The Effects of Spring Debanking and Defoliation by Goats on Acacia Karroo Trees in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

In the study the early flush phenophase induced response of A. karroo were investigated. The investigation was carried out in the False Thomveld of the Eastern Cape, a vegetation type that is dominated by A. karroo species and herbaceous layer dominated by Increaser II grass species. In the study two treatments were investigated; debarking and defoliation. A· simple randomized block design, with 6 treatments; replicated three times was set up. Debarking was done manually by hand and defoliation by 12 goats for two weeks in October 2004.