Short duration overnight cattle kraaling in natural rangelands: Implications for grass composition, quality, above ground biomass, species diversity and basal cover

Abstract

Short duration overnight cattle kraaling in natural rangelands is an innovative management practice aimed at improving grazing availability. We tested the ability of this practice to alter grass composition in favour of palatable species, increase aboveground grass biomass, species diversity and basal cover using a chronosequence consisting of sites kraaled 6, 12, 24 and 36 months prior to the study and compared them to the surrounding vegetation. We also determined grass quality in terms of fibre content, digestibility and nutrient content [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg)] 12, 16 and 20 months after kraal use and in surrounding vegetation. Previously kraaled sites had higher proportions of palatable grass species, diversity, N, P, K and Mg than surrounding vegetation. Aboveground grass biomass and basal cover were lower in previously kraaled sites than surrounding vegetation, while grass fibre, digestibility and Ca content did not change with kraaling. These results demonstrate that establishing short duration overnight cattle kraals in natural rangelands improve grazing quality in terms of abundance of palatable grass species and grass nutrient content. However, improved grass quality attracted grazers such as warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), which reduced grass biomass and basal cover.