Bush Expert

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Bush encroachment (occurs when an area previously not characterised by woody species tend to show a dramatic establishment of these species over a period of time) and bush thickening (in southern Africa it is seen as the phenomenon of increasing tree and shrub density in savannas) has also vastly become a big concern with farmers throughout the whole of southern Africa. Certain indigenous woody species, such as Acaciamellifera, Dichrostachys cinerea, Rhigozum trichotomum and other, tend to become invasive and thus causes a decrease in the natural herbaceous layer, which normally acts as grazing for animals, as well as a soil stabilizer.

Alien woody species is another matter of concern seeing that alien species become aggressively invasive and act as competition for the indigenous and desirable species already existing in certain areas. Such species include Acacia mearnsii and Solanum mauritanium.

Competitive interactions between the woody and herbaceous components of savannas, involving mainly available soil water as the primary determinant of production have been reported world-wide. The suppressive effect of bush encroachment on herbaceous production, and thus on grazing capacity, is often the major reason why clearing of woody plants is considered as a management option.

This project was originally initiated by the Namibia Agricultural Union , which recognised the urgent need for a database on bush control technologies. Thus the project escalated from there on to the developed stage of this online database. All the data obtained over the years concerning eradication methods needed to be combined into a programme that could act as a Decision Support System, giving recommendations on how to address these environmental problems.

Information obtained in every case study, proves to be quite accurate because the
farmers/ rangeland managers which are questioned and fill out the on-line questionnaire, usually have much and long term experience in bush encroachment, thickening and the eradication thereof, as well as the restoration of such degraded areas.

A variety of technologies have been applied by farmers, land managers, scientists and conservationists to combat bush thickening and encroachment. These include biological/ mechanical/ manual and chemical control technologies. The aim of tree thinning (selective control) or tree clearing (total eradication) is usually to increase herbaceous production, for natural grazing, cultivated pastures etc.

It’s important to recognise the wealth of knowledge and years of experience of all these stakeholders about resolving the problem of rangeland degradation and the implementation of bush eradication technologies.

The challenge was to bring both the local and scientific knowledge together in a single, computerized database and expert system, based on already existing bush eradication technologies. The Decision Support System (DSS) developed by means of artificial intelligence methodologies, enables that the most effective technology that has been tested, be implemented for a specific problem in a certain area and can serve as a directive to identify future research priorities and possibilities.

The Bush Expert database is mainly focused on the problems, technologies and control methods concerning bush encroachment and thickening throughout southern Africa.

By combining Grass Expert with Bush Expert, the two databases will complement each other and benefit from the already existing case studies. For example, if bush thickening is controlled (Bush Expert), bare and denuded areas are left behind which must be restored by means of the most effective technology. The Grass Expert database can then be used as a consulting tool to identify the most applicable restoration technology, for Grass Expert is based on the restoration of denuded rangelands.

To consult the Bush Expert Database, click here
Contact Us for more Detail

CD- ROM VERSION
The EcoRestore Decision Support System is also available as a CD- ROM- version.
Should you be interested to buy one of these CD's, please contact one of the following persons:

* North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus,  in South Africa:
Prof. Klaus Kellner
Work: +27 (0)18 299 2510
Mobile: +27 (0)82 569 6145
Fax: +27 (0)18 299 2509
E-mail: plbkk@puk.ac.za

or

* Ministry of Environment and Tourism in Namibia:
Mr. Nico de Klerk
Work: +09 264 (0)61 249015
Fax: +09 264 (0)61 240339
E-mail: ndk@dea.met.gov.na