The extent of woody plant invasion in selected areas of the former Molopo magistrate district

Abstract

The value of grazing land may be completely destroyed by invading woody species (Donaldson, 196 7), and their eradication may cost more than the land is worth. At consultative workshops in 1997 and 1998, participants considered the invasion by woody species to be a problem in 42 % of the magisterial districts, particularly in the North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. According to Hoffman & Ashwell (2001), 50 % of communal districts and 38 % of commercial districts are affected. According to Ebersohn et al. (1960), woody plant invasion in the Molopo Area is a problem and over one million morgen of veld in the area has been invaded by Acacia mellifera. This is highlighted in this study, whereby Acacia mellifera is prominent in 4 survey sites out of 10. Other prominent woody species include Dichrostachys cinerea, Prosopis