Cattle ranching and ecological change in the Kalahari, Botswana : a hydrological perspective.

摘要: Changes in land use semiarid savannas to intensive cattle ranching have been widely equated with changes vegetation communities, notably bush encroachment. Increased availability of soil water the subsoil has assigned as both a cause and consequence this ecological change. Here we investigate applicability association an intensively grazed area Kalahari sandveld, Botswana. Studies show that no significant differences exist between profile patterns availability, or hydraulic conductivity field capacity, dominant compared grass-dominant sites. Vegetation are determined predominantly by interactions grazing levels, fire occurrence natural rainfall variability. Pastoral management strategies should therefore account for these variables prevent convergence areas. Soil movement soils remains largely restricted upper 2-3 m implying groundwater recharge is negligible important consideration extent resources required