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An investigation of seasonal disturbance intensity on wetland grass belts of Nysvley Nature Reserve

MSc (Botany) / Department of Botany / The use of disturbance in the management of Savanna is a common rangeland practice in South Africa. A two-season trial was established in June 2016 and December 2016 to evaluate the effects of disturbance of different intensities on wetland belts in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve. The disturbances were in three different belts of different grass types at different intensities. The experimental treatments consisted of two different intensities, namely; high (H) and low (L). The Cyperus amabilis belt was regarded as site 1, the Sporobolus africanus as site 2, and the Themeda triandra as site 3. Seventeen kites were contracted in each belt, two times 1 m × 1 m at high and low intensity, followed by two times 2 m × 2 m one at high intensity. The results showed that disturbance affects the topsoil by removing the soil which is rich in nutrients producing pioneer species for the first few months and then original species were seen inhibiting again. / NRF

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:univen/oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/1313
Date17 May 2019
CreatorsGelebe, Vhuhwavho
ContributorsLigavha - Mbelengwa, M. H., Tshisikhawe, M. P.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (xi, 66 leaves : color illustrations, color maps)
RightsUniversity of Venda

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