Alien tree invasion into a South African montane grassland ecosystem : impact of Acacia species on rangeland condition and livestock carrying capacity

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dc.contributor.authorYapi, Thozamile Steveen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorO'Farrell, Patrick J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDziba, Luthando E.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorEsler, Karen J.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-24T09:39:10Z
dc.date.accessioned2021-08-27T12:43:23Z
dc.date.available2019-01-24T09:39:10Z
dc.date.available2021-08-27T12:43:23Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.descriptionCITATION: Yapi, T. S. et al. 2018. Alien tree invasion into a South African montane grassland ecosystem : impact of Acacia species on rangeland condition and livestock carrying capacity. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, 14916 : 105-116, doi:10.1080/21513732.2018.1450291.
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRACT: The degree to which invasive Acacia species affect South Africa’s livestock production has received little attention. We investigated the ecological impacts of Acacia mearnsii invasion on forage quality and quantity and on soil resources, along A. mearnsii invasion gradients, on South African rangelands and the subsequent conditions following clearing. Grazing capacity was reduced by 72% in densely invaded sites, whereas clearing improved grazing capacity by 66% relative to densely invaded sites within 5 years. In densely invaded sites total grass species basal cover was reduced by up to 42%. As a result, A. mearnsii reduced grazing capacity, from 2 to 8 ha required to support one large stock unit (ha/LSU) in uninvaded and densely invaded sites, respectively. Soil moisture content was lower in densely invaded sites compared with lightly invaded and cleared sites. Plant litter increased from 1.3% to 4.2%, carbon content of the soil increased from 2.0% to 4.0% and nitrogen concentrations increased from 0.1% to 0.2% in response to invasion by A. mearnsii. Clearing resulted in improved grazing capacity within 5 years. These results also showed that, if left uncontrolled, wattle species can reduce livestock carrying capacity within montane grasslands in South Africa.en_ZA
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent14 pages : illustrations, mapsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationYapi, T.S.; O’Farrell, P.J.; Dziba, L.E.; Esler, K.J. (2018) Alien tree invasion into a South African montane grassland ecosystem: impact of Acacia species on rangeland condition and livestock carrying capacity. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, 1491): 105-116en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2151-3732en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/121458
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherTaylor & Francisen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subject.lcshAcacia mearnsii -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshInvasive plants -- Biological controlen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshAcacia mearnsii -- Geneticsen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshGrazing -- South Africa -- Managementen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshRangelands -- Effect of grazing on -- Measurementen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshLivestock -- Productivity -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshSoil moistureen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshRange managementen_ZA
dc.titleAlien tree invasion into a South African montane grassland ecosystem : impact of Acacia species on rangeland condition and livestock carrying capacityen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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