The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existi... more The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existing data and knowledge are quantitatively or qualitatively used as a basis for range condition and grazing capacity assessments and for defining appropriate management options to maintain or improve the condition and capability of the range. This study was carried out to investigate the degree to which the qualitative approach in ISPD can be implemented, and to determine the amount and availability of data and expert knowledge in a specific area for the purpose of constructing a database in ISPD. Large quantities of information were available for the construction of vegetation condition and grazing capacity models for direct implementation in the grazing industry. The results generated by the models corresponded to the proposed grazing capacity values for the study area. The models furthermore enable any user to assess rapidly and accurately the range condition and grazing capacity for any vegetation unit in any stage of degradation.
The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional ch... more The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional changes in the diverse indigenous flora of southern Africa. A study was therefore initiated to determine the influence of rainfall conditions on species composition changes, which could serve as a basis for determining the long term influence of rainfall increase (e.g. cloud stimulation) and rainfall decrease (e.g. long term droughts). Certain species were found to occur in all the rainfall zones while others were limited to either the high or the low rainfall area. The reaction of species on the rainfall gradient also differs in vegetation representing different degradation stadia. The predictions of the reactions of key species on rainfall decrease or increase are of special importance for the eventual determination of grazing capacity.
The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existi... more The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existing data and knowledge are quantitatively or qualitatively used as a basis for range condition and grazing capacity assessments and for defining appropriate management options to maintain or improve the condition and capability of the range. This study was carried out to investigate the degree to which the qualitative approach in ISPD can be implemented, and to determine the amount and availability of data and expert knowledge in a specific area for the purpose of constructing a database in ISPD. Large quantities of information were available for the construction of vegetation condition and grazing capacity models for direct implementation in the grazing industry. The results generated by the models corresponded to the proposed grazing capacity values for the study area. The models furthermore enable any user to assess rapidly and accurately the range condition and grazing capacity for any vegetation unit in any stage of degradation.
The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional ch... more The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional changes in the diverse indigenous flora of southern Africa. A study was therefore initiated to determine the influence of rainfall conditions on species composition changes, which could serve as a basis for determining the long term influence of rainfall increase (e.g. cloud stimulation) and rainfall decrease (e.g. long term droughts). Certain species were found to occur in all the rainfall zones while others were limited to either the high or the low rainfall area. The reaction of species on the rainfall gradient also differs in vegetation representing different degradation stadia. The predictions of the reactions of key species on rainfall decrease or increase are of special importance for the eventual determination of grazing capacity.
The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existi... more The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existing data and knowledge are quantitatively or qualitatively used as a basis for range condition and grazing capacity assessments and for defining appropriate management options to maintain or improve the condition and capability of the range. This study was carried out to investigate the degree to which the qualitative approach in ISPD can be implemented, and to determine the amount and availability of data and expert knowledge in a specific area for the purpose of constructing a database in ISPD. Large quantities of information were available for the construction of vegetation condition and grazing capacity models for direct implementation in the grazing industry. The results generated by the models corresponded to the proposed grazing capacity values for the study area. The models furthermore enable any user to assess rapidly and accurately the range condition and grazing capacity for any vegetation unit in any stage of degradation.
The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional ch... more The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional changes in the diverse indigenous flora of southern Africa. A study was therefore initiated to determine the influence of rainfall conditions on species composition changes, which could serve as a basis for determining the long term influence of rainfall increase (e.g. cloud stimulation) and rainfall decrease (e.g. long term droughts). Certain species were found to occur in all the rainfall zones while others were limited to either the high or the low rainfall area. The reaction of species on the rainfall gradient also differs in vegetation representing different degradation stadia. The predictions of the reactions of key species on rainfall decrease or increase are of special importance for the eventual determination of grazing capacity.
The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existi... more The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existing data and knowledge are quantitatively or qualitatively used as a basis for range condition and grazing capacity assessments and for defining appropriate management options to maintain or improve the condition and capability of the range. This study was carried out to investigate the degree to which the qualitative approach in ISPD can be implemented, and to determine the amount and availability of data and expert knowledge in a specific area for the purpose of constructing a database in ISPD. Large quantities of information were available for the construction of vegetation condition and grazing capacity models for direct implementation in the grazing industry. The results generated by the models corresponded to the proposed grazing capacity values for the study area. The models furthermore enable any user to assess rapidly and accurately the range condition and grazing capacity for any vegetation unit in any stage of degradation.
The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional ch... more The impact of ecological factors such as changes in rainfall could lead to large compositional changes in the diverse indigenous flora of southern Africa. A study was therefore initiated to determine the influence of rainfall conditions on species composition changes, which could serve as a basis for determining the long term influence of rainfall increase (e.g. cloud stimulation) and rainfall decrease (e.g. long term droughts). Certain species were found to occur in all the rainfall zones while others were limited to either the high or the low rainfall area. The reaction of species on the rainfall gradient also differs in vegetation representing different degradation stadia. The predictions of the reactions of key species on rainfall decrease or increase are of special importance for the eventual determination of grazing capacity.
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