bbin宝盈集团

Evaluating trade-offs from intensified practices in communal livestock systems in South Africa using an Integrated Farming Systems Approach (TOCASA)

AR Palmer
April 2019–March 2022

Sponsor: Coventry University
Collaborators: Coventry University, Rothamsted Research (UK), Conservation SA, the Institute for Water Research at Rhodes and Stellenbosch University

The project aims to better understand the socioecological systems (SES) of communal grazing areas, focusing on governance of communal grazing systems as common property regimes, and the links between governance and degradation of communal rangeland. Using a large aperture scintillometer, Prof. Tony Palmer determined the water use of the black and silver wattle trees which have invaded the hill-slope seeps of the Drakensberg foothills. The grasslands associated with these hill-slope seeps have been invaded by silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii), historically planted for woodlots, has subsequently invaded upland areas and the riparian zone. Both these landscape habitats had been grasslands and very important grazing resources, which have now been replaced by unpalatable wattle trees. The water used by these trees has radically altered catchment run-off, reducing the water available to downstream communities and to grazing areas. The IWR component of the project has determined that approximately nine percent (274 km2) of this region was invaded by wattle, which represents an annual water use of approximately 253 000 ML.

Last Modified: Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:41:11 SAST