veldgroei

Veldgroei is a term used in Dutch-language ecological literature to describe the growth and regeneration of veld vegetation, the herbaceous and woody cover that characterizes veld landscapes in southern Africa. It includes grasses, forbs, shrubs and young trees that form the ground cover in grassland, savanna and karoo-type ecosystems. Veldgroei is influenced by climate, soil properties and disturbance regimes, and varies with season and geography.

Key drivers are rainfall amount and timing, temperature, soil fertility, depth and moisture, as well as fire and grazing. In many veld systems, periodic fires promote new growth by reducing litter and releasing nutrients, while grazing by herbivores shapes species composition and structure. Veldgroei is commonly measured as aboveground biomass production or net primary productivity, and can be estimated through clipping studies, grazing removal, or remote sensing.

Ecological role and management: veldgroei supports forage for livestock and wildlife, contributes to soil protection, water infiltration and carbon storage. Sustainable management aims to maintain productive cover while preventing degradation. Practices include rotational or deferred grazing, prescribed burning, weed control, and, where needed, soil and nutrient amendments. Overgrazing, invasive species, drought, and climate change can reduce veldgroei and lead to erosion or woody encroachment.

Restoration and research: degraded veld can recover with intervention, including reseeding with indigenous grasses, revegetation after fire, and improving soil moisture retention. Long-term monitoring of biomass, species composition and soil health informs management decisions and allows assessment of resilience to climatic variability.