Determinants of the occurrence of a native encroacher species,Pechuelloeschea leubnitziae (wild sage), in the eastern Okavango Delta,Botswana

Although indigenous to southern Africa, Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae is considered a problematic weed as it forms dense monotypic stands in the grasslands and woodlands of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, and is associated with veld degradation and a dominance of shade-tolerant, poor-quality grass species. Generalised linear modelling was used to determine the effect of the following environmental conditions on the likelihood of occurrence of P. leubnitziae: type of land use, vegetation type, burning history, total woody species density, soil pH and soil texture. There was no difference in P. leubnitziae presence under wildlife, large livestock and small livestock land use (p = 0.227). Only vegetation type (p<0.001) and total woody species density (p<0.001) significantly affected P. leubnitziae occurrence, with the species being rare in dense mopane woodlands and most likely to occur in mixed thornveld and mixed broadleaf woodland, although this likelihood decreased with increasing total woody species density. A single burn had no effect on P. leubnitziae occurrence, but repeated burning should be investigated as a means to reduce the vigour and recoppicing success of P. leubnitziae.     

Effect of Balanites glabra canopy cover on grass production,organic matter and soil moisture in a southern Kenyan rangeland

A study was undertaken in Kenya's southern savanna rangelands to determine the seasonal effect of Balanites glabra canopy cover on aboveground grass biomass, grass species composition, soil organic matter and soil moisture content. The study was conducted during the period June to December 1999 in order to capture both the dry and wet season effects. The grass biomass in the sub-canopy zone (2-4m from tree trunk) was found to be significantly higher than in the mid-canopy (0-2m from tree trunk) and open grassland zones (4-6m from tree trunk) during the dry season. However, the difference between the sub-canopy and the open grassland was not significant during the wet season, implying that the role of a tree canopy in enhancing grass biomass is greater during the dry than the wet season. Variations in percent grass species composition from the mid-canopy to the adjacent open grassland were observed, indicating that while B. glabra canopy cover favours certain grass species, other species find the micro-climatic conditions under the canopy unfavourable. Soil organic matter in the mid-canopy zone was significantly higher than in the sub-canopy and adjacent open zones during both dry and wet season. Although the sub-canopy zone exhibited significantly higher soil moisture content than the mid-canopy and open grassland zones during the dry season, the difference between the sub-canopy and the adjacent open grassland during the wet season was not significant, suggesting that the tree canopy influence on soil moisture is more pronounced in the dry than the wet season.     

Disturbances Impact on Longevity of Grass Seeds,Semi-Arid South African Rangeland

The effect of plant and soil disturbances on seed density, species richness, and seed longevity of the soil seed bank was quantified for a semi-arid rangeland, over a 5-yr period (2002/2003–2006/2007 growing seasons). The different soil and plant treatments included fire, tillage (intended as a trampling surrogate), and blocked seed rain (simulating heavy grazing). These three experimental factors were combined in a factorial arrangement. Seed responses were evaluated in the soil seed bank before the new seed set, after the first seed production event, and after the second seed production event. Before disturbance (physical impact on the plant and soil), soil seed bank was dominated by early successional species: conversely, aboveground vegetation was mainly dominated by perennial grasses. After only 4 yr of blocked seed rain, seedling emergence of Decreaser grass species ceased totally both in the field and seed bank, with lower effect on Increaser grass species. Emergence of both Decreaser and Increaser grass species decreased in the seed bank with tillage, whereas the opposite occurred in the field. By contrast, tillage increased the emergence of weeds in the seed bank. The decrease in emergence of Decreaser grass species in both seed bank and field was still evident 4 yr after the rangeland was burnt. The grass species Themeda triandra was the most sensitive to fire in terms of seedling emergence. Blocked seed rain treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) species richness. Regardless of treatments applied, there was poor similarity between aboveground vegetation and the associated seed bank. Differences in the soil seed bank are likely to reflect manifested properties rather than short-term changes. Several characteristics of seed banks (species composition, seed abundance, and longevity) must be considered in order to understand the dynamics of plant communities following disturbances.     

Winter Grazing and Rainfall Synergistically Affect Soil Seed Bank in Semiarid Area

The soil seed bank is an important ecological component of grassland restoration and renewal. In semiarid regions, grassland restoration and renewal are highly affected by annual variations in precipitation and grazing activity because these variations can affect the composition, density, richness, and diversity of seeds in the soil. This study aimed to characterize and compare these parameters of the germinable seed bank under different stocking rates in a winter grazing system in a semiarid area of China in 2015 and 2016 (dry and near-average rainfall condition, respectively). The composition, density, richness, and diversity of seeds were determined by the method of seedling emergence. The results showed that a total of 18 species belonging to nine families germinated from the soil. Drought significantly reduced the density, richness, and diversity of the soil seed bank, but grazing was able to significantly increase the richness and diversity of the soil seed bank by increasing the richness and diversity of the aboveground vegetation. The similarity between the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation was influenced by the rainfall conditions: in the dry year, it was higher at the lower stocking rates (0 and 0.4 animal unit months [AUM] ha^–1), and in the near-average rainfall condition year, it was higher at the higher stocking rates (0.8 and 1.3 AUM ha^–1).     

不同放牧强度对西藏邦杰塘高寒草甸土壤种子库的影响

通过研究不同放牧强度下地上植被群落的物种组成、植物生活型、土壤种子库物种种类和种子数量等特征,探讨了地上植被与土壤种子库之间的关系及种子库在地上植被群落构建中的作用,拟为高寒草甸的管理,特别是高寒地区退化生态系统的恢复与重建提供参考。结果表明：土壤种子库物种多样性指数和丰富度指数在围栏样地和中牧样地之间差异不显著。重牧样地土壤种子库物种多样性指数和丰富度指数显著低于中牧样地（P<0.05）;围栏样地、重牧样地、中牧样地土壤种子库密度表现为重牧 >围栏 >中牧,其中重牧样地土壤种子库密度显著高于中牧样地（P<0.05）,达4952.7粒·m^-2;中牧样地和围栏样地的种子库和地上植被之间相似性较低,二者的地上植被与土壤种子库Sorensen相似性指数分别为0.48和0.44。重牧样地上嵩草属（Kobresia）植物严重退化,地上植被群落和土壤种子库均以杂类草物种占优势,地上植被与土壤种子库表现出较高的相似性。因此,对于有退化趋势的嵩草草甸,适当的围栏并考虑利用本地多年生优良牧草种子进行补播将是有利的;嵩草高寒草甸土壤种子库种子主要集中在0~5cm,且各样地中种子数量均随着土壤深度的增加而减少。     

Quantified range condition assessment of open Camelthorn savanna along a degradation gradient

Measurements were taken at 20 different sites in a relatively homogenous area of open Camelthorn savanna in eastern Namibia. Ordination of grass species composition did not provide a good degradation gradient, due to domination by different species of annual grasses at many of the sites. However a centred PCA ordination of perennial grass species indicated a degradation gradient. This gradient was used to allocate a range condition score to each site, which was then correlated with other measurements. The range condition score did not correlate well with mulch cover, basal cover, proportion of bare soil, above-ground grass biomass, proportion of moribund grass, proportion of seedlings amongst the perennial grasses, density of woody plants lower than O.5m and canopy cover of browsable woody plants over 0.5m tall. A weak correlation (r² = 0.68, p<0.0001, n = 20) was obtained through a power trend line with woody canopy cover of only the bush thickening species. A better correlation (r² = 0.90, p<0.0001, n = 20) was obtained with mean distance from sampling point to the nearest perennial grass. This may therefore be an appropriate indicator to include in range condition score for such types of savanna.     

The effect of long-term mowing and ungulate exclusion on grass species composition and soil nutrient status on the Athi-Kapiti plains,central Kenya

The long-term (>30 years) impacts of mowing (for hay-making) and ungulate exclusion, on natural, unfertilised rangelands were investigated. Changes in grass species composition and soil nutrient status were measured The study site, situated on the Athi-Kapiti plains of central Kenya, comprised of an ungulate exclusion camp, subjected to an annual mow, and an adjacent control plot, exposed to herbivory from cattle and game. Significant changes were noted in four of the seventeen grass species. Relative percentages of Pennisetum mezianum and P. stramineum increased significantly within the mowed/exclusion plot, while those of Microchloa kunthii and Sporobolus iocladus showed a significant drop. No significant differences were noted in relative frequency of grass species designated as 'decreasers', or in basal cover index. Analysis of soils inside the mowed/exclusion plot showed significantly higher soil pH, and soil Ca levels, but significantly lower plant available soil P and inorganic N, when compared to the control plot. The long-term treatment of mowing/herbivore exclusion, has resulted in severe depletion of plant available soil P and inorganic soil N. Results suggest that differences in species composition can be primarily attributed to the lower defoliation levels, and shading effects inside the exclusion plot, while differences in soil nutrient status can be attributed primarily to the export of nutrients with bailed hay, and to the absence of the stimulating effect that large herbivores have on nutrient recycling. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that herbivory plays an important role in maintaining P recycling in plant available forms, particularly for soils where P may be limiting.     

Veldherwinning langs paaie

The results of a trial to study the effects of periodic burning, or complete resting, on the vegetation and some soil characteristics of semi‐arid Acacia nigrescens/Combretum apiculatum savanna in eastern Botswana are discussed. Plots of 1,2 ha were burned at intervals of O (no burn control), 1,2,3,4 and 5 years from 1958 to 1980. In 1981 these were assessed for bush density by species and by height classes, for grass basal cover and botanical composition, and for soil properties. Bush density increased with increasing burning interval but complete resting suppressed seedling development. All burned plots were visibly more open than the rested plot and hence fire appears to offer the possibility of a low cost means of bush control. The changes in soil properties, grass cover and botanical composition resulting from low frequency burns were small.     

Plant Species Composition and Forage Production 14 Yr After Biosolids Application and Grazing Exclusion

This paper examines the effects of a single surface application of biosolids (at 20 dry Mg ha^{? 1}) on plant species composition, forage quality and quantity, and C stocks after 14 yr of rest in rangelands of the Central Interior of British Columbia. More than two times the aboveground biomass of grasses and the percent cover of plant litter were found in the biosolids treatment relative to the control, along with reductions in bare soil and microbiotic crust cover. Significantly greater plant uptake of all macronutrients (C, N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg); most micronutrients (B, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn); and Al occurred in the biosolids treatment. P and Cu were the only two nutrients to be more concentrated in the biosolids-treated forage relative to the control forage, while N, Mg, and protein were more concentrated in the control forage. No significant difference in forage digestibility was found between biosolids and control treatments. Bluebunch wheatgrass, the late-seral native grass species, had significantly increased cover and aboveground biomass in the biosolids treatment relative to the control; however, between 2006 and 2016, non-native Kentucky bluegrass had reached > 25% cover in the biosolids plots, perhaps restricting the full recovery of bluebunch wheatgrass. Our findings indicate that biosolids application to ungrazed rangeland can increase long-term forage production and reduce bare soil. However, at our study site biosolids application also led to a long-term shift in the plant community composition away from the late-seral (i.e., bluebunch wheatgrass) trajectory, and the effects of this shift on rangeland health and productivity require further investigation.     

Measuring the impact of indigenous herbivores: reply to Kerley andLandman

Pteronia paniculata is an indigenous, unpalatable shrub that invades mismanaged Karooveld, resulting in degraded rangelands with low species diversity and grazing potential. We conducted a series of trials in the Succulent Karoo Randteveld near Barrydale to determine if the uniform defoliation of P. paniculata dominated vegetation at two heights (0.05 m and 0.20 m above ground level) using a brush-cutter and, in one trial, application of a second cut will improve the plant species composition, productivity and grazing capacity of the veld. Brush-cutting treatments and the uncut control all resulted in a change in species composition towards greater species diversity and more palatable species and an average increase of 540 kg ha^?1 (28%) in above-ground biomass over four years. It appears that there was a pervasive improvement in species composition associated with a general decline in the cover and abundance of P. paniculata over the time-scale of the present study that was not influenced by the defoliation treatments, except for the 1996-cut treatment where the cover of P. paniculata increased. The absence of propagules of palatable species in the soil seed bank and competition from P. paniculata (a long-lived, perennial shrub) are assumed to be among the main reasons for the lack of response of the vegetation community to the defoliation treatments. Brush-cutting (in the absence of reseeding), aimed at reducing the dominance of unpalatable karoo shrubs, was more costly but not significantly better than long-term resting in improving veld composition or forage production.     

Utilizing National Agriculture Imagery Program Data to Estimate Tree Cover and Biomass of Piñon and Juniper Woodlands

With the encroachment of piñon (Pinus ssp.) and juniper (Juniperus ssp.) woodlands onto sagebrush steppe rangelands, there is an increasing interest in rapid, accurate, and inexpensive quantification methods to estimate tree canopy cover and aboveground biomass. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the relationship and agreement of piñon and juniper (P-J) canopy cover estimates, using object-based image analysis (OBIA) techniques and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP, 1-m pixel resolution) imagery with ground measurements, and 2) to investigate the relationship between remotely-sensed P-J canopy cover and ground-measured aboveground biomass. For the OBIA, we used eCognition® Developer 8.8 software to extract tree canopy cover from NAIP imagery across 12 P-J woodlands within the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) network. The P-J woodlands were categorized based on the dominant tree species found at the individual sites for the analysis (western juniper, Utah juniper, and mixed P-J community). Following tree canopy cover extractions, relationships were assessed between remotely-sensed canopy cover and ground-measured aboveground biomass. Our OBIA estimates for P-J canopy cover were highly correlated with ground-measured tree canopy cover (averaged across all regions r = 0.92). However, differences between methods occurred for western and Utah juniper sites (P < 0.05), and were more prominent where tree canopy cover was > 40%. There were high degrees of correlation between predicted aboveground biomass estimates with the use of remotely-sensed tree canopy cover and ground-measured aboveground biomass (averaged across all regions r = 0.89). Our results suggest that OBIA methods combined with NAIP imagery can provide land managers with quantitative data that can be used to evaluate P-J woodland cover and aboveground biomass rapidly, on broad scales. Although some accuracy and precision may be lost when utilizing aerial imagery to identify P-J canopy cover and aboveground biomass, it is a reasonable alternative to ground monitoring and inventory practices.     

Rough Soil Surface Lessens Annual Grass Invasion in Disturbed Rangeland

Effective manipulations to prevent the spread of invasive species are needed. Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) is an annual invader that often expands after disturbances, compromising restoration of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) communities in western North America. This study examined the effects of two manipulations that may slow seed dispersal: soil microtopography (roughened with 50-cm relief or flat) and woody debris (0.024 m³·m^? 2 or none) on restoration of four disturbed mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana) sites in Colorado. Treatments were crossed with seeding in a fully factorial experiment (n = 3). Microtopography and woody debris treatments were also crossed in a seed dispersal experiment using fluorescently marked downy brome seeds. In the restoration study, downy brome invaded two sites, one pervasively and one patchily. Seeding limited downy brome cover at both of these sites and also increased perennial grass and forb cover while limiting shrub cover. At the pervasively invaded site, the rough surface reduced unseeded plot downy brome cover from 13% to 3% by 5 yr post treatment. Woody debris increased shrub and perennial grass cover but had little effect on downy brome. In the seed dispersal experiment, the rough surface reduced downy brome mean dispersal distance twofold to threefold and 95% quantile distance threefold to sixfold. Woody debris slightly reduced downy brome dispersal only within rough surface plots. A rough surface may aid restoration by trapping downy brome seeds near the parent plant, limiting their spatial distribution, increasing intraspecific competition, and reducing propagule pressure. Designing landscapes to slow seed dispersal may help control invasives and promote establishment of seeded species.     

Postfire Succession in Big Sagebrush Steppe With Livestock Grazing

Prescribed fire in rangeland ecosystems is applied for a variety of management objectives, including enhancing productivity of forage species for domestic livestock. In the big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) steppe of the western United States, fire has been a natural and prescribed disturbance, temporarily shifting vegetation from shrub–grass codominance to grass dominance. There is limited information on the impacts of grazing to community dynamics following fire in big sagebrush steppe. This study evaluated cattle grazing impacts over four growing seasons after prescribed fire on Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsp. Wyomingensis [Beetle & Young] Welsh) steppe in eastern Oregon. Treatments included no grazing on burned and unburned sagebrush steppe, two summer-grazing applications after fire, and two spring-grazing applications after fire. Treatment plots were burned in fall 2002. Grazing trials were applied from 2003 to 2005. Vegetation dynamics in the treatments were evaluated by quantifying herbaceous canopy cover, density, annual yield, and perennial grass seed yield. Seed production was greater in the ungrazed burn treatments than in all burn–grazed treatments; however, these differences did not affect community recovery after fire. Other herbaceous response variables (cover, density, composition, and annual yield), bare ground, and soil surface litter did not differ among grazed and ungrazed burn treatments. All burn treatments (grazed and ungrazed) had greater herbaceous cover, herbaceous standing crop, herbaceous annual yield, and grass seed production than the unburned treatment by the second or third year after fire. The results demonstrated that properly applied livestock grazing after low-severity, prescribed fire will not hinder the recovery of herbaceous plant communities in Wyoming big sagebrush steppe.     

蒿类荒漠草地土壤种子库特征及其萌发植物多样性对降水增加的响应

为揭示土壤种子库种子萌发对降水增加的适应规律,采用人工模拟降水方法,对不同降水量[对照(CK)、增加5% (W₅)、增加10% (W₁₀)、增加15% (W₁₅)、增加20% (W₂₀)、增加25% (W₂₅)]下中度退化伊犁绢蒿荒漠土壤可萌发种子库种子萌发数量及其多样性进行了调测。结果表明:0~5 cm土层土壤种子库萌发物种数及其萌发总密度随降水量增加呈上升趋势,且W₂₀、W₂₅下萌发密度显著高于其他处理(P<0.05),萌发物种数较对照(7种)依次增加2.6、2.0倍;5~10 cm土层也呈现相同的变化趋势。无论降水增加与否,0~10 cm土层伊犁绢蒿、木地肤、毛梗顶冰花均有萌发,且降水增加显著促进伊犁绢蒿、木地肤、串珠老鹳草、毛梗顶冰花的萌发。随降水量增加,0~5 cm土层伊犁绢蒿可萌发土壤种子库与地上植被Sorensen相似性总体呈先增后降趋势,且降水增加≥20%处理相似性高于降水增加≤15%处理。降水增加后伊犁绢蒿荒漠土壤种子萌发物种的Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数、Patrick指数总体呈增加趋势,且0~5 cm土层较5~10 cm土层增加明显。土壤种子库可萌发种子密度具明显的空间异质性,且受空间取样位置及降水的交互影响。综上所述,降水增加促进了伊犁绢蒿荒漠草地土壤种子库可萌发植物种数、种子萌发密度、植物多样性指数的增加,导致其与地上植被的相似性增加,有利于退化蒿类荒漠草地的恢复。     

不同施磷浓度对柱花草和黑籽雀稗根系分布的影响

采用根箱法,结合Winrhizo2004a根系扫描测定系统,以豆科牧草柱花草和禾本科牧草黑籽雀稗为试验材料,研究不同施磷水平对柱花草和黑籽雀稗根系分布的影响。结果表明,2种牧草根系分布随土壤深度的增加而减少, 柱花草集中分布于0～10 cm土层, 黑籽雀稗集中分布于0～20 cm土层;磷对2种牧草根系生长的影响存在较大的差异。低磷(P1,0.48 g P₂O₅/kg土)更适合柱花草根系和地上部分的生长,高磷(P3,1.92 g P₂O₅/kg土)水平对根系生长有抑制。黑籽雀稗对磷的需求量大,随着磷施入量的增加,根干重、总根长、根表面积、体积和根系平均直径均有所提高。     

Exploring the invasion of rangelands by Acacia mearnsii (black wattle): biophysical characteristics and management implications

Australian acacias have spread to many parts of the world. In South Africa, species such as A. mearnsii and dealbata are invasive. Consequently, more effort has focused on their clearing. In a context of increasing clearing costs, it is crucial to develop innovative ways of managing invasions. Our aim was to understand the biophysical properties of A. mearnsii in grasslands as they relate to grass production and to explore management implications. Aboveground biomass (AGB) of A. mearnsii was determined using a published allometric equation in invaded grasslands of the northern Eastern Cape, South Africa. The relationships among the A. mearnsii leaf area index (LAI), normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and AGB were investigated. The influence of A. mearnsii LAI and terrain slope on grass cover was also investigated. Strong linear relationships between NDVI, LAI and AGB were developed. Acacia mearnsii canopy adversely impacted grass production more than terrain slope (p < 0.05) and when LAI approached 2.1, grass cover dropped to below 10% in infested areas. Reducing A. mearnsii canopy could promote grass production while encouraging carbon sequestration. Given the high AGB and clearing costs, it may be prudent to adopt the ‘novel ecosystems’ approach in managing infested landscapes.     

黄土高原亚高山草地退化对土壤种子库的影响

本试验对黄土高原亚高山草地不同退化程度下土壤种子库的物种组成、种子密度、分布特征以及影响因素进行了研究。结果表明,研究区地上植物有31种,分属于14科、25属;种子库植物有32种,分属于14科、31属;种子库的83.45%都分布于浅层土壤中（0~5 cm）。随着草地退化程度的加重,地上植被和地下种子库中多年生植物的比例减少,种子库密度与丰富度都显著下降（P<0.001）;极度退化样地的地上一年生植物增多,物种组成与地下种子库相似;轻度和中度干扰的样地中,地上植物与种子库的物种的组成具有显著差异（P<0.01）。总之,亚高山草地退化对土壤种子库产生了较大的影响,其中土壤pH与水分是影响种子库密度与丰富度主要的环境因素。极度退化草地种子库密度极低,地上植被靠自然更新很难恢复,需人工辅助。     

Soil Resources Influence Vegetation and Response to Fire and Fire-Surrogate Treatments in Sagebrush-Steppe Ecosystems

Current paradigm suggests that spatial and temporal competition for resources limit an exotic invader, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), which once established, alters fire regimes and can result in annual grass dominance in sagebrush steppe. Prescribed fire and fire surrogate treatments (mowing, tebuthiuron, and imazapic) are used to reduce woody fuels and increase resistance to exotic annuals, but may alter resource availability and inadvertently favor invasive species. We used four study sites within the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) to evaluate 1) how vegetation and soil resources were affected by treatment, and 2) how soil resources influenced native herbaceous perennial and exotic annual grass cover before and following treatment. Treatments increased resin exchangeable NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, H₂PO₄^-, and K⁺, with the largest increases caused by prescribed fire and prolonged by application of imazapic. Burning with imazapic application also increased the number of wet growing degree days. Tebuthiuron and imazapic reduced exotic annual grass cover, but imazapic also reduced herbaceous perennial cover when used with prescribed fire. Native perennial herbaceous species cover was higher where mean annual precipitation and soil water resources were relatively high. Exotic annual grass cover was higher where resin exchangeable H₂PO₄^- was high and gaps between perennial plants were large. Prescribed fire, mowing, and tebuthiuron were successful at increasing perennial herbaceous cover, but the results were often ephemeral and inconsistent among sites. Locations with sandy soil, low mean annual precipitation, or low soil water holding capacity were more likely to experience increased exotic annual grass cover after treatment, and treatments that result in slow release of resources are needed on these sites. This is one of few studies that correlate abiotic variables to native and exotic species cover across a broad geographic setting, and that demonstrates how soil resources potentially influence the outcome of management treatments.     

Effect of continuous grazing in the dohne sourveld on species composition and basal cover

Abstract

In a grazing trial conducted at the Dohne Agricultural Research Station, natural grassland was grazed continuously for 36 years with cattle. In a second investigation conducted on similar grassland, paddocks were grazed or rested, in all combinations of the four seasons of the year, over a ten year period. Changes in botanical composition and cover of the sward were monitored at regular intervals. The results of these investigations indicate that under a regime of non‐selective grazing the composition of Dohne Sourveld is remarkably stable. After 36 years of continuous grazing the species composition of the sward was largely maintained. Floristically Dohne Sourveld is dominated by a small number of grass species of which Andropogon appendiculatus, Elionurus muticus, Heteropogon contortus, Sporobolus africanus, Themeda triandra and Tristachya leucothrix are the most important. These species react differently to under‐utilization or increasingly severe defoliation, enabling them to be classified into decreaser or increaser categories. Severe defoliation resulted in a marked decrease in basal cover but only small changes in relative species composition. As the intensity of defoliation increases, decrease in grass cover is associated with an increase of forbs, such as Senecio retrorsus.