Seasonal changes in biomass concentration in three coastal grassland communities in Transkei

Abstract

The density of forage available to wild ungulates was measured in terms of biomass concentration. Data were collected in three grassland communities for several months. In two of the communities burning and grazing treatments were also applied. The biomass concentration was greatest in the shortest sward. Results indicate that after burning biomass concentrations were temporarily below the level required by a LSU to maintain body mass. This temporary shortage existed for 5–6 months after a fire. This may be partly responsible for the increased grazing frequently observed following a fire.

Die digtheid van beskikbare gras vir wilde grasvreters is gemeet in terme van biomassa konsentrasie. Inligting is vanaf drie grasveld plantgemeenskappe oor etlike maande verkry. In twee van die gemeenskappe is veldbrand en weiding ook toegepas. Die biomassa konsentrasie was groter in die korter grasveld. Die resultate dui daarop dat die biomassa konsentrasie na ‘n veldbrand tydelik benede die vereiste LSU vlak was vir die onderhouding van liggaamsmassa. Hier‐die tydelike tekort het vir 5–6 maande na die veldbrand voorgekom. Dit mag gedeeltelik verantwoordelik wees vir die verhoogderde weidingsdruk wat dikwels na ‘n veldbrand waargeneem kan word.

Additional index words:

• Burnt
• unburnt
• ungulates