The behaviour and feeding ecology of extralimital giraffe within Albany Thicket vegetation in the Little Karoo, South Africa

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol)Due to their popularity for tourism, giraffes are being introduced into Thicket areas within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape. However, information regarding the activity budgets and diet selection of these giraffes is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve three objectives; to determine the diurnal activity budget, diet composition and browsing levels, and the estimated browsing capacities of extralimital giraffe. The study was conducted on two privately owned farms, namely Kareesbos Private Game Reserve and Tsumkwe Private Game Reserves. Observations were completed on both study sites using the interval scan method, whereby observations were conducted on all visible individuals from 6 am – 6 pm for four days every 3 months (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Observations found browsing to be the most dominant activity displayed by both populations, with walking and rumination being the second and third most dominant activity. Females browsed more than males in both study sites. Dietary observations showed four species (Pappea capensis, Portulacaria afra, Euclea undulata and Searsia longispina) and five species (Searsia longispina, Euclea undulata, Pappea capensis, Vachellia karroo and Grewia robusta) to comprise approximately 90% and 80% of their diet in Kareesbos and Tsumkwe respectively. The importance of flower bearing species (Lycium spp. and Rhigozhum obovatum) increased during the spring and summer seasons in both study sites. In addition to the diet selection, browsing by both giraffe populations was shown to occur mostly below 2 m. Estimated browsing capacities for Kareesbos and Tsumkwe were 25 and 21, and 107 and 88 ha per giraffe, respectively, for the respective browse height strata of less than two metres and five metres. It is suggested that browsing capacities of less than two metres be considered when stocking giraffe and the number of individuals adjusted accordingly on each farm, due to the continuous low browsing of giraffe at less than two metres. Furthermore, results indicate that these giraffes have adapted to take advantage of forage available in ecosystems outside their natural ranges. Low foraging heights suggests possible niche overlap with other browsers, which may result in increased competition for food when it becomes limited. Long term ecological monitoring of extralimital populations and appropriate management procedures are therefore required to avoid the displacement and degradation of indigenous fauna and flora within the Little Karoo, and possible mortalities amongst the giraffe populations

Comparison of Degradation Gradients of a Conventional vs a High Pressure Grazing System

Grazing management is important for general ecosystem health and sustainable livestock production. Historic grazing practices caused grassland degradation. Regenerative grazing practices can improve soil and plant health. This study aimed to determine if a high pressure grazing approach, in fact improves soil and plant health, compared to a conventional grazing system. A degradation gradient (away from watering places) approach were followed. The study site is situated in the Kalahari bushveld bioregion of the North West province of South Africa. Two adjacent farms were selected, one practicing a conventional four camp rotational grazing system, and the other practicing high pressure grazing with 50 camps in a radial layout. Plant species composition and soil properties (carbon, root biomass, minerals) were measured at three increasing distances away from the water. The results indicated an increase in veld condition away from the water in the conventional system, while the veld condition decreased slightly in the high pressure grazing system. Soil properties for the conventional system did not vary much at increasing distances away from the water. At the high pressure system, soil health was slightly better closer to the water. Soil health was generally better at the high pressure system, than at the conventional system. These results indicate that a high pressure grazing approach, where high animal numbers graze an area, evenly, for a short period of time, followed by a long resting period, is more beneficial to plant and soil health, than a conventional grazing approach where lower animal numbers, graze bigger areas for a longer time period. In the Kalahari bushveld of the North West province of South Africa, high pressure grazing systems has the potential to regenerate soil- and plant health

The Comparative Effects of Short Duration, High Density and Conventional, Rotational Grazing on Different Soil, Vegetation and Animal Parameters in Dry and Mesic Grasslands of South Africa

Short duration, high density grazing is a grazing management strategy that incorporates the rotation of large livestock herds, often at double or triple the normal prescribed stocking densities of the specific area. It is claimed that this type of grazing management can improve rangeland health by improving soil and vegetation condition, and subsequently influencing animal performance. Regardless of the scarcity of scientific evidence validating these claims, the change from conventional rotational grazing systems to short duration, high density grazing systems is on the increase in South Africa. This study aims to assess these claims, through the quantification of various rangeland vegetation and soil health, and livestock performance parameters under both conventional rotational and short duration, high density grazing systems. The study will be conducted through fence line contrast studies, whereby neighbouring farms, one practising short duration, high density grazing and the other conventional, rotational grazing, will be assessed. Soil parameters to be investigated will include soil physical (compaction) and chemical (pH, carbon, nitrogen, exchangeable cations) characteristics, whereas vegetation characteristics will include species composition, production, vigour and quality. In addition, animal performance will be measured as body condition and calving rate. This project has the potential to provide objective, scientifically based information regarding some of the controversies revolving around short duration, high density grazing, as well as contribute to the sustainability and economic viability of livestock production in Southern Africa

The diurnal activity budgets of extralimital giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Despite being an extralimital species in the region, South African giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Schreber 1784) are continuously being introduced into the Albany Thicket Biome of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the diurnal activity budgets of two extralimital giraffe populations in the Western Cape of South Africa. Diurnal activity budgets are important to provide baseline information on the adaptability of species in newly introduced areas and for more detailed ecological studies such as those relating to habitat suitability, animal–plant interactions and interactions with other resident animals

The Influence of High Density Grazing and Conventional, Rotational Grazing on Soil And Vegetation Parameters in the Semi-Arid and Mesic Grasslands of South Africa

In South Africa, multi-camp rotational grazing using ‘conservative stocking rates’ have been the conventional approach to livestock grazing management systems. However, as of late, the high-desnity approach (used interchangeably – depending on the situation – with regenerative grazing, mob grazing, short duration, high pressure grazing, rapid rotation, time controlled, ultra-high density, holistic grazing and holistic resource management) has been adopted by numerous farmers. This approach is considered to be an adaptable one, incorporating the ‘herd effect’ concept, whereby large numbers of animals occupy an area for short periods of time, and allowed an extended rest period. It claims to improve rangeland productivity by improving both vegetation and soil condition, and, in turn, enhancing animal productivity. However, scientifically sound information regarding these claims, as well as the influences of this strategy opposed to the conventional rotational systems in South Africa is somewhat lacking. The aim of our research is to explore the different facets of regenerative grazing, practiced by various livestock farmers in natural veld in the semi-arid and mesic grasslands of South Africa. These facets include different soil (physical and chemical parameters), vegetation (composition, dry matter production, necromass, cover and quality (i.e. crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and organic matter (OM)), animal and human (decision-making and financials) interactions and dynamics, in comparison to conventional, rotational grazing. Due to preliminary trials, only the forage quality parameters will be discussed. These parameters have been shown to differ between the two different grazing management strategies on a farm scale, however, not on a spatial scale. This project has the potential to produce scientific and objective information on the functionality of different grazing systems in the grasslands of South Africa, and it can, too, assist livestock farmers in understanding the rationale behind high pressure grazing

Feeding ecology of four livestock species under different management in a semi-arid pastoral system in South Africa

The Leliefontein communal area in Namaqualand is grazed by mixed species herds that have multiple benefits for pastoralists. This study assessed how the management (herding and free-ranging) of different livestock herds affects their feeding ecology during the wet and dry seasons in a semi-arid shrubland. By using direct observations of livestock grazing in the field, we established their habitat preferences, diet selection and resources overlap. Results indicate that all free-ranging livestock can be considered grazers with cattle being selective. When sheep are herded, they tend to be more generalist feeders and herded goats are browsers. Livestock diet selection and forage preferences are largely linked to the habitats in which they graze and browse. Dietary overlap is highest between free-ranging livestock irrespective of season, whereas herded livestock are able to consume a food source with little potential competition from other livestock. Although the wet-season annual forage resources are able to sustain the livestock population in Leliefontein, this study concludes that the overdependence on annual vegetation would make livestock vulnerable during drought periods when forage production is low.Keywords: communal rangelands, diet selection, livestock food preferences, Namaqualand, renostervel