CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1
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Civettictis Civetta (Schreber, 1776)
Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776) The African civet, Civettictis civetta is native to and widely distributed in Africa. It was probably introduced to Sao Tome & Principe with the weasel Mustela nivalis to control rodents. African civets occupy a range of habitats including secondary forest, woodland, bush habitats as well as aquatic habitats. They are not common in interior forest habitats but thrive in degraded and deforested areas. They have been recorded at altitudes up to 5000 m asl on Mt Kilimanjaro The Guinea Lidless Skink (Afroablepharus africana) is classified as ‘Vulnerable (VU)’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is restricted to three locations on the islands of Sâo Tomé, Principé, and Rolas in the Gulf of Guinea. The main threats to this species are suspected to be loss of habitat through deforestation and predation Photo credit: Brianna Hackler by introduced mammals. Introduced mammals on these islands include the African civet, Norway rat (Rattus bocagei); the Sao Tome Canary (Neospiza concolor) and the norvegicus) ship rat (Rattus rattus), House mouse (Mus Sao Tome Fiscal (Lanius newtoni) are under threat of loss musculus), Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona) and of habitat and potential predation by introduced mammals weasel. that include the African civet, ship rat, house mouse, Mona Declining populations of three endemic and ‘Critically monkey and weasel. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are also present Endangered (CR)’ birds the Sao Tome Ibis (Bostrychia and could be a threat. References: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2 ISSG 2012. Global Invasive Species Database Click here to view archives of previous weeks’ species. -
The Grassland Vegetation of the Low Drakensberg Escarpment in the North-Western Kwazulu-Natal and North-Eastern Orange Free State Border Area
S. Afr. J. Bot.. 1995.61(1): 9-17 9 The grassland vegetation of the Low Drakensberg escarpment in the north-western KwaZulu-Natal and north-eastern Orange Free State border area C.M. Smit, G.J. Bredenkamp' and N. van Rooyen Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, 0002 Pretoria. Republic of South Africa Received: 17 Augll.u /99-1; revised I J October 1994 This study of the grasslands of the Low Drakenberg escarpment in the Newcastle-Meme] area forms part of the Grassland Biome Project. The 44 releves compiled in the Fa land type which represents the escarpment. were numer ically classified (TWINSPAN), and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The analyses revealed nine plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the nine plant communities are presented. Hi erdie ondersoek van die grasvelde van die Lae Drakensberg platorand in die Newcastle-Memel gebied maak deel uit van die Grasveldbioomprojek. Die 44 rei eves wat saamgestel is in die Fa landtipe wat die platorand verleen woordig, is numeries geklassifiseer (TWINSPAN) en die resultate is met behulp van Braun-Blanquet prosedures verfyn. Nege plantgemeenskappe is onderskei. 'n Hierargiese klassifikasie, beskrywing en ekologiese interpretasie van die nege plantgemeenskappe word aangebied. Keywords: Braun-8lanquet procedures, eastern escarpment, ecological in terpretation, Fa land type, grassland, vegetation classification . • To whom correspondence should be addressed. Introduction have been completed in the north-eastern Transvaal by Deall ct The Drakensberg Range forms part of the Great Escarpmenl at al. (1989) and Matthews et al. (1991. 1992a & 1992b). in the the eastern edge of the interi or plateau of southern Africa (Par eastern Oran ge Free State by Du Preez and Bredenkamp (1991), tridge & Maud 1987). -
The 2008 IUCN Red Listings of the World's Small Carnivores
The 2008 IUCN red listings of the world’s small carnivores Jan SCHIPPER¹*, Michael HOFFMANN¹, J. W. DUCKWORTH² and James CONROY³ Abstract The global conservation status of all the world’s mammals was assessed for the 2008 IUCN Red List. Of the 165 species of small carni- vores recognised during the process, two are Extinct (EX), one is Critically Endangered (CR), ten are Endangered (EN), 22 Vulnerable (VU), ten Near Threatened (NT), 15 Data Deficient (DD) and 105 Least Concern. Thus, 22% of the species for which a category was assigned other than DD were assessed as threatened (i.e. CR, EN or VU), as against 25% for mammals as a whole. Among otters, seven (58%) of the 12 species for which a category was assigned were identified as threatened. This reflects their attachment to rivers and other waterbodies, and heavy trade-driven hunting. The IUCN Red List species accounts are living documents to be updated annually, and further information to refine listings is welcome. Keywords: conservation status, Critically Endangered, Data Deficient, Endangered, Extinct, global threat listing, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable Introduction dae (skunks and stink-badgers; 12), Mustelidae (weasels, martens, otters, badgers and allies; 59), Nandiniidae (African Palm-civet The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the most authorita- Nandinia binotata; one), Prionodontidae ([Asian] linsangs; two), tive resource currently available on the conservation status of the Procyonidae (raccoons, coatis and allies; 14), and Viverridae (civ- world’s biodiversity. In recent years, the overall number of spe- ets, including oyans [= ‘African linsangs’]; 33). The data reported cies included on the IUCN Red List has grown rapidly, largely as on herein are freely and publicly available via the 2008 IUCN Red a result of ongoing global assessment initiatives that have helped List website (www.iucnredlist.org/mammals). -
Vegetation of the Central Kavango Woodlands in Namibia: an Example from the Mile 46 Livestock Development Centre ⁎ B.J
South African Journal of Botany 73 (2007) 391–401 www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb Vegetation of the central Kavango woodlands in Namibia: An example from the Mile 46 Livestock Development Centre ⁎ B.J. Strohbach a, , A. Petersen b a National Botanical Research Institute, Private Bag 13184, Windhoek, Namibia b Institute for Soil Science, University of Hamburg, Allende-Platz 2, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Received 22 November 2006; accepted 7 March 2007 Abstract No detailed vegetation descriptions are available for the Kavango woodlands — recent descriptions have all been at the broad landscape level without describing any vegetation communities. With this paper the vegetation associations found at and around the Mile 46 Livestock Development Centre (LDC) are described. Two broad classes are recognised: the Acacietea are represented by three Acacia species-dominated associations on nutrient-richer eutric Arenosols, whilst the Burkeo–Pterocarpetea are represented by three associations dominated by broad-leafed phanerophytic species on dystri-ferralic Arenosols. The, for the Kavango woodlands typical, Pterocarpus angolensis–Guibourtia coleosperma bushlands and thickets are further divided into four variants. Fire has been found to be an important factor in determining the structure of the vegetation — exclusion of fire on the LDC itself seems to lead to an increase in shrub (understory) density. © 2007 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Arenosols; Fire; Kavango woodlands; Land-use impact; Namibia; Zambesian Baikiaea woodlands ecoregion 1. Introduction terms. Yet pressure on the land is increasing — Mendelsohn and el Obeid (2003) illustrate this very clearly in their profile on the Very few phytosociological studies have been undertaken in Kavango Region. -
The Ecology of Large Herbivores Native to the Coastal Lowlands of the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape, South Africa
The ecology of large herbivores native to the coastal lowlands of the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape, South Africa by Frans Gustav Theodor Radloff Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Science (Botany) at Stellenbosh University Promoter: Prof. L. Mucina Co-Promoter: Prof. W. J. Bond December 2008 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 owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: 24 November 2008 Copyright © 2008 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii ABSTRACT The south-western Cape is a unique region of southern Africa with regards to generally low soil nutrient status, winter rainfall and unusually species-rich temperate vegetation. This region supported a diverse large herbivore (> 20 kg) assemblage at the time of permanent European settlement (1652). The lowlands to the west and east of the Kogelberg supported populations of African elephant, black rhino, hippopotamus, eland, Cape mountain and plain zebra, ostrich, red hartebeest, and grey rhebuck. The eastern lowlands also supported three additional ruminant grazer species - the African buffalo, bontebok, and blue antelope. The fate of these herbivores changed rapidly after European settlement. Today the few remaining species are restricted to a few reserves scattered across the lowlands. This is, however, changing with a rapid growth in the wildlife industry that is accompanied by the reintroduction of wild animals into endangered and fragmented lowland areas. -
Meadow Bird Ecology at Different Spatial Scales
Jort Verhulst Jort Verhulst MEADOW BIRD ECOLOGY AT DIFFERENT Uitnodiging SPATIAL SCALES Invitation RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT voor het bijwonen van de openbare verdediging van het proefschrift van 2007 Jort Verhulst vrijdag 2 november 2007 om 16.00 uur in de Aula van Wageningen Universiteit, Generaal Foulkesweg 1a, Wageningen Meadow bird ecology at different spatial scales Receptie na afloop in de Aula Jort Verhulst Paranimfen: Edward Kluen & Bjorn Robroek MEADOW BIRD ECOLOGY AT DIFFERENT SPATIAL SCALES RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT WEIDEVOGELECOLOGIE OP VERSCHILLENDE RUIMTELIJKE SCHAALNIVEAUS EFFECTEN VAN OMGEVINGSFACTOREN EN CONSEQUENTIES VOOR HET BEHEER Jort Verhulst Promotor Prof. Dr. F. Berendse Hoogleraar Natuurbeheer en Plantenecologie Wageningen Universteit Copromotor Dr. Ir. D. Kleijn Senior onderzoeker Alterra Promotiecommissie Prof. Dr. Ir. A.H.C. van Bruggen Wageningen Universiteit Prof. Dr. T. Piersma Rijks Universiteit Groningen Prof. Dr. G.R. de Snoo Universiteit Leiden Prof. Dr. W.J. Sutherland University of Cambridge, UK Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de onderzoekschool SENSE (School for the Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment). MEADOW BIRD ECOLOGY AT DIFFERENT SPATIAL SCALES RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT Jort Verhulst Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor op gezag van de rector magnificus van Wageningen Universiteit, Prof.dr. M.J. Kropff, in het openbaar te verdedigen op vrijdag 2 november 2007 des namiddags te 16:00 uur in de Aula. Verhulst J (2007) Meadow bird ecology at different spatial scales - responses to environmental conditions and implications for management PhD thesis, Wageningen University, with a summary in Dutch ISBN 987-90-8504-755-1 The research was carried out at the Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, The Netherlands Abstract Dutch wet grasslands host high densities of meadow birds. -
Aspects of the Ecology of Spotted Hyena (Crocuta Crocuta) in Relation to Prey Availability, Land Use Changes and Conflict with Humans in Western Zimbabwe
Aspects of the ecology of spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in relation to prey availability, land use changes and conflict with humans in western Zimbabwe Mlamuleli Mhlanga Submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Discipline of Ecological Sciences In the School of Life Sciences College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg Campus 2018 ii ABSTRACT Patch selection by carnivores is affected by various factors including availability of prey and denning areas, extent of vegetation cover, competition from sympatric large carnivores and anthropogenic habitat change among other variables. Understanding the influence of such factors is fundamental in the management of the carnivores. The study investigated spotted (i) hyena occupancy and (ii) co-occurrence with mesocarnivores in Zambezi National Park, Matetsi Safari (hunting) Area and Dimbangombe Ranch (mixed livestock and wildlife) in western Zimbabwe during the dry and wet seasons of 2014 and 2015 using camera traps. First, habitat characteristics, potential major prey and possible disturbance factors were modelled using the occupancy modelling approach to quantify habitat occupancy of the spotted hyena. It was found that the spotted hyena mean site occupancy was high (ψ = 0.617, SE = 0.147 and ψ = 0.502, SE = 0.107 for wet and dry seasons respectively). Furthermore, spotted hyena habitat occupancy increased in clayey soil and grasslands in the national park and hunting area, a behaviour attributed to denning preferences and possibly prey movement. Management priorities should focus on improving habitats for wild prey outside protected areas while preserving clayey areas for enhanced productivity of the spotted hyena inside protected areas. -
(Kopi Luwak) and Ethiopian Civet Coffee
Food Research International 37 (2004) 901–912 www.elsevier.com/locate/foodres Composition and properties of Indonesian palm civet coffee (Kopi Luwak) and Ethiopian civet coffee Massimo F. Marcone * Department of Food Science, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ont., Canada N1G 2W1 Received 19 May 2004; accepted 25 May 2004 Abstract This research paper reports on the findings of the first scientific investigation into the various physicochemical properties of the palm civet (Kopi Luwak coffee bean) from Indonesia and their comparison to the first African civet coffee beans collected in Ethiopia in eastern Africa. Examination of the palm civet (Kopi Luwak) and African civet coffee beans indicate that major physical differences exist between them especially with regards to their overall color. All civet coffee beans appear to possess a higher level of red color hue and being overall darker in color than their control counterparts. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that all civet coffee beans possessed surface micro-pitting (as viewed at 10,000Â magnification) caused by the action of gastric juices and digestive enzymes during digestion. Large deformation mechanical rheology testing revealed that civet coffee beans were in fact harder and more brittle in nature than their control counterparts indicating that gestive juices were entering into the beans and modifying the micro-structural properties of these beans. SDS–PAGE also supported this observation by revealing that proteolytic enzymes were penetrating into all the civet beans and causing substantial breakdown of storage proteins. Differences were noted in the types of subunits which were most susceptible to proteolysis between civet types and therefore lead to differences in maillard browning products and therefore flavor and aroma profiles. -
Civettictis Civetta – African Civet
Civettictis civetta – African Civet continued to include it in Viverra. Although several subspecies have been recorded, their validity remains questionable (Rosevear 1974; Coetzee 1977; Meester et al. 1986). Assessment Rationale The African Civet is listed as Least Concern as it is fairly common within the assessment region, inhabits a variety of habitats and vegetation types, and is present in numerous protected areas (including Kruger National Park). Camera-trapping studies suggest that there are healthy populations in the mountainous parts of Alastair Kilpin Limpopo’s Waterberg, Soutpansberg, and Alldays areas, as well as the Greater Lydenburg area of Mpumalanga. However, the species may be undergoing some localised Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern declines due to trophy hunting and accidental persecution National Red List status (2004) Least Concern (for example, poisoning that targets larger carnivores). Furthermore, the increased use of predator-proof fencing Reasons for change No change in the growing game farming industry in South Africa can Global Red List status (2015) Least Concern limit movement of African Civets. The expansion of informal settlements has also increased snaring incidents, TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) None since it seems that civets are highly prone to snares due CITES listing (1978) Appendix III to their regular use of footpaths. Elsewhere in Africa, this (Botswana) species is an important component in the bushmeat trade. Although the bushmeat trade is not as severe within the Endemic No assessment -
Final Report
The Rufford Foundation Final Report Congratulations on the completion of your project that was supported by The Rufford Foundation. We ask all grant recipients to complete a Final Report Form that helps us to gauge the success of our grant giving. The Final Report must be sent in word format and not PDF format or any other format. We understand that projects often do not follow the predicted course but knowledge of your experiences is valuable to us and others who may be undertaking similar work. Please be as honest as you can in answering the questions – remember that negative experiences are just as valuable as positive ones if they help others to learn from them. Please complete the form in English and be as clear and concise as you can. Please note that the information may be edited for clarity. We will ask for further information if required. If you have any other materials produced by the project, particularly a few relevant photographs please send these to us separately. Please submit your final report to [email protected]. Thank you for your help. Josh Cole, Grants Director Grant Recipient Details Your name ALPHONCE MSIGWA Ecology and Role of Land Use on Diversity, relative Project title abundance, and Distribution of Small Mammalian Carnivores in Ruaha Ecosystems, Tanzania RSG reference 17756-1 Reporting period Oct 2015-oct 2016 Amount of grant £4998 Your email address [email protected] Date of this report August 2016 1. Please indicate the level of achievement of the project’s original objectives and include any relevant comments on factors affecting this. -
Sport Hunting in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Region
SPORT HUNTING IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) REGION: An overview Rob Barnett Claire Patterson TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa Published by TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa. © 2006 TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be reproduced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Suggested citation: Barnett, R. and Patterson, C. (2005). Sport Hunting in the Southern African Development Community ( SADC) Region: An overview. TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa ISBN: 0-9802542-0-5 Front cover photograph: Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis Photograph credit: Megan Diamond Pursuant to Grant No. 690-0283-A-11-5950-00 Regional Networking and Capacity Building Initiative for southern Africa IUCN Regional Office for southern Africa “This publication was made possible through support provided by US Agency for International Development, REGIONAL CENTRE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA under the terms of Grant No. -
Fire History of the Kruger National Park: a Non‐Linear Perspective Simon Pooley, University of Oxford
Fire history of the Kruger National Park: a non‐linear perspective Simon Pooley, University of Oxford This research is funded by the AHRC. Attendance at this conference was funded by a Beit Fund travel grant. Aims Provide a non‐linear perspective on the history of the management of Kruger’s ecosystems. Through a case study I will: 1. Show how key early ecologists shaped agricultural research in South Africa; 2. Trace lines of influence from John Bews, South Africa’s first ecologist, through the ‘Natal school’ of agriculture, to Winston Trollope; 3. Show the chance connections that brought the study of fire behaviour to South Africa; 4. Show why Trollope’s particular skill set and interests chimed with the needs of Kruger National Park management in the early 1980s. Example of a linear history of scientific work on fire in Kruger Notes: Linear history can lead to what I call ‘the Cheshire Cat effect’, where: Individuals are reduced to names, or referred to collectively, obscuring the differences in their backgrounds, influences and approaches. An orderly progression of policies is implied, obscuring the overlapping and competing influences in play at any one time. John William Bews 1884—born on Pomona in the Orkney Islands 1902—enrolls at Edinburgh University 1907—graduates and starts teaching at the University of Manchester 1908—Assistant Prof of botany, Edinburgh 1909—signs up to teach in Colony of Natal 1910—starts lecturing as SA’s first Professor of Botany at Natal University College. Above: the Orkneys are NE of Scotland Below: Orkney landscape, near Hoy John William Bews ‘Man’s interference always tends to send back the plant succession.