veld

Veld is a term used in southern Africa to describe extensive areas of open country, typically dominated by grasses with scattered trees or shrubs. It encompasses a range of landscapes from savannas to grasslands and is a common feature of rural ecosystems in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The word derives from Afrikaans, itself from Dutch, meaning field or open country.

In geography and land use, veld includes various regional and ecological types, such as bushveld (woody savanna), grassveld (open grassland), and altitudinal zones like highveld and lowveld, each with distinct climate, soils, and vegetation. Ecological processes—rainfall-driven plant growth, fire regimes, and herbivore grazing—play key roles in shaping veld composition and productivity. Veld supports livelihoods through grazing, as habitat for wildlife, and as land for biodiversity conservation.

Veld is often classified for grazing quality, notably as sweetveld and sourveld, reflecting differences in the palatability and nutritional value of grasses. Sweetveld typically provides more nutritious forage, while sourveld may offer forage of lower quality at certain times of year. Management practices aim to balance grazing pressure with regeneration, fire, and restoration of native grasses.

Threats to veld include overgrazing, soil erosion, invasive species, and climate change, which can lead to degradation and desertification in some areas. Conservation and sustainable use efforts emphasize rotational or controlled grazing, prescribed burning, and habitat restoration, often within protected areas or managed landscapes. The term veld remains a common way to describe open southern African landscapes and their ecological and economic importance.