Construction and evaluation of condition assessment and grazing capacity models for use in grazing management in the Eastern Mixed Bushveld of southern Africa

The Integrated System for Plant Dynamics (ISPD) is a comprehensive system in which new and existing data and knowledge are quantitatively or qualitatively used as a basis for range condition and grazing capacity assessments and for denning appropriate management options to maintain or improve the condition and capability of the range. This study was carried out to investigate the degree to which the qualitative approach in ISPD can be implemented, and to determine the amount and availability of data and expert knowledge in a specific area for the purpose of constructing a database in ISPD. Large quantities of information were available for the construction of vegetation condition and grazing capacity models for direct implementation in the grazing industry. The results generated by the models corresponded to the proposed grazing capacity values for the study area. The models furthermore enable any user to assess rapidly and accurately the range condition and grazing capacity for any vegetation unit in any stage of degradation.