Land Rehabilitation Programs

Due to a dynamic and competitive relationship between grasses and trees, over-grazed commercial farmland does not spring back to pristine, diverse life-supporting bush by simply removing livestock and introducing game species. This fact is realised by Abo Shamani and the rehabilitation and vegetation plans are being arranged accordingly.

The dynamic relationship between grasses, shrubs and trees in diverse environments leads to the establishment of plant communities. The plants within these communities are in constant competition with each other. Grazing and browsing herbivores influence the balance. Africa’s large herbivores assist in keeping the bush in a natural balance - and grass species effectively competing with shrub and tree species. Large commercial farms often have too much grazing stock and as a result place extraordinary pressure on the grass component of plant communities.

The result is that, in most cases, if a former commercial farm is left to its own devices it does not return to a healthy competitive environment. Invariably shrubs and then trees tend to dominate because the grass community has been severely abused - first by stock and then often by erosion. To make matters worse, the lack of large browsing herbivores further tilts competition in favour of tree species which quickly take advantage of these factors and block out valuable sunlight on the ground. This removes any chance of a fair fight between grasses and trees.

Abo Shamani is currently underway with planning for the rehabilitation of old Lucerne; lands; quarries; ostrich camps; barren lands and grasslands. The prevention of soil erosion and re-layering of topsoil are also primary factors under development.