The Vegetation Ecology of the Lower Mkuze River Floodplain, Northern
The vegetation ecology ofthe lower Mkuze River floodplain, northern KwaZulu-Natal: A landscape ecology perspective. Submitted in fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree ofMaster ofScience in the School ofLife and Environmental Sciences, University ofNatal-Durban. 2001 Marian J. Neal PREFACE The work described was carried out between January 1999 and December 2001, in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences (previously the Department of Geographical and Environmental Sciences) at the University of Natal-Durban, under the supervision of Prof. W.N. Ellery. The study represents original work by the author and has not been submitted in any other form to another university. Where use was made of the work of others, it has been duly acknowledged in the text. 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study fonns part of an ongoing research programme conducted in the Greater Mkuze Wetland System, northern KwaZulu-Natal and was made possible through the funding from Wildlife & Environment Society of southern Africa, the University ofNatal Masters special fund and the National Research Foundation. I would like to acknowledge the following people without whom this thesis would not have been possible: • Prof. Fred Ellery, for the enthusiasm he has for wetlands, for the discussions, time and encouragement and for instilling in me a work ethic I will carry with me throughout my career. • Dr Annika Dahlberg, for advice, support and assistance, especially in the field. • Prof. Gerry Garland, for the assistance and advice during the soil analysis phase. • Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, for granting pennission to access the study area and for the use of the Manzibomvu camp. Special mention must go to Drikus Gissing for his hospitality and logistical support.
[Show full text]