Communal based strategies for bush encroachment management in a savannah rangeland in Mafarana village in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Abstract

The term "bush encroachment" refers to a change in the distribution of woody plants, which shifts the natural balance between the woody and herbaceous layers unfavourably. Globally, bush encroachment poses grave threats to savannah rangelands, but research indicates that this phenomenon is most prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions. Bush encroachment in Sub-Saharan Africa remains highly relevant due to its wide-ranging impact on the environment, economy, and society. Some of the key reasons for its continued relevance include but are not limited to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, land degradation, water resources, livestock farming, fire risk, climate change, invasive species, conservation management and ultimately the economic impact. On the other hand, the South African government has been actively involved in bush encroachment management through various policies, programs, and research initiatives. These policies aim to promote sustainable land use practices, including the control of invasive species and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. The concept is basically on alien invasive plant control and bush encroachment control. Methods such as mechanical, chemical and combination treatments are used to control and reduce the densities of woody plants. The broader aim of this study was to investigate communal-based approach strategies for bush encroachment management in a savannah rangeland of Mafarana village in the Greater Tzaneen municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was conducted in Mafarana village, focusing on bush encroachment management. The research was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research techniques approach, which was in a form of questionnaires, structured interviews as well as observational methods which were employed as tools for data collection. The sample size of 350 participants was determined using Slovin's formula. Validity and reliability were ensured through expert review and a pilot study with a satisfactory Cronbach's Alpha of 0.76. During the mixed methods analysis qualitative coding for thematic analysis was employed first, followed by quantitative analysis using International Business Machines- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 26 for demographic and community perceptions data. Moreover, the questions not amenable to SPSS analysis were subjected to thematic analysis. The research involved a higher participation of females at 66.6% in comparison to their male counterpart, with most respondents being adults (64.8%), and 83.7% having lived in the village for over 20 years. Findings from the study indicated that the community is aware of what Dichrostachys cineria (Sickle bush) is and it is considered a problem in Mafarana village. This knowledge on the plant can be associated with the elevated levels of education recorded within the community. The data on the high usage of Sickle bush also suggests that the community has had some type of indigenous knowledge on Sickle bush which has been transferred from one generation to another. Moreover, the findings of the current study indicate that the community also understands the phenomenon of bush encroachment has and its detrimental impact towards the environment, and humans. Farmers in the community have adopted a distinct way of managing encroachment by Sickle bush which include cutting, uprooting, and burning of the plant. Although this method has proved to be effective and successful for them while waiting for government intervention, it has also said to be time consuming. Furthermore, the current study has discovered that there seem to be no government based nor community-based projects aimed at controlling or managing the problem of bush encroachment within the Mafarana community. Even if they were there, community members feel that they are not directly involved in such projects. From the results obtained in the study area it is evident that in Mafarana village, addressing bush encroachment requires a comprehensive approach. Local and provincial governments should conduct community workshops, participatory mapping, and integrate traditional practices aimed at addressing the issue. Likewise, collaboration with environmental agencies, establishment of a monitoring system, and incentive programs for successful management including controlled burning supervised by the community are vital.