Habitat and Vegetation Survey for the Determination of Carrying Capacity and Stocking Rates
Project Type:
Game and Veld Management Plan
Client:
Rance Safaris, Kei River Reserve
Consultants:
Apex Conservation Services
Associate:
Conservation Management Services
Stutterheim, Eastern Cape
Year: 2017
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1. Bush encroachment by Vachellia karroo
2. Vegetation sub-types identified during the field assesment
3. Intact good quality sub-climax and climax grasses present
Summary:
Apex Conservation Services was contracted by Kei River Reserve (KRR) to develop a management plan for game and the veld on the reserve in 2017. The primary objective of the plan is to provide a guideline in terms of the ecological capacity for the KRR, which will enable the landowner and managers to make informed decisions on the type and quantities of game the reserve can sustainably keep.
Kei River Reserve vegetation types are broadly classified as: Amathole Montane Grassland (AMG); Eastern Valley Bushveld (EVB); and Bhisho Thornveld (BT). These classifications are, however, too coarse-scale to provide an estimated carrying capacity for the KRR. A habitat and vegetation field survey was therefore undertaken to confirm representative areas. Through a process of vegetation sub-type classification, mapping of identified areas and the application of a condition index scoring system, an ecological “carrying” capacity and appropriate stocking rate for the KRR was established.
The habitat condition was assessed and the capability of vegetation in the KRR was established. A summary was provided which outlined the estimated degree of grass cover, grass sustainability, palatable shrub availability and sustainability, estimated suitability for grazers, mixed feeders and browsers for each identified vegetation sub-type.
Descriptions were provided of each species and the population numbers of each species present on the property. The management plan outlined recommendations for suggested off-takes and introductions, and methods to ensure maintenance of genetic heterozygosity of these species was provided. This plan also provided recommendations for veld management and bush encroachment, as species such as Vachellia karroo (Sweet thorn) and Scutia myrtina (Cat thorn) were frequently observed encroaching. Soil erosion was also identified on KRR and the plan highlighted that this will require intervention to rehabilitate the area, and recommended the development of a rehabilitation plan to ensure the approach is cost effective and ecologically sound.
This plan also provides guidelines on how to set up an appropriate monitoring system on the reserve for both veld and game. This monitoring will act as a crucial management tool, and going forward it will help guide future introduction or reduction of game on the reserve.