Woody vegetation change in response to browsing in Ithala Game Reserve, South Africa

Wildlife populations in southern Africa are increasingly forced into smaller areas by the demand for agricultural and residential land, and many are now restricted by protective fences. Although numerous studies have focused on the impacts of elephants and other browsers on vegetation in large, open areas, less is known of their effects in restricted areas. The woody vegetation in Ithala Game Reserve, a fenced conservation area of almost 30 000 ha, was monitored annually from 1992 to 2000 to assess the impact of browsers on vegetation structure and composition. Three categories of tree were identified: those declining in abundance (e.g. Aloe marlothii and A. davyi), those increasing in abundance (e.g. Seolopia zeyheri and Euclea erispa), and those with stable populations (e.g. Rhus lucida and Gymnosporia buxifolia).

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Wiseman, Ruth

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10786

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10786