Towards a method of assessing the veld condition of the Valley Bushveld in the Eastern Cape.

Abstract

Reports the results of an investigation conducted to develop a method of scoring bushveld according to its productive condition; Currently, no technique is available for assessing the condition of Valley Bushveld in the Eastern Cape. The objective of this investigation was to develop a method of scoring bushveld according to its productive condition. It was established, through principal component analysis that, while bushveld condition is negatively related to the percentage of Lycium austrinum, it is positively related to tree density, foliage volume below 1,5m, the percentage of Portulacaria afra, Euphorbia spp. and Schotia afra. Furthermore, it was established that species such as Brachylaena ilicifolia, Rhigozum obovatum, Zygophyllum morgsana and Azima tetracantha are indicative of important differences within the Valley Bushveld. From these variables a tentative technique was developed to score the condition of Valley Bushveld.

Keywords: azima tetracantha; brachylaena ilicifolia; Browse; Cluster analysis; Eastern Cape; euphorbia; method; portulacaria; portulacaria afra; Principal component analysis; rhigozum obovatum; schotia afra; south africa; Species composition; technique; Tree density; Valley Bushveld; Veld assessments; veld condition; Veld conditions; zygophyllum morgsana

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.