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the first photograph. Instead of documenting overgrazing in the communal area,
one may therefore conclude that there is a certain inherent resilience in this predominantly succulent vegetation system. In addition, the photographs indicate that
a continued loss of vegetation in the communal area has not occurred, although the
area gives the impression of being worn down compared to the neighbouring farm.
Comparison of fluctuations in livestock numbers over time supports the idea of
a resilient system. . Table 7.1 presents the changes in animal numbers over time in
. Photo 7.2 Aerial
photograph taken in
1960 of the border
between Leliefontein
communal area and a
private farm in
Namaqualand. Livestock
densities were about the
same on the two
properties. (Source:
Department of Land
Affairs)
. Photo 7.3 Aerial
photograph taken in
1997 of the same area as
in . Photo 7.2. One sees
a clear fence-line
contrast between the two
properties. Vegetation
has increased on the
private farm due to
subsidies from the
government to reduce
livestock numbers to
produce better quality
meat for the market.
(Source: Department of
Land Affairs)
7.1 · Debates About Overgrazing