| dc.description.abstract | The study was undertaken to determine the woody component with the focus on
Prosopis species at selected farms in the of Vryburg district, Naledi municipality. The
study also tested differences of plant density, size (structure) and bush equivalents
between previously controlled and non-controlled plots. The study was conducted on
the farms of Orsets, Trent 1, Trent 2, Mimosa, Eensaam, Mooidraai and Werda
situated South East of Vryburg in Veld type A16 of Kalahari thornveld and shrub
bushveld. A belt transect of 400 m2 was used to carry out the vegetation survey. The
woody component was recorded according to species type; height class and bush
equivalents were calculated through pre-determined factors for each height class. The
results showed that no major differences of bush equivalent exist in previously
controlled and non-controlled plots. Species such as Prosopis glandulosa, Acacia
mellifera, Ziziphus mucronata, Grewia flava, Diospyros lyciodes and Ehretia rigida
were identified. The sampled sites are highly invaded by Prosopis glandulosa with
lower abundances of other indigenous species, such as Acacia karroo, Ziziphus
mucronata, Diospyros lyciodes, Ehretia rigida and Grewia flava. It is recommended
that satellite data should always be verified and complemented by field survey in
order to have accurate bush density and species type. The control of Prosopis
glandulosa should integrate various options to have long-term good results. It is
concluded that the study areas are highly encroached with Prosopis glandulosa. The
MODIS satellite remote sensing data are unreliable to study sites on limited scale
owing to its reflection of large scale. The use of SPOT images and landsat data
provide fair analysis of vegetation growth and extent of bush density. The
undertaking of aftercare is mandatory to attain the required control of Prosopis
glandulosa in the study sites. | |
