Ecology and Livestock Production: Veld Types

Questions and Answers

What is the primary factor that determines the type of veld, specifically sweetveld or sourveld?

Rainfall

What is the result of high rainfall on the soil in sourveld areas?

Soil leaching and low pH

Why are sweetveld grasses more palatable than sourveld grasses?

Higher nutritional value and fertility

What is the primary reason for the unpalatability of sourveld grasses during winter?

Withdrawal of nutrients from leaves to roots Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of mixed veld?

Intermediate form between sweetveld and sourveld Signup and view all the answers

Why is sweetveld more prone to overgrazing?

Higher palatability Signup and view all the answers

What type of veld is typically found in areas with low rainfall and mild winters?

Sweetveld Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment?

Ecology Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between sweetveld and sourveld?

Palatability of the veld Signup and view all the answers

Sourveld is more prone to overgrazing than sweetveld.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the type of veld that occurs in areas with high rainfall and cold winters?

Sourveld Signup and view all the answers

The soil in sourveld areas has a ______________ pH.

low Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of veld with their characteristics:

Sweetveld = B) Low rainfall, mild winters, fertile soil Sourveld = A) High rainfall, cold winters, poor soil Mixed Veld = C) Intermediate form between sweetveld and sourveld Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the nutrients in sweetveld grasses during mild winters?

They remain in the leaves Signup and view all the answers

Dry woodland and karoo are examples of ______________ veld.

sweetveld Signup and view all the answers

Mixed veld is a type of veld that only occurs in areas with high rainfall.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology and Veld Types

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment.
Veld types are classified based on palatability, which is affected by temperature and rainfall.

Sweetveld

Sweetveld is a type of veld that is palatable and occurs in areas with low rainfall and mild winters.
The soil in sweetveld areas has a high fertility status due to minimal leaching, resulting in grasses with high nutritional value.
Little nutrients are stored in the roots during mild winters, making the grass palatable even in winter.
Examples of sweetveld include dry woodland and karoo.

Sourveld

Sourveld is a type of veld that is unpalatable, particularly in winter, and occurs in areas with high rainfall and cold winters.
The soil in sourveld areas is poor and has a low pH due to leaching over many years.
Grasses in sourveld areas are poor in nutrients and withdraw nutrients from leaves to store in roots to survive severe winters.
This makes the grass unpalatable.

Mixed Veld

Mixed veld is an intermediate form between sweetveld and sourveld, with characteristics of both.
Sweetveld grasses occur in protected areas with fertile soil, such as lower lying parts and next to rivers.
Sourveld grasses occur in open areas in mixed veld.

Ecology and Veld Types

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment.
Veld types are classified based on palatability, which is affected by temperature and rainfall.

Sweetveld

Sweetveld is a type of veld that is palatable and occurs in areas with low rainfall and mild winters.
The soil in sweetveld areas has a high fertility status due to minimal leaching, resulting in grasses with high nutritional value.
Little nutrients are stored in the roots during mild winters, making the grass palatable even in winter.
Examples of sweetveld include dry woodland and karoo.

Sourveld

Sourveld is a type of veld that is unpalatable, particularly in winter, and occurs in areas with high rainfall and cold winters.
The soil in sourveld areas is poor and has a low pH due to leaching over many years.
Grasses in sourveld areas are poor in nutrients and withdraw nutrients from leaves to store in roots to survive severe winters.
This makes the grass unpalatable.

Mixed Veld

Mixed veld is an intermediate form between sweetveld and sourveld, with characteristics of both.
Sweetveld grasses occur in protected areas with fertile soil, such as lower lying parts and next to rivers.
Sourveld grasses occur in open areas in mixed veld.