Grazing Capacity Explained: How We Calculate Sustainable Wildlife Numbers

At Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, every blade of grass counts — literally. Sustainable wildlife management begins with understanding how much veld is available to feed the animals that roam freely across the reserve. This is where grazing capacity becomes a key tool in ensuring both veld health and wildlife populations remain in balance.

What Is Grazing Capacity?

Grazing capacity refers to the number of animals that the land can support without degrading the veld. It’s a scientific measure based on:

• Veld condition (quality and cover of grasses),
• Annual rainfall (average 634 mm per year at Mabalingwe),
• Vegetation types (sweetveld, sourveld, mixed veld),
• Soil fertility and terrain.

By calculating how much grass is available and how much forage each animal requires, we can determine the safe stocking rate.

How We Calculate It at Mabalingwe

Mabalingwe’s ecological team follows a careful process:

• The reserve is divided into six vegetation management units based on plant communities and veld condition.
• Field surveys identify dominant grass species and measure veld health indicators.
• Using ecological formulas and rainfall data, they calculate a grazing value known as Large Stock Units (LSU) per hectare — the equivalent of one mature cow’s grazing needs.

Updated Figures for 2025:

• Average Grazing Capacity: 3 hectares per LSU
• Total Managed Area: 8,363 hectares
• Revised Sustainable Wildlife Number: 1,577 LSUs

To keep the veld healthy, grazing capacity is carefully balanced between different wildlife types:

• Bulk grazers (low grazers), such as wildebeest and zebra, should make up around 70% of the total capacity (~1,104 LSU).
• Selective grazers and browsers, like kudu and impala, should make up about 30% (~473 LSU).

This mix ensures that grasses are grazed evenly, bush encroachment is controlled, and no single group places unsustainable pressure on the land. As a result, the veld can recover naturally, preventing overgrazing, erosion, and the spread of invasive species.

Current Animal Totals (Based on Ideal Quote Planning):

• Current Total LSU from Wild Animals: 2,804
• Planned Ideal Quota: 3,245 LSU

Adjusted Strategy:

To move toward a more ecologically balanced plan without exceeding the planned capacity of 3,245 LSU, the following adjustments are recommended:

• Increase understocked species such as reedbuck, tsessebe, waterbuck, nyala, impala, and warthog to diversify grazing impact.
• Cap or reduce high-pressure species such as zebra, wildebeest, kudu, and giraffe.
• Aim for a revised total around 3,000 LSU to maintain a buffer and improve veld resilience.

Why This Matters

If too many animals graze the land, plant cover diminishes, soil erodes, and veld health declines — risking the survival of both plants and animals. A well-calculated grazing capacity supports:

• Healthy veld regeneration,
• Stable wildlife populations,
• Rich biodiversity,
• A beautiful and sustainable landscape for future generations and visitors.

Grazing capacity isn’t just a number — it’s a commitment to responsible stewardship of Mabalingwe’s wild spaces.