The long term effects of continuous grazing by Merino sheep and Angora goats and complete protection on short Karoo shrubveld of the Central Lower Karoo were investigated. Botanical surveys were done by means of the wheel point method. For statistical analysis the vegetation was grouped into ephemerals, grasses, Karoo shrubs and succulent shrubs each with sub?classes of palatable and unpalatable. The results showed that continuous grazing by goats at a realistic stocking rate was less harmful to the palatable perennial component of the vegetation than was continuous grazing by sheep. Complete protection over a period of 11 years resulted in a sustained improvement in the perennial palatable component, thus demonstrating the advantages of a long rest for Karooveld.
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.