The use of microplots to sample grassveld in Lesotho

Abstract

Permanent range condition monitoring stations were established at the mountainous area of Molumong in Lesotho. The parameters most commonly used to determine range condition trend were evaluated for repeatability under various situations. These parameters include frequency and basal area of the dominant plant species and ground surface features such as bare soil and litter. Forty‐one stands (10 m × 15 m in size) were subjectively located to represent the major plant communities of the region. One hundred microplots (5 cm × 10 cm in size) were systematically located along transects within each stand. The basal area of each plant species and the area of bare soil, rock or litter was estimated for each microplot. Eight sample stands were protected with fences, sampled one year later and compared to adjacent grazed areas. Differences in the results of data collected between individual samplers, between years (1981–1982) and between grazed and protected veld were statistically analyzed using the paired t test. Two different individual samplers were able to get similar results, readings were significantly different from one year to the next but differences were small, and the degree of utilization affected parameter readings. The use of microplots to sample grassveld was found to be rapid, simple to use and sufficiently consistent to monitor range condition trend.

Uittreksel

Permanente veld toestand monitor stasies is by die bergagtige gebied van Molumang in Lesotho gevestig. Die parameters wat mees algemeen gebruik word vir die bepaling van veld toestandsneiging is vir herhaalbaarheid evalueer, onder verskillende toestand. Hierdie parameters sluit die frekwensie en basale gebied van die dominante plant spesies in, sowel as grond eienskappe soos kaalgrond en afval. Een‐en‐veertig persele (10m × 15m in grootte) is subjektief gekies om die hoof plant gemeenskappe an die streek te verteenwoordig. Een‐honderd mikro‐persele (5cm × 10cm grootte) is sistematies geplaas op dwarslyne binne elke stand. Die basale gebied van elke plantspesie en die oppervlakte kaalgrond, rots of afval is vir elke mikro‐perseel bepaal. Agt monsterings gebiede is beskerm deur omheining, ‘njaar later gemonster en vergelyk met omliggende beweide gebiede. Verskille in resultate van data versamel tussen individuele monsternemers, tussen jare (1981–1982) en tussen beweide en beskermde veld is statisties vergelyk met die gepaarde t‐toets. Twee verskillende individuele monsternemers was in staat om soortgelyke resultate te verkry, lesings het betekenisvol verskil tussen jare, maar die verskille was klein, en die graad van gebruik het die parameter lesings bëinvloed. Die gebruik van mikro‐persele om monsters van grasveld te neem is gevind gou te wees, eenvoudig om te gebruik en voldoende herhaalbaar om veld toestand en neiging te monitor.