the vegetation types and veld condition - Maremani Nature Reserve

has been disturbed and over-utilized in the past. The grazing capacity for this veld is 32.8 ha/LAU for
game.
15. Pechuel-loeschia leubnitziae - Urochloa mosambicensis open grassland to dense
bushveld
(Wild sage - Common signal grass open grassland to dense bushveld)
This area covers about 260 ha. The veld condition index is fairly high at 50.8%, indicating veld in
moderate to good condition in places. The grass cover is also high at 79% and the relatively high
presence of Decreaser and Increaser 2b species indicates light to moderately utilized veld. The grazing
capacity for this veld is 12.3 ha/LAU, the highest of all the communities.
16. Combretum imberbe - Philenoptera violacea stream community
(Leadwood - Apple-leaf stream community)
This area covers approximately 210 ha and has a veld condition index of 43.4% (Table 12). The mean
grass cover is 49% and because no Increaser 2c species were recorded, the grazing capacity for this veld
is relatively high at 15.8 ha/LAU for game. The high Increaser 2a and 2b species indicates some
moderately utilized veld.
Alternative approaches to determine economic carrying capacity
Other methods can be used to estimate short and long-term economic carrying capacities. These
methods were developed in savanna regions of South Africa.
Combined veld condition and rainfall method (Danckwerts 1989)
The model was developed in the Eastern Cape:
GC = {-0.03 +0.00289 x (X1) + [(X2 - 419.7) x 0.000633]}
where: GC = grazing capacity in large stock units per hectare (LAU/ha)
X1 = percentage veld condition score
X2 = mean annual rainfall (mm)
45