DOCSLIB.ORG

The Role of Aardvarks (Orycteropus Afer) As Ecosystem Engineers in Arid and Semi-Arid Landscapes of South Africa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Role of Aardvarks (Orycteropus Afer) As Ecosystem Engineers in Arid and Semi-Arid Landscapes of South Africa THE ROLE OF AARDVARKS ( ORYCTEROPUS AFER ) AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID LANDSCAPES OF SOUTH AFRICA A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE of RHODES UNIVERSITY By Gareth Morgan Whittington-Jones December 2006 ABSTRACT Arid and semi arid environments are characterised by extreme fluctuations in temperature and low rainfall which present significant challenges to the animals inhabiting these areas. Mammals, such as aardvarks ( Orycteropus afer , Pallas 1766), excavate burrows in order to avoid predators and climatic extremes and are termed “ecosystem engineers” as they physically modify their environment and in doing so create new habitats and alter the availability of resources to other species. In this study I assessed the microhabitat conditions (maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and seed abundance) of aardvark burrows in relation to paired control sites. In addition, I evaluated the use of aardvark burrows by other vertebrate and invertebrate species and investigated the impact of aardvark burrow mounds on landscape scale floristic diversity. Maximum temperatures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) and minimum temperatures and midday humidity were significantly higher (p < 0.05) inside the burrows at the three study sites, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (Kwandwe), Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (Tswalu). There were no significant differences between the concentration of seeds, the average numbers of unique individual small mammals, trap success or small mammal species richness recorded inside the burrows compared to outside (p > 0.05). At all three sites, small mammal species diversity was higher in the burrows but this result was also not significant (p > 0.05 for all). Trap success and the number of individuals captured was higher at Tswalu than the other two sites (p < 0.05 for both). The different methods i used in this study revealed a total of 25 mammal, seven bird, one amphibian and six reptile species utilising aardvark burrows. There were significant differences in insect community assemblages between the burrows and open control areas at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p < 0.05 for both) but not at MZNP (p > 0.05). The parasitic guild was more prominent inside the burrows than outside but their abundance was not as high as anticipated, possibly due to the placement of traps closer to the burrow entrances than the sleeping chambers. The complex structure of the burrows prevented the placement of traps in close proximity to the sleeping chambers. As expected, the amount of bare earth was significantly higher on active and recently abandoned burrow mounds compared to the old burrow mounds and reference plots at all three sites (p < 0.05 for all), with the exception of the active burrows at Tswalu. Overall, the different plot types were characterised by significantly different plant communities during all the seasons at MZNP, during three of the seasons at Kwandwe and only during winter at Tswalu. The total species richness recorded on the reference plots was higher than on the burrow mounds at all three sites. However, species diversity on the reference plots was not significantly higher than the burrows at any of the sites (p > 0.05 for all sites). Although the results were not significant, the overall species diversity at a site level was greater than the reference patches at Kwandwe and Tswalu (p > 0.05 for both). Aardvarks fulfil the criteria of a significant ecosystem engineer and their presence in arid and semi-arid environments is likely to be critical to the survival of other ii individual organisms and species, particularly when alternative burrowing animals are either absent or restricted in their activities. Thus, aardvark populations should be considered a conservation priority in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES xiii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xviii CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 THE BIOLOGY OF THE AARDVARK 1 1.1.1 Taxonomy and phylogeny 1 1.1.2 Physical Characteristics 1 1.1.3 Distribution and habitat 2 1.1.4 Diet 3 1.1.5 Behaviour and habits 3 1.1.6 Reproduction 4 1.2 CONSERVATION STATUS 4 1.3 ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERING 5 1.4 BROAD MOTIVATION 8 CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY SITES 9 2.1 LOCATION 9 2.2 KWANDWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE 9 2.2.1 Site description and history 9 2.2.2 Climate 10 2.2.3 Vegetation 11 2.2.4 Topography and geology 12 2.3 MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK 12 2.3.1 Site description and history 12 2.3.2 Climate 13 2.3.3 Vegetation 14 2.3.4 Topography and geology 15 iv 2.4 TSWALU KALAHARI RESERVE 15 2.4.1 Site description and history 15 2.4.2. Climate 16 2.4.3 Vegetation 17 2.4.4 Topography and geology 18 2.5 SOIL HARDNESS 19 2.6 BURROW DENSITY 19 2.7 TABLES AND FIGURES 20 CHAPTER 3: MICROHABITAT OF AARDVARK BURROWS 30 3.1 INTRODUCTION 30 3.2 METHODS AND MATERIALS 35 3.2.1 Burrow location 35 3.2.2 Temperature recordings 35 3.2.3 Humidity 35 3.2.4 Seed concentration 36 3.2.5 Burrow orientation 36 3.2.6 Burrow entrance size 37 3.2.7 Data analysis 37 3.3 RESULTS 38 3.4 DISCUSSION 43 3.5 TABLES AND FIGURES 51 CHAPTER 4: COMMENSAL FAUNA OF AARDVARK BURROWS 62 4.1 INTRODUCTION 62 4.2 METHODS AND MATERIALS 67 4.2.1 Small mammal trapping 67 4.2.2 Burrow surveys and opportunistic sightings 68 4.2.3 Questionnaires 69 4.2.4 Insect sampling 69 4.2.5 Data analysis 72 4.3 RESULTS 74 4.3.1 Small mammal community 74 4.3.2 Burrow surveys, opportunistic sightings and questionnaires 76 4.3.3 Insects 78 4.4 DISCUSSION 81 v 4.5 TABLES AND FIGURES 91 CHAPTER 5: THE IMPACT OF AARDVARK BURROWS ON FLORISTIC DIVERSITY 110 5.1 INTRODUCTION 110 5.2 METHODS AND MATERIALS 113 5.2.1 Vegetation sampling 113 5.2.2 Data Analysis 114 5.3 RESULTS 115 5.4 DISCUSSION 120 5.5 TABLES AND FIGURES 126 CHAPTER 6: GENERAL DISCUSSION 153 CHAPTER 7: REFERENCES 158 APPENDIX A: The covering letter and first page of the questionnaire requesting information regarding the utilisation of aardvark burrows by other vertebrate species. 177 APPENDIX B: Common and species names of vertebrates recorded using burrows during this study. Data was obtained from personal sightings, records of tracks and signs and from the questionnaires. 179 APPENDIX C: List of birds recorded using aardvark burrows (Hockey et al ., 2005). 180 APPENDIX D: List of mammals recorded using aardvark burrows (Skinner & Smithers, 1990). 181 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1 SIMPER analysis breakdown of average dissimilarity between recently active burrow mounds and reference plots into contributions from the 10 most influential species at Tswalu during spring. Percentage cover was used as a surrogate for abundance. Table 4.2 The species richness, diversity and evenness values inside and outside of the burrows at all the sites during the four seasons. Table 4.3 The effect of site (the reserves) and position (burrows or open areas) on the numbers of unique individuals and species of small mammals trapped. Data are means of the four seasonal values ± 1 SD with total numbers in parentheses. Common names are listed in Appendix B. Table 4.4 The R and p values for the regression analyses between trap success and the number of unique individuals caught, and the combined biomass of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous seeds removed from the soil samples inside and outside of the burrows. Table 4.5 Vertebrate species observed using burrows during the course of this study. Infrequent observations are considered to be less than ten sightings. The purpose of burrow use is denoted either by “+” or “-“. “?” is used when the purpose of burrow use is unknown. Common names are listed in Appendix B. Table 4.6 Tracks and signs of vertebrate species using aardvark burrows. Infrequent observations are considered to be less than ten sightings. Common names are listed in Appendix B. vii Table 4.7 List of vertebrates observed using aardvark burrows according to information derived from questionnaires. The purpose of burrow use is denoted either by “+” or “-“. “?” is used when the purpose of burrow use is unknown. Common names are listed in Appendix B. Table 4.8 The richness, abundance and guild allocations of insect morphospecies inside and outside of burrows. Phyt = phytophagous, Pred/hem = predatory/hematophagous, Fungi = fungivorous, Det/sap = detritivorous/saprophagous and para = parasitic. Table 4.9 SIMPER analysis breakdown of average dissimilarity between burrows and control areas into contributions from the most influential morphospecies at Kwandwe. Table 4.10 SIMPER analysis breakdown of average dissimilarity between burrows and control areas into contributions from the most influential morphospecies at MZNP. Table 4.11 SIMPER analysis breakdown of average dissimilarity between burrows and control areas into contributions from the most influential morphospecies at Tswalu. Table 4.12 Average daily (means ± 1 SD) and total morphospecies diversity and evenness with formicidae included at each site. Table 4.13 Average daily (means ± 1 SD) and total morphospecies diversity and evenness with formicidae excluded at each site. Table 4.14 Average daily (means ± 1 SD) and total morphospecies richness, Michaelis-Menten species richness estimate and the total number morphospecies common to the burrows and controls at each site. viii Table 5.1 Species, family and growth form of plants present on burrow mounds and on reference plots at Kwandwe. Table 5.2 Species, family and growth form of plants present on burrow mounds and on reference plots at MZNP.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Global Meta‐
    Received: 28 March 2018 | Revised: 3 November 2018 | Accepted: 5 November 2018 DOI: 10.1111/geb.12877 META‐ANALYSIS Global meta‐analysis of soil‐disturbing vertebrates reveals strong effects on ecosystem patterns and processes Max Mallen‐Cooper1,2 | Shinichi Nakagawa2 | David J. Eldridge1,2 1Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Abstract Sciences, University of New South Wales, Aim: Organisms that disturb the soil while foraging or creating shelter (ecosystem Sydney, New South Wales, Australia engineers) can have profound effects on ecosystems. Soil ejecta from these distur- 2Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and bances can enhance surface nutrients and the resulting depressions accrue organic Environmental Sciences, University of New matter and develop into biological hotspots. Here, we describe a global meta‐analysis South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia of studies that assessed the impacts of vertebrate soil disturbance on both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. Correspondence Max Mallen‐Cooper, Centre for Ecosystem Location: Global land surface. Science, School of Biological, Earth and Time period: 1941–2016. Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Major taxa studied: Vertebrates. 2052, Australia. Methods: After conducting a systematic literature search, we quantitatively synthe- Email: m.mallen‐[email protected] sized the findings of 149 published studies that compared disturbed and undisturbed Funding information surfaces. Our meta‐analysis included 64 engineer species, primarily comprised of ro- Australian Research Council, Grant/Award Number: FT130100268 dents and a subset of other mammals. Results: We found that vertebrate soil disturbance significantly enhanced soil nitro- Editor: Sally Keith gen (by 77%) and phosphorus (35%), and the productivity (32%) and recruitment (32%) of vascular plants.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Ecological Assessment for the Expansion of the Pollution Control Dams Associated with the Continuous Disposal of Ash at the Majuba Power Station
    Terrestrial Ecological Assessment for the Expansion of the Pollution Control Dams associated with the Continuous Disposal of Ash at the Majuba Power Station, Mpumalanga Province May 2019 for DRAFT Advisian Worley Parsons Marinda le Roux [email protected] Cell: 0614174281 PREPARED BY Enviro-Insight CC Luke Verburgt (Pr. Sci. Nat.) - [email protected] Corné Niemandt (Pr. Sci. Nat.) - [email protected] 69 , TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Project Details and Background ................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Study area .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Study Limitations ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 2 Methods ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Desktop Survey .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 Flora Assessment ..................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 15 the Mammals of Angola
    Chapter 15 The Mammals of Angola Pedro Beja, Pedro Vaz Pinto, Luís Veríssimo, Elena Bersacola, Ezequiel Fabiano, Jorge M. Palmeirim, Ara Monadjem, Pedro Monterroso, Magdalena S. Svensson, and Peter John Taylor Abstract Scientific investigations on the mammals of Angola started over 150 years ago, but information remains scarce and scattered, with only one recent published account. Here we provide a synthesis of the mammals of Angola based on a thorough survey of primary and grey literature, as well as recent unpublished records. We present a short history of mammal research, and provide brief information on each species known to occur in the country. Particular attention is given to endemic and near endemic species. We also provide a zoogeographic outline and information on the conservation of Angolan mammals. We found confirmed records for 291 native species, most of which from the orders Rodentia (85), Chiroptera (73), Carnivora (39), and Cetartiodactyla (33). There is a large number of endemic and near endemic species, most of which are rodents or bats. The large diversity of species is favoured by the wide P. Beja (*) CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal CEABN-InBio, Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal e-mail: [email protected] P. Vaz Pinto Fundação Kissama, Luanda, Angola CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal e-mail: [email protected] L. Veríssimo Fundação Kissama, Luanda, Angola e-mail: [email protected] E.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe Zambia Malawi Species Checklist Africa Vegetation Map
    ZIMBABWE ZAMBIA MALAWI SPECIES CHECKLIST AFRICA VEGETATION MAP BIOMES DeserT (Namib; Sahara; Danakil) Semi-deserT (Karoo; Sahel; Chalbi) Arid SAvannah (Kalahari; Masai Steppe; Ogaden) Grassland (Highveld; Abyssinian) SEYCHELLES Mediterranean SCruB / Fynbos East AFrican Coastal FOrest & SCruB DrY Woodland (including Mopane) Moist woodland (including Miombo) Tropical Rainforest (Congo Basin; upper Guinea) AFrO-Montane FOrest & Grassland (Drakensberg; Nyika; Albertine rift; Abyssinian Highlands) Granitic Indian Ocean IslandS (Seychelles) INTRODUCTION The idea of this booklet is to enable you, as a Wilderness guest, to keep a detailed record of the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that you observe during your travels. It also serves as a compact record of your African journey for future reference that hopefully sparks interest in other wildlife spheres when you return home or when travelling elsewhere on our fragile planet. Although always exciting to see, especially for the first-time Africa visitor, once you move beyond the cliché of the ‘Big Five’ you will soon realise that our wilderness areas offer much more than certain flagship animal species. Africa’s large mammals are certainly a big attraction that one never tires of, but it’s often the smaller mammals, diverse birdlife and incredible reptiles that draw one back again and again for another unparalleled visit. Seeing a breeding herd of elephant for instance will always be special but there is a certain thrill in seeing a Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, cheetah or a Lilian’s lovebird – to name but a few. As a globally discerning traveller, look beyond the obvious, and challenge yourself to learn as much about all wildlife aspects and the ecosystems through which you will travel on your safari.
    [Show full text]
  • Prey Selection by Caracal in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
    Prey selection by caracal in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park H.I.A.S. Melville1*, J. du P. Bothma1 & M.G.L. Mills2 1Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa 2SAN Parks, Endangered Wildlife Trust and Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X402, Skukuza, 1350 South Africa Received 29 August 2003. Accepted 4 March 2004 In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 116 caracal (Caracal caracal) scat samples were col- lected and 327 attempted hunts were reconstructed from spoor-tracking. The data were analysed to establish the prey use of caracals in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and to study the extent to which caracals use small stock by moving into the adjacent farmland in Namibia. It was found that the primary prey resource was small mammals, the vast majority of which were rodents, including springhare (Pedetes capensis). Larger prey animals included steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) and smaller carnivores up to the size of a black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). Birds were an abundant prey resource, especially the larger ground-roosting species. Invertebrate remains were found in a large proportion of the scats, indicating that they were commonly used as a source of food. Domestic livestock remains were identified in eight of the scat samples and the temporal distribution of these indicated an increased use of domestic livestock by caracals in the cold season. Key words: caracal, Felidae, livestock, scat analysis, small mammals, spoor-tracking. INTRODUCTION where stock farms border on the Kgalagadi The survival of any predator is directly related Transfrontier Park. Although widely condemned to the quality and quantity of its diet.
    [Show full text]
  • Micromammal Paleoecology
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by CU Scholar Institutional Repository University of Colorado, Boulder CU Scholar Anthropology Graduate Theses & Dissertations Anthropology Spring 1-1-2011 Micromammal Paleoecology: Theory, Methods, and Application to Modern and Fossil Assemblages in The rC adle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa Jennifer Nicole Leichliter University of Colorado at Boulder, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.colorado.edu/anth_gradetds Part of the Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Leichliter, Jennifer Nicole, "Micromammal Paleoecology: Theory, Methods, and Application to Modern and Fossil Assemblages in The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa" (2011). Anthropology Graduate Theses & Dissertations. Paper 7. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Anthropology at CU Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Anthropology Graduate Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CU Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Micromammal Paleoecology: Theory, Methods, and Application to Modern and Fossil Assemblages in The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa by Jennifer Leichliter B.A., Colorado College, 2008 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master’s of Anthropology Department of Anthropology 2011 This thesis entitled: Micromammal Paleoecology: Theory, Methods, and Application to Modern and Fossil Assemblages in The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa written by Jennifer Nicole Leichliter has been approved for the Department Anthropology ________________________________________________ Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Fossil Rodents from Bone Cave at the Koanaka Hills Locality
    FOSSIL RODENTS FROM BONE CAVE AT THE KOANAKA HILLS LOCALITY, BOTSWANA _____________ A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences Sam Houston State University _____________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science _____________ by Zachary W. Pierce May, 2020 FOSSIL RODENTS FROM BONE CAVE AT THE KOANAKA HILLS LOCALITY, BOTSWANA by Zachary W. Pierce ______________ APPROVED: Patrick J. Lewis, PhD Thesis Director Monte L. Thies, PhD Committee Member Jeffrey R. Wozniak, PhD Committee Member John B. Pascarella, PhD Dean, College of Science and Engineering Technology DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my mom and dad, Drs. Maria and Robert Pierce. None of this is possible without the hard work and perseverance exhibited throughout their lives, and I am eternally grateful for this sacrifice. This work is also dedicated to my wife Lillian Pierce who provided constant love and support during this process which gave me the perseverance and motivation to finish. iii ABSTRACT Pierce, Zachary W, Fossil rodents from Bone Cave at the Koanaka Hills locality, Botswana. Master of Science (Biology), May, 2020, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. In this study I analyze a Middle Pleistocene rodent fauna from Bone Cave locality, Koanaka Hills, northwestern Botswana and attempt to reconstruct the paleoenvironment of the surrounding area. Only a few Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil localities exist between eastern and southern Africa, and the fossil rodents collected from within the Koanaka Hills partially fills this significant geographic and temporal gap in the paleontological record of Africa. Rodent remains from owl accumulations are frequently found in the fossil record and used to reconstruct the paleoenvironment Similarly, prey remains from owl accumulations are used to reconstruct modern community composition.
    [Show full text]
  • Abstract Book
    The 12th African Small Mammal Symposium Scientific Programme and Abstracts 12th ASMS Le Domaine de l’Ermitage Mantasoa Madagascar 12-17 April 2015 Co-organized by Association Vahatra and the Département de Biologie Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar and with the generous support of Field Museum of Natural History, The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the Volkswagen Foundation ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE OF THE 12TH AFRICAN SMALL MAMMAL SYMPOSIUM Local committee Steven M. Goodman, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, USA and Association Vahatra, BP 3972, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar (co-chair) Voahangy Soarimalala, Association Vahatra, BP 3972, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar and Institut des Sciences et Techniques de l’Environnement, Université de Fianarantsoa, Fianarantsoa 301, Madagascar (co-chair) Martin Nicoll, WWF, BP 738, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Martin Raheriarisena, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Felix Rakotondraparany, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Daniel Rakotondravony, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar International committee Steven Belmain, Natural Resource Institute, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom Christiane Denys, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France Jean-Marc Duplantier, Institut de Recherches pour le Développement, Montpellier, France Jörg Ganzhorn, Biocenter Grindel, The University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany Paula Jenkins, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom Herwig Leirs, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Themba’lilahlwa Mahlaba, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Swaziland Ara Monadjem, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Swaziland M.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Relationship Between Farmers and Burrowing Mammals on South African Farms: Are Burrowers Friends Or Foes?
    Understanding the relationship between farmers and burrowing mammals on South African farms: Are burrowers friends or foes? Izak B. Foster, Trevor McIntyre, Natalie S. Haussmann Abstract Burrowing mammals are ubiquitous on farms in South Africa and can hinder agricultural practices. This study explored farmer perspectives of these species, and specifically the factors that influence these perspectives. Forty-four farmers responded to a questionnaire that assessed their ecological knowledge of, tolerance towards and lethal management of burrowing mammals that occur on their farms. The results from generalised linear models showed that neither farmer age, nor level of education are accurate predictors of ecological knowledge, overall tolerance towards burrowers, or their lethal management. Knowledge of burrowing mammals showed a significant relationship with tolerance, with more knowledgeable individuals displaying higher levels of tolerance. However, a farmer’s overall tolerance towards burrowing species did not affect the number of species managed. Our results also suggest that different values are attached to different species when it comes to lethal management. Thus, farmers commonly controlled the numbers of the problem rodent species, Highveld gerbil (Gerbilliscus brantsii) and Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris), but were less likely to manage black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), even when experiencing these as problematic. We suggest that the larger, more charismatic species possibly evoke more sympathy from farmers. Agro- ecosystems are likely to become increasingly important for conservation in the future, and we encourage continued studies on the environmental attitudes and approaches of agricultural practitioners as a means to understanding the current status and future trends in ecologically sustainable agriculture.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Scoping Assessment for the Expansion of the Pollution Control Dams Associated with the Continuous Disposal of Ash at the Majuba Power Station
    Ecological Scoping Assessment for the Expansion of the Pollution Control Dams associated with the Continuous Disposal of Ash at the Majuba Power Station, Mpumalanga Province November 2018 for Advisian Worley Parsons Marinda le Roux [email protected] DRAFT Cell: 0614174281 PREPARED BY Enviro-Insight CC Corné Niemandt (Cand. Sci. Nat.) [email protected] REVIEWED BY Luke Verburgt (Pr. Sci. Nat.) [email protected] 1 , TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Project Details and Background ................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Study area .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Study Limitations ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 2 Methods ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Desktop Survey .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Flora Assessment
    [Show full text]
  • A Revised Systematic Checklist of the Extant Mammals in the SA
    DURBAN MUS. NOVIT. 28 SYSTEMATIC CHECKLIST OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN MAMMALS 56 A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion BRONNER, G.N.12, HOFFMANN, M. , TAYLOR, P.J.34, CHIMIMBA, C.T. , BEST, P.B.45, MATTHEE, C.A. & ROBINSON, T.J.5 1Small Mammal Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, P/Bag Rondebosch 7701, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] 2Centre for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, 1919 M St NW, Suite 600, Washington DC 20036, USA 3Durban Natural Science Museum, P.O. Box 4085, Durban 4000, South Africa 4Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa 5Department of Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa Article available at: www.durban.gov.za/naturalscience/ Summary Bronner, G.N., Hoffmann, M., Taylor, P.J., Chimimba, C.T., Best, P.B., Matthee, C.A. & Robinson, T.J. 2003. A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion. Durban Museum Novitates 28: 56-106. The current paper presents a revised, annotated, systematic checklist of 351 extant mammal species, in 190 genera, currently known to occur in southern Africa (south of the Zambezi and Cunene Rivers) and its coastal waters. The checklist includes each species' scientific and English common name, details concerning original description, occurrence or possible occurrence in each of the seven countries falling within the Subregion, and, where relevant, the IUCN global Category of Threat. Taxonomic notes, together with the relevant literature, are provided to justify the proposed classification adopted at each hierarchical level.
    [Show full text]
  • Grassland Biomes GREENWOOD GUIDES to BIOMES of the WORLD
    Grassland Biomes GREENWOOD GUIDES TO BIOMES OF THE WORLD Introduction to Biomes Susan L. Woodward Tropical Forest Biomes Barbara A. Holzman Temperate Forest Biomes Bernd H. Kuennecke Grassland Biomes Susan L. Woodward Desert Biomes Joyce A. Quinn Arctic and Alpine Biomes Joyce A. Quinn Freshwater Aquatic Biomes Richard A. Roth Marine Biomes Susan L. Woodward Grassland BIOMES Susan L. Woodward Greenwood Guides to Biomes of the World Susan L. Woodward, General Editor GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut • London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Woodward, Susan L., 1944 Jan. 20– Grassland biomes / Susan L. Woodward. p. cm. — (Greenwood guides to biomes of the world) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-313-33840-3 (set : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0- 313-33999-8 (vol. : alk. paper) 1. Grassland ecology. 2. Grasslands. I. Title. QH541.5.P7W66 2008 577.4—dc22 2008027508 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright C 2008 by Susan L. Woodward All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008027508 ISBN: 978-0-313-33999-8 (vol.) 978-0-313-33840-3 (set) First published in 2008 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10987654321 Contents Preface vii How to Use This Book xi The Use of Scientific Names xiii Chapter 1.
    [Show full text]