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ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF A REMNANT BRACHYSTEGIA SPICIFORMIS (MIOMBO) WOODLAND IN NORTH EASTERN SOUTPANSBERG, LIMPOPO POVINCE

ABSTRACT The paper reports some of the findings of a three-year research study on the ecology and management of South Africa's own miombo woodland whose existence was only confirmed to the scientific community in 2002. It indicates that this miombo woodland patch has characteristics that are different from those of the extensive wetter miombo woodland of central and south eastern Africa. The woodland, however, shares many of the characteristics of the less extensive drier miombo woodland of southern Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These characteristics include an open structure, medium canopy height, poorly developed lower strata, less diversity in respect of Fabaceae family and Caesalpinioidae subfamily members, and high dependence on root suckering and coppicing for regeneration. The woodland is considered as an important part of the natural heritage of the local clan and has therefore been under a traditional woodland management regime. The involvement of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, with its emphasis on woodland management practices that focus more on economic gains and less on cultural value poses a challenge. Studies in the region have confirmed that traditional management of natural resources fail to guarantee their sustainability when economic value of such resources is emphasised more than their cultural value. The paper therefore recommends that in the interest of sustainability of the woodland, the traditional management regime should be maintained and supported to make it more effective.