The long-term economic viability and ecological integrity of savanna rangelands is being undermined by increasingly dense woody thickets at the expense of palatable herbaceous cover. This process is known as shrub- or bush-encroachment. Bush encroachment is a subset of a broader ecological riddle underlying the coexistence of woody and herbaceous vegetation that has been the subject of many ecological models. The ecophysiological mechanisms and interactions between trees and grasses on which most assumptions of ecological models are premised have seldom been tested empirically. This document synthesises the results of greenhouse and field-based investigations of the underlying ecological mechanisms and ecophysiological interactions between encroaching Acacia mellifera trees and grasses in a semi-arid environment. In a greenhouse study, I determined the contribution of N2 fixation to the N-budget of Acacia mellifera under conditions of both varying N availability and competition from grass. Tree seedlings had longer shoots and greater total dry mass in the absence of grass. The leaf δ15N values were lower with grass than without grasses. Thus, trees were more reliant on N2 fixation in the presence of grasses. N2 fixation may enable the tree seedlings to survive competition with grass at critical and vulnerable developmental stages of germination and establishment. In a field removal experiment, I monitored the growth rates, water relations and mortalities of shrubs around which neighbouring woody plants were removed (target) and control shrubs over three years. Results showed target trees to have benefitted from removal of neighbours, which was manifested in significantly faster growth rates, less negative predawn water potential and a relatively small degree of canopy die-back. Nonetheless, neighbouring trees appeared to prevent the whole plant mortalities resulting from severe environmental stress. Growing in close proximity with neighbours could therefore yield positive and negative ecophysiological effects. In another greenhouse experiment, I tested the effects of the separation of moisture uptake with depth between tree seedlings and grasses on two common substrate types. I also examined the influence of repeated grass clipping on the persistence of soil moisture. Results indicated a three-tier rooting pattern with a top layer exclusively exploited by grasses, an intermediate layer occupied by both grass and tree roots and deeper layers exclusively tapped by trees. Tree seedling biomass was negatively affected by grass competition although the biomass of grass was enhanced in the presence of tree seedlings on sandy substrates only. The repeated clipping of grass benefitted tree seedlings on rocky substrate more than it did on sandy substrate. The effects of heavy grazing on soil moisture availability to woody shrubs and thus bush encroachment may be contingent on substrate type, being more acute on rocky terrains. Grass competition suppresses tree seedlings but the removal of grass by grazing weakens this suppressive effect, particularly on rocky substrates. The insufficiency of space and soil resources on rocky substrates may necessitate increased investment in root biomass by plants. It is not known why grasses have lower densities on rocky substrates than on sandy substrates, but the obstruction by rocks disadvantages grasses against tree seedlings, leaving grasses vulnerable to grazing pressure. This may allow the woody plants on rocky substrates to benefit more from grass removal than on sandy substrates. Root restriction by rock barriers and, perhaps, sparse soil volume further lead to small tree sizes on the rocky substrate. Small shrubs are less likely to compete intensively for resources and cause density-dependent mortality. Intraspecific competition may maintain shrub sizes within the threshold that can be supported by available resource pools. I conclude from my results that the two-layer hypothesis of niche separation between savanna vegetation is valid although there is an overlap in the grass and tree rooting depth/moisture uptake. An additional factor that affects the success of A. mellifera is the substrate.Trees are more dense on rocky substrates but grow larger on sand. I have further shown that A. mellifera trees fix nitrogen when competing with grasses but do not do so when grasses are absent. A mechanistic model of savanna dynamics will need to integrate water use patterns, substrate and nutrients to make effective predictions about encroachment patterns. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

No presente trabalho foram estudadas 8 espécies lenhosas dos gêneros Cinchona (C. amazonica Standl.), Croton (C. billbergianus Müll.Arg., C. floribundus Spreng., C. lechleri, Müell.Arg., C. matourensis Aubl., C. palanostigma Klotzsch) e Uncaria (U. guianensis (Aubl.) J.F. Gmel. e U. tomentosa (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) DC.) de interesse medicinal e ocorrentes no Estado do Acre, Brasil. Dessas plantas foram analisadas as características dendrológicas, a estrutura anatômica do lenho, sua distribuição geográfica e “status” de conservação. A pesquisa consistiu de visitas de campo a diferentes regiões do Estado, coleta de material botânico e do lenho das plantas, levantamento e estudo das exsicatas das espécies em herbários nacionais e internacionais da América do Sul, revisão bibliográfica das espécies na literatura e “sites” especializados, descrição dos parâmetros dendrológicos e da estrutura antômica do lenho das espécies em laboratório, possibilitando a identificação das espécies dos 3 gêneros. As características dendrológicas vegetativas das plantas mostraram variações, resultado das adaptações ao meio ambiente, da idade e de sua ampla distribuição geográfica. A estrutura anatomica do lenho foi mais distinta entre famílias (Euphorbiaceae e Rubiaceae) e gêneros (Cinchona, Croton, Uncaria) e menos nas espécies, constituindose em parâmetro importante e auxiliar na sua identificação. As plantas de Cinchona amazonica apresentaram baixa intensidade populacional, embora com ampla distribuição no Estado do Acre, em outros estados brasileiros e nos países amazônicos. No gênero Croton, as plantas de C.palanostigma mostraram distribuição quase pontual no Acre e extensa na Amazônia e menos ampla na América Latina; C. floribundus com ocorrência pontual no Acre, distribuição concentrada no Estado de São Paulo e em outros estados brasileiros e no Paraguai; C. matourensis encontram-se bem distribuídas no Acre e em outros estados brasileiros e países amazônicos, até o Panamá; C. lechleri ocorrem somente no sudeste do Estado do Acre, na Bolívia, Colômbia, Peru e Equador; C. billbergianus encontram-se bem distribuídas no Estado do Acre, escassa em outros estados amazônicos, ocorrendo em outros países da América Latina até o México. As plantas de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa foram as de maior abundância no Estado do Acre e em toda a Amazônia brasileira, sendo U. tomentosa de menor abundância e distribuição muito ampla ocorrendo, inclusive, até a América Central. Com respeito ao “status” de conservação, as plantas de Croton billergianus, C. matourensis e Uncaria guianensis foram incluídas na categoria LC (comuns e abundantes ou fora de perigo), Cinchona amazonica, Croton lechleri e C. palanostigma em CR (perigo crítico), Uncaria tomentosa em VU (perigo a médio prazo) e Croton floribundus em DD (informação insuficiente). A presença destas espécies não foi constatada nas unidades de conservação do Estado do Acre e, no momento, as florestas onde ocorrem estão sendo exploradas para a extração da madeira, de fármacos e para a ampliação da fronteira agropecuária. Nos herbários das instituições de pesquisa e de ensino do Estado do Acre as coleções de plantas das espécies de Cinchona, Croton e Uncaria são escassas em comparação com as de outros Estados do Brasil e dos países visitados. / This research studied eight wood species of the genus Cinchona (C. amazonica Standl.), Croton (C. billbergianus Müll.Arg. C. floribundus Spreng.; C. lechleri, Müll.Arg.; C. matourensis Aubl. and C. palanostigma Klotzsch) and Uncaria (U. guianensis (Aubl.)J.F. Gmel. and U. tomentosa (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.)DC.). All of them with medicinal interest, grown in the state of Acre (Brazil). The research consisted mainly in: field work in different regions of the state of Acre and botanical and plants collections, raising the exsiccates of the mentioned species in the most important national and international herbariums of South America, a wide bibliographical review concerning these species, dendrology description and the macro and microscopy description of the wood. The ve getative dendrological characteristics of these species showed variations with age adaptations and geographical distribution. The anatomy structures were different between families (Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae) and genus (Cinchona, Croton, Uncaria) and less within species. These results can be used for identification of these genus. In the order hand, this study shows that Cinchona amazonica had low distribution in Acre State, other Brazilian states and Amazonian countries. For Croton genus as C. palanostigma showed an almost punctual distribution in Acre, although had high distribution on the Amazon region and lowest on Latin America; C. floribundus with punctual occurrence on the Acre State and concentrated distribution in Sao Paulo State, other Brazilian States and in Paraguay; C. matourensis had high distribution in Acre, other Brazilian states and Amazonian countries, reaching up to Panama; C. lechleri grew only in the south east of Acre, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador; C. billbergianus was found well distributed in Acre, less abundant in other Amazon states and Latin countries and reaching up to Mexico. Uncaria guianensis and U. tomentosa were the most abundant species in Acre state and in all the Brazilian Amazon, and the U. tomentosa in Brazil can be considered less abundant, although with a wider distribution reaching inclusive the Central America. Concerning the conservation “status”, C billbergianus, C. matourensis and U. guianensis were included in the category LC (common and abundant or out of danger); Cinchona amazonica, Croton lechleri and C. palanostigma on CR (critical danger), Uncaria tomentosa on VU (medium term danger) and Croton floribundus on DD (insufficient information). One of the most important aspects to mention is that there were no evidence of any presence of these species in the conservation unites in the State of Acre, and in the forests where they occur. Also, they are cuttings for raw material for wood, pharmacological exploration and farm and cattle frontiers amplification.. This situation was verified in the State of Acre for the lower collection of plants of Cinchona, Croton and Uncaria in relation to other states in Brazil and in other countries visited.

This diploma thesis is focused on the didactic use of woody plants in teaching at the secondary level of elementary schools and in the corresponding years of grammar schools. The purpose is to appropriately use trees and other woody plants that are close to schools and are available for teaching. The theoretical part deals with basic curricular documents, methods of teaching possibly used in science or biology that have been briefly characterized, and the representation of the topic of woody plants and their method of processing in commonly available textbooks. The following chapter provides a description of the woody plants used in the process of making of the practical materials. The research of the thesis includes a questionnaire survey done among teachers of science or biology at chosen elementary and grammar schools in Pilsen and surrounding towns. The research investigated the teaching methods and the actual use of woody plants in lessons and was evaluated afterwards. Based on the survey, a motivational teaching material was created and it was verified in practice with pupils of a specific grammar school. KEYWORDS curriculum documents, biology textbooks, teaching methods, woody plants, questionnaire research, dendrological walk

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Pasture Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The relationships between tree age, growth rings, and stem circumference correlated with establishment patterns may be a valuable instrument to reveal the functioning of woody species in the Savanna Biome. A study on tree age and establishment patterns of Acacia tortilis in the semi-arid regions of the Limpopo Province was conducted to aid an understanding of the causes of encroachment in savanna vegetation. This study aimed to determine the periodicity of growth ring formation at two study areas, correlate the number of growth rings with different tree characteristics and document tree population establishment patterns of Acacia tortilis, using stem circumferences. This was done in order to predict long-term bush encroachment using the interaction between rainfall and soil on the age, growth and establishment patterns of Acacia tortilis. Data was collected at three sites representing two study areas, two sites at the University of Limpopo’s Syferkuil Agricultural Experimental Farm and one site at the Sondela Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province. The study incorporated two different soil forms and two rainfall regimes. Trees were divided into five height classes; namely, <0.5 m, >0.5 – 1.5 m, >1.5 – 2.0 m, >2.0 – 3.0 m and >3m. Fifty trees (ten in each class) were felled at each site, and the following recordings were made: tree height, stem circumference and crown diameter. Furthermore, each felled stump was taken to the laboratory and examined for growth rings. The results indicated that growth pattern of Acacia tortilis stems were more influenced by soil form than the amount of rainfall. Tree height was not significantly affected by soil form. However, rainfall proved to have a significant effect on the final height of the plant. Both rainfall and soil form did not have a substantial effect on the number of growth rings. Crown diameter was affected by soil form but rainfall did not prove to have the same effect. Correlations between growth rings and stem circumferences, tree height and crown diameter, proved to have significant relationships. However, the relationship between stem circumference and the number of growth rings was the most significant. iv A prediction model was created using the relationship between stem size and growth rings. Using this model tree age can be determined in a non-destructive manner. However, the absence of a correlation between rainfall and establishment strongly suggests that rainfall cannot be used, on its own, to determine the establishment sequence and the pattern of bush encroachment. The study suggests that natural developments responsible for establishment patterns and population dynamics of woody species are complex, and their effects are visible after an extensive period. Therefore, to understand these influential processes comprehensively, several seasons of observations and monitoring would be recommended. Future research on this particular topic should include more than one encroaching species, because this will provide a broader perspective on the encroachment patterns of bush communities. However, the focus should be on studying the influence of growth limiting factors such as soil and climatic impacts, as well as area-specific environmental factors on the growth of encroaching species, such as Acacia tortilis. Key words: Bush encroachment, dendrochronology, growth rings, tree age, savanna, stem circumference Note: The candidate and the supervisors are aware of the fact that the Acacia genus has been revised. However, in this dissertation, the genus and species Acacia tortilis is still used. Relevant changes will be used in future publications. / University of Limpopo’s Department of Agriculture and National Research Foundation

A major challenge in savanna rangeland studies is estimating woody vegetation cover and densities over large areas where field based census alone is impractical. It is therefore crucial that the management and conservation oriented research in savannas identify data sources that provides quick, timely and economical means to obtain information on vegetation cover. Satellite remote sensing can provide such information. Remote sensing investigations, however, require establishing statistical relationships between field and remotely sensed data. Usually regression is the empirical method applied to field and remotely sensed data for the spatial estimation of woody vegetation variables. Geostatistical techniques, which take spatial autocorrelation of variables into consideration, have rarely been used for this purpose. We investigated the possibility of improving woody biomass predictions in tropical savannas using cokriging. Cokriging was used to evaluate the cross-correlated information between SPOT (Satellites Pour l’Observation de la Terre or Earth-observing Satellites)-derived vegetation variables and field sampled woody vegetation percentage canopy cover and density. The main focus was to estimate woody density and map the distribution of woody cover in an African savanna environment. In order to select the best SPOT-derived vegetation variable that best correlate with field sampled woody variables, several spectral vegetation and texture indices were evaluated. Next, variogram models were developed: one for woody canopy cover and density, one for the best SPOT-derived vegetation variable, and a crossvariogram between woody variables and best SPOT-derived data. These variograms were then used in cokriging to estimate woody density and map its spatial distribution. Results obtained indicate that through cokriging, the estimation accuracy can be improved compared to ordinary kriging and stepwise linear regression. Cokriging therefore provided a method to combine field and remotely sensed data to accurately estimate woody cover variables. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

La fixation symbiotique d'azote par l'ajonc d'Europe (Ulex europaeus) représente une source importante d'azote dans la forêt cultivée de pins maritimes des 'Landes de Gascogne'. Cette thèse a pour objectif la création d'un modèle conceptuel de dynamique de population de l'ajonc dans la région en vue de la prédiction du flux d'azote associé. Pour cela plusieurs étapes du cycle de vie de l'espèce ont été étudiées: la production et la prédation des graines, puis le recrutement de nouveaux individus depuis le stock de graines du sol. Nos résultats suggèrent que le maintien de cette espèce héliophile à l'ombre de la canopée des pins est facilité par la diminution de l'allocation de ressources à la reproduction, lui permettant de maintenir sa croissance, et par la diminution de la prédation des graines. Par ailleurs, le recrutement de nouveaux ajoncs semble influencé par des facteurs écologiques identifiables (e.g. humidité du sol). Mais ces facteurs sont fortement variables dans l'espace et dans le temps, et aucun micro habitat n'apparait comme plus favorable à la régénération de l'espèce. Ces résultats sont intégrés à un modèle conceptuel, représentant les différentes étapes du cycle de vie de l'espèce, et l'impact des opérations sylvicoles sur ces étapes. Les connaissances issues de cette thèse pourraient aussi bénéficier à d'autres problématiques liées à l'espèce (e.g. c'est une espèce invasive dans de nombreuses régions du monde) et à la compréhension de l'écologie de la régénération des espèces ligneuses. En effet, l'allocation des ressources à la reproduction pourrait être plastique et permettre une réponse adaptative à un environnement changeant; et la variabilité spatiotemporelle de la régénération des ligneux pourrait reposer sur l'existence de niches écologiques de régénération définies dans l'espace écologique. / Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by European gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a major source of nitrogen in the 'Landes de Gascogne' cultivated forest of maritime pine. This thesis aims to build a conceptual model of the population dynamic of gorse in the region, with a view to predict the associated flux of nitrogen. To achieve this, several steps of the life cycle of the species were studied: production and predation of seeds, and the recruitment of new plants from the seedbank.The results suggest that the maintenance of this light demanding species in the shade of the canopy of pines is improved by the decrease of reproductive allocation, which enable to maintain its growth, and by the decrease of the predation of seeds. The recruitment of new gorse plants seems controlled by identifiable ecological factors (e.g. soil moisture), however these factors are highly variable in space and time, and no specific micro-habitat appears to be more favourable for the species regeneration.These results are integrated into a conceptual model based on the different steps of the life cycle of the species, and taking into consideration the influence of forestry practices on these steps. Furthermore, the production of knowledge could benefit other subjects related to the species (e.g gorse is a noxious weed in many region in the world) and the understanding of the ecology of woody plants' regeneration. Allocation of resources to reproduction may be plastic and enable an adaptative response to a changing environment; and spatiotemporal variability of the regeneration of woody plants may rely on the existence of ecological regeneration niches defined in the ecological space.

A series of trials and investigations were implemented to address concerns surrounding the dynamics of the fire-climax wooded/edaphic grasslands within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research problem surrounded inadequate historical evaluations of changes in vegetation structure, grasslands progressing to a woody dominated composition, and increases in Helichrysum kraussii (Curry bush). These were addressed as follows: Firstly, the recovery of vegetation in response to different periods of fire exclusion in different communities along a topographical gradient of a coastal dune area, was assessed over a two year period. Secondly, the regeneration after wildfire of the persistent, stress tolerant shrub H. kraussii, was studied on different catenal positions with differing fire exclusion periods and with and without defoliation of surrounding plant biomass in the coastal edaphic grasslands north of Manzengwenya, South Africa. Thirdly, aerial photography from 1937, 1975, and 2000 was georectified, digitised and analysed using a Geographic Information System to examine broad vegetation changes in response to different management regimes for a site on the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia and a site within the Tewate Wilderness Area. In the absence of fire, the coastal edaphic grasslands progressed to a closed canopied scrub forest within six years. An increase in fire exclusion period resulted in a decrease in species abundance, an increase in woody height, and a decrease in plant density. Richness increased initially but declined marginally with increased fire exclusion period. Higher lying east and west facing sites had a better veld condition index compared with bottom sites and had an increased response (vigour) to defoliation but were far more likely to succeed through to woody scrub forest. Woody plant biomass vigour was greater for west facing sites. Ordination of species composition across sites in response to fire exclusion and catenal position revealed greater similarities within exclusion periods than between. Bottom sites were more similar with similarity decreasing for east and west facing sites. Fire exclusion resulted in an initial increase in woody species and a subsequent increase in herbaceous species. iii Growth response of H. kraussii was unaffected by catenal position and fire exclusion period, whereas defoliation of surrounding grass tended to increase in size (P<0.05). Density and height for this species however increased with increasing fire exclusion. An increase in soil moisture negatively affected H. kraussii growth indicating susceptibility to high water tables. The number of other woody species establishing beneath H. kraussii may be due to changes in the transmission of light through the canopy where an increase in canopy diameter resulted in an increase of photosynthetically active radiation at the soil surface. The effects of fire on landscape change were investigated for the Eastern Shores and Tewate Wilderness Area, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa using aerial photography. Changes to historical disturbance regimes largely through active exclusion of fire resulted in the majority of the higher lying coastal grasslands changing to savanna scrub or closed canopied forest within 63 years on the Eastern Shores. The degree of fragmentation of these grasslands was greatly reduced within the Tewate Wilderness Area where disturbance regimes included greater frequencies of fire. Hygrophilous grasslands remained largely unaffected by woody encroachment but did not preclude woody species establishment indicating possible susceptibility during long drier periods. Frequent fires result in the maintained distribution of the higher grasslands. This vegetation type is a system which becomes resilient in response to fire, whereas in the absence of fire readily progresses to Dune Forest. The coastal grasslands above the high water table are therefore highly unstable and transformed easily in the absence of regular disturbance. It would appear that a threshold of approximately six years exists, after which substantial management intervention may be required to reverse the succession back to grassland. The growth of H. kraussii was unaffected by fire and remained persistent irrespective of fire exclusion period. An ability to attain size (height and canopy diameter) was limited with increased soil moisture but density was reduced through regular burning. Frequent fires are necessary to reduce density of H. kraussii and reduce the competitive advantage gained with age. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

This study deals with the effect of natural disturbance caused by typhoons on the natural dynamic of primary mountain forests of South Korea. Further study subjects are change of typhoon characteristics and influence caused by the global climatic change and evaluation of ecological requirements of woody plants. The study is based on dendrochronological methods.

This study deals with the effect of natural disturbance caused by typhoons on the natural dynamic of primary mountain forests of South Korea. Further study subjects are change of typhoon characteristics and influence caused by the global climatic change and evaluation of ecological requirements of woody plants. The study is based on dendrochronological methods.

Woody plant encroachment is one of the major problems worldwide because it affects negatively the herbaceous layer, which provide forage for livestock production. However, the role of ruminants particularly browsers in the dispersal of woody plant seeds still remains a concern for farmers interested in grass production. Seedpods of various woody plant species constitute a crucial part of the diet of herbivores during the dry season because of their high nutritional quality compared to herbaceous material. The interaction of associated diet quality, seed characteristics and animal species among other factors play a pivotal part in the success of livestock faecal seeds dispersion. Furthermore, dispersed seeds that successfully grow into mature woody plants become an important source of protein for herbivores. The use of woody plants as a source forage is known to be limited by plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) such as condensed tannins. The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effects of condensed tannins and crude protein of Vachellia tortilis and Dichrostachys cinerea pods in seed recovery and germination fed to goats, and 2) the effects of diet mixing on the feed intake of plant species by goats. In the first experiment, a total of 12 female indigenous goats and 12 female Pedi sheep were utilised in this study, with the average body weights of 29.50 kg ± 1.60 (S.E) and 28.70 kg ± 1.60, respectively. Twelve goats were grouped into two groups of six goats per group, one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. The group of 12 sheep were divided similarly, the one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. Each animal was given V. tortilis and D. cinerea pods at 2.50% of their body weight. All animals were allowed to consume D. cinerea or V. tortilis pods within 24 h, after which the remaining pods were collected and weighed. Faecal collection commenced immediately after the 24 h pods feeding and was carried on until no seeds were discovered in faeces. All faeces extracted from sheep and goats were collected daily in the morning from the faecal bags. In the second experiment, a total of 24 indigenous goats with average body weight of 26.6 kg ± 0.51 were utilised. Goats were arbitrarily selected and grouped into four groups of six goats per group (goats were placed individually in 2 m2 pens). Each group was fed one of the following diets: diet one - Searsia lancea, diet two - S. pyroides, diet three - Euclea crispa and diet four - was a combination of the three plant species (Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and Euclea crispa). Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and E. crispa branches were collected every morning prior to feeding, and were weighed before offering the animals. Refusals were gathered and weighed, and intake was calculated as distinction between weight in and refusals. Plant species foliage were analysed for crude protein, condensed tannin, acid detergent lignin, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre. During the first experiment, the cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis from goats (46.00 % ± 1.90) and sheep (52.00 % ± 2.93) was significantly higher than D. cinerea from goats (13 % ± 1.47) and sheep (24.00 % ± 1.16). Germination percentage of D. cinerea seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (33.12 % ± 2.94) and sheep (36.00 % ± 2.68) was significantly higher than V. tortilis seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (28.98 % ± 2.68) and sheep (23.04 % ± 2.81). Average D. cinerea (34.56 % ± 1.99) and V. tortilis (26.02 %± 2.10) seeds that went through the gastro-intestinal of goats and sheep had a significantly higher germination rate than the control (i.e. no passage through the gut; D. cinerea = 2.31 % ± 1.55, V. tortilis = 5.07 % ± 2.68). The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis (18.80 %) may be attributed to the relatively higher crude protein than D. cinerea (12.20 %). This may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of woody plant species with relatively high crude protein content. In the second experiment, Searsia lancea contained 8.50 % CP, 21.46 % acid detergent fibre (ADF), 12.50 % ADL and 39.37 % NDF. Searsia pyroides had 9.03 % CP, 27.07 % ADF, 10.89 % ADL and 40.30 % NDF. Euclea crispa had 6.19 % CP, 26.20 % ADF, 16.63 % ADL and 30.02 % NDF. Mixed diet (combination of the three plant species) had 8.96 % CP, 23.72 % ADF, 11.13 % ADL and 38.28 % NDF. Searsia lancea had 2.70 % of CTs while S. pyroides had 5.20 % CT, E. crispa had 6.44 % CT and mixed diet had 7.20 % CT. The mean dry matter intake varied significantly among dietary groups (P < 0.001). Similarly, goats offered a mixed diet consumed more CTs (P < 0.01) than those offered individual forage species. The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis may be attributed to the higher crude protein of V. tortilis (18.80 %) than D. cinerea (12.20 %). Higher passage rate may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of plant species. The results from experiment two support the postulation that animals foraging in mixed diet systems consume more PSMs and achieve higher dry matter intake than animals confined to monocultures or single species feeding systems. Given that woody plant encroachment is already reducing farm-grazing capacities in African savannas and this problem is predicted to double by 2050, strategies that improve herbivore ability to consume woody plants will increase forage availability and inform bush control programmes and policies. Moreover, the concomitant increase in CTs by goats exposed to diets with diverse species also has positive implications for animal / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)