The vegetation potential of natural rangelands in the mid-Fish River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa: towards a sustainable and acceptable management system
- Authors: Birch, Natalie Vivienne Evans
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Vegetation and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetation dynamics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetation surveys -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003754
- Description: Desertification is the diminution or destruction of the biological potential of land, and can lead ultimately to desert-like conditions. The vegetation of southern Africa is claimed to have altered over the past 100 years and much of the change is attributed to pastoral practice. In recent years however there has been much debate around the issue of the deterioration and loss of productivity of the natural rangelands, specifically those under communal management. It is one thing to claim that the vegetation has changed but quite another to produce data and analyses to show this unequivocally. Furthermore it is generally difficult to determine the nature and extent of change in natural ecosystems, as one does not know what the optimal base-line conditions should be. For this reason emphasis has been placed on developing models of potential or expected vegetation. By comparing a model of potential or expected vegetation with that of the contemporary vegetation, areas that deviate from expectation can be identified, in so doing providing evidence of the direction of change in the rangelands under various management treatments. The objective of this study was to determine shifts in the vegetation under different land-use treatments, by developing a technique to predict the potential vegetation of an area. In order to explore the nature and extent of degradation at the landscape scale a study site was selected where a range of land-use and rangeland management practices could be studied in parallel. The mid-Fish River valley consists of three markedly different units of land management, namely commercial rangelands, communal rangelands and nature conservation areas. The vegetation within the mid-Fish River valley falls within the Thicket biome and consists of three main vegetation types namely, Short Succulent Thicket, Medium Succulent Thicket and Mesic Bushclump Savanna. The creation of this potential vegetation model was dependent on the direct gradient analysis approach of relating the community patterns with environmental variables. To achieve this, floristic information was collected at sites along a topographical-moisture gradient. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) between the environmental variables and the plant communities produced a classification from which the conditions normally associated with the major plant communities were predicted. When projected as a digital map, the qualifying sites provided a testable hypothesis of the potential vegetation. The results of this study showed a definite grazing gradient, which reflects a change from a more mesic environment towards a more arid environment with an increase in utilisation pressure. The predictive vegetation model proved to be useful for predicting the occurrence of the valley thicket communities within the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The conservation status of some unique plant communities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Everard, David Alexander
- Date: 1986 , 2013-03-14
- Subjects: Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007497 , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Description: In response to a growing concern over the rising rates of extinction of the world's plants and of habitat destruction, studies of Southern African threatened plants were initiated in the 1970's. These studies, which have largely concentrated on Western Cape flora, led to the publication of "Threatened Plants of Southern Africa" by Hall et al., 1980, which attempted to list as many threatened or possibly threatened species as possible. It was however marred by a lack of recent herbarium records and detailed studies from many parts of the region, the Eastern Cape being one of these. In order to extend these detailed studies to gain a clearer picture of the numbers of threatened species in the Eastern Cape and evaluate the conservation status of Eastern Cape vegetation this project was initiated. Initially lists of possibly threatened and endemic taxa of the Eastern Cape were compiled from various sources. These listed taxa were then checked against herbarium records, all available information being filled onto index cards for filing purposes. This paper-based filing system was then transferred into a computer-based data bank to facilitate the efficient storage and retrieval of information. Results from this data bank show that there are 662 variously threatened plant taxa in the Eastern Cape, many of which fall into temporary categories which need to be clarified by investigation in the field. Primarily based on the above results, a table ranking the various vegetation types into an order of priority for investigations about conservation requirement was developed.Subtropical Thicket was found to be the vegetation type in most need of investigation and so an extensive phytosociological survey was carried out in the Valley Bushveld which forms the major portion of Subtropical Thicket in the Eastern Cape. Twelve sites were sampled for floristic and environmental variables along a rainfall gradient of between 300 mm yr⁻¹ and 1 000 mm yr⁻¹ and along a longitudinal gradient from the Buffalo River in the east to the Gamtoos-Kromme complex in the west. Floristic data W(re analysed using multivariate techniques of classification and ordination. A classification by two-way species indicator analysis revealed the Valley Bushveld to consist of two orders of thicket, the Kaffrarian Succulent Thicket containing the two suborders, Inland Succulent Thicket and the Coastal Succulent Thicket and the Kaffrarian Thicket containing Coastal Kaffrarian Thicket and Inland Kaffrarian Thicket. Ordina tion by detrended correspondence analysis also grouped sites according to these vegetation categories in a sequence along one axis, to which the rainfall gradient could be related. Variables such as diversity indices, numbers of endemics, numbers of threatened taxa and structural features were also extracted from the data and these were correlated with environmental variables by multiple regression analysis. Species richness and the percent woody component w\!re positively correlated with rainfall while endemism and percent succulent component were strongly negatively correlated with rainfall. Most of the other relationships were explained by interrelationships with rainfall. Finally the sites were evaluated according to floristic criteria indicative of conservation value. The Coastal Succulent Thicket appeared to have the highest conservation value mainly owing to high endemism, while Inland Kaffrarian Thicket was also important as it supports a high number of species. The thickets with high conservation value are therefore the thickets of coastal areas in the western parts of the Eastern Cape which receive a low rainfall and the thickets which receive a rainfall in excess of 800 mm. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
Contrasting biodiversity values in four states of Eastern Province thornveld
- Authors: Duncan, Imogen May
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Biodiversity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agrobiodiversity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Landscape assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003759 , Biodiversity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agrobiodiversity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Veld -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Landscape assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Land use and land transformation are major threats to biodiversity. Only a small percentage of land and thus biodiversity is protected within reserves. The majority of biodiversity lies in the hands of private and communal farmers and in order to protect biodiversity they must perceive it as having some value and have the means and incentive to conserve it. This study examined two things: (i) the relationship between biodiversity and measures of ecosystem health, range condition, primary production and presence of useful plants that would be expected to be of relevant use to land users, (ii) the perceptions of farmers of vegetation states that differ in the abovementioned attributes. Within the Eastern Province Thornveld of the Smaldeel area, four different vegetation states were selected for the study, namely park-like grassland with scattered Acacia karroo (“savanna”), heavily infested Acacia karroo grassland (“acacia”), thicket-grassland mosaic (“thicket”) and heavily utilised thicketgrassland in communal lands (“communal”). The four states are a consequence of different patterns of browsing and fire, in both pre-colonial and recent times. Different ecological attributes were assessed and compared for each state and the relationships between the different attributes determined. Ecosystem health, in terms of stability or resistance to erosion, infiltration/water-holding capacity, and nutrient cycling were compared using Landscape Function Analysis. The agricultural value of the different landscapes was measured using range condition assessment techniques. Plant species richness and other measures of diversity, along with their conservation and usefulness values, were compared between states. Plant productivity and biomass were compared using satellite data. The thicket state was found to be the most functional due to the added habitat complexity provided by the vegetation. It was the most biodiverse, the most useful and contained many, but not all of the important conservation species. The communal state had high biodiversity and was be fairly resilient to heavy usage, not showing the expected signs of land degradation. The savanna state, although thought of as the optimum state for cattle production, was not significantly different from the other states in terms of agricultural potential, but had the lowest values for plant diversity, browse potential, abundance of useful plant species and biomass. The acacia state had the highest and least stable values in terms of biomass production, however it was found to contain species of conservation importance. The preference that four groups of land users, namely men and women from commercial and communal farming areas, expressed for the four vegetation states was assessed using semi-structured interviews in conjunction with A3 colour photographs. The men and women from the communal areas and the men from the commercial areas valued the thicket state highly for its farming potential. The male commercial farmers also valued the savanna state highly as they perceived it as being most productive for cattle farming. Both the thicket state and the savanna state were found aesthetically pleasing by all the user groups, in line with theories of preference for modified savannas and for familiar environments. There appears to be potential for preserving biodiversity on farmland. The farmers in this study, with their very utilitarian perspective, were found to intuitively gauge the health of the landscape and recognise biodiversity as indicating good farming land. The commercial farmers were strongly influenced by economic motives and thus attracted to the savanna state, but also recognised the opportunity for a wider variety of farming activities in the thicket state. The communal farmers have a high dependence on the land for their livelihoods and preferred the thicket state for its overall usefulness. The views of the farmers indicate that the opportunity for conservation is good, however much of the thicket state lies in the communal land, where the openaccess land use system makes managing for biodiversity difficult.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Studies on the ecology and molecular biology of transferable drug resistance factors in coliform bacteria
- Authors: Marcos, David
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae , Molecular biology , Microbial ecology , Bacteria -- Ecology , Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007494 , Enterobacteriaceae , Molecular biology , Microbial ecology , Bacteria -- Ecology , Ecology
- Description: From Introduction: It was as early as 1904 that Paul Ehrlich propounded the idea of a “magic bullet”. This “magic bullet”, or chemotherapeutic agent, as he also called it, had to meet certain requirements: (a) a high activity against pathogenic micro-organisms; (b) easy absorption by the body; (c) activity in the presence of body fluids and tissue; (d) a low degree of toxicity; (e) must not allow the development of resistant micro-organisms. The discovery of the sulphonamide, Prentosil, by Domagk in 1935 was one of the initial steps in the search for this “magic bullet”. This, together with the production and purification of the antibiotics penicillin, by Fleming, Florey and Chain in 1942 and streptomycin, by Waksman in 1943, heralded a new era in the fight against bacterial infections. The majority of modern antibacterial agents have to a large extent met the requirements of Ehrlich’s ‘magic bullet”. They have however failed to prevent the development of resistant bacterial strains. This has been particularly noticeable in the past twenty years since the sudden emergence of multiple-resistant bacteria, many of which can transfer to several drugs in one step by a process of conjugation. This phenomenon which has serious medical implications has prompted numerous studies on the origin, epidemiology, biochemistry and genetics of transferable drug resistance.
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- Date Issued: 1973
The influence of the composition of mixed Karoo vegetation on the grazing habits of Merino and Dorper wethers
- Authors: Roux, Francis Augustus
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Grazing -- South Africa -- Karoo , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds , Dorper sheep -- South Africa , Merino sheep -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4223 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003792 , Grazing -- South Africa -- Karoo , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds , Dorper sheep -- South Africa , Merino sheep -- South Africa
- Description: The primary objective of this research project was to determine whether area-selective grazing, by Dorper and Merino wethers, took place in small grazing camps as governed by differences in vegetal cover. The main research techniques employed were the descending-point method for the determination of botanical composition, sub-division of the camps into gridblocks to trace sheep movement in relation to vegetation patterning, fistulated animals to determine diet selection, the electronic theodolite for micro-topography, and few minor techniques. The result have shown that area- patch- and species selective grazing are prevalent in small grazing camps under "normal" stocking densities, and that different breeds of stock (Merino and Dorper sheep) have different grazing patterns and diet selection . Climax and sub-climax areas were those primarily select ed for grazing. There is little or no correlation between botanical composition and diet selected as per fistula ted animal. The average distances travelled by Dorpers and Merinos was 2 km / day and 3.1 km/day respectively. Plant phenology did not have a detectable influence in the choice of diet.
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- Date Issued: 1994
Population dynamics, fire, and reproductive ecology of Oldenburgia grandis (Asteraceae), an unusual fynbos tree endemic to the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mostert, Emma Charlotte
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365268 , vital:65722
- Description: Thesis embargoed. Possible release date set for early 2024. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
CO2-induced woody thickening depends strongly on interacting abiotic and biotic factors
- Authors: Raubenheimer, Sarah Lynn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164646 , vital:41151 , doi:10.21504/10962/164646
- Description: Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Botany, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020
The response of microalgal biomass and community composition to the chemical and physical dynamics of two Eastern Cape estuaries
- Authors: Cotiyane, Phumlile L
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Estuarine plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytoplankton -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Algal blooms -- Monitoring-- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4999 , vital:20751
- Description: Water quality characteristics of estuaries are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities. Estuaries situated in coastal urban areas are exposed to more perturbations than those in rural settings. This study determined the drivers of phytoplankton biomass and community composition in two Eastern Cape estuaries and evaluated the anthropogenic activities that influence the overall health of each estuary. The estuaries were sampled in summer and winter (2014, 2015). The water quality of the estuaries was determined by measuring the variability in physico-chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH), nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and composition and faecal bacteria. Results show that both Mngazana and Nahoon are well oxygenated (~ 6.0 mg l-¹) and are saline systems (~ 35 ppt) due to low freshwater inputs into both estuaries. Mngazana Estuary exhibited low nutrient inputs along the length of the estuary including Creeks 1 and 2 with low chlorophyll a (4.0 ± 0.2 µg Chl-a r¹) being recorded during this study while Nahoon Estuary had an overall chlorophyll a of 3.5 ± 0.3 µg Chl-a r¹. The two estuaries were dominated by flagellates with phytoplankton blooms recorded seasonally. Possible eutrophic conditions were evident along the upper reaches of Nahoon indicated by nutrient accumulation and by the presence of cyanobacteria. This also this reflected the possible anthropogenic nutrient inputs originating from the Nahoon catchment despite the low freshwater inflow. The presence of faecal bacteria counts along both estuaries indicates the need for further investigation into the source of faecal contamination. The use of nutrient analyses and phytoplankton composition during this study enabled a clear description of the water characteristics of the investigated estuaries. Furthermore, the need for the adherence to freshwater flow requirements of estuaries to limit the dominance of marine waters was clearly illustrated. Urban runoff due to impervious surfaces increases nutrient inputs into estuaries while rural use of estuarine waters introduces contaminants into the system; coupled with low freshwater inputs and eutrophic conditions, the deterioration of estuarine water quality over time demonstrates the need for effective monitoring of these systems.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Effects of sustained elevated CO2 concentration and Nitrogen nutrition on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Gamtoos)
- Authors: Kgope, Barney Stephen
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003774 , Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Description: There is consensus that high CO2 results in enhanced growth and yield for most crop plants. However, most of these studies were carried out in the presence of adequate nutrients, which is also the case in agricultural systems (managed ecosystems). About 20% of the earth’s land mass have sufficiently low levels of nutrients to cause some kind of stress to plants. On the other hand, elevated [CO2] decreases foliar nutrient elements in plants and as a result partitioning of certain nutrient elements in plants is altered. Little data is available on the partitioning of most nutrient elements in plants, and this will definitely impact on growth and yield. To investigate this, wheat (Triticum aestivum L. c.v. Gamtoos) was grown in controlled environment cabinets at 360 and 700 µmol mol -1 CO2. The full Long-Ashton nutrient solution comprising of three-nitrogen concentrations ([N]) viz. (4,6 and 12 mM) was used to water plants everyday. The measurement of net assimilation rate (NAR), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), foliar [N], nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and growth parameters (total plant biomass (TPB), total plant height (TPH), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight) were made 7 days after germination (7 DAG) till the onset of flowering. The increase in nitrogen supply in the order of 4, 6 and 12mM resulted in an increase in NAR, g_s_ , WUE and a decline in E under elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2] NAR was observed to increase during the first two weeks reaching its maximum at 14 DAG, thereafter followed by a decline reaching its maximum at 28 DAG. This was later followed by an increase at 35 DAG onwards. Under elevated [CO2], NAR was increased significantly between the nitrogen regimes during the first (7-14 DAG) and the last two (35-42 DAG) weeks. The response of assimilation as a function of internal [CO2] (Ci), showed a decrease with age at ages 14, 28 and 35 DAG. This negatively affected the initial slope and the CO2 saturated photosynthetic rates under all treatments. This suggest that acclimation may have been as a result of both stomatal and biochemical limitations. All the photosynthetic pigment levels (chl_a_, chl_b_, chl_(a+b)_, and C_(x+c)_ ) increased with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6mM [N]. A 12mM [N] resulted in a significant decline in the photosynthetic pigment levels compared to a 6mM [N]. Chla remained higher than chlb under all treatments. Also, NAR was seen to increase and decrease concomitantly with the photosynthetic pigment levels. Foliar [N] was seen to decrease with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6 mM [N] under elevated [CO2] and the effects were adverse under the 4mM [N]. Under the 6mM N regime foliar [N] was positively correlated to NAR for elevated [CO2] grown plants. Similarly, E was positively correlated to foliar [N] under the same conditions. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply had a pronounced effect on total plant height (TPH), total plant biomass (TPB), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The effects were more pronounced under a 6mM [N] as a result of high NUE. However, under 12mM [N] growth was not as expected as a result of lower NUE. Under all treatments shoot dry weight (SDW) was positively correlated to NUE. Anatomical studies revealed that total leaf and midrib thickness was significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen supply under elevated CO2 to support the larger leaf areas. There were no significant changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure as a result of the increase in nitrogen supply and CO2 enrichment. Starch grain surface area was seen to decline with an increase in nitrogen under both ambient and elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply significantly increased total grain dry weight per plant by 47 and 46% respectively under 6 and 12mM [N]. In contrast, the increase was by about 21, 61 and 67% respectively under 4, 6 and 12mM [N] between the CO2 regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Effects of treatment on Lantana camara (L.) and the restoration potential of riparian seed banks in cleared areas of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, Livingstone, Zambia
- Authors: Nang'alelwa, Michael Mubitelela
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003786 , Lantana camara -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Lantana camara -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Invasive plants -- Biological control -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian restoration -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) , Riparian ecology -- Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- Description: The exotic plant Lantana camara L. has invaded the riparian areas of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site in Livingstone, southern Zambia, threatening native plant communities which support populations of species of special concern. I trialled the mechanical control method of manual uprooting and 3 different herbicides applied through paint brushing of an imazapyr concentrate at 250g. l¯¹, spraying on cut stumps with metsulfron methyl at 600g.l¯¹, and foliar spraying on re-emergent lantana foliage with glyphosate at a dosage of 166g. l¯¹ in July 2008 in 20 100m2 treatment plots, 5 invaded control plots and 5 uninvaded controls. Follow-up treatments for re-sprouting lantana stumps and emerging seedlings were undertaken in June 2009. I measured effectiveness of the methods using adult lantana mortality in June 2009 and lantana seedling density in the different treatment plots during the follow-up exercise. The cost of the various methods and human labour applied were compared across the four treatments at initial clear and at follow-up. All treatments recorded a high adult lantana mortality rate, though there were no significant differences in lantana adult mortality amongst the treatments. Overall, uprooting had the highest adult mortality, followed by imazapyr, metsulfron and lastly glyphosate. Germination of lantana seedlings after clearing was high for all treatments but with no significant differences occurring between the treatments. Both adult lantana mortality and seedling density were however significantly different from the control. With labour included, chemical costs were far higher relative to uprooting, though uprooting costs were the highest when it came to the follow-up because of the emerging seedlings and some resprouting stumps. The effects of mechanical and chemical treatments on vegetation composition in the cleared areas were also assessed in order to detect any non-target and medium term effects of treatments. Contrary to expectation, none of the chemicals showed any significant effects on vegetation composition in the short and medium-term and no significant differences were found in plant species richness, diversity and seedling density between invaded and uninvaded plots at baseline, in October 2008 and in September 2009. In order to determine potential for unaided vegetation recovery in the riparian areas of the study site after lantana clearing, I conducted an investigation of soil seed banks and seed rain using 60 seed bank samples measuring 1800m³ collected from 30 invaded and uninvaded plots. Using the seedling emergence method, 1, 991 seedlings belonging to 66 species representing 27 families germinated from the seed bank. Sedges (Cyperaceae family) were the most abundant taxa in the seed banks from invaded areas, followed by Ageratum conyzoides, lantana, Triumfetta annua and Achyranthes aspera which also occurred in the uninvaded soil seed banks. The seed banks from uninvaded plots were dominated by the grass Oplismenus hirtellus. Overall, species richness, diversity and seedling density from seed banks in invaded areas did not differ significantly from seed bank in uninvaded areas and there was a low similarity in species composition when above ground vegetation was compared to seed banks from invaded and uninvaded areas. It would appear if natural regeneration occured from the current seed bank in disturbed areas, future vegetation would largely comprise of short lived, early successional species in the short term as the seed bank is dominated by non-native herbaceous weedy species. From the seed traps investigating seed rain, a total of 27 species numbering 623 individual seeds were found in the thirty 1m² seedtraps distributed in invaded and uninvaded areas at the five sites, over an intermittent period of three months. Lantana had the highest monthly arrival rate in the seed traps followed by Phoenix reclinata and Ricinus communis. The number of species with invasive potential found in the seed traps located in invaded areas was more than that found in seed traps under native vegetation cover by far. Considerable forest remnants still occur around the invaded sites, and these could serve as an important source for long-term natural re-establishment of native vegetation if seed availability by animals and wind dispersal continues, while the re-invasion of lantana is prevented by ongoing follow-ups and futher clearing of lantana invaded areas. It is concluded that while uprooting and other treatments are effective in the control of lantana, its successful control in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site will require extensive clearing to keep it from reinvading infested areas after clearing as shown by the seed rain data. The high seedling density of lantana in the seed banks and in the cleared areas shows the need for ongoing follow-up in order to deplete soil stored seed banks. There is need for longer term research to establish what the exact follow-up requirements are in order to contain lantana re-infestation and create favourable micro-sites for native species to establish. It is predicted that ongoing lantana control in the cleared plots will most likely initiate long-term community recovery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The zonation of coastal dune plants in relation to sand burial, resource availability and physiological adaptation
- Authors: Gilbert, Matthew Edmund
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Sand dune conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Botany -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coastal biology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Littoral plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Littoral plants Sand dune plants -- Ecophysiology Sand dune plants -- Geographical distribution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003764
- Description: When considering the large amount of work done on dune ecology, and that a number of the classical ecological theories originate from work on dunes, it is apparent that there remains a need for physiological and mechanistic explanations of dune plant phenomena. This thesis demonstrated that in the extreme coastal environment dune plants must survive both high rates of burial (disturbance), and low nutrient availability (stress). The ability of four species to respond to these two factors corresponded with their position in a vegetation gradient on the dunes. A low stem tissue density was shown to enhance the potential stem elongation rate of buried plants, but reduced the maximum height to which a plant could grow. Such a tradeoff implies that tall light-competitive plants are able to survive only in stable areas, while burial responsive mobile-dune plants are limited to areas of low vegetation height. This stem tissue density tradeoff was suggested as the mechanism determining the zonation that species show within the dune vegetation gradient present at various sites in South Africa. Finally, detailed investigations of dune plant ecophysiology found that: 1) The resources used in the response to burial derive from external sources of carbon and nitrogen, as well as simple physiological and physical mechanisms of resource allocation. 2) The leaves of dune plants were found to be operating at one extreme of the photosynthetic continuum; viz efficient use of leaf nitrogen at the expense of water loss. 3) Contrary to other ecosystems, the environmental characteristics of dunes may allow plants to occupy a high disturbance, high stress niche, through the maintenance of lowered competition. 4) At least two mobile-dune species form steep dunes, and are able to optimise growth, on steeper dunes, such that they have to grow less in response to burial than plants that form more shallow dunes. In this thesis, it was shown that the link between the carbon and nitrogen economies of dune plants was pivotal in determining species distributions and survival under extreme environmental conditions. As vast areas of the world’s surface are covered by sand dunes these observations are not just of passing interest.
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- Date Issued: 2008
A study of certain members of the South African xylariaceae, with reference to the use of cultural characters in classification
- Authors: Martin, Philip Michael Dunlop
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Xylariaceae -- South Africa , Hypoxylon , Fungi -- South Africa -- Morphology , Fungi -- South Africa -- Anatomy , Fungi -- Classification , Mycelium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4265 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013505
- Description: [Summary] Sixty-three species, drawn from the genera Rosellinia Hypoxylon, Nummularia, Daldinia, Penzigia and Xylaria, are studied in order to determine whether any correlation exists between various characters of the perfect stage and characters connected with the mycelium in artificial culture that might be used to supplement the existing classification of the Xylariaceae. An examination is made of the morphological and anatomical characters of several stromal types and a statistical method of evaluating differences in ascospore dimension between samples of closely related species is described. Cultural work shows that :- a) Each species group, based primarily on similarity of stromal form, has a characteristic set of cultural characters. b) Members within a Species group can usually be distinguished clearly in culture. The use of cultural characters as an additional criterion in classification is therefore recommended.
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- Date Issued: 1961
The effect of different levels and intervals of application of ammonium sulphate on the growth, chemical composition and yield of cayenne and queen pineapple plants under field conditions
- Authors: Van Lelyveld, Louis Johannes
- Date: 1965
- Subjects: Pineapple -- Crop yields , Plants -- Nutrition -- South Africa , Growth (Plants) , Nitrogen fertilizers , Field Crops -- Nutrition , Ammonium sulfate
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013422
- Description: From the Introduction. The fertilisation of pineapples in the Eastern Cape Province is still a relatively new practice which started approximately twelve years ago. Even after this time many growers still insist that pineapples can be grown without fertilisation on virgin soils. As the available virgin soil decreased, however, so the interest in fertiliser application increased. Very little basic research on the fertiliser requirements of pineapples in the Eastern Cape was done to serve as a guide to growers. The available advisory literature by le Roux (1951), Malan (1954) and Lewcock (1956) were based on overseas experience. When pineapple research was started on a large scale, in 1955, it was realised that emphasis should be placed on the nutritional requirements on virgin as well as replanted soils. From initial experiments it was clear that the main response in plant growth and yield was obtained from nitrogenous fertilisers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1965
Water requirements and distribution of Ammophila arenaria and Scaevola plumieri on South African coastal dunes
- Authors: Peter, Craig Ingram
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4219 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003788 , Scaevola plumieri , Sand dune plants , Sand dune planting , Plants -- Transpiration , Sandworts , Plant-water relationships , Evapotranspiration , Plants, Effect of heat on
- Description: Phenomenological models are presented which predicts transpiration rates (E) of individual leaves of Scaevola plumieri, an indigenous dune pioneer, and Ammophila arenaria, an exotic grass species introduced to stabilise mobile sand. In both cases E is predictably related to atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD). VPD is calculated from measurements of ambient temperature and humidity, hence, where these two environmental variables are known, E can be calculated. Possible physiological reasons for the relationships of E to VPD in both species are discussed. Scaling from measurements of E at the leaf level to the canopy level is achieved by summing the leaf area of the canopy in question. E is predicted for the entire canopy leaf area by extrapolation to this larger leaf area. Predicted transpiration rates of individual shoot within the canopy were tested gravimetrically and shown to be accurate in the case of S. plumieri, but less so in the case of A. arenaria. Using this model, the amount of water used by a known area of sand dune is shown to be less than the rainfall input in the case of S. plumieri in wet and dry years. The water use of A. arenaria exceeds rainfall in the low-rainfall year of 1995, while in 1998 rainfall input is slightly higher than water extraction by the plants. Using a geographic information system (GIS), regional maps (surfaces) of transpiration were calculated from surfaces of mean monthly temperature and mean monthly relative humidity. Monthly surfaces of transpiration were subtracted from the monthly median rainfall to produce a surface of mean monthly water deficit. Areas of water surpluses along the coast correspond with the recorded distribution of both species in the seasons that the plants are most actively growing and reproducing. This suggests that unfavourable water availability during these two species growth periods limit their distributions along the coast. In addition to unfavourable water deficits, additional climatic variables that may be important in limiting the distribution of these two species were investigated using a discriminant function analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Studies on the biology of the economic marine red alga Gelidium pristoides (Turner) Kuetzing (Gelidiales : Rhodophyta)
- Authors: Carter, Alan Robert
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Red algae Marine algae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004774
- Description: Various aspects of the biology of the intertidal agarophyte, Gelidium pristoides, were investigated, with the aim of providing information that would assist in formulating a management policy for this economic seaweed resource. G.pristoides occurs as tufts comprising as many as 40 individual plants, representing all three conspicuous life history stages, that are linked by the intertwining of their basal creeping axes. Individual plants consist of a system of branched creeping axes, which is largely responsible for colonizing surrounding substrata, from which one or more erect flattened fronds arise. These erect fronds may reach a height of 15 cm, and are irregularly bipinnately branched. Internal vegetative anatomy is generally typical of the genus. Morphological variation in mature plants is limited to increased plant height and branch density during the summer season. A dorso-ventrally flattened creeping habit was seen during early recruitment on flat rock surfaces and limpet shells within grazer exclusion plots, which developed into typical erect plants. Although there is a close taxonomic affinity between G.pristoides and the low-growing Gelidium turf, which occurs on wave-cut platforms in the eastern Cape (both produce bispores), the turf appears to represent a genetically divergent ecotype of the typical G.pristoides habit. In the light of present observations, it is suggested that the recent inclusion of G.pristoides in the new Onikusa genus should be questioned. Reproduction in G.pristoides is typical of the genus, except for the production of bispores, instead of tetraspores, in the sporophyte generation. The smaller nuclei in the binucleate bispores, in comparison to carpospores, suggested they are the product of normal meiosis (meiospores). This was confi rmed by chromosome counts of germl i ngs deri ved from bispores (n = 13-17) and carpospores (2n = 28-33). Throughout the geographical range of the seaweed, the bisporophyte generation is dominant over the combined male and female gametophyte generati on by a ratio of about 3 : 1. This imbalance may be due to bispores. G.pristoides a greater germination success of carpospores over plants are fertile throughout the year, while at Port Alfred there is no apparent seasonality in spore release. Growth of carpospore and bispore germlings is similar under various temperature treatments in culture. Optimum temperatures for growth were from 15-23°C, which corresponds with the sea temperatures experienced within the geographical range of the species . At Port Alfred, growth (linear frond elongation) and standing crop levels were maximal during summer . Ory weight levels were significantly inversely related to both growth and ash levels. Agar contents (% of dry weight) were generally greater in summer (48% ) than in winter (30%), and were inversely correlated with thallus nitrogen levels. Agar contents of distal plant halves were higher (8-15%) than in proximal halves. Regrowth of G.pristoides to original biomass or standing crop levels after harvesting, is similar for plucking and shearing at different times of the year. Regrowth is more rapid after spring and summer harvests (2-3 months) than after winter harvests (4-5 months). During the summer season, harvesting at monthly intervals showed significantly greater total yields, and production rates (e.g . 3.13 g. dry wt. / m2 / day for plucking) than under 3-monthly intervals (1.42 g. dry wt. / m2 / day for plucking). In contrast, average yields per harvest were Significantly greater when recovery period was longer (e.g. 3 months). Quadrats that were completely denuded failed to recover after a year, while regrowth was also retarded with increased elevation on the shore. Agar contents did not differ Significantly between plucked (38%) and sheared (42%) plant material. G.pristoides is distributed from about 0 . 2-0.75 m above MLWS, with a reduction in stature and frequency corresponding to increased elevation on the shore. Frond elongation rates, germling survival and recruitment within grazer-exclusion plots, is retarded with increased elevation level. Plants transplanted above the normal vertical range of the seaweed became severely bleached and died, while plants transplanted below the normal range of the seaweed (sub littoral fringe) senesced due to overgrowth by the epiphytic encrusting coralline, Polyporolithon patena (Hook . et Harv . ) Mason . G.pristoides recrui t ment in the sublittoral fri nge was enhanced with the exclusion of grazers . However, successful recruits were displaced due to smothering by articulated corallines (e.g. Corallina sp. and Jania sp. ) . G.pristoides is largely restricted to cracks and crevices in the rock, and also occurs on a large proportion of the available shells of the limpet Patella oculus Born., and to a lesser extent, shells of the barnacle Tetraclita serrata. G.pristoides recruitment was significantly enhanced by the exclusion of grazers (using toxic antifouling paint barriers). G.pristoides recruitment within the exclusion plots was significantly greater on artificially attached limpet shells (almost 100% cover) than on rock surfaces (20-30% cover), which occurred largely within cracks and crevies in the rocky substratum. ly attached to limpet G.pristoides plants are significantly more strongand barnacle shells than to rock and epilithic encrusting corallines (Lithothamnion sp.). Removal of G.pristoides from limpet shells revealed pits of a uniform size in the surface of the shells, into which the rhizoidal attachment organs of the seaweed penetrate. It is concluded that the horizontal distribution of G.pristoides is largely controlled by grazers (and "escapes" from grazing) and resistance to dislodgement by wave action. Based on present results, and considering some of the socio-economic factors associated with the Gelidium industry in South Africa, suggestions are made concerning the management and long-term maintenance of G.pristoides resources in the eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
Some elements of the arthropod fauna of the soil in South Africa
- Authors: Farquhar, M J
- Date: 1947
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193691 , vital:45386
- Description: In a paper entitled "Bacteria of the Soil", Dr. Russell of Rothamsted is quoted as saying, ”The top six lashes might almost be called a separate world? 80 great is the number and variety of its inhabitants”• It is with a few forms belonging to this enormous biological complex that the author intends to deal, viz*, representatives of the Orders Pauropoda, Symphyla, Protura, Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Time does not permit the inclusion of a study of the multitude of Arthropod, species that occur in the soil, but a more complete work on these soil groups is intended in the future. McCullogh and Hayes (1922,p.288) state that the soil is an integral factor In the study of biological problems. Hence an understanding of the organic life of the soil, which is of great importance in relation to the other aspects of pedology, is a necessary adjunct to the study of the soil ae a whole. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 1947
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- Date Issued: 1947
An integrated approach to aspects of coastal dune planning and management along a portion of the Eastern Cape coastal zone
- Authors: Hellström, Gavin B
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Coastal zone management -- South Africa , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003766 , Coastal zone management -- South Africa , Sand dune ecology -- South Africa
- Description: Ecological evaluation techniques have been used to classify or evaluate the relative conservation worthiness of a portion of the Eastern Cape coastal zone from Cannon Rocks to Port Alfred. A system-based approach, using a basic GIS, was used to compare three aspects of the coastal zone. Two existing planning documents (EMATEK/s Coastal Vegetation Importance Rating plan and CPA's Cape Coastal Conservation plan) were statistically compared - based primarily on the size and number of the landscape fragments (environmental criteria polygons). The resultant plan, an Intermediate Sensitivity Class map, was further integrated with the biophysical aspect of the coastal zone - coastal dunes. The final map is the product of these overlays to be used as a-working overlay for coastal zone decision-making. This is an Environmental Sensitivity map, which has no particular direct reference to any particular biophysical criteria, which categorizes the coastal zone according to the environmental sensitivity or conservation worthiness of the site. The categories are listed according to a sliding-scale of sensitivity or worthiness. There is, however, it strong association between the final map and the vegetation status of the coastline, as a direct result of the vegetation rating map and indirectly from the perception based coastal conservation plan. The formation of most assessment or evaluation plans are based on the vegetation status of the area. This map can be overlayed over the particular stretch of the coastline which it covers and the particular conservation status noted. There are numerous techniques available for assessment and evaluation each having their own specific merits and advantages. This plan, however, is a first attempt at integrating other specific plans into a single working document for the coastal zone manager.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
A taxonomic revision of the genus Bergeranthus Schwantes (Mesembryanthemaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Dold, Anthony P
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Aizoaceae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007481 , Aizoaceae -- South Africa
- Description: The genus Bergeranthus Schwantes comprises ten species ofleaf-succulent Mesembryanthemaceae that are centred in the Albany centre of endemism and restricted to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. No taxonomic revision of the genus, or key to the species of Bergeranthus, has been undertaken since its description by Schwantes in 1926. The species concepts are mostly based on single, or at best severaL cultivated plants and are notoriously narrow and in some cases incorrect. Louisa Bolus described five of the ten currently recognized species of Bergeranthus (as well as B. cookii, B.firmus, B. glenensis, B.jamesii, and B. longisepalus) from cultivated plants that she had never seen in the wild. This narrow species concept, compounded by morphological change that occurs in response to environmental factors, presents an assemblage of ill-defmed and poorly known taxa that have been prioritised for taxonomic attention by various authors. Furthermore, the generic delimitation of Bergeranthus with the closely related genera Rhombophyllum and Hereroa is unclear and requires attention before generic revisions are attempted for all three genera. The taxonomic revision presented here is based on a study of 210 wild populations of Bergeranthus as well as cultivated representatives of these and 135 herbarium specimens. A phenetic analysis based on 36 vegetative characters was initially used to delimit taxa. Thereafter sixty-three macro- and micro-morphological characters were critically assessed for the purposes of species delimitation, amendment of existing species descriptions and the description of two new species. Macromorphological characters examined included rootstock, leaf(36), inflorescence, floral (nine), fruit (nine), seed germination and seedling characters. Micro-morphological characters examined included leaf anatomy, leaf epidermal wax layer, anther shape and point of adherence, pollen and seed characters. This revision reduces two species into synonymy and two new species, B. albomarginatus and B. nanus, are described. Existing species descriptions are improved and all species are illustrated. A key to species is provided. The reproductive biology, ecology, phytogeography and distribution data of the genus are discussed towards an improved understanding of the genus. The generic delimitation of Bergeranthus and its closest relatives, Rhombophyllum and Hereroa, are discussed based on an examination of 25 morphological characters and two phenological characters and a provisional key to genera is provided. A phylogenetic analysis of all 10 species of Bergeranthus, both species of Rhombophyllum and a single species of Hereroa (H. granulata) was undertaken to support species and generic delimitation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Production ecology of bryophyte vegetation at Marion Island (Sub-Antarctic)
- Authors: Russell, Shaun
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Bryophytes -- marion island (Prince edward islands) -- Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003793
- Description: The world's tundra regions can be considered as the last unexploited terrestrial biome on the earth's surface. Bryophytes contribute significantly to primary production and nutrient cycling in tundra habitats but received considerably less attention than the vascular plants during research for the Tundra Biome Project of the International Biological Programme in the 1970s. The IBP synthesis recognised this and called for more bryophyte production data and improved methodology in future studies. The synthesis also identitied the need for more information on within-site variability, energy/chlorophyll relationships and mineral nutrient studies where tundra bryophyte production patterns are concerned. Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic has an oceanic "tundra" type of vegetation, and the island offers the characteristics of an ideal "natural laboratory" for conducting fundamental ecological research particularly in the field of primary production and energy flow. Studies at Marion Island paralleled those of the IBP but also concentrated on the vascular component of the vegetation. Bryophytes contribute up to 60% of the biomass and 90% of plant cover in the mires that dominate the well-vegetated coastal plain of Marion Island. Following the termination of IBP research therefore it was decided to extend these studies during the 1980s by measuring growth and characterising the major factors influencing growth patterns in Marion Island bryophytes. In this thesis information is given on the physical and biotic environment of Marion Island. Data is presented on the cover, biomass, seasonal and annual production values, and turn-over rates (decomposition) of 15 bryophyte species found across the full range of habit at types at Marion Island. An analysis is also made of growth-associated variables viz. soils, climate, plant energy, chlorophyll. water and mineral nutrient contents. Production was found to be related broadly to moisture-related variables, overlain by nutrient factors in some instances. Higher absolute production figures were obtained than at other tundra sites and interesting phenological data are discussed. The results suggest that decomposition is controlled mainly by tissue degradability factors and that decomposition is more significant than production in controlling biomass accumulation. A model is given for production/decomposition patterns across the range of habitat conditions at Marion Island. Several growth measurement techniques were tested and recommendations are made concerning methodology for future bryophyte production studies. By reference to ecological data collected during the study.
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- Date Issued: 1996
The process of thicket encroachment in semi-arid savanna: community patterns and biotic interactions
- Authors: Nell, Rhys
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Scrub encroachment , Savanna ecology , Biotic interaction , Plant nutrients , Plant-water relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/364966 , vital:65666
- Description: Bush encroachment in savannas is widespread in South Africa and is concerning, from both socio-economic and conservation viewpoints, as it affects ecosystem services, functioning and productivity. This phenomenon depends on multiple factors such as history, vegetation, management and environmental conditions, and their interplay. Encroachment into savannas has been relatively well-documented, however understanding of the different roles of tree-tree interactions between species that occur during this process is still limited. This includes the interactions causing spatial patterning, or how interactions and outcomes change over time in terms of encroachment succession from open savanna to closed-canopy thicket. The main objectives of this research are to document thicket establishment in a savanna ecosystem and consider the ecological roles of the key woody species and the abiotic properties of their micro-sites. Determining interactive effects of species co-occurrence is critical to understanding or predicting patterns and changes in biodiversity, nutrient distribution and available water resources. It is also imperative in determining correct and effective land management practices, particularly for reducing bush encroachment and its negative effect on rangelands. All data were collected on Endwell farm, located in the Smaldeel region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Endwell farm is a semi-arid savanna with a mean annual rainfall of 730 mm. First, I examine and describe the thicket encroachment process by exploring the associations between species and their size classes in the field. This was done by using plot-based belt transects and looking at changes in species size-class compositions from early to late successional stages. Association rules (market basket) analysis was used to identify the most common species size-class association patterns. The association between the savanna tree Vachellia karroo and the thicket pioneer Scutia myrtina was the most prevalent at all stages, with V. karroo being central to all associations in the first stage of encroachment; during later stages of encroachment, associations shift to incorporating other thicket pioneer species. The demography and clump formation of S. myrtina was strongly linked to associations with V. karroo to initiate bush clump formation. Results suggest that mature V. karroo facilitate the establishment and growth of S. myrtina. These two species were the focus of more detailed investigations to explore the nature and magnitude of their interspecific interactions. I then examined the effects of pairwise tree interactions between V. karroo and S. myrtina on soil and leaf nutrient content. I measureddifferences betweeninter-canopy and sub-canopy soil nutrient content, and the effect of associations on plant leaf nutrients, between pair-size combinations and individual controls. Results confirmed that pair-size tree interactions affected both soil nutrient and leaf nutrient content. All individuals increased soil K, N and organic C in the sub-canopy, while association with V. karrooincreased S. myrtinafoliar N, Pand K. In contrast, association with S. myrtinaloweredV. karroofoliar N, P and K. Small S. myrtina individuals werefound to benefit most from establishing and growing next to a large V. karroo individual, through mechanisms affecting soil and foliar nutrients. Scutia myrtina individuals establishing in association with smaller size classes of V. karroo showed no significant effects. I tested for positive and negative effects of pairwise tree interactions between Vachellia karroo and Scutia myrtina on available soil water and plant water potential (Ψ). This was done by looking at differences betweeninter-canopy and sub-canopy soil moisture and bulk density and associations on plant water stress (pre-dawn and mid-day leaf Ψ), between pair-size combinations and individual controls. I also selectively removed large V. karroo individuals from pairs to confirm the effects of competition andfacilitation. Similar to other studies, results confirmed positive and negative effects of pairwise tree interactions. Small S. myrtina individuals weremost facilitated by establishing and growing up next to a large V. karroo individual, through mechanisms affecting soil water content, bulk density and leaf Ψ. Scutia myrtina establishing in association with other size classes of V. karroo were much less facilitated, showing no significant effects. In contrast, large S. myrtina showed competitive interactions with V. karroo. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14