Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Africa

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Africa The regional assessment report on BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR AFRICA SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS I THE REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR AFRICA SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS OF THE IPBES REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR AFRICA Copyright © 2018, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) ISBN No: 978-3-947851-00-3 Reproduction For further information, please contact: This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and any form for educational or non-profit services without special Ecosystem Services (IPBES) permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement IPBES Secretariat, UN Campus of the source is made. The IPBES secretariat would appreciate Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, D-53113 Bonn, Germany receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a Phone: +49 (0) 228 815 0570 source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any Email: [email protected] other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in Website: www.ipbes.net writing from the IPBES secretariat. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the reproduction, Photo credits should be addressed to the IPBES secretariat. The use of Cover: Pexels / IRD_O Barrière / Shutterstock_Martchan / information from this publication concerning proprietary products for Shutterstock_ M De Koker publicity or advertising is not permitted. P. 3: IISD_S Wu (Sir R T Watson) P.4-5: UNEP (E Solheim) / UNESCO (A Azoulay) / FAO (J Graziano Traceable accounts da Silva) / UNDP (Achim Steiner) The chapter references enclosed in curly brackets (e.g. {2.3.1, P. 8-9: MJ Somers 2.3.1.2, 2.3.1.3}) are traceable accounts and refer to sections P. 11: MJ Somers / P Failler / P Failler / P Failler / Shutterstock_ D of the chapters of the IPBES Regional Assessment Report on Ryszawy / MC Cormier-Salem Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Africa. A traceable P. 13: Shutterstock_ R Slootweg / Shutterstock_D Rata / P Failler account is a description within the corresponding texts of these P. 16-17: Shutterstock_Larsek chapters, reflecting the evaluation of the type, amount, quality, P. 44-45: Shutterstock_A Nickolls and consistency of evidence and the degree of agreement for that particular statement or key finding. Technical Support Michele Walters Disclaimer on maps Anicia Malebajoa Maoela The designations employed and the presentation of material on the maps used in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion Graphic Design whatsoever on the part of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy MOABI / Maro Haas, Art direction and layout Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services concerning the Zoo, designers graphiques, Figures design legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, Jacqueline Gensollen-Bloch, Figures or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. These Yuka Estrada, SPM figures maps have been prepared for the sole purpose of facilitating the assessment of the broad biogeographical areas represented therein. SUGGESTED CITATION: IPBES (2018): Summary for policymakers of the regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. Archer, L. E. Dziba, K. J. Mulongoy, M. A. Maoela, M. Walters, R. Biggs, M-C. Cormier-Salem, F. DeClerck, M. C. Diaw, A. E. Dunham, P. Failler, C. Gordon, K. A. Harhash, R. Kasisi, F. Kizito, W. D. Nyingi, N. Oguge, B. Osman-Elasha, L. C. Stringer, L. Tito de Morais, A. Assogbadjo, B. N. Egoh, M. W. Halmy, K. Heubach, A. Mensah, L. Pereira and N. Sitas (eds.). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 49 pages. MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WHO PROVIDED GUIDANCE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THIS ASSESSMENT: Sebsebe Demissew and Jean-Bruno Mikissa (Multidisciplinary Expert Panel); Fundisile G. Mketeni and Alfred Oteng-Yeboah (Bureau). This report in the form of a PDF can be viewed and downloaded at www.ipbes.net II The regional assessment report on BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR AFRICA SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS AUTHORS:1 Emma Archer (co-chair, South Africa), Luthando Dziba (co-chair, South Africa), Kalemani Jo Mulongoy (co-chair, Democratic Republic of the Congo); Malebajoa Anicia Maoela (IPBES), Michele Walters (IPBES); Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs (South Africa), Marie-Christine Cormier-Salem (France), Fabrice DeClerck (Belgium), Mariteuw Chimère Diaw (Senegal/Cameroon), Amy E. Dunham (United States of America), Pierre Failler (France/United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Christopher Gordon (Ghana, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Khaled Allam Harhash (Egypt), Robert Kasisi (Canada), Fred Kizito (Uganda), Wanja Nyingi (Kenya), Nicholas Oguge (Kenya), Balgis Osman-Elasha (Sudan), Lindsay C. Stringer (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Luis Tito de Morais (France); Achille Assogbadjo (Benin), Benis N. Egoh (Cameroon, South Africa), Marwa W. Halmy (Egypt), Katja Heubach (Germany), Adelina Mensah (Ghana), Laura Pereira (South Africa), Nadia Sitas (South Africa). 1. Authors are listed with, in parenthesis, their country of citizenship, or countries of citizenship separated by a comma when they have several; and, following a slash, their country of affiliation, if different from citizenship, or their organization if they belong to an international organization: name of expert (nationality 1, nationality 2/affiliation). The countries or organizations having nominated these experts are listed on the IPBES website. FOREWORD he objective of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is to provide Governments, the private sector, and civil society with scientifically credible and independent up-to-date assessments of Tavailable knowledge to make informed decisions at the local, regional and international levels. This regional and subregional assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa has been carried out by 127 selected experts, including 7 early career fellows, assisted by 23 contributing authors, primarily from Africa, who have analyzed a large body of knowledge, including about 2,400 scientific publications. The Report represents The Regional Assessment Report on Biodiversity the state of knowledge on the Africa region and subregions. and Ecosystem Services for Africa produced by the Its chapters and their executive summaries were accepted, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and its summary for policymakers was approved, by the and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provides a critical analysis Member States of IPBES at the sixth session of the IPBES of the state of knowledge regarding the importance, status, Plenary (18 to 24 March 2018, Medellín, Colombia). and trends of biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. The assessment analyses the direct and underlying causes for the observed changes in biodiversity and in This Report provides a critical assessment of the full range nature’s contributions to people, and the impact that of issues facing decision-makers, including the importance, these changes have on the quality of life of people. The status, trends and threats to biodiversity and nature’s assessment, finally, identifies a mix of governance options, contributions to people, as well as policy and management policies and management practices that are currently response options. Establishing the underlying causes available to reduce the loss of biodiversity and of nature’s of the loss of biodiversity and nature’s contributions to contributions to people in that region. people provides policymakers with the information needed The assessment addresses terrestrial, freshwater, and to develop appropriate response options, technologies, coastal biodiversity and covers current status and trends, policies, financial incentives and behavioral changes. going back in time several decades, and future projections, with a focus on the 2020-2050 period. The Assessment concludes that biodiversity and nature’s The present document, the Summary for Policymakers of contributions in Africa are economically, socially and the Assessment Report, was approved by the sixth session culturally important, essential in providing the continent’s of the Plenary of IPBES (Medellín, Colombia, 18-24 March food, water, energy, health and secure livelihood, and 2018). It is based on a set of chapters which were accepted represent a strategic asset for sustainable development at this same Plenary session. The chapters are available as and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. document IPBES/6/INF/3/Rev.1 (www.ipbes.net). However, the Assessment also notes that the current 2 FOREWORD loss and decline of biodiversity, which is due to human activities, is reducing nature’s contributions to people, and undermining human well-being. Unregulated land cover change, i.e., habitat change and over-exploitation, has been the primary cause of biodiversity loss to date, Mulongoy (Democratic Republic of the Congo), as well but given Africa’s extreme vulnerability to the impacts of as of the coordinating lead authors, lead authors, review climate change, climate change is likely to be a dominant editors, fellows, contributing authors and reviewers, and driver of change in the future. The likely doubling of Africa’s
Recommended publications
  • Biodiversity and Ecology of Afromontane Rainforests with Wild Coffea Arabica L
    Feyera Senbeta Wakjira (Autor) Biodiversity and ecology of Afromontane rainforests with wild Coffea arabica L. populations in Ethiopia https://cuvillier.de/de/shop/publications/2260 Copyright: Cuvillier Verlag, Inhaberin Annette Jentzsch-Cuvillier, Nonnenstieg 8, 37075 Göttingen, Germany Telefon: +49 (0)551 54724-0, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: https://cuvillier.de General introduction 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The term biodiversity is used to convey the total number, variety and variability of living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur (Wilson 1988; CBD 1992; Rosenzweig 1995). The concept of biological diversity can be applied to a wide range of spatial and organization scales, including genetics, species, community, and landscape scales (Noss 1990; Austin et al. 1996; Tuomisto et al. 2003). It is becoming increasingly apparent that knowledge of the role of patterns and processes that determine diversity at different scales is at the very heart of an understanding of variation in biodiversity. Processes influencing diversity operate at different spatial and temporal scales (Rosenzweig 1995; Gaston 2000). A variety of environmental events and processes, including past evolutionary development, biogeographic processes, extinctions, and current influences govern the biodiversity of a particular site (Brown and Lomolino 1998; Gaston 2000; Ricklefs and Miller 2000). Biodiversity is valued and has been studied largely because it is used, and could be used better, to sustain and improve human well-being (WWF 1993; WCMC 1994). However, there has been a rapid decline in the biodiversity of the world during the past two to three decades (Wilson 1988; Whitmore and Sayer 1992; Lugo et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Forcing of Tree Growth in Dry Afromontane Forest Fragments of Northern Ethiopia: Evidence from Multi-Species Responses Zenebe Girmay Siyum1,2* , J
    Siyum et al. Forest Ecosystems (2019) 6:15 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-019-0178-y RESEARCH Open Access Climate forcing of tree growth in dry Afromontane forest fragments of Northern Ethiopia: evidence from multi-species responses Zenebe Girmay Siyum1,2* , J. O. Ayoade3, M. A. Onilude4 and Motuma Tolera Feyissa2 Abstract Background: Climate-induced challenge remains a growing concern in the dry tropics, threatening carbon sink potential of tropical dry forests. Hence, understanding their responses to the changing climate is of high priority to facilitate sustainable management of the remnant dry forests. In this study, we examined the long-term climate- growth relations of main tree species in the remnant dry Afromontane forests in northern Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the dendrochronological potential of selected dry Afromontane tree species and to study the influence of climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) on radial growth. It was hypothesized that there are potential tree species with discernible annual growth rings owing to the uni-modality of rainfall in the region. Ring width measurements were based on increment core samples and stem discs collected from a total of 106 trees belonging to three tree species (Juniperus procera, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidate and Podocarpus falcatus). The collected samples were prepared, crossdated, and analyzed using standard dendrochronological methods. The formation of annual growth rings of the study species was verified based on successful crossdatability and by correlating tree-ring widths with rainfall. Results: The results showed that all the sampled tree species form distinct growth boundaries though differences in the distinctiveness were observed among the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Lesotho Fourth National Report on Implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity
    Lesotho Fourth National Report On Implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity December 2009 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ADB African Development Bank CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CCF Community Conservation Forum CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CMBSL Conserving Mountain Biodiversity in Southern Lesotho COP Conference of Parties CPA Cattle Post Areas DANCED Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development DDT Di-nitro Di-phenyl Trichloroethane EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan ERMA Environmental Resources Management Area EMPR Environmental Management for Poverty Reduction EPAP Environmental Policy and Action Plan EU Environmental Unit (s) GA Grazing Associations GCM Global Circulation Model GEF Global Environment Facility GMO Genetically Modified Organism (s) HIV/AIDS Human Immuno Virus/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome HNRRIEP Highlands Natural Resources and Rural Income Enhancement Project IGP Income Generation Project (s) IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources LHDA Lesotho Highlands Development Authority LMO Living Modified Organism (s) Masl Meters above sea level MDTP Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project MEAs Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements MOU Memorandum Of Understanding MRA Managed Resource Area NAP National Action Plan NBF National Biosafety Framework NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEAP National Environmental Action
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Wood Anatomy of Afromontane and Bushveld Species from Swaziland, Southern Africa
    IAWA Bulletin n.s., Vol. 11 (4), 1990: 319-336 COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY OF AFROMONTANE AND BUSHVELD SPECIES FROM SWAZILAND, SOUTHERN AFRICA by J. A. B. Prior 1 and P. E. Gasson 2 1 Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, London SW7 2BB, U.K. and 2Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, U.K. Summary The habit, specific gravity and wood anat­ of the archaeological research, uses all the omy of 43 Afromontane and 50 Bushveld well preserved, qualitative anatomical charac­ species from Swaziland are compared, using ters apparent in the charred modem samples qualitative features from SEM photographs in an anatomical comparison between the of charred samples. Woods with solitary ves­ two selected assemblages of trees and shrubs sels, scalariform perforation plates and fibres growing in areas of contrasting floristic com­ with distinctly bordered pits are more com­ position. Some of the woods are described in mon in the Afromontane species, whereas Kromhout (1975), others are of little com­ homocellular rays and prismatic crystals of mercial importance and have not previously calcium oxalate are more common in woods been investigated. Few ecological trends in from the Bushveld. wood anatomical features have previously Key words: Swaziland, Afromontane, Bush­ been published for southern Africa. veld, archaeological charcoal, SEM, eco­ The site of Sibebe Hill in northwest Swazi­ logical anatomy. land (26° 15' S, 31° 10' E) (Price Williams 1981), lies at an altitude of 1400 m, amidst a Introduction dramatic series of granite domes in the Afro­ Swaziland, one of the smallest African montane forest belt (White 1978).
    [Show full text]
  • Early History of South Africa
    THE EARLY HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES . .3 SOUTH AFRICA: THE EARLY INHABITANTS . .5 THE KHOISAN . .6 The San (Bushmen) . .6 The Khoikhoi (Hottentots) . .8 BLACK SETTLEMENT . .9 THE NGUNI . .9 The Xhosa . .10 The Zulu . .11 The Ndebele . .12 The Swazi . .13 THE SOTHO . .13 The Western Sotho . .14 The Southern Sotho . .14 The Northern Sotho (Bapedi) . .14 THE VENDA . .15 THE MASHANGANA-TSONGA . .15 THE MFECANE/DIFAQANE (Total war) Dingiswayo . .16 Shaka . .16 Dingane . .18 Mzilikazi . .19 Soshangane . .20 Mmantatise . .21 Sikonyela . .21 Moshweshwe . .22 Consequences of the Mfecane/Difaqane . .23 Page 1 EUROPEAN INTERESTS The Portuguese . .24 The British . .24 The Dutch . .25 The French . .25 THE SLAVES . .22 THE TREKBOERS (MIGRATING FARMERS) . .27 EUROPEAN OCCUPATIONS OF THE CAPE British Occupation (1795 - 1803) . .29 Batavian rule 1803 - 1806 . .29 Second British Occupation: 1806 . .31 British Governors . .32 Slagtersnek Rebellion . .32 The British Settlers 1820 . .32 THE GREAT TREK Causes of the Great Trek . .34 Different Trek groups . .35 Trichardt and Van Rensburg . .35 Andries Hendrik Potgieter . .35 Gerrit Maritz . .36 Piet Retief . .36 Piet Uys . .36 Voortrekkers in Zululand and Natal . .37 Voortrekker settlement in the Transvaal . .38 Voortrekker settlement in the Orange Free State . .39 THE DISCOVERY OF DIAMONDS AND GOLD . .41 Page 2 EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES Humankind had its earliest origins in Africa The introduction of iron changed the African and the story of life in South Africa has continent irrevocably and was a large step proven to be a micro-study of life on the forwards in the development of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Map of Standardized Terrestrial Ecosystems of Africa
    Major contributors to this publication include: The Association of American Geographers is a nonprofit scientific and educational society with a membership of over 10,500 individuals from more than 60 countries. AAG members are geographers and related professionals who work in the public, private, and academic sectors to advance the theory, methods, and practice of geography. This booklet is published by AAG as a special supplement to the African Geographical Review. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was created in 1879 as a science agency charged with providing information and understanding to help resolve complex natural resource problems across the nation and around the world. The mission of the USGS is to provide relevant, impartial scientific information to 1) describe and understand the Earth, 2) minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters, 3) manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources, and 4) enhance and protect our quality of life. NatureServe is an international conservation nonprofit dedicated to providing the sci- entific basis for effective conservation action. NatureServe’s network in the Americas includes more than 80 member institutions that collect and maintain a unique body of scientific knowledge about the species and ecosystems. The information products, data management tools, and biodiversity expertise that NatureServe’s scientists, technologists, and other professionals provide help meet local, national, and global conservation needs. The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) was es- tablished in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975 to provide quality Geo-Information and allied Information Technology products and services in environmental and resource manage- ment for sustainable development in our member countries and beyond.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Mantle P and S Wave Velocity Structure of the Kalahari Craton And
    RESEARCH LETTER Upper Mantle P and S Wave Velocity Structure of the 10.1029/2019GL084053 Kalahari Craton and Surrounding Proterozoic Key Points: • Thick cratonic lithosphere extends Terranes, Southern Africa beneath the Rehoboth Province and Kameron Ortiz1, Andrew Nyblade1,5 , Mark van der Meijde2, Hanneke Paulssen3 , parts of the northern Okwa Terrane 4 4 5 2,6 and Magondi Belt Motsamai Kwadiba , Onkgopotse Ntibinyane , Raymond Durrheim , Islam Fadel , • The northern edge of the greater and Kyle Homman1 Kalahari Craton lithosphere lies along the northern boundary of the 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, 2Faculty for Geo‐information Rehoboth Province and Magondi Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands, 3Department of Earth Sciences, Belt 4 • Cratonic mantle lithosphere Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands, Botswana Geoscience Institute, Lobatse, Botswana, 5 6 beneath the Okwa Terrane and School of Geosciences, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Geology Department, Faculty Magondi Belt may have been of Science, Helwan University, Ain Helwan, Egypt chemically altered by Proterozoic magmatic events Abstract New broadband seismic data from Botswana and South Africa have been combined with Supporting Information: existing data from the region to develop improved P and S wave velocity models for investigating the • Supporting Information S1 upper mantle structure of southern Africa. Higher craton‐like velocities are imaged beneath the Rehoboth Province and parts of the northern Okwa Terrane and the Magondi Belt, indicating that the Correspondence to: northern edge of the greater Kalahari Craton lithosphere lies along the northern boundary of these A. Nyblade, terranes.
    [Show full text]
  • Pinnacle Point Cave 13B (Western Cape Province, South Africa) in Context: the Cape Floral Kingdom, Shellfish, and Modern Human Originsq
    Journal of Human Evolution 59 (2010) 425e443 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Human Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jhevol Pinnacle Point Cave 13B (Western Cape Province, South Africa) in context: The Cape Floral kingdom, shellfish, and modern human originsq Curtis W. Marean Institute of Human Origins, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, P.O. Box 872402, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402, USA article info abstract Article history: Genetic and anatomical evidence suggests that Homo sapiens arose in Africa between 200 and 100 ka, Received 15 December 2009 and recent evidence suggests that complex cognition may have appeared between w164 and 75 ka. This Accepted 19 March 2010 evidence directs our focus to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6, when from 195e123 ka the world was in a fluctuating but predominantly glacial stage, when much of Africa was cooler and drier, and when dated Keywords: archaeological sites are rare. Previously we have shown that humans had expanded their diet to include Middle Stone Age marine resources by w164 ka (Æ12 ka) at Pinnacle Point Cave 13B (PP13B) on the south coast of South Mossel Bay Africa, perhaps as a response to these harsh environmental conditions. The associated material culture Origins of modern humans documents an early use and modification of pigment, likely for symbolic behavior, as well as the production of bladelet stone tool technology, and there is now intriguing evidence for heat treatment of lithics. PP13B also includes a later sequence of MIS 5 occupations that document an adaptation that increasingly focuses on coastal resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Corrosion Map of South Africa's Macro Atmosphere
    Corrosion map of South Africa’s macro atmosphere AUTHORS: Darelle T. Janse van Rensburg1,2 The first atmospheric corrosion map of South Africa, produced by Callaghan in 1991, has become outdated, Lesley A. Cornish1 because it primarily focuses on the corrosivity of coastal environments, with little differentiation given Josias van der Merwe1 concerning South Africa’s inland locations. To address this problem, a study was undertaken to develop AFFILIATIONS: a new corrosion map of the country, with the emphasis placed on providing greater detail concerning 1School of Chemical and Metallurgical South Africa’s inland regions. Here we present this new corrosion map of South Africa’s macro atmosphere, Engineering and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, based on 12-month corrosion rates of mild steel at more than 100 sites throughout the country. Assimilations University of the Witwatersrand, and statistical analyses of the data (published, unpublished and new) show that the variability in the corrosion Johannesburg, South Africa rate of mild steel decreases significantly moving inland. Accordingly, the average first-year corrosion rate of 2Orytech (Pty) Ltd, Roodepoort, South Africa mild steel at the inland sites (at all corrosion monitoring spots located more than 30 km away from the ocean) measured 21±12 µm/a [95% CI: 18–23 µm/a]. The minimum inland figure was about 1.3 µm/a (recorded CORRESPONDENCE TO: at Droërivier in the Central Karoo) and the maxima were approximately 51 µm/a and 50 µm/a in the industrial Darelle Janse van Rensburg hearts of Germiston (Gauteng) and Sasolburg (Free State), respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution, Habitat Structure and Troop Size in Eastern Cape
    Distribution, habitat structure and troop size in Eastern Cape samango monkeys Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus (Primates: Cercopithecoidea) A dissertation submitted to the Department of Zoology and Entomology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology the University of Fort Hare by Vusumzi Martins Supervisors: Dr Fabien Génin and Prof. Judith Masters GENERAL ABSTRACT The samango monkey subspecies Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus is endemic to South Africa, and known to occur in Afromontane forests. There has been a major decline in this subspecies, exceeding 30% in some populations over the past 30 years, primarily as a result of the loss of suitable habitat. A second samango subspecies, C. a. erythrarchus, occurs near the northern border of South Africa, mainly in coastal lowland forest, and the distributions of the two subspecies do not overlap. C. a. labiatus was thought to be confined to Afromontane forests, but the study described here focused on C. a. labiatus populations that were recently identified in the Indian Ocean Belt forests near East London. I undertook to assess the distribution of C. a. labiatus in the Eastern Cape, to evaluate the habitat structures of the Afromontane and Indian Ocean coastal belt forests, and to understand the effect these habitats have on essential aspects of the socio-ecology of the C. a. labiatus populations. Distribution surveys were conducted in protected areas throughout the Eastern Cape, and samango monkeys were found to be present within forest patches in the Amatola Mountains, Eastern Cape dune forests and the Transkei coastal scarp forests. The sizes and composition of two troops were assessed: one troop in the Amatole forests and one in the Eastern Cape dune forests.
    [Show full text]
  • A Brief Botanical Survey Into Kumbira Forest, an Isolated Patch of Guineo-Congolian Biome
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal PhytoKeys 65: 1–14 (2016)A brief botanical survey into Kumbira forest, an isolated patch... 1 doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.65.8679 CHECKLIST http://phytokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A brief botanical survey into Kumbira forest, an isolated patch of Guineo-Congolian biome Francisco M. P. Gonçalves1,2, David J. Goyder3 1 Herbarium of Lubango, ISCED-Huíla, Sarmento Rodrigues, S/N Lubango, Angola 2 University of Ham- burg, Biocentre Klein Flottbek, Ohnhorststr.18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany 3 Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey,TW9 3AB, UK Corresponding author: Francisco Maiato Pedro Gonçalves ([email protected]) Academic editor: D. Stevenson | Received 31 March 2016 | Accepted 31 May 2016 | Published 15 June 2016 Citation: Gonçalves FMP, Goyder DJ (2016) A brief botanical survey into Kumbira forest, an isolated patch of Guineo- Congolian biome. PhytoKeys 65: 1–14. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.65.8679 Abstract Kumbira forest is a discrete patch of moist forest of Guineo-Congolian biome in Western Angola central scarp and runs through Cuanza Norte and Cuanza Sul province. The project aimed to document the floristic diversity of the Angolan escarpment, a combination of general walk-over survey, plant specimen collection and sight observation was used to aid the characterization of the vegetation. Over 100 plant specimens in flower or fruit were collected within four identified vegetation types. The list of species in- cludes two new records of Guineo-Congolian species in Angola, one new record for the country and one potential new species. Keywords Kumbira forest, Guineo-Congolian, floristic diversity Introduction Angola lies almost wholly within the southern zone of tropical grassland, bounded by tropical rain forest of the Congo in the north and by the Kalahari Desert in the south (Shaw 1947).
    [Show full text]
  • Sonar Surveys for Bat Species Richness and Activity in the Southern Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
    diversity Article Sonar Surveys for Bat Species Richness and Activity in the Southern Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa Rick A. Adams 1,* and Gary Kwiecinski 2 1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA 2 Department of Biology, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-970-351-2057 Received: 27 March 2018; Accepted: 10 September 2018; Published: 18 September 2018 Abstract: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is located in northwestern South Africa and extends northeastward into Botswana. The park lies largely within the southern Kalahari Desert ecosystem where the Auob and Nassob rivers reach their confluence. Although these rivers run only about once every 100 years, or shortly after large thunderstorms, underground flows and seeps provide consistent surface water for the parks sparse vegetation and diverse wildlife. No formal studies on bats have previously occurred at Kgalagadi. We used SM2 + BAT ultrasonic detectors to survey 10 sites along the Auob and Nassob rivers from 5–16 April 2016. The units recorded 3960 call sequences that were analyzed using Kaleidoscope software for South African bats as well as visual determinations based on call structure attributes (low frequency, characteristic frequency, call duration, and bandwidth). We identified 12 species from four families: Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus fumigatus. Molossidae: Chaerephon pumilus, and Sauromys petrophilus, Tadarida aegyptiaca; Miniopteridae: Miniopteris schreibersi (natalensis), Vespertilionidae: Laephotis botswanae, Myotis tricolor, Neoromicia capensis, N. nana, Pipistrellus hesperidus, Scotophilus dinganii, and S. viridus. The most abundant species during the survey period was N. capensis. We also used paired-site design to test for greater bat activity at water sources compared to dry sites, with dry sites being significantly more active.
    [Show full text]