Chapter 2 an Overview of Mapungubwe National Park
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South Africa 3Rd to 22Nd September 2015 (20 Days)
Hollyhead & Savage Trip Report South Africa 3rd to 22nd September 2015 (20 days) Female Cheetah with cubs and Impala kill by Heinz Ortmann Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader: Heinz Ortmann Trip Report Hollyhead & Savage Private South Africa September 2015 2 Tour Summary A fantastic twenty day journey that began in the beautiful Overberg region and fynbos of the Western Cape, included the Wakkerstroom grasslands, coastal dune forest of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Baobab-studded hills of Mapungubwe National Park and ended along a stretch of road searching for Kalahari specials north of Pretoria amongst many others. We experienced a wide variety of habitats and incredible birds and mammals. An impressive 400-plus birds and close to 50 mammal species were found on this trip. This, combined with visiting little-known parts of South Africa such as Magoebaskloof and Mapungubwe National Park, made this tour special as well as one with many unforgettable experiences and memories for the participants. Our journey started out from Cape Town International Airport at around lunchtime on a glorious sunny early-spring day. Our journey for the first day took us eastwards through the Overberg region and onto the Agulhas plains where we spent the next two nights. The farmlands in these parts appear largely barren and consist of single crop fields and yet host a surprising number of special, localised and endemic species. Our afternoon’s travels through these parts allowed us views of several more common and widespread species such as Egyptian and Spur-winged Geese, raptors like Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel and Yellow-billed Kite, Speckled Pigeons, Capped Wheatear, Pied Starling, the ever present Pied and Cape Crow, White-necked Raven and Pin-tailed Whydah, almost in full breeding plumage. -
An Ecological Study of the Plant Communities in the Proposed Highveld Published: 26 Apr
An ecological study of the plant communities in the proposed Highveld National Park Original Research An ecologicAl study of the plAnt communities in the proposed highveld nAtionAl pArk, in the peri-urbAn AreA of potchefstroom, south AfricA Authors: Mahlomola E. Daemane1 ABSTRACT Sarel S. Cilliers2 The proposed Highveld National Park (HNP) is an area of high conservation value in South Hugo Bezuidenhout1 Africa, covering approximately 0.03% of the endangered Grassland Biome. The park is situated immediately adjacent to the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. The objective of Affiliations: this study was to identify, classify, describe and map the plant communities in this park. Vegetation 1Conservation Services sampling was done by means of the Braun-Blanquet method and a total of 88 stratified random Department, South African relevés were sampled. A numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) was used and the results National Parks, were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The final results of the classification procedure were South Africa presented in the form of phytosociological tables and, thereafter, nine plant communities were described and mapped. A detrended correspondence analysis confirmed the presence of three 2School of Environmental structural vegetation units, namely woodland, shrubland and grassland. Differences in floristic Sciences and composition in the three vegetation units were found to be influenced by environmental factors, Development, North-West such as surface rockiness and altitude. Incidences of harvesting trees for fuel, uncontrolled fires University, South Africa and overgrazing were found to have a significant effect on floristic and structural composition in the HNP. The ecological interpretation derived from this study can therefore be used as a tool for Correspondence to: environmental planning and management of this grassland area. -
Mangrove Kingfisher in South Africa, but the Species Overlap Further North in Mozam- Bique, and Hybridization May Occur (Hanmer 1984A, 1989C)
652 Halcyonidae: kingfishers Habitat: It occurs in summer along the banks of forested rivers and streams, at or near the coast. In winter it occurs in stands of mangroves, along wooded lagoons and even in suburban gardens and parks, presumably while on mi- gration. Elsewhere in Africa it may occur in woodlands further away from water. Movements: The models show that it occurs in the Transkei (mainly Zone 8) in summer and is absent June– August, while it is absent or rarely reported November– March in KwaZulu-Natal, indicating a seasonal movement between the Transkei and KwaZulu-Natal. Berruti et al. (1994a) analysed atlas data to document this movement in more detail. The atlas records for the Transkei confirm earlier reports in which the species was recorded mainly in summer with occasional breeding records (Jonsson 1965; Pike 1966; Quickelberge 1989; Cooper & Swart 1992). In KwaZulu-Natal, it was previously regarded as a breeding species which moved inland to breed, despite the fact that nearly all records are from the coast in winter (Clancey 1964b, 1965d, 1971c; Cyrus & Robson 1980; Maclean 1993b), and there were no breeding records (e.g. Clancey 1965d; Dean 1971). However, it is possible that it used to be a rare breeding species in KwaZulu-Natal (Clancey 1965d). The atlas and other available data clearly show that it is a nonbreeding migrant to KwaZulu-Natal from the Transkei. Clancey (1965d) suggested that most movement took place in March. Berruti et al. (1994a) showed that it apparently did not overwinter in KwaZulu- Natal south of Durban (2931CC), presumably because of the lack of mangroves in this area. -
South African Biosphere Reserve National Committee
SOUTH AFRICAN BIOSPHERE RESERVE NATIONAL COMMITTEE BIENNIAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LIMA ACTION PLAN UNESCO MAN AND BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME ICC INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL 31ST SESSION, PARIS, FRANCE 17-21 JUNE 2019 JUNE 2019 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Coordination of Man and Biosphere Programme South Africa has started participating in the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme since 1995 at the Seville Conference in Spain. The South African National Biosphere Reserve Committee (SA BR NATCOM), which is chaired by the National Department of Environmental Affairs coordinates the Man and Biosphere Programme in South Africa. The SA MAB NATCOM is financially supported by the National Department of Environmental Affairs. The SA MAB NATCOM is operational in accordance with the Lima Action Plan and is comprised of representatives from National, Provincial, local, Non-Profit Organisations and research institutions. SA National BR Committee has met once since the previous MAB ICC Session, in June 2018. South Africa is the current member of the MAB International Coordinating Committee (ICC) elected in November 2017 and also a member of the African Network of Man and Biosphere (AfriMAB) Bureau as coordinator for Southern Africa sub-region, elected in September 2017. The provinces supports Biosphere Reserves with operational funding. At the local level, there are Biosphere Reserve Forum, which meets on quarterly basis. These Forums are comprised of Provincial Government, Local Government, Non-Governmental Organizations and Biosphere -
Know Your National Parks
KNOW YOUR NATIONAL PARKS 1 KNOW YOUR NATIONAL PARKS KNOW YOUR NATIONAL PARKS Our Parks, Our Heritage Table of contents Minister’s Foreword 4 CEO’s Foreword 5 Northern Region 8 Marakele National Park 8 Golden Gate Highlands National Park 10 Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage site 11 Arid Region 12 Augrabies Falls National Park 12 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 13 Mokala National Park 14 Namaqua National Park 15 /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park 16 Cape Region 18 Table Mountain National Park 18 Bontebok National Park 19 Agulhas National Park 20 West Coast National Park 21 Tankwa-Karoo National Park 22 Frontier Region 23 Addo Elephant National Park 23 Karoo National Park 24 DID YOU Camdeboo National Park 25 KNOW? Mountain Zebra National Park 26 Marakele National Park is Garden Route National Park 27 found in the heart of Waterberg Mountains.The name Marakele Kruger National Park 28 is a Tswana name, which Vision means a ‘place of sanctuary’. A sustainable National Park System connecting society Fun and games 29 About SA National Parks Week 31 Mission To develop, expand, manage and promote a system of sustainable national parks that represent biodiversity and heritage assets, through innovation and best practice for the just and equitable benefit of current and future generation. 2 3 KNOW YOUR NATIONAL PARKS KNOW YOUR NATIONAL PARKS Minister’s Foreword CEO’s Foreword We are blessed to live in a country like ours, which has areas by all should be encouraged through a variety of The staging of SA National Parks Week first took place been hailed as a miracle in respect of our transition to a programmes. -
Shakati Private Game Reserve in Malaria-Free Waterberg/Vaalwater -Only 2 Hours from Pretoria
Shakati Private Game Reserve in Malaria-free Waterberg/Vaalwater -only 2 hours from Pretoria Waterberg. There is so much to see and do…. Waterberg is the area of magnificent views, panoramic savannah and bush landscapes, spectacular mountains and cliffs, crystal clear streams and an unbelievable abundance of wild animals, trees and flowers. Game viewing in the Waterberg area is absolutely fantastic and recognised among the best in the country –hence the Waterberg is one of the preferred eco-tourism destination in South Africa. Furthermore Waterberg with its unspoilt nature has been designated as UNESCO “Savannah Biosphere Reserve” –the first in Southern Africa. And Waterberg is MALARIA-free… Marakele National Park Shakati Private Game Reserve is hidden away on the lush banks of the Mokolo river in the deep heart of the untamed Waterberg bushveld paradise. Near Vaalwater and only 2 hours drive from Pretoria. Time spent at Shakati Game Reserve is about getting away from city life, work, traffic and stress. It is about peace and tranquillity, clean fresh air and clear skies with the brightest stars you have probably ever seen. It is about being quiet and listen to the jackal calling at night, to the paradise flycatcher singing in the morning. It is about seeing and walking with the animals, touching the fruits of the bush willow -and wonder about nature. It is about quietly sitting at the water hole watching game and taking life easy Its time to leave the city sounds, the hustle, the bustle and find some place that speaks to you who you really are inside. -
Evaluating the Effects of Biogeography and Fragmentation on The
Evaluating the effects of biogeography and fragmentation on the taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of forest-utilising bats in a South African biodiversity hotspot by Monika Ilka Moir Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University Supervisors: Dr. Ramugondo V. Rambau Prof. Michael I. Cherry Dr. Leigh R. Richards December 2020 i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights, and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. This dissertation includes one original paper published in a peer-reviewed journal with me as lead author, and three articles submitted and under peer-review. The development and writing of the papers (published and unpublished) were the principal responsibility of myself. Monika Ilka Moir August 2020 Copyright © 2020 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract Bats are a highly diverse mammalian order and are some of the most economically important non-domesticated vertebrates, providing many ecosystem services that contribute to the global economy. Yet, they remain a largely understudied taxon, particularly in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, in which basic surveys of bat assemblages utilising indigenous forests are lacking. Indigenous forests constitute South Africa’s smallest and most fragmented biome yet support disproportionally high biodiversity. -
HISTORY Southern Africa's Iron Age Kingdoms
HISTORY Southern Africa’s Iron Age Kingdoms In Africa, unlike Europe and Asia, the Iron Age did not follow on a Bronze or Copper Age, but rather all the metals were brought together. Neolithic Period: Featured the Agricultural Revolution (Neolitic Revolution) = change from a nomad life of Hunting and Gathering – to Agriculture and Settlement People in communities started to domesticate plants- beginning of farming Where did Agriculture start? It is not fully known where it began, but the picture on left below, shows where agriculture started with the Fertile Crescent in west Asia on right: Page 1 of 10 HISTORY Southern Africa’s Iron Age Kingdoms It is thought to have started about 12,000 years ago with the domestication of livestock in the Fertile Crescent in western Asia, soon to be followed by the cultivation of crops. What did they cultivate? Plants: Seedless Figs, cereals, legumes including peas, lentils and chickpeas were domesticated in this region. Animals: that were domesticated- cattle, sheep, goats, domestic pigs, cates & geese. Migration away from Fertile Crescent: People from Fertile Crescent moved 1) westward to Europe and North Africa, 2) Northward to Crimea (Russia) and 3) eastward to Mongolia. The locals of those areas inter-married with the migrants; and absorbed their agricultural way of life. Languages were also very diverse in that area- Arabic languages are still used in modern Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Sinai, South Turkey and Northwest Iran. The Sumerian language is still used in parts of Iraq, and in the mountain areas different dialects are used. Timeline of Movement from Bronze Age to Iron Age: 1. -
Proposed Expansion of Quarry Near Matjiesfontein, Western Cape Province
PROPOSED EXPANSION OF QUARRY NEAR MATJIESFONTEIN, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT Ecological Assessment and Wetland Assessment for the proposed expansion of the existing quarry near Matjiesfontein Compiled by JANUARY 2018 Matjiesfontein Quarry: Biodiversity Assessment 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background It is the intention of Concor Infrastructure to expand an existing quarry on the farm Tweedside No.151 RD in the Lainsburg Municipal District, Western Cape Province. The quarry is approximately 13km west of Matjiesfontein. The expanded quarry will be less than 5ha in extent, including crushing facilities. Flori Scientific Services cc was appointed as the independent consultancy to conduct a strategic (desktop) biodiversity assessment, which includes a terrestrial ecological assessment and a wetland assessment, for the study site. No field investigations were conducted by the author of the report, but by other EAPs involved in the project. Location of the study area The study site consists of an existing quarry area and a proposed expansion area for the quarry. The study area is situated approximately 13km west of Matjiesfontein, on the farm Tweedside 151 RD, in the Lainsburg Municipal District, Western Cape Province. The site is just over 1km due north of the N1 National route and is 4,78ha in area. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Vegetation Due to the complexity and lack of botanical data, the Fynbos Biome is not divided up into Bioregions in the same way, or sense, as that of Savanna or Grassland Biomes. For simplicity of explanation, the Fynbos Biome currently is divided into three ‘Bioregions’ of Fynbos, Renosterveld and Strandveld, with numerous sub-vegetation units and veldtypes. -
An Introduction to South Africa
An introduction to South Africa Overview of South Africa Roughly the size of Spain and France combined, or Texas, South Africa is situated at the very southern tip of Africa. The Atlantic and the Indian Oceans wash its shores and meet at Cape Agulhas – one of the only places in the world where a person can watch two oceans meet. People who have never been to Africa often think of Africa as a homogenous whole, like the United States, for example. In reality, according to the United Nations Membership Roster, the continent of Africa is made up of 54 very different and separate African states. South Africa may be at the bottom of Africa, but it’s widely regarded as being top in terms of its superb infrastructure, its legendary sunny climate, and its incredible geographic diversity – expect superb beaches, dramatic mountain ranges, sophisticated cities, quaint villages, historic battlefields, oceans, valleys, bushveld teeming with game, hundreds of species of birds, great and small semi-deserts, wide open spaces … and much more. That’s why South Africa offers something for every potential visitor. About South Africa South Africa is a dream destination in so many ways because of its incredible geographical diversity, its superb infrastructure, its legendary sunny weather, its super-friendly people and its affordability. South Africa has nine provinces. Probably the best known to international visitors are the Western Cape, home of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands; Mpumalanga, famous for its spectacular scenery and the Kruger National Park; and KwaZulu-Natal, with its capital city, Durban, historic battlefields and wonderful beaches. -
Remote Sensing Techniques for Mangrove Mapping
Remote Sensing Techniques for mangrove mapping Chaichoke Vaiphasa THESIS Abstract Mangroves, important components of the world’s coastal ecosystems, are threatened by the expansion of human settlements, the boom in commercial aquaculture, the impact of tidal waves and storm surges, etc. Such threats are leading to the increasing demand for detailed mangrove maps for the purpose of measuring the extent of the decline of mangrove ecosystems. Detailed mangrove maps at the community or species level are, however, not easy to produce, mainly because mangrove forests are very difficult to access. Without doubt, remote sensing is a serious alternative to traditional field-based methods for mangrove mapping, as it allows information to be gathered from the forbidding environment of mangrove forests, which otherwise, logistically and practically speaking, would be extremely difficult to survey. Remote sensing applications for mangrove mapping at the fundamental level are already well established but, surprisingly, a number of advanced remote sensing applications have remained unexplored for the purpose of mangrove mapping at a finer level. Consequently, the aim of this thesis is to unveil the potential of some of the unexplored remote sensing techniques for mangrove studies. Specifically, this thesis focuses on improving class separability between mangrove species or community types. It is based on two important ingredients: (i) the use of narrow-band hyperspectral data, and (ii) the integration of ecological knowledge of mangrove-environment relationships into the mapping process. Overall, the results of this study reveal the potential of both ingredients. They show that delicate spectral details of hyperspectral data and the spatial relationships between mangroves and their surrounding environment help to improve mangrove class separability at the species level. -
Threatened Ecosystems in South Africa: Descriptions and Maps
Threatened Ecosystems in South Africa: Descriptions and Maps DRAFT May 2009 South African National Biodiversity Institute Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Contents List of tables .............................................................................................................................. vii List of figures............................................................................................................................. vii 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 8 2 Criteria for identifying threatened ecosystems............................................................... 10 3 Summary of listed ecosystems ........................................................................................ 12 4 Descriptions and individual maps of threatened ecosystems ...................................... 14 4.1 Explanation of descriptions ........................................................................................................ 14 4.2 Listed threatened ecosystems ................................................................................................... 16 4.2.1 Critically Endangered (CR) ................................................................................................................ 16 1. Atlantis Sand Fynbos (FFd 4) .......................................................................................................................... 16 2. Blesbokspruit Highveld Grassland