Vegetation changes at Sabi Sand Wildtuin

As part of his Honours project field work commitment at the Plant Conservation Unit, Ruan de Wet recently visited Sabi Sand Wildtuin (Sabi Sand Reserve), on the western border of Kruger National Park, with his supervisor Timm Hoffman and his father, Francois de Wet. Since 2001, 33 sites within the western portion of the reserve have been surveyed annually by Francois in his capacity as a consultant (Enviropulse CC) for the purpose of veld management. Because the annual survey period falls within the winter school holidays, Ruan has been a part of the majority of the survey effort and this year will be using the 15 years’ worth of data as the basis for his honours project.

Each year the grass species assemblage, basal cover and fuel load were assessed along with soil classification, repeat photographs and woody species and cover estimation. This wealth of data, in combination with rainfall records, game counts and fire history provided by Sabi Sand Wildtuin, will be the basis for a quantitative analysis of the changes in vegetation structure and composition through time. The results of this study will hopefully further elucidate the dynamics and thresholds of the savanna biome, providing a firmer platform from which management can better achieve their long-term objectives.

Below are some pictures from their trip. 

Timm Hoffman next to a giant Ficus sycamorus at Sabi Sand Wildtuin.

Father and son team, Francois and Ruan de Wet identifying a grass species.

A repeat photograph of one of the 33 survey sites, showing the increase in woody plant cover and the loss of large trees. The top photograph was taken in 2003 and the repeat was taken in 2016.