CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.5 Main objectives of the studies
This research is aimed at determining and understanding the role of disturbance regimes and competition on plant community structure and function of savanna grassland. The specific objectives of the studies are as follows:
1. To determine the long-term effects of long-term burning frequency on species composition of savanna grassland;
2. To investigate the role of fire on light availability and habitat productivity;
3. To determine the effect of long-term burning frequency on soil nutrients;
4. To investigate the shade tolerances of selected key grass species of a savanna grassland;
5. To compare the competitive effect and response hierarchies of key grass species of a savanna grassland along gradients of soil fertility and simulated non-selective grazing.
The outcome of this research would contribute to the knowledge base to develop an understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving succession in rangelands in semi-arid arid grasslands and savannas. This will contribute towards developing adaptive range management and conservation programs to control compositional change, conserve biological diversity and reduce rangeland degradation in the grazing areas of the Eastern Cape.
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