With an increase of the level of tree thinning more and more grasses colonize bare ground. With less competition from woody plants for ground water after tree thinning, grasses stand a better chance to establish. To promote grass production in the areas of arid mixed bushveld no more than 1500 to 1700 trees per hectare are recommended This recommendation represents an approach between positive and negative interaction of trees and herbaceous layer as well as the aridity of the area as it influences the available soil moisture. The desired vegetation structure is an open savanna, which consists mainly of large trees, interspersed with relatively few small trees. © Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 96
- Page 51 and 52: Table 3: Grazing capacities for the
- Page 53 and 54: THE ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABLE BROWSE
- Page 55 and 56: X Y D1 Y Dimensional measurements:
- Page 57 and 58: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The browsing
- Page 59 and 60: Table 6: Browsing capacities for th
- Page 61 and 62: INTRODUCTION ESTIMATION OF HERBACEO
- Page 63 and 64: The resulting Large Stock Units are
- Page 65 and 66: INTRODUCTION GAME MANAGEMENT ON MAR
- Page 67 and 68: STOCKING RATES Current stocking The
- Page 69 and 70: Table 10: The current stocking dens
- Page 71 and 72: Recommendations on stocking rates C
- Page 73 and 74: High selectivity grazers Blue wilde
- Page 75 and 76: Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Ogil
- Page 77 and 78: Space requirements: Kudu have range
- Page 79 and 80: Recommendation: The range requireme
- Page 81 and 82: Food preference: Steenbok utilise A
- Page 83 and 84: Table 12: The potential stocking de
- Page 85 and 86: Table 14: The potential stocking de
- Page 87 and 88: Table 15: The recommended stocking
- Page 89 and 90: The proteins may be less available
- Page 91 and 92: When urea is incorporated into a ph
- Page 93 and 94: Recommended intake for game is 150
- Page 95 and 96: Ticks The main parasite of concern
- Page 97 and 98: Figure 12: Sketch of Cyphostemma /C
- Page 99 and 100: NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE WEEDS An invas
- Page 101: Management plans need to be reviewe
- Page 105 and 106: Although soil treatment with chemic
- Page 107 and 108: Planning errors must be expected, a
- Page 109 and 110: To further reduce grazing pressure
- Page 111 and 112: Lightning induced fires can also ca
- Page 113 and 114: TIME OF BURNING Least damage is cau
- Page 115 and 116: A low intensity fire will be achiev
- Page 117 and 118: Recommendations for Marloth Park Ma
- Page 119 and 120: Surface erosion will reduce water i
- Page 121 and 122: Several different types of waterhol
- Page 123 and 124: Stones Ground level Reinforced conc
- Page 125 and 126: For safety reasons these requiremen
- Page 127 and 128: Adaptive management Applying adapti
- Page 129 and 130: Figure 15: Location of the monitori
- Page 131 and 132: Appendix 1 (Continue) A list of tre
- Page 133 and 134: Appendix 2 (Continue) A list of gra
- Page 135 and 136: Appendix 3 (Continue) A list of for
- Page 137 and 138: Appendix 3 (Continue) A list of for
- Page 139 and 140: Appendix 4: Alien invaders found on
- Page 141 and 142: Appendix 5: Frequency occurrence of
- Page 143 and 144: Appendix 5: Frequency occurrence of
- Page 145 and 146: Appendix 5: Frequency occurrence of
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- Page 151 and 152: Appendix 5: Frequency occurrence of
Cereus jamacaru<br />
The queen of the night is a thick, spiny succulent with prominent ribs (Appendix 4) that can<br />
reach a height in excess of 7 m. A large number of individuals were identified distributed<br />
throughout <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>. As this is a declared noxious weed (Category 1) it must be<br />
eradicated. It is recommended that these plants be chemically treated by injection with<br />
MSMA ® and only removed after it has died. Follow-up inspections are required and can be<br />
implemented annually. It is recommended that these plant rests be burned, as any green<br />
vegetative parts can propagate vegetative again.<br />
Harrisia martinii<br />
The moon cactus is a much branched, spiny succulent with bright red fruits and snowy white<br />
flowers (Appendix 4). The distribution is currently limited to two properties, where they have<br />
apparently been planted without knowing the implications to the ecosystem on <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>.<br />
Due to a prolific seed production and the ease of seed distribution by birds and other animals,<br />
this plant species is a classified Category 1 invader species and must be eradicated. Any<br />
eradication programme, however, that is not conducted in co-operation with the property<br />
owners is doomed to fail, as re-infestation will occur. Bio-control methods are currently being<br />
investigated, but success can be achieved by mechanical removal or chemically treated by<br />
injection with MSMA ® . The dead plants can then be removed and burned, as any green<br />
vegetative parts will propagate vegetative again.<br />
Lantana camara<br />
Lantana is an attractive ornamental shrub with colourful, compact flower heads (Appendix 4).<br />
Due to the invasive properties of this exotic plant, it is now a declared noxious weed<br />
(category 1) and must be eradicated. This shrub is found in dense clusters in isolated patches<br />
in <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>. It is recommended that an intensive eradication project that include a follow-<br />
up and maintenance control programme, be initiated as soon as possible. These plants can be<br />
mechanically uprooted and placed upside down to die. Dead plant material will be removed<br />
during the implemented burning regime for <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>.<br />
Opuntia ficus-indica<br />
The prickly pear (Appendix 4) is widely distributed throughout <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> with plants<br />
found, virtually, on ever property. Due to its ability to distribute seed and propagate readily,<br />
this Category 1 invader species must be eradicated. It is recommended that these plants be<br />
chemically treated by injection with MSMA ® , removed and burned after it has died, as any<br />
green vegetative parts will propagate vegetative again.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 95
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