Erosion Control in Action: How We’re Saving Our Soil

Protecting the foundation of the veld, one intervention at a time

Soil may lie beneath our feet, but it plays a critical role in the health of the entire ecosystem. At Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, soil erosion is one of the most serious threats to veld condition, water retention, and long-term biodiversity — and it’s something we actively work to control.

What Causes Soil Erosion?

Erosion occurs when soil is removed faster than it can be naturally replaced. At Mabalingwe, the main contributing factors include:

• Overgrazing, which removes protective grass cover
• Heavy rainfall events, especially on sloped terrain
• Vehicle tracks and roads, which concentrate water flow
• Bare patches beneath dense bush, where grass struggles to grow

Once soil is lost, it takes decades to rebuild — making prevention and early intervention essential.

Why Erosion Is a Serious Problem

Unchecked erosion can:

• Strip the veld of fertile topsoil
• Reduce grass growth and grazing capacity
• Create gullies that worsen with every rainfall
• Increase sediment in dams and watercourses
• Accelerate veld degradation and bush encroachment

Simply put, no soil means no grass — and no grass means no grazing.

How We Control Erosion at Mabalingwe

Erosion control at Mabalingwe focuses on slowing water flow, protecting bare soil, and encouraging natural vegetation recovery.

Stone Packing and Weirs

Loose stones are packed into erosion channels to:

• Slow down runoff
• Trap sediment
• Encourage water to spread and soak into the soil

These small structures are highly effective and blend naturally into the landscape.

Brush Packing

Cut branches from bush-clearing operations are placed over bare soil to:

• Reduce water speed
• Protect soil from wind and rain
• Trap seeds and organic matter

Over time, grasses establish underneath, stabilising the soil.

Reseeding with Indigenous Grasses

Bare or severely degraded areas are reseeded with locally adapted grass species to:

• Re-establish ground cover
• Improve water infiltration
• Restore grazing value

These areas are often rested from grazing until recovery is visible.

Water Diversion Channels

Shallow diversion banks redirect excess water away from vulnerable areas such as:

• Roads
• Drainage lines
• Slopes prone to gullying

This spreads water more evenly across the veld.

Monitoring and Adaptive Management

Erosion control isn’t a once-off task. Each rehabilitated area is:

• Inspected after heavy rainfall
• Adjusted if structures fail or water patterns change
• Monitored for grass recovery

Management actions are adapted based on what the veld tells us.

Why This Matters

Healthy soil supports:
– Productive grasslands
– Stable wildlife populations
– Cleaner water systems
– Long-term ecological resilience

By protecting the soil today, Mabalingwe ensures that future generations inherit a landscape that can continue to support life.

Saving the soil is saving the ecosystem.
Through consistent erosion control and careful veld management, Mabalingwe protects the very foundation of its natural environment.