Euston-Brown, D., Rathogwa, N & Richardson ... - DWA Home Page

56
Region Contact Person Affiliation Contact Number
Phinda Brett Pearson
Hluhluwe Zanele
Hluhluwe Sue Van Rensburg
Hluhluwe Andrew Whitley
Kruger Park Zebulon Shlingwani
Kruger Park Llewellyn Foxcroft
6. Recommendations
Current clearing manager
Past WfW project manager
KZN Wildlife, director research
WfW GIS specialist
WfW project manager
Alien weed research
035-5620271; 0833390654
0723416836
0355620606 ext 214/ 0845488134
033302051
0826849856
0829082676
If the long-term potential of this project is to be realised, then it should investigate re-marking the plots
with pegs that cannot be moved, but are also reasonably easy to find. This would be the priority step to
take if this project were to be continued. The next step would be to do another sampling and treatment
at the Tzaneen experimental sites in June 2007. The permanently marked sites should be resampled
in 2008.
7. Summary
The vegetation and ecosystem function of sweet grassveld and mesic savannas are described. The
problem of bush encroachment and how this tends to be part of the invasion process is detailed. The
biology and ecology of the two focus weeds, chromolaena and lantana, are described. A list of the
other weeds that are invasive in this ecosystem are provided. The various control methods that can be
used are described and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are listed. Practical tips to
consider when applying the different treatments are also provided. Following this the various aspects
of the ecosystem that need to be considered when choosing clearing methods are briefly described in
broad categories. These included various indigenous habitat types, land uses, density and height/age of
aliens, seasonality and variation in rainfall. Finally clearing protocols are developed for four different
climate scenarios and nine different habitat/land use situations. These could be used by WfW managers
to choose the best approach to clearing based on a wide range of factors and situations.
The report also provides the methods and results of two field studies that were done between 2004
and 2006 in the Appendices. The results show that alien plant control is effective and that indigenous
diversity increases following the application of control measures. The results indicate that WfW can
be proud of their control efforts to date. This report provides information, data and ideas that can be
used to enhance the effectiveness of WfW clearing teams in the control of invasive alien plants in the
savanna ecosystem.
Development of a clearing protocol based on ecological criteria for Mesic Savannas and Sweet Grassveld for the Working for Water Programme