Steyn, J. N.Dannhauser, C. S.Munarini, Gumani Colbert2026-01-242026-01-242025-09-05Munarini, G.C. 2025. The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3107MSc (Ecology)Department of Geography and Environmental SciencesThe natural rangelands of southern Africa have undergone significant degradation due to human and climatic activities. Fortunately, rehabilitation measures have been extensively researched and are available to address this issue. A variety of techniques exist to remedy the damage done to our rangeland ecosystems. However, the correct and timely application of these strategies remains a challenge. Further research is needed to provide farmers and landowners with clear and detailed guidelines for successful implementation. This research project aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a combination of rangeland rehabilitation strategies to provide guidelines for the successful restoration of degraded rangelands where a bare and compacted surface has developed as a result prior treatment. Field experiments were conducted to assess the use of brush-packing and other techniques for rehabilitating degraded land. The study took place in trial plots at Lapalala Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province. Eight treatments were applied, including soil ripping, sowing grass seed mixtures, and covering treated areas with single and double layers of thorn branches known as brush-packing. These treatments were duplicated at two sites within the game reserve, one of which was located inside the enclosure of the Lapalala Wilderness School. Treatments without protection from brush-packing failed to produce sustainable grass growth, as emerging plants were constantly grazed off by herbivores. However, where soil ripping, seed sowing, seedbed compaction, and brush-packing were applied, significantly more biomass was produced, resulting in sustainable growth of grass plants. The research outcomes highlight several key principles for the use of rangeland rehabilitation strategies in areas with bare soil and compacted topsoil crust. Firstly, where soil is exposed with a compacted topsoil crust or hard pan, rainwater penetration and infiltration must be improved. This can be achieved by breaking the compacted hard pan through soil ripping along the contour, allowing surface water to flow into furrows and penetrate the ground. Secondly, while the natural seedbank may provide seeds for pioneer plants to establish in a favourable environment with increased moisture and loose soil, the natural succession process is slow. To accelerate rehabilitation, grass seeds can be sown into furrows. Thirdly, newly emerging seedlings must be protected from grazing animals. The practice of brush-packing has proven effective for this purpose. Double layers of brush-packing create a favourable environment for seedling establishment and growth, offering longer protection than single layers. This protection is crucial for safeguarding grass stems, preventing grazing herbivores from damaging flowers and seeds essential for reproduction and ecosystem restoration. While grazing animals can be managed away from areas undergoing rehabilitation in commercial farming situations with domestic farm animals, this is more challenging in game reserves and parks, making brush-packing a valuable tool in these contexts.1 online resource (ix, 120 leaves): color illustrations, color mapenUniversity of VendaUCTDDissertationMunarini GC. The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Munarini, G. C. (2025). <i>The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMunarini, Gumani Colbert. <i>"The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Dissertation AU - Munarini, Gumani Colbert AB - The natural rangelands of southern Africa have undergone significant degradation due to human and climatic activities. Fortunately, rehabilitation measures have been extensively researched and are available to address this issue. A variety of techniques exist to remedy the damage done to our rangeland ecosystems. However, the correct and timely application of these strategies remains a challenge. Further research is needed to provide farmers and landowners with clear and detailed guidelines for successful implementation. This research project aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a combination of rangeland rehabilitation strategies to provide guidelines for the successful restoration of degraded rangelands where a bare and compacted surface has developed as a result prior treatment. Field experiments were conducted to assess the use of brush-packing and other techniques for rehabilitating degraded land. The study took place in trial plots at Lapalala Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province. Eight treatments were applied, including soil ripping, sowing grass seed mixtures, and covering treated areas with single and double layers of thorn branches known as brush-packing. These treatments were duplicated at two sites within the game reserve, one of which was located inside the enclosure of the Lapalala Wilderness School. Treatments without protection from brush-packing failed to produce sustainable grass growth, as emerging plants were constantly grazed off by herbivores. However, where soil ripping, seed sowing, seedbed compaction, and brush-packing were applied, significantly more biomass was produced, resulting in sustainable growth of grass plants. The research outcomes highlight several key principles for the use of rangeland rehabilitation strategies in areas with bare soil and compacted topsoil crust. Firstly, where soil is exposed with a compacted topsoil crust or hard pan, rainwater penetration and infiltration must be improved. This can be achieved by breaking the compacted hard pan through soil ripping along the contour, allowing surface water to flow into furrows and penetrate the ground. Secondly, while the natural seedbank may provide seeds for pioneer plants to establish in a favourable environment with increased moisture and loose soil, the natural succession process is slow. To accelerate rehabilitation, grass seeds can be sown into furrows. Thirdly, newly emerging seedlings must be protected from grazing animals. The practice of brush-packing has proven effective for this purpose. Double layers of brush-packing create a favourable environment for seedling establishment and growth, offering longer protection than single layers. This protection is crucial for safeguarding grass stems, preventing grazing herbivores from damaging flowers and seeds essential for reproduction and ecosystem restoration. While grazing animals can be managed away from areas undergoing rehabilitation in commercial farming situations with domestic farm animals, this is more challenging in game reserves and parks, making brush-packing a valuable tool in these contexts. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province TI - The Use of Veld Restoration Techniques for Rehabilitating Degraded Waterberg Mountain Bushveld in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, Limpopo Province UR - ER -