2. A comparison between the effects of continuous grazing by angora goats and merino sheep on veld in the central lower karoo

Abstract

Abstract The long term effects of continuous grazing by Merino sheep and Angora goats and complete protection on short Karoo shrubveld of the Central Lower Karoo were investigated. Botanical surveys were done by means of the wheel point method. For statistical analysis the vegetation was grouped into ephemerals, grasses, Karoo shrubs and succulent shrubs each with sub‐classes of palatable and unpalatable. The results showed that continuous grazing by goats at a realistic stocking rate was less harmful to the palatable perennial component of the vegetation than was continuous grazing by sheep. Complete protection over a period of 11 years resulted in a sustained improvement in the perennial palatable component, thus demonstrating the advantages of a long rest for Karooveld.