https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:5694 0.05) between the results of the two methods of analysis, although direct observations appeared to be a superior method for assessing the diet of giraffe. The diet of giraffe in the Eastern Cape Province was similar to that within their native range with a deciduous species from the genus Acacia (Acacia karroo) being the most important component of the diet. However, giraffe in the Eastern Cape Province consumed more evergreen plant species than those within their native range. The relative lack of deciduous species in the Eastern Cape Province provides a likely explanation for such a result. Seasonal variation in the consumption of the most important species in the diet was evident and this was attributed to the deciduous nature of A. karroo and the seasonal growth of new shoots which were more palatable. The vegetation of the areas most commonly utilised by giraffe at each site was sampled using the point-centred-quarter method and the results related to the frequency of each species in the diet to calculate preference indices. Giraffe preference was strongest for A. karroo and this was attributed to the highly favourable chemical composition of the species. The browse utilisation of giraffe at each site was determined using the twig-length method and intake rates for the three most important species in the diet calculated using a pre-existing regression equation. Male giraffe fed at a higher rate than females. This was probably due to males adopting a “time-minimising” strategy to their feeding in order to allow more time for reproductive pursuits. Giraffe browse utilisation was highest where giraffe density was highest. However, several species were more heavily browsed than others even when giraffe density was low, suggesting that giraffe are capable of negatively affecting the indigenous flora of the province. I conclude that giraffe numbers should be reduced relative to property size in the Eastern Cape Province and that research into the impact of not only giraffe but the combined effects of giraffe and other extralimital herbivores on the indigenous flora and fauna be continued.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 20:07:54 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:3219 Wed 12 May 2021 18:59:40 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4690 Wed 12 May 2021 18:40:06 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:1135 Wed 12 May 2021 18:31:20 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4406 0.9990) was attained for most analytes. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.03 - 0.84 μg/ml and 0.81 - 1.89 μg/ml respectively for analytes in biological samples. LODs and LOQs for analytes in food and environmental samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.39 and 0.25 to 1.30 ng/g respectively.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 17:31:55 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4383 Wed 12 May 2021 17:30:50 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:5271 Thu 13 May 2021 07:23:07 SAST ]]> https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:4090 Thu 13 May 2021 01:22:03 SAST ]]>