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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INTRODUCTION<br />
ESTIMATION OF HERBACEOUS BIOMASS PRODUCTION<br />
The herbaceous biomass of an area refers to the total leaf production of herbaceous vegetation<br />
such as grasses and forbs. To better compare values from different areas, the biomass is<br />
usually measured as dry mass per unit area. The extent of total biomass production is highly<br />
dependent on various environmental factors, of which climate and especially rainfall is<br />
considered as the most important factor in the arid regions of southern Africa. Estimations of<br />
leaf dry mass production can also be used to calculate grazing potential of an area. A further<br />
application of biomass data is found in the field of range management, where biomass is used<br />
to determine veld condition using the herbaceous phytomass method. However, the most<br />
important aspect for the measurement of biomass production is the determination of fuel load.<br />
This information is important to determine the necessity or possibility for veld burning as well<br />
as the risk for natural fires. Sufficient fuel load to carry a fire is a prerequisite for the<br />
implementation of a burning regime. The use of fire is considered an important management<br />
tool on any wildlife area. Firstly, it is useful to remove moribund material and improve the<br />
palatability of the veld, or keep the veld in a desired stage of succession. Secondly, fire is<br />
considered a means of bush control, even though its´ use in combating bush encroachment is<br />
limited. Thirdly, fire is implemented to actively influence animal movement to rest degraded<br />
veld. Species such as blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, impala Aepyceros melampus<br />
melampus, kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum and zebra<br />
Equus burchelli are attracted to recently burned areas. The new growth provides a palatable<br />
food source that is rich in protein.<br />
Most methods to determine phytomass production such as the Quadrat Method or Strip<br />
Mowing Method are based on harvesting a predetermined area at ground level, drying the<br />
clippings and weighing them. However, these methods are time consuming and labour<br />
intensive. The Disc-pasture Meter Method is considered a better alternative due to the ease of<br />
implementation and non-destructive nature. With this method the biomass under a<br />
standardised area, the disc of the pasture meter, is measured and related to the settling height<br />
of the disc above ground.<br />
OBJECTIVES<br />
The objective of this study is to:<br />
• Determine the biomass production in the various homogenous units.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 54