Above?ground standing crop (ASC) dynamics were followed over a two?year period in three coastal grassland communities. The mass of biomass, necromass and litter components was determined monthly from hand?clipped samples and compared under three management treatments ? grazing, burning and protection from defoliation. Burning reduced ASC to below control levels until the second post?fire summer. Grazing reduced the amount of biomass marginally for 12 months following a fire. The mass of litter increased with time after burning. In unburnt swards changes in the litter component were inconsistent between sites. Peak ASC was higher than that recorded in most sour grassland communities to date.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.