The Vegkop area can be divided into several eco-systems. What is an eco-system? An ecological-system comprises two parts: A biotic (living) and an abiotic (not living) part. The biotic part consists of grasses as the most important element with all other live animals as another part. The abiotic part consists of rain, sunlight and soil. As a result of the global population pressure farming units are divided into several different systems that are devided by fencing. These fenced-off areas are really man-made eco-systems. Such an eco-system requires a skilled management. Ecological disturbances such as over-grazing has a ripple effect on both biotic and abiotic components, therefore knowledge is of extreme importance in effectively managing a man-made ecology.

Plant communities are constantly changing as a result of unfavourable growth conditions for specific plant communities as a result of condtions such as droughts and over-grazing. This results in the encroachment of different plant communities that are better adapted to the environment. As factors affecting growth improve, one community of plants will colonise a different community until a climax community has been established. (Plant succession.) The first plant succession is the pioneering community (mostly annual grasses and weeds.) Sub-climatic communities will become dominant as soon as the environment becomes suitable. The sub-climatic plants prepare the soil for the climatic plant community, this is the final stage of plant succession. Pioneering plants have a low yield for grazing and the climatic plants have a high value for grazing. The climatic plant growth can preserve nutrients through different years. Soil erosion is also confined to a minimum level and maximal utilisation of moisture is ensured. Continuous over-grazing will result in a disclimatic community developing (a desert community).

Optimal grazing can be applied only if land management practice is adjusted to the browsing habits of animals that graze there. For successful management it is important to differentiate between game and domesticated animals. In the case of wild game the grazing-yield differs substantially from for example cattle and is a speciality. The grazing-yield of the veld refers specifically to the potential of an area to maintain livestock and/or game through the maintenance of the utilisation of plant growth without long term damage to the ecological system. The potential grazing-yield of an area is expressed as hectare per large livestock unit (ha/LSU).

There are several plant species in the Vegkop area. The plants differ from pioneering, sub-climatic-, climatic grasses and a large variety of shrubs and trees. The grasses can be divided into four groups. The four groups including their colloquial Afrikaans names are:

Solitary blossoming : - Koperdraad, Assegaaigras, Vleimannagras, Swartsaad mannagras, Wortelsaadgras, Eenjarige steekgras, Taaipol en Elsgras.

Finger-shaped blossoming :- Kweek paspalum, Chloris, Kweek, Hoenderspoor, Bruinhoenderspoor, Osgras en gewone Paspalum.

Plume shaped blossoming :- Hartjiesgras, Gomgras, Taaipol-eragrostis, Weeluisgras, Ystergras, Krulblaar, Oulandsgras, Knietjiesgras en Douvatgras.

Unapparent blossoming :- Kikujo

The Vegkop biosphere is a very complex area in its' variety of plant communities, therefor the management of the different eco-systems is extremely important. Thorough knowledge of the veld, the grazing-yield and management practices is required. The Vegkopboerevereniging holds the annual Grass Race to improve the knowledge of grasses. Everybody that loves nature is welcome to participate in the Grass Race.