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.com
Volume 7, Issue 2 (Suppl)
J Ecosyst Ecography, an open access journal
ISSN:2157-7625
September 18-20, 2017
September 18-20, 2017 Toronto, Canada
Joint Conference
International Conference on
International Conference on
Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
&
Ecology and Ecosystems
Impact of grazing management practices on rangeland condition in the Eastern Cape grassland biomes
of SouthAfrica
Solomon T Beyene
and
Charlene Mudita
University of Fort Hare, RSA
I
n South Africa rangelands, two main livestock production and management practices can be recognized: communal-continuous
(CG) and commercial-rotational (RG) ranching. After decades of trials, another management planning known as Holistic Planned
Grazing (HPG) has been suggested and its recognition is growing. This planning allows much higher animal density stay over a short
time period and moves to mimic nature. The current study evaluated variations in vegetation and soil characteristics in response to
the three grazing management systems in the grassland biomes of South Africa. From each management practice, two farms were
selected giving a total of six farms. Each farm was divided into three landscape units namely; bottomlands, slope and uplands. Three
100 m by 50 m transects were established in each landscape unit to record vegetation and soil data. Results showed that farms under
HPG had higher (P<0.05) basal cover, followed by RS, whereas CG had the lowest. Biomass production was highest (P<0.05) in
RG and lowest in CG grazing system. Communal grazing sites were characterized by high abundance grass species that have low
grazing and ecological benefits, where as the dominant grasses under RG and HPG were strong perennials with high grazing values.
Aggregate stability, Particulate organic matter, Organic carbon and many soil nutrients were relatively higher in soils collected from
RG followed by HPG. Landscape greatly influenced many vegetation and soil variables and this appeared to interact significantly with
grazing management. Significant variations for several vegetation and soil variables between the land management practices suggest
that differences in grazing pressure and system might be the primary cause. This supports the equilibrium models that stress the
greatest role of livestock density and movement on soil and vegetation dynamics. We conclude from this study that RG and HPG may
promote soil and vegetation stability, whereas CG resulted in poor soil and vegetation conditions. Therefore, we recommend studies
to evaluate best practices based on RG and HPG principles under communal rangeland system.
teferabeyenesolomon@yahoo.comJ Ecosyst Ecography 2017, 7:2 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625-C1-030