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Results of a Lucerne Old-Field Restoration Experiment at the Fynbos-Karoo Interface

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Results of a Lucerne Old-Field Restoration Experiment at the Fynbos-Karoo Interface View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector South African Journal of Botany 2005, 71(3&4): 326–338 Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY EISSN 1727–9321 Results of a lucerne old-field restoration experiment at the Fynbos-Karoo interface PM Holmes Cape Ecological Services, 23 Dreyersdal Road, Bergvliet 7945, South Africa e-mail: [email protected] Received 25 August 2004, accepted in revised form 12 January 2005 A restoration study was designed to investigate lucerne initial densities of 80 m–2 decreased sharply during the control and indigenous species re-introduction on first summer, and at three years averaged 5 m–2. Indi- previously cultivated land at Matjiesrivier Provincial genous canopy cover continued to increase throughout Nature Reserve, situated at the interface between the the three years in two of the experimental blocks, and Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes. The objectives attained that of the target vegetation in ‘plough plus were to compare four lucerne control treatments, and the seed’ treatments. Community composition approached simultaneous effects of these treatments on the re- that of the target vegetation, although graminoids were introduction of indigenous species by seed, in the under-represented, partly as a result of intensive grazing presence or absence of brush packs, using a split-plot during the third year, and large, non-Asteraceous shrubs design. Lucerne was controlled using herbicide, were under-represented. In future restorations at the ploughing or a combination of these treatments, and Fynbos-Karoo interface, it is recommended that the seed collected from target vegetation in the area was sowing density, particularly of unpalatable pioneer applied to half the plots, together with reed mulch. Brush shrubs, be reduced to improve composition and to lower packs, comprising dead shrubs, were added to half the seed harvesting costs. Ploughing is an essential pre- sown and unsown plots respectively. Ploughing signi- sowing treatment where alien species, especially ficantly reduced lucerne density and projected foliage annuals, dominate the old field. A larger number of cover and in combination with herbicide eliminated most species may be established following the creation of lucerne plants. Establishment of indigenous species different microsites across the field, for example by from sown seed was highest in ploughed plots and pitting and brush-packing the surface. Nodes of larger, comprised both annuals and perennials. There was animal-dispersed species could be established from virtually no establishment in the presence of the alien propagated material to facilitate colonisation of these annual Amsinckia retrorsa. Indigenous perennial plant species across large disturbed areas. It is recommended density, cover and richness were highest throughout the that sown areas be protected from ungulate grazing until study in the ‘plough plus seed’ treatments, with the palatable species have reached maturity. Athanasia linifolia being the dominant species. Average Introduction Following the acquisition of the Matjiesrivier farm for nature Provincial Nature Reserve and had two main objectives: to conservation purposes in the mid-1990s, the agreements investigate methods for lucerne control, as this is a with neighbouring farmers to utilise the valley bottoms for persistent perennial present across the fields, and to the cultivation of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and other crops investigate the effects of the lucerne control treatments on were phased out. Currently, the desired land use for the the re-introduction and establishment of indigenous species transformed old fields is to return them to as natural a by seed, with and without the presence of brush packs. condition as possible and within the shortest time-frame possible. Other abandoned fields on this property, Materials and Methods estimated to be over 30 years old, show that unfacilitated rehabilitation in this region is slow, with few species having Study site returned through natural recolonisation. In addition, undesirable aggressive alien weeds such as Amsinckia Matjiesrivier Provincial Nature Reserve is located to the retrorsa have started to invade these abandoned fields. south-east of the Cederberg Wilderness Area and straddles This restoration study was designed to explore the the boundary between the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo feasibility of restoring old fields in the Matjiesrivier Biomes. This interface is very dramatic at the valley bottom South African Journal of Botany 2005, 71(3&4): 326–338 327 study site (32°29.10’–32°29.80’S, 19°20.15’–19°20.40’E), block, soil was excavated to 50mm depth from five microsites where Fynbos and Succulent Karoo vegetation grows on and mixed in a bag. The same sampling procedure was sandstone-derived soils on the east-facing slopes, and followed at the uncultivated target site to the north of the Renosterveld and Succulent Karoo vegetation grows on study area, in order to determine whether the old-field soils shale-derived soils on the opposite west-facing slopes. The were similar to those of the target site or whether agricultural boundary between Fynbos and Succulent Karoo at activity had significantly altered soil composition. Matjiesrivier is determined by geology and altitude, with The four lucerne control treatments were ‘plough only’, Fynbos occurring on sandstone soils above 800m ‘herbicide only’, ‘herbicide and plough’ and ‘control’ (no (Lechmere-Oertel and Cowling 1999). The old fields are treatment). In the herbicide treatments, foliar application of situated along the valley bottom on alluvial soils. The only 2% glyphosate was applied in November 2000, using knap- nearby remnant vegetation that occurs on alluvial soils lies sack sprayers. Ploughing was done to a depth of 200mm in north and contiguous to the old-field study site. This remnant March 2001, after 3.1mm of rainfall, to minimise wind has been impacted by heavy grazing from cattle, donkeys erosion of topsoil, using a tyne-plough. and indigenous antelopes, but is the closest reference The four facilitation treatments comprised ‘seed only’, ecosystem available and was therefore chosen as the target ‘brush pack only’, ‘seed and brush pack combined’ and plant community. Fynbos, Karoo and Renosterveld elements ‘control’ (no treatment). are all present in this target community. The area experiences a Mediterranean-type climate, Seed collecting and sowing with most rain falling during the winter months. Long-term mean annual rainfall is 220mm (Figure 1), whereas during Seed collecting began in September 2000 and continued the field trial it was 256mm (2001), 268mm (2002) and throughout the summer and early autumn of 2001, in 170mm (2003). preparation for autumn sowing. The seed source area was the target vegetation adjacent to the study area. Annual daisies Experimental design were collected from a wider area around Matjiesrivier. All indigenous species, except kraalbos (Galenia A split-plot design was used, with the four lucerne control africana), which is an unpalatable shrub indicative of over- treatments applied in parallel strips each measuring 6m x grazing and disturbance, were harvested and every effort 72m. Within strips, three replications each of the four was made to minimise the inadvertent collection of alien facilitation treatments were applied at random (i.e. 12 plots seed. Seed was collected only when ripe (i.e. ready to per strip, Figure 2). This resulted in block dimensions of 24m disperse or drop from plants) and regular collecting was x 72m containing 48 plots with dimensions of 5m x 5m, plus done to capture a variety of the species growing in the area. a 1m buffer among all treatments and plots. This design was Seed was collected by hand and suction-harvester, replicated in three experimental blocks, in southern, central directly from the plant canopies. We used a leaf-blower and northern sections of the old field. (model Stihl 225 HBV), modified as a suction-harvester, to Soils were sampled prior to the application of lucerne vacuum lighter seed directly from the canopies. The control and facilitation treatments and the samples sent to the shredding device was removed from the harvester, to Soil Science Division, Department of Agriculture, Elsenburg, prevent damage to seed. In addition, the suction-harvester for analysis. Phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium and was used to vacuum seed from the ground and litter layer magnesium were extracted in citric acid and their concen- around plants. Seed was stored in porous bags in a dry trations were assessed. For each of the three samples per room, after receiving a sprinkling of Karbadust insecticide powder to kill potential seed predators. Seed was stored in Long-term mean 20012002 Long-term mean 75 20012002 75 50 50 25 25 MONTHLY RAINFALL (mm) MONTHLY RAINFALL (mm) JFMAMJ J A SOND JFMA 2001 2002 JFMAMJ J A SOND JFMA 2001 2002 Figure 1: Monthly rainfall at Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve including Figure 2: Example of the experimental design used for one of the the first year of the field trial and long-term means (1911–1989) blocks in the field trial 328 Holmes 10 groupings according to easily-recognisable functional lucerne were recorded along three permanent transect lines types or community dominant species (Table 1). This practice (10m in length) positioned towards the edge of each lucerne was followed to facilitate the even distribution of different treatment strip. The total number of transects in each types of plants in the seed mixes at sowing time. Seed lucerne treatment was nine, yielding a total of 36 transects. vacuumed from the ground contained a variety of species, Projected foliage cover was measured as the length of soil and litter, and was stored as a separate grouping. measuring tape intercepting live foliage, then converted to a A beekeeper’s smoker was used to pre-treat the seed and percentage value. Every plant touching the tape was scored suction-harvested litter prior to sowing, as smoke has been as dead or alive.
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