Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality
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However, the top centimetres of the topsoil should be dry when new seed is sown. Seed is<br />
distributed to the soil in two ways. With broadcast application the seed is spread by hand or<br />
with a specific implement over the total soil surface. With row application the seeds are sown<br />
in strips. They are sown either by hand or with implements such as the ripper. The seed type<br />
should be adapted to the specific soil type, should be palatable and should have a relatively<br />
high production potential. Palatable climax grass species occurring naturally in the area are<br />
preferred, as these are adapted to the prevailing conditions. Including pioneer grass species<br />
such as Aristida congesta and Chloris virgata are important, because they establish first and<br />
prepare the habitat for the climax grasses. Incorporating grass species of low palatability<br />
ensures that no overgrazing takes place in the reclaimed area. The correct seed mixture will<br />
save time and money. The mixture should contain annual and perennial grass species. Seeds<br />
of species such as three-awn Aristida congesta, blue buffalo grass Cenchrus ciliaris, feathered<br />
chloris Chloris virgata, finger grass Digitaria eriantha, weeping love grass Eragrostis<br />
curvula, Lehmann’s love grass Eragrostis lehmanniana, Guinea grass Panicum maximum,<br />
couch grass Cynodon dactylon and sand quick Schmidtia pappophoroides are possible<br />
ingredients of a good seed mixture. Aristida congesta, Cenchrus ciliaris and Eragrostis<br />
lehmanniana and Schmidtia pappophoroides are suitable for sandy soils in low rainfall areas.<br />
Digitaria eriantha, Panicum maximum and large-seed bristle grass Setaria incrassate prefer<br />
soils with relatively high clay and moisture contents. Chloris virgata grows in any type of<br />
soil. Application of 6 to 8 kg seed mixture per hectare was proven to be an efficient dosage.<br />
To protect the newly sown seeds, the topsoil of the seedbed must be compacted by rolling or<br />
trampling on the soil. Furthermore, seeds and new seedlings need protection against<br />
utilisation by insects and herbivores, trampling and excessive heat. Fencing off the area offers<br />
protection to a certain degree but is not feasible for <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>. Covering the newly<br />
reseeded soil with straw or branches (brush packing), preferably thorny branches, is a possible<br />
means of defence. Covering the soil with sheaves of straw also serves to retain moisture.<br />
Brush packing does not only serve to cover the respective area but also to trap seed and silt, to<br />
prevent runoff and to create a suitable microclimate for seed germination. When covering the<br />
respective area with branches, leaves and fine twigs of branches should be placed diagonal to<br />
the direction of the flow of the water in order to catch the topsoil and to prevent seed from<br />
being washed away.<br />
The standard height recommended for brush packing is 0.5 m. Flat areas with relatively small<br />
bare patches should be covered on the whole surface area. On steep inclines branches should<br />
be packed every 17 m at the top of the incline and every 37 m further downhill, to reduce<br />
water velocity. Spacing is adapted to the availability of woody material. Branch belts should<br />
be at least 0.3 m wide and span the length of the bare patch.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 101