Inside the Six Veld Zones of Mabalingwe
How different habitats shape our reserve’s ecological balance
Did you know Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is not just one landscape but six unique veld zones, each with its own character, challenges, and role in conservation? Dividing the reserve into ecological management units helps us monitor veld health more accurately and tailor our grazing, fire, and bush control strategies to the needs of each area.
Here’s a closer look at the six zones that make up our 7,500-hectare management area:
Grewia flava – Eragrostis rigidior Community
- Location: Southern low-lying valleys and mid-slopes
- Key Features:
- Sandy soils with patches of bare ground
- High presence of Grewia shrubs and sekelbos (Dichrostachys cinerea)
- Evidence of overgrazing and erosion
- Management Focus:
- Bush thinning
- Reseeding and erosion control
- Invasive species removal
Dichrostachys cinerea – Panicum maximum Community
- Location: Western valleys and gentle slopes
- Key Features:
- Mix of sweetveld grasses under denser tree cover
- Significant bare patches from shading and overgrazing
- Management Focus:
- Lime treatment to restore degraded soil
- Replanting resilient grass species
- Removing invasive plants like Lantana and oliebos
Terminalia sericea – Chrysopogon serrulatus Community
- Location: Foothills and mid-slopes of the northern sections
- Key Features:
- Sandy loam soils prone to erosion
- Good grass diversity in later succession stages
- Management Focus:
- Controlled burns to stimulate grazing
- Erosion control along roads and slopes
- Minimal bush thinning
Combretum apiculatum – Themeda triandra Community
- Location: Mixed veld areas, mainly on flatter terrain
- Key Features:
- High-quality climax grasses like Themeda triandra
- Lower tree density compared to some units
- Management Focus:
- Controlled burns every few years
- Ongoing monitoring of bush encroachment
Combretum molle – Trachypogon spicatus Community
- Location: Rocky slopes and shallow soils
- Key Features:
- Shallow Mispah soils with many stone outcrops
- Grass cover prone to erosion if overgrazed
- Management Focus:
- Careful grazing rotation
- Road erosion mitigation
- Selective grass cutting
Gymnosporia buxifolia – Heteropogon contortus Community
- Location: Transitional areas between sweetveld and sourveld
- Key Features:
- Mixed grassland and bushveld
- High levels of bush encroachment
- Management Focus:
- Intensive bush thinning programs
- Reseeding and protection of recovering areas
Why These Zones Matter
By understanding the unique characteristics of each veld zone, we can:
✅ Prevent overgrazing and erosion
✅ Maintain healthy habitats for different wildlife species
✅ Support long-term veld recovery and biodiversity
This tailored approach helps Mabalingwe remain a diverse and resilient ecosystem for generations to come.