the vegetation types and veld condition - Maremani Nature Reserve

The present low grass biomass and poor species composition indicate veld that is not suitable for high
numbers of high-selective grazer species.
Game species that historically occurred in the area are Black Rhinoceros, Blue Wildebeest, Bushbuck,
Bushpig, Buffalo, Duiker, Eland, Giraffe, Grey Rhebuck, Hippopotamus, Impala, Klipspringer, Kudu,
Ostrich, Reedbuck, Steenbok, Roan antelope, Sable antelope, Tsessebe, Warthog, Waterbuck, White
Rhinoceros and Zebra. Species occurring on Maremani that were not historically from that area include
Blesbok, Gemsbok and Red Hartebeest. Provision is made for 9% low-selective or bulk feeders (grazers),
13% high selective grazers, 38% mixed grazers/browsers and 40% browsers. The low percentage of
grazers is due to the poor condition of the grass layer and at this stage the area is more suitable for
mixed feeders and browsers.
Monitoring is an important aspect of veld management. Aspects that should be monitored routinely are
rainfall, game numbers, game mortalities, game distribution, herd composition and birth rates. Other
aspects that are necessary to monitor include the veld condition in terms of plant species composition,
species frequency, density and/or cover; carrying capacity; the effects of water provision on veld condition
and animal movements; the effects of bush encroachment; bush control; veld reclamation measures such
as soil erosion control; and the effects of browsing on indicator plant species e.g. Baobab (Adansonia
digitata), Shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca), Common star chestnut (Sterculia rogersii), Sesame bush
(Sesamothamnus lugardii), Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and Corkwood species (Commiphora species).
Approximately 71 tree species, 92 shrub species, 76 grass species, 7 sedge species, 9 geophytes, 30
succulents, 6 parasites, 2 palm species, 2 fern species, 290 forb species and 14 alien species are listed,
representing a total of 599 plant species.
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