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University of Pretoria: Strengthening evidence for Grassland and Savanna Restoration
Lead Institution: University of Pretoria
Research Theme: Grassland and Savanna Restoration
Duration: March 2026 – December 2027
Funding: US$80,000
Focus Areas: Soil Carbon, Biodiversity, Grazing Management, Restoration Monitoring
Why This Research Matters
South Africa’s grassland and savanna ecosystems underpin water security, food production, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. They also represent a significant opportunity for nature-based climate solutions and ecological restoration investments.
However, investors, policymakers and land managers often face a common challenge: there is limited empirical evidence demonstrating which restoration approaches deliver measurable environmental, social and economic benefits at scale.
The University of Pretoria’s Fenceline Contrast Studies are helping to address this gap by generating scientific evidence on how different grazing management practices influence ecosystem health, carbon storage and biodiversity.
The Research Question
Can grazing management improve ecosystem health and carbon storage?
The Water Fund approach focuses on interventions that address the root causes of catchment degradation, including invasive alien plant infestations, unsustainable grazing practices, and erosion. By restoring ecosystem function, these interventions can improve water regulation, enhance ecosystem resilience, and reduce risks to downstream water users.
This creates a real-world natural experiment that allows scientists to assess how grazing practices influence:
- Soil carbon accumulation
- Water infiltration
- Vegetation productivity
- Biodiversity
- Forage quality
- Overall ecosystem resilience
Research Sites
The study is being conducted across six fenceline contrast sites:
- Three sites within South Africa's Grassland Biome
- Three sites within South Africa's Savanna Biome
At each site, researchers compare land managed under different grazing regimes to understand how management decisions shape ecological outcomes.
What is Being Measured?
The study examines how different grazing management approaches influence ecosystem health by measuring three interconnected areas: soil health and carbon storage, biodiversity and vegetation condition, and forage production and quality. Researchers assess indicators such as soil organic carbon, nutrient availability, water infiltration, root biomass and soil structure, alongside changes in grass and forb diversity, species composition, veld condition and grazing capacity. The study also evaluates forage quantity and quality, including biomass production, protein content and other indicators that affect livestock productivity.
Combining Field Science with Advanced Technology
To build a comprehensive picture of ecosystem condition, the research combines traditional field-based surveys with advanced remote sensing technologies. Soil, vegetation and biomass measurements collected along field transects are complemented by drone-based monitoring using hyperspectral imaging, LiDAR and vegetation indices such as NDVI. Together, these approaches provide insights into ecosystem function, carbon sequestration potential, vegetation structure, forage quality, soil moisture and erosion risk, while helping to develop more efficient methods for monitoring restoration outcomes at landscape scale.
Expected Contributions
- Improved understanding of how grazing management influences soil health, biodiversity, carbon storage and overall ecosystem function.
- Evidence to support restoration planning, sustainable rangeland management and policy development across South Africa's grassland and savanna landscapes.
- Data and methodologies that strengthen carbon and biodiversity finance opportunities, while supporting the development of robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems.
- Practical guidance for designing and scaling restoration interventions in South Africa’s grasslands and savannas based on measurable ecological outcomes.
- Increased confidence among investors, funders and land managers by providing credible scientific evidence for restoration and carbon project development.
Donor
Consortium Partners
