Browse production and leaf phenology of some trees and shrubs in different Colophospermum mopane savanna communities

Abstract

Leaf dry mass (DM) at peak biomass was estimated for different plant communities in a semi‐arid savanna. These estimates included the total leaf DM, as well as estimates of the leaf DM at browsing heights of 1.5 m, 2.0 m and 5.0 m. The total leaf DM in the different plant communities ranged between 1 224 kg ha⁻¹ and 2 672 kg ha⁻¹. The contribution of individual woody species to the total leaf DM ha⁻¹ is presented for each plant community. Colophospermum mopane contributed substantially to the total leaf DM in all communities. Monthly assessments were made of the abundance of leaves in different phonological states for the most important woody species in each plant community. Differences in the leaf carriage patterns and phenological composition of leaves between different plant communities, as well as between the most important woody species, were established. The long leaf‐carriage period of C. mopane, relative to the other represented tree species, underlies its potential importance as a fodder resource in the study area.

Additional index words:

• Mopani veld
• ungulate habitats
• vegetation types