Erosion control
African sheepbush plays an important role in preventing erosion thanks to its stoloniferous habit which anchors it on the soil and binds sandy soil. One of its Afrikaans name is "ankerkaroo" (anchor karoo) (Hulley et al., 2018)
Indicator of overgrazing, encroachment
In South Africa, overgrazing by stock results in the devlopment of Pentzia incana and other karoo shrubs, replacing native grassland over wide areas (Darkoh, 2001).