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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The resulting Large Stock Units are then reduced by 30 percent to compensate for the<br />
different feeding behaviour of game in comparison to cattle. However, the phytomass method<br />
is generally only used to obtain an approximation of graze potential, as grass species<br />
palatability is not considered.<br />
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION<br />
Disc pasture readings are predominantly used to determine biomass production of the<br />
herbaceous layer and the necessity to implement a burning regime to remove moribund<br />
material that can be detrimental to succesional seasonal growth. A minimum of 2000 kg is<br />
required to carry a burn, while a biomass of more than 4000 kg constitute a fire hazard that<br />
will be difficult to control.<br />
<strong>Plan</strong>t community 1: The Chloris virgata – Acacia grandicornuta Low thicket<br />
This plant community has a dry herbaceous biomass production of approximately 1455 kg/ha,<br />
and can thus not carry a burn. Although the biomass production in some areas exceeds 1890<br />
kg/ha, fire is not considered as a management option.<br />
<strong>Plan</strong>t community 2: The Trichoneura grandiglumis – Combretum apiculatum Short<br />
bushland<br />
This plant community has a dry herbaceous biomass production of approximately 1680 kg/ha,<br />
and can also not carry a burn. Biomass production in this plant community varies from 1450<br />
kg/ha to 2050 kg/ha. The implementation of a fire regime as an applied management principle<br />
is not currently recommended.<br />
<strong>Plan</strong>t community 3: The Themeda triandra – Acacia nigrescens Low bushland<br />
This plant community has a dry herbaceous biomass production of approximately 2200 kg/ha,<br />
and can thus carry a burn. Biomass production in this plant community varies from 2000<br />
kg/ha to 3220 kg/ha. The implementation of a fire regime as an applied management principle<br />
is not currently recommended.<br />
<strong>Plan</strong>t community 4: The Spirostachys africanus – Balanites maughamii Low bushland<br />
This plant community has a dry herbaceous biomass production of approximately 2530 kg/ha,<br />
and can thus also carry a burn. Biomass production in this plant community varies from 2060<br />
kg/ha to 3140 kg/ha. The implementation of a fire regime as an applied management principle<br />
is not currently recommended.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 56