Short-Term Influence of Burning on Species Abundance, Biomass Production, Wood Plant Density and Browsing Unit in an Albany Thicket of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Tokozwayo, Sive; Thubela, Thubela; Gxasheka, Masibonge; Mthi, Siza; Gulwa, Unathi; Nyangiwe, Nkululeko; Kwaza, Ayanda; Jokani, Nokonwaba; Mgujulwa, Nobulungisa; Mkabile, Yanga; Bozo, Thozama Theophilus; Sogoni, Amahle

doi:10.4236/as.2022.131007

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Perceived causes of this decrease were (1) bush encroachment, (2) poor pasture management (overgrazing, the abandonment of rotational grazing, and the eradication of grazing camps), (3) reoccurring droughts, and (4) the increase in built-up area and in-migration. Poor management of communal pastureland in Tyhume Valley is consistent with findings from other parts of the Eastern Cape province (Bennett and Barrett, 2007;Moyo et al, 2008;Bennett et al, 2010;Tokozwayo et al, 2018;Kakembo and Ndou, 2019;Tokozwayo et al, 2021). Most of the respondents indicated that, in addition to bush encroachment, built-up area has taken up substantial proportions of pastureland.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Although factors such as CO 2 fertilization and V. karroo's drought tolerance are also known to contribute to the expansion of V. karroo and bush encroachment in general, the responses provided by the Tyhume locals in this study indicate that land management is the major enabling factor. Previous studies conducted in Tyhume and other parts of the Eastern Cape province report that communal lands do not have proper management measures in place to limit the spread and expansion of woody encroachers like V. karroo (Bennett et al, 2010;Puttick et al, 2014;Tokozwayo et al, 2018). Elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration drives V. karroo's expansion when there are no bush encroachment limiting factors (Nackley et al, 2018;Raubenheimer and Ripley, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The expansion of V. karroo in South Africa was first noticed in Eastern Cape's Keiskammahoek area in the 1890s (Story, 1952) and the Bloemfontein and Brandfort areas in the 1950s (Louw, 1951;Mostert, 1958;Trollope, 1983). Since then, V. karroo's invasion of pastureland has become one of the major problems confronting sheep and cattle farmers in South Africa's communal areas (Du Toit, 1967;Beyene et al, 2014;Tokozwayo et al, 2018). This has prompted environmentalists to declare V. karroo a noxious weed (Barnes et al, 1996) that reduces plant biodiversity (Bond and Midgley, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The extent, perceived causes and impacts of land use and land cover change in Tyhume Valley, South Africa

Masiza,

Hamandawana,

Chirima

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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There is limited knowledge on how people living in communal areas perceive land use and land cover (LULC) change and the impacts it has on sustainable access to essential ecosystem goods and services. This study used seven wet season Landsat images covering 1989 to 2019 and the Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm to map LULC in Tyhume Valley, South Africa. Analyses of trends in LULC and long-term changes in rainfall over the same period were based on the Mann Kendall (MK) statistical technique. Perceptions on the causes and impacts of the observed trends were solicited from 102 respondents and summarized through frequency analysis. Major trends that emerged from image-based analysis include the expansion of Vachellia karroo by 25% (τ = 0.98; p = 0.004), decrease in pastureland by 18% (τ = –0.90, p = 0.007), decrease in cropland by 9.6% (τ = –0.90, p = 0.007), decrease in surface water by 1.1% (-0.90, p = 0.007), and increase in built-up area by 2.5% (τ = 1.00, p = 0.003). Perceived causes of these trends include the eradication of land access control systems, poor management of surface water, lack of farmer support programs, and 14 years of negative rainfall anomalies. The impacts of these changes include long-distance trekking of animals to pastures and watering points, increased livestock malnutrition and mortality, decline of medicinal and culturally significant trees, increased purchasing of stock feed, increased unemployment, and consumption of unhealthy food. The study concludes by highlighting the need to accommodate local perceptions in the formulation of policies and practices for sustainable use of ecosystem services.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The extent, perceived causes and impacts of land use and land cover change in Tyhume Valley, South Africa

Masiza,

Hamandawana,

Chirima

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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“…Although certain studies indicate that methods of managing problematic plants through cutting, uprooting, and burning are highly effective and successful, they also highlight the challenge associated. Invasive and encroacher plant species tend to invade freshly cleared or burnt areas easily due to exposure of the dormant seed to direct sunlight, water, and veld fires that stimulate the germination of seeds [46,47]. Moreover, the method has been proven to have detrimental long-term environmental implications for the soil as it causes soil erosion and environmental degradation [48].…”

Section: Perceptions Of the Presence Of Sickle Bush In The Environmen...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous Strategies for Managing Bush Encroachment in Rural Areas of South Africa

Baloyi,

Maphanga,

Madonsela

et al. 2024

Challenges

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The integration of indigenous knowledge systems into the discussion of bush encroachment management is of paramount importance. Indigenous knowledge and formal monitoring may be mutually beneficial, and using both approaches can improve natural resource management. Savannah rangeland landscapes hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for indigenous communities, and their perceptions can provide valuable insights into creating more effective, community-driven conservation initiatives. This study was aimed at filling the existing knowledge and research gap on bush encroachment control by focusing on the integration of indigenous knowledge systems. To achieve this, the current research included three distinct non-probability sampling strategies: (1) Purposive, (2) Snowball, (3) Convenience sampling methods. The results showed that 90.3% of the participants indicated that the main encroaching species of concern was sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) and it is therefore perceived as a problem in the rangeland. The majority of farmer respondents indicated that they cut the encroacher plant down, uproot all root systems, then burn the remaining roots. This is reported to be a more effective way of managing sickle bush as an encroacher plant. Both genders generally believe in the efficacy of these systems, with variations in levels of agreement. However, a gender disparity emerges in opinions on incorporating communal-based approaches, emphasizing the need to consider gender perspectives in environmental management initiatives. Therefore, considering this, the study concludes that a holistic approach, integrating both formal and informal knowledge systems, may be crucial for sustainable and effective management strategies. Given that, recognizing the diversity of perspectives within the community, particularly regarding gender differences, is essential for developing inclusive and community-driven environmental management initiatives.

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Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Yawa,

Mtenjwa,

Jaja

et al. 2024

Vet World

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Background and Aim: Sheep scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep found in rural communities worldwide and is a major health and welfare concern for sheep farming. Information on the attitudes of communal farmers to sheep scab remains speculative in the Eastern Cape Province. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and Methods: From June to August 2022, a cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 160) was conducted in two rural communities of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province. Purpose sampling was used to obtain respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and management practices regarding sheep scabs. Results: Among respondents, 81% were males and 19% were females. The majority of sheep farmers (59%) in both communities were aware of sheep scabs, but the majority (64%) did not receive any farming training. The majority of sheep farmers (65%) believed that sheep scab was the most serious threat to their sheep production since it increased mortality. In the past 3 years, approximately 57% of respondents reported an increase in the prevalence of sheep scab. The majority of farmers reported wool loss as the most noticeable clinical symptom (73%). More than 80% of sheep farmers do not use acaricide on a regular basis. Sixty-one percent of farmers prefer a pour-on topical application method. The frequency of annual dipping was every fortnight (40%), during summer and winter (24%). Most farmers (66%) regularly vaccinate their sheep. Conclusion: The prevalence of sheep scab is increasing in these communities; however, a better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission is required to allow improved management and control of this disease. The government must involve extension officers and distribute them to disseminate information to farmers. Thus, it will be easy to translate the literature into action. Keywords: communal sheep farmers, Eastern Cape Province, season, sheep scab control methods, sheep scab.

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Short-Term Influence of Burning on Species Abundance, Biomass Production, Wood Plant Density and Browsing Unit in an Albany Thicket of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

The extent, perceived causes and impacts of land use and land cover change in Tyhume Valley, South Africa

The extent, perceived causes and impacts of land use and land cover change in Tyhume Valley, South Africa

Indigenous Strategies for Managing Bush Encroachment in Rural Areas of South Africa

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

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