![\"Veld](\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-Veld-Management-01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDue to the intense heat, we moved the session to the Lapa for comfort. The high temperatures led to a decision to take a long three-hour lunch break.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDuring this time, the weather\u00a0shifted, and rain\u00a0began to fall, providing a welcome\u00a0reprieve\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0heat.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOnce the rain subsided, we utilized the cooler weather to explore and identify different soil types along the catena zone of duplex soils. We discovered clay soil, which we confirmed by crafting a clay ball, a ring, and a clay ox made by Mollie. The group also identified clay loam, which Jan tested by attempting to create a structure that eventually broke apart. Lastly, we observed sandy soil, further enriching our understanding of soil diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMatthew concluded the lecture for the day and proposed resuming the session on Sunday morning at 07:00, a decision everyone welcomed. In the evening, despite the onset of heavy rain accompanied by lightning, the group persisted with the planned braai. The event was successful, featuring Mollie’s delicious baked bread served with jam and Megan’s campfire popcorn, which everyone enjoyed around the fire.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe day offered a rich blend of learning, fieldwork, and team spirit, making it a memorable part of the weekend program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunday’s session began at 07:00, with Dr. Graham von Maltitz providing a brief overview of veld monitoring techniques. Following this, we divided the group into ecosystem-specific groups to conduct a practical exercise on veld management. Each group used a steel frame, known as a quadrant, which is placed on the ground and the different grass species within the square are counted.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhile\u00a0conducting the practical, we\u00a0spotted a\u00a0tortoise\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0red velvet mite, discovered by Madie, adding\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0day’s\u00a0excitement and\u00a0connection with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAfter\u00a0completing the fieldwork, we\u00a0returned to\u00a0the\u00a0campsite to\u00a0wrap\u00a0up the lecture.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0von\u00a0Maltitz\u00a0guided us through calculating dry weight\u00a0mass, which formed the\u00a0basis\u00a0for\u00a0concluding the practical\u00a0component. He\u00a0then\u00a0ended the\u00a0theoretical segment of the weekend by emphasizing the importance\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0structured strategy for\u00a0veld\u00a0management:\u00a0defining goals, creating\u00a0an\u00a0action plan, implementing monitoring, and conducting assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTo close the\u00a0session, Britta delivered\u00a0a\u00a0heartfelt\u00a0vote\u00a0of\u00a0thanks,\u00a0expressing gratitude for\u00a0the\u00a0shared knowledge and the weekend’s collaborative spirit. The\u00a0weekend\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0well-rounded experience, combining practical learning,\u00a0engaging\u00a0lectures, and opportunities to immerse\u00a0ourselves in\u00a0the natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editor’s Note: Thanks to student Clifford for providing all the news on the Veld Management weekend, can imagine heat must have been intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Web Report by Clifford Mmutle (Team Rocky Slopes) The weekend’s activities commenced on Friday afternoon as participants arrived and set up their camping tents. At 18:45, we convened in the conference room to undertake the scheduled grasses test, which lasted approximately an hour. Following the test, Peter provided feedback on the QCQ and the Amphibians and Reptiles Test, offering insightful reflections and observations onRead more ⟶<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-module-feedback"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9255"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9273,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9255\/revisions\/9273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}