Seasonal changes in above‐ground standing crop in three coastal grassland communities in Transkei¹

Abstract

Above‐ground standing crop (ASC) dynamics were followed over a two‐year period in three coastal grassland communities. The mass of biomass, necromass and litter components was determined monthly from hand‐clipped samples and compared under three management treatments — grazing, burning and protection from defoliation. Burning reduced ASC to below control levels until the second post‐fire summer. Grazing reduced the amount of biomass marginally for 12 months following a fire. The mass of litter increased with time after burning. In unburnt swards changes in the litter component were inconsistent between sites. Peak ASC was higher than that recorded in most sour grassland communities to date.