Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality

The following relative ecological index values are assigned:
Decreasers - 10
Increasers Ia - 7
Increasers Ib - 7
Increasers IIa - 4
Increasers IIb - 4
Increasers IIc - 1
Invaders - 1
The maximum veld condition score of 1000 is based on 100 percent Decreaser grass species.
The minimum veld condition score of 100 is based on 100 percent Increaser IIc or invader
species. However, the occurrence of misses recorded can in effect reduce this value.
According to the dominance of the various ecological groups the veld can be classify as in
excellent condition if Decreasers dominate, in good to fair condition if Increaser Ia and
Increaser Ib dominate, in fair to poor condition if Increaser IIa and Increaser IIb dominates,
and in poor to very poor condition if Increaser IIc and invader grass species dominate. Veld in
excellent condition is representative of a homogenous unit that is most productive in a
specific area, and is considered most resilient if utilised with prudence.
The veld condition score of a survey site in itself already gives an indication as to the
potential of the veld, but is usually compared to the veld condition score of a benchmark site,
determined using the same survey method. The benchmark value is taken as the potentially
maximum value and divided into five equal portions (1 to 110 for very poor, 111 to 220 for
poor, 221 to 330 for moderate, 331 to 440 for good and 441 to 550 for excellent condition) for
evaluation. If no benchmark site is available for comparison, the following categories are
implemented:
Where a veld condition score of
0 to 39.9 % indicates veld in poor condition
40 to 60 % indicates veld in moderate condition
60.1 to 100 % indicates veld in good condition
© Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 39