Primary production of rangeland practical and interpretive problems

Abstract

Primary production of rangeland has not been studied in southern Africa to the extent that it has been in other biogeographical regions. Ambiguity in terminology and in conceptualization of the process created difficulties in interpreting and/or comparing production data within the region. Certain difficulties inherent in estimating primary production of perennial natural rangeland are discussed. Harvest data are utilized to illustrate how methodology employed is critical to the estimate of primary production obtained. A relationship is presented which accounts for the major losses pertinent to most methods of estimating rangeland production.

Uittreksel

Primêre produksie van veld is nie tot dieselfde mate in suidelike Afrika as in ander biogeografiese streke bestudeer nie. Dubbelsinnigheid wat betref terminologie en konseptualisering van die proses skep probleme by die interpretasie en\of vergelyking van produksiegegewens binne die streek, Verskeie probleme wat inherent voorkom by die beraming van primere produksie van meerjarige natuurlike grasveld word bespreek. Snygegewens word gebruik om te illustreer hoe kritiek die metodiek is by die beraming van primere produksie. ‘n Vergelyking, wat rekening hou met die hoof verliese wat van toepassing is op die meeste metodes om veld produksie te beraam, word aangebied.