An Investigation into Species Composition Change after the Control of Prosopis Spp in the Central Lower Karoo

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OBJECTIVE:	This research aims to evaluate the long term effect of the removal delay of competition by Prosopisspp on: the plant species composition and density changes in the soil (chemical). It also aims to understand the changes taking place in the plant community, as a result of the treatments, through seed bank studies and to determine the effect of grazing by livestock, after control, on the veld.
START:	2003
END:	2008
STATUS:	Underway
DESCRIPTION:	Prosopis spp have been declared invader species under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act of 1983. They dominate vast areas of the Karoo, in some areas to such an extent that it has become impenetrable for animals. The vegetation under the trees in these dense stands is normally very sparse and differs from the surrounding vegetation in the uninvaded areas. In this project, trees were removed from an area. Vegetation surveys will be done in this area as well as an adjacent uncontrolled area and an uninvaded area to determine if any vegetation changes, for the better, take place in the controlled area. For more information, contact: Nelmarié Visser Tel: 021 808 5330 nelmariev@elsenburg.com
BUDGET:	R60,000
SPONSORED BY:	Owner / Sponsor: Technology, Research and Development (Department of Agriculture, Provincial Government of the Western Cape) Co-sponsor: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (The Government of South Africa)

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