The Aardvark As an Ecological Engineer in the Eastern Karoo: Dig
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The aardvark as an ecological engineer in the Eastern Karoo: dig patterns and emergent processes Stephanie Ann Martin Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Science at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University April 2017 Supervisor: Prof. Graham I. H. Kerley Co-supervisor: Dr. Marietjie Landman Preface Declaration I, Stephanie Ann Martin (214184714), hereby declare that the dissertation for the degree of Master of Science is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another university or for another qualification. Stephanie Ann Martin Official use: In accordance with Rule G5.6.3, 5.6.3 A treatise/dissertation/thesis must be accompanied by a written declaration on the part of the candidate to the effect that it is his/her own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment to another university or for another qualification. However, material from publications by the candidate may be embodied in a treatise/dissertation/thesis. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. ii Acknowledgments I’d like to acknowledge and express my deepest gratitude to the following individuals and organisations for their invaluable contributions to this study: The National Research Foundation, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Dormehl-Cunningham Student Scholarship for funding and equipment, that allowed me to undertake my MSc degree. My supervisors Graham Kerley and Marietjie Landman, for guiding me through this project, with patience and understanding. Throughout the course of this project you have helped me develop my research skills greatly. Mark and Sarah Tompkins for allowing us to conduct this research on their beautiful reserve and providing us with wonderful accommodation during extended sampling trips. I’d also like to thank Alan Feldon, Margie Varney and the staff at the Samara lodge for always being eager to help if needed. Derek Du Preez for always so kindly and patiently assisting me with the GIS components of this project. Anneliza Collett from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Thomas Muedi from the Department of Geosciences (NMMU) for your valuable assistance in providing and interpreting geological GIS layers for the Samara area. Gary Bergessen from Ibis Engineering Merchants cc, who kindly donated the insect mesh used to make the decomposition bags for the decomposition rate experiment. Bradley Ah Yui, Natalia Banasiak, Jonathan Botha, Elzane Fouche, Amarein Gerber, Jonathan Handley, Christiaan Lochner, Celeste Maré, Cuen Muller, Khulisile Ndlela, Andiswe Somtsewu and Tara Van Der Westhuizen for your huge help in the field, lab and/or office. The lovely Nokubonga Mgqatsa; your valuable insight and dedication to help in any aspect, is so greatly appreciated. iii A special thanks to Melissa Scerbo, Kyle Schenk and Matthew Martin, for the tremendous help in the field and lab, and for your continued love, support and encouragement through the course of this project. Lastly to my parents for always encouraging and motivating me in everything I do. Thank you for reading through my drafts. I can always count on you through your love and support, to make me feel like I can accomplish anything. iv Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................................ ii Declaration .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... iii Contents ...................................................................................................................................... v Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: General introduction ................................................................................................... 2 Ecosystem engineers and keystone species ....................................................................................... 2 Biopedturbation .................................................................................................................................. 3 The aardvark ....................................................................................................................................... 4 The ecological importance of the aardvark ........................................................................................ 6 Broad research aim and objectives ..................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: Landscape pattern and extent of aardvark forage and refuge digs in a semi-arid Karoo landscape .................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Study Site ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Vegetation ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Geology and topography .............................................................................................................. 13 Climate .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Data collection .............................................................................................................................. 14 Data analyses ................................................................................................................................ 17 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Dig abundance .............................................................................................................................. 18 Dig distribution and preference .................................................................................................... 18 Soil displacement .......................................................................................................................... 21 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................... 23 Dig abundance .............................................................................................................................. 23 Dig distribution and preference .................................................................................................... 24 Soil displacement .......................................................................................................................... 25 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 27 v Chapter 3: Ecological processes driven by aardvark forage digs on a micro-landscape scale ......... 28 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Study site ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Data collection .............................................................................................................................. 31 Data analyses ................................................................................................................................ 34 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 36 Plant litter accumulation ............................................................................................................... 36 Seed accumulation ........................................................................................................................ 37 Decomposition rates and micro-climate ....................................................................................... 39 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................... 41 Plant litter accumulation ............................................................................................................... 41 Seed accumulation .......................................................................................................................