DOCSLIB.ORG

Sand River Survey 2002

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sand River Survey 2002 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Sand River was subjected to a systematic biomonitoring survey as part of the Sabie Catchment survey conducted in 1997. The 1997 survey was conducted as part of the Water Research Commission funded, “Mpumalanga Pilot Study”. Despite having broad results of the survey published in a State of the River Report in 2001, most detailed reports for the 1997 survey are incomplete. Northern Province Environmental Affairs undertook a follow up survey of that portion of the Sand River Catchment which falls in the Northern Province during February 2002. This report contains results of the 2002 survey, set against incomplete results of the 1997 survey. Extensive desk top investigations into the ecoregions, geomorphological segments and biological (fish and invertebrate) segments of the study area have now been completed. A revised site inventory report has been appended to this report as APPENDIX I. The inventory is designed to help as a field guide, which should help standardize field work at each site during future surveys. Shortfalls in site selection for the 1997 survey have been identified in bulk of this main report. Due to time constraints, the 2002 field surveys were limited to fish and invertebrate populations only, at 11 sites in the study area. The results of the 2002 survey indicate that there has been little change in the status of the rivers in the study area since the 1997 survey. Major problems associated with the catchment have been identified. Red data fish populations and distribution within the catchment are a cause for concern. Photographic records for the sites monitored in this report are included on a CD, attached to the front cover of this report. APPENDIX J provides a list of all photos appended. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 LIST OF TABLES 3 LIST OF FIGURES 3 LIST OF APPENDICES 4 1. Introduction. 5 2. Participants. 6 3. The Sand River Catchment. 8 4. Monitoring sites of the Sand River Catchment falling within 10 the Northern Province and their placement into homogeneous segments. 4.1 Ecoregions. 11 4.2 Geomorphological zonation of the Sand River Catchment. 13 4.3 Fish segments. 15 4.4 Invertebrate segments. 16 4.5 Standardising segments for the study area. 16 5. Site descriptions. 17 6. In situ water quality. 21 7. Fish. 21 7.1 Fish monitoring methods. 21 7.2 Application of the Fish Assemblage Integrity Index (FAII) to 24 determine the present ecological state of the fish communities of the Sand River Catchment in the Northern Province study area. (Kleynhans; 1997) (RHP series) 7.3 Calculation of the FAII. 24 7.4 Results of the fish surveys. 28 7.5 Discussion of fish results. 30 7.5.1 Mut 4.04 & Sand 4.04 30 7.5.2 Mut 5.05 31 7.5.3 Sand 5.05 32 7.5.4 Mut 5.06 32 7.5.5 Sand 5.06 33 8. Invertebrates. 34 8.1 Invertebrate monitoring methods. 34 8.2 Invertebrate results. 35 8.3 Discussion. 39 9. Conclusions. 40 10. References. 41 2 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Historical and present monitoring sites of the Northern 10 Province study area. Table 2. Geomorphological zonation of river channels (after Rowntree 13 and Wadeson, 1999). Table 3. Geomorphological zonation and eco-regions of all monitoring 15 sites occurring within the Northern Province study area . (Modified from Thirion, 2002) Table 4. Temperatue, pH and conductivity recorded at each of the 21 monitoring sites. Date and weather are also shown . Table 5. Scientific, English, Afrikaans and abbreviated names for fish 23 expected to occur within the Northern Province study area of the Sand River Catchment. (confirmed records from 1991) (Names from Skelton, 1993) Table 6. FAII assessment classes. (From Kleynhans; 1997) 26 Table 7. A descriptive template for the Ecological Management 27 Classes (EMC) of river systems. (From Kleynhans; 1997) Table 8. The developed species list for each of the ecoregions of the 28 Mutlumuvi and tributaries with species recorded during the 2002 survey. Table 9. The developed species list for each of the ecoregions of the 29 Sand River and tributaries with species recorded during the 2002 survey Table 10. Summarised FAII results for all segments. 30 Table 11. Summarised SASS 5 Results. Table 12 Description of SASS5 condition classes. (From Thirion 2001) 38 Table 13. HQI, SASS4 and ASPT values per ecoregion as an indication 38 of biotic condition. (From Thirion 2000) Table 14. Segment classification based on observed SASS 5 scores. 39 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Map of study area. 7 Figure 2: Schematic map of the Sand River Catchment in the 9 Northern Province. Figure 3. Ecoregion map 12 3 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A. Fish species recorded in the study area. Catch histories for the Mutlumuvi River and upper tributaries, showing identifiable fish segments against ecoregion boundaries . APPENDIX B. Fish species recorded in the study area. Catch histories for the Sand River and upper tributaries, showing identifiable fish segments against ecoregion boundaries APPENDIX C. Intolerance ratings of all fish species occurring in the Crocodile, Sabie and Olifants River catchments. APPENDIX D. Fish specimens caught per monitoring method per site. Calculation of Catch Per Unit Effort per site. Calculation of maximum Catch Per Unit Effort per segment. Calculation of species FAII (abundance rating) per segment. APPENDIX E. Calculation of the FAII (frequency of occurrence)per monitoring segment. APPENDIX F. Calculation of the FAII (health rating) per Monitoring site. APPENDIX G. FAII Results. From a spreadsheet developed by Dr. Kleynhans. APPENDIX H. SASS 5 Results. APPENDIX I. Site inventory report. APPENDIX J. Inventory of photographs included on the attached CD. 4 1. Introduction. The Mpumalanga (WRC funded) pilot study, for the development and implementation of the National Aquatic Ecosystem Biomonitoring Programme; sub programme, “The River Health Programme (RHP)”, extended over a three year period from 1996 to 1999 and covered the Crocodile, Olifants and Sabie River catchments. The study was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team, comprised of members from Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Province, the Kruger National Park and the Institute for Water Quality Studies. The Sabie River Catchment was subjected to a systematic biomonitoring survey during 1997. These initial surveys were viewed as essential capacity building exercises, which helped to standardize monitoring protocols between all role players in the catchment. In addition, data gathered during these surveys was used to refine the monitoring protocols for use on a national basis. Inevitably, the results generated from these surveys have provided a strong background against which future monitoring of these catchments may proceed. Results of the pilot study were published in a State of Rivers Report (SOR) document (March 2001). It should however be noted that a considerable volume of the detailed results have yet to be written up or published. Nevertheless, the role players participating in the pilot study agreed that each of the catchments should be revisited on a three yearly basis. After a one year delay, the Sabie River Catchment was scheduled for a further survey during 2001. This second level survey was however to be conducted by provincial teams, concentrating on their own areas of responsibility. Figure 1 provides an indication of Northern Province project area for the 2001 survey. The Northern Province has the responsibility of monitoring a relatively small portion of the Sabie River Catchment, restricted to the Sand River Sub-Catchment, from its source in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains to the western border of the Sabie Sand Game Reserve. The Northern Province Survey was scheduled for November 2001, but due to heavy rains and high flood flows was postponed until February 2002. Several new sites are included within this 2002 monitoring report. However sites in the lower catchment were still inaccessible due to high flows during the time of the survey. Due to the incomplete nature of the 1997 reports, this 2002 report has been produced with more detail than would otherwise be necessary for a second level survey of this nature. This report is accompanied by a revised site inventory, which addresses all potential (or historical) monitoring sites occurring within the Northern Province section of the Sand River. The 2002 field survey addressed the fish and invertebrate communities only. However, considerable desk top work has been undertaken in the production of this report, which will facilitate the easy completion of future geomorphological and botanical studies. 5 2. Participants. This monitoring survey was conducted by the Northern Province Environmental Affairs “biomonitoring team” comprised of the following members. Team Leader: M. Angliss Assistant: S. Rodgers Field Crew: K.B. Hlongwane Field Crew: J. N. Makhubele Field Crew: M. Malungani Field Crew: M. E. Ngwenya 6 Figure 1. Map of study area. 3. The Sand River Catchment. The Sand River rises in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains and flows in an easterly direction until it merges with the Sabie River near Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. The Sabie River in turn merges with the Incomati River inside Mozambique. The most significant tributary to the Sand River is the Mutlumuvi River, which again rises in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains and flows in an easterly direction until it reaches the Sand River at Thulamahaxi. Both the Mutlumuvi and Sand Rivers have many small tributaries in the upper catchment. For the purposes of this study, the Mohlomobe River was examined in the upper Mutlumuvi Catchment while the Motlamogatsana and Sekgamorago Rivers were examined in the upper Sand Catchment. The Sand River accounts for approximately 20% of the Sabie River Mean annual Runoff. Rainfall ranges between 2000mm in the west and 500mm in the east. Forestry is the dominant land use on the western slopes of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Towards a Socio-Ecological Systems View of the Sand River Catchment, South Africa
    Towards a Socio-Ecological Systems View of the Sand River Catchment, South Africa An Exploratory Resilience Analysis by Sharon Pollard1 2 Harry Biggs 1 Derick du Toit 1 Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD), Acornhoek 2 SanParks, Scientific Services, Skukuza WRC Report No TT 364/08 OCTOBER 2008 Obtainable from: [email protected] Water Research Commission Private Bag X03 Gezina Pretoria 0031 The publication of this report emanates from a project entitled: Towards a socio-ecological systems view of the Sand River Catchment, South Africa: A resilience analysis of the socio- ecological system (WRC Consultancy No. K8/591). DISCLAIMER This report has been reviewed by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the WRC, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ISBN 978-1-77005-747-0 Printed in the Republic of South Africa Acknowledgements We had the benefit of a visit by Dr Allison (to SANParks Skukuza for several weeks) and were able to discuss the basic aspirations behind this proposal and obtain her input – for which she is thanked here. The Water Research Commission is gratefully acknowledged for financial support. Assistance to the project was given by Oonsie Biggs and Duan Biggs Participants of the specialist workshop are thanked. They included: Tessa Cousins Prof Kevin Rogers Prof Sakkie Niehaus Dr Sheona Shackleton Dr Wayne Twine Duan Biggs
    [Show full text]
  • Jlb Smith Institute of Ichthyology
    ISSN 0075-2088 J.L.B. SMITH INSTITUTE OF ICHTHYOLOGY GRAHAMSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA SPECIAL PUBLICATION No. 56 SCIENTIFIC AND COMMON NAMES OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN FRESHWATER FISHES by Paul H. Skelton November 1993 SERIAL PUBLICATIONS o f THE J.L.B. SMITH INSTITUTE OF ICHTHYOLOGY The Institute publishes original research on the systematics, zoogeography, ecology, biology and conservation of fishes. Manuscripts on ancillary subjects (aquaculture, fishery biology, historical ichthyology and archaeology pertaining to fishes) will be considered subject to the availability of publication funds. Two series are produced at irregular intervals: the Special Publication series and the Ichthyological Bulletin series. Acceptance of manuscripts for publication is subject to the approval of reviewers from outside the Institute. Priority is given to papers by staff of the Institute, but manuscripts from outside the Institute will be considered if they are pertinent to the work of the Institute. Colour illustrations can be printed at the expense of the author. Publications of the Institute are available by subscription or in exchange for publi­ cations of other institutions. Lists of the Institute’s publications are available from the Publications Secretary at the address below. INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS Manuscripts shorter than 30 pages will generally be published in the Special Publications series; longer papers will be considered for the Ichthyological Bulletin series. Please follow the layout and format of a recent Bulletin or Special Publication. Manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate to the Editor, J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa. The typescript must be double-spaced throughout with 25 mm margins all round.
    [Show full text]
  • YWG Conference Proceedings 2014
    FOSAF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18 TH YELLOWFISH WORKING GROUP CONFERENCE BLACK MOUNTAIN HOTEL, THABA ´NCHU, FREE STATE PROVINCE Image courtesy of Carl Nicholson EDITED BY PETER ARDERNE 1 18 th Yellowfish Working Group Conference CONTENTS Page Participants 3 Opening address – Peter Mills 4 State of the rivers of the Kruger National Park – Robin Petersen 6 A fish kill protocol for South Africa – Byron Grant 10 Phylogeographic structure in the KwaZulu-Natal yellowfish – Connor Stobie 11 Restoration of native fishes in the lower Rondegat River after alien fish eradication: 15 an overview of a successful conservation intervention.- Darragh Woodford Yellowfish behavioural work in South Africa: past, present and future research – 19 Gordon O’Brien The occurrence and distribution of yellowfish in state dams in the Free State. – Leon 23 Barkhuizen; J.G van As 2 & O.L.F Weyl 3 Yellowfish and Chiselmouths: Biodiversity Research and its conservation 24 implications - Emmanuel Vreven Should people be eating fish from the Olifants River, Limpopo Province? 25 – Sean Marr A review of the research findings on the Xikundu Fishway & the implications for 36 fishways in the future – Paul Fouche´ Report on the Vanderkloof Dam- Francois Fouche´ 48 Karoo Seekoei River Nature Reserve – P C Ferreira 50 Departmental report: Biomonitoring in the lower Orange River within the borders 54 of the Northern Cape Province – Peter Ramollo Free State Report – Leon Barkhuizen 65 Limpopo Report – Paul Fouche´ 68 Conference summary – Peter Mills 70 Discussion & Comment following
    [Show full text]
  • Seasonal Variation in Haematological
    SEASONAL VARIATION IN HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS BIO-MARKERS FOR SELECTED FISH SPECIES COLLECTED FROM THE FLAG BOSHIELO DAM, OLIFANTS RIVER SYSTEM, LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA by Makgomo Eunice Mogashoa A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in PHYSIOLOGY in the FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE School of Molecular and Life Sciences at the UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO SUPERVISOR: Dr LJC Erasmus CO-SUPERVISORS: Prof WJ Luus-Powell Prof A Botha-Oberholster (SU) 2015 Eunice Mogashoa Tshepiso Modibe Martin Ramalepe Raphahlelo Chabalala “TEAM OROS” DECLARATION I declare that the dissertation hereby submitted to the University of Limpopo, for the degree of Master of Science in Physiology has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other University; that it is my work in design and execution, and that all material contained herein has been duly acknowledged. _________________ _____________ Mogashoa, ME (Miss) Date Page | i DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my family and friends. I would like to express special gratitude to my loving parents, Freeman and Rebecca Mogashoa, who continuously encouraged me throughout my studies. My sister, Regina and brother, David for being understanding, supportive and always on my side. Furthermore, I also dedicate this dissertation to my grandparents (Magdeline Mogashoa and Regina Gafane) and my aunts (Betty, Merriam, Elizabeth and Vivian) for their wonderful support. I would also like to thank my dear friends, Monene Nyama and Adolph Ramogale, for their frequent words of encouragement and being there throughout my study. Page | ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would firstly like to give thanks to God for the knowledge, strength and guidance during the entire period of my study.
    [Show full text]
  • A Histology-Based Health Assessment of Selected Fish Species
    A HISTOLOGY-BASED HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED FISH SPECIES FROM TWO RIVERS IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK BY WARREN CLIFFORD SMITH DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MAGISTER SCIENTIAE IN AQUATIC HEALTH IN THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG SUPERVISOR: DR. G.M. WAGENAAR CO-SUPERVISOR: PROF. N.J. SMIT MAY 2012 Contents Acknowledgements _______________________________________________________ 6 Abstract ________________________________________________________________ 8 List of abbreviations _____________________________________________________ 11 List of figures ___________________________________________________________ 14 List of Tables ___________________________________________________________ 17 Chapter 1: General Introduction ____________________________________________ 19 1.1 Introduction _______________________________________________________ 19 1.2 Study motivation ___________________________________________________ 19 1.3 Hypotheses ________________________________________________________ 21 1.4 Aim of the study ____________________________________________________ 21 1.5 Objectives _________________________________________________________ 21 1.6 Dissertation outline _________________________________________________ 21 Chapter 2: Literature Review ______________________________________________ 23 2.1 Introduction _______________________________________________________ 23 2.2 Study Sites ________________________________________________________ 23 2.2.1 Olifants River (OR)
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the 8Th Yellowfish Working Group Conference
    FOSAF THE FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN FLYFISHERS PROCEEDINGS OF THE 8TH YELLOWFISH WORKING GROUP CONFERENCE LE PARADISE RESORT, BADPLAAS 13 – 15 MAY 2004 Edited by Peter Arderne PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION SPONSORED BY: sappi CONTENTS Page List of Participants 2 Press Release 4 Welcome address -Bill Mincher (presented by Peter Mills) 6 Fishing Strategies & Tactics for the Nine Yellowfish species – Turner Wilkinson 8 Keynote Address: Mpumalanga Parks Board – Andre Coetzee 10 South African Freshwater Resources: Rights, Duties & Remedies – Morne Viljoen 11 Towards the fomulation of a Waste Discharge Charge System for South Africa - 24 Pieter Viljoen Catchment Management Approach to Conservation: What does it mean? – 34 Dr Wynand Vlok Establishment of the Elands River Conservation Area (ERYCA) – Gordon O’Brien 38 The Effect of Alien Plant Species on the Riparian Zone Water Management – 43 Hannes de Lange & Tony Poulter Fish kills in the Olifants River: Any Solution? – Dr Thomas Gyedu-Ababio 45 Yellowfish Sport Fisheries: Opportunities & Responsibilities – Kobus Fourie 48 Conservancies – A tool for river conservation involving the landowner – Peter Mills 49 Proposed project: Radio Telemetry on Labeobarbus marequensis in the Crocodile River, 54 Kruger National Park – Francois Roux The yellowfish fishery on the upper Komati: A landowners perspective – John Clarke 56 River Health: Managing and Monitoring Rivers on Sappi Plantations – Douglas 60 Macfarlane Iscor Newcastle: Water Strategy – Martin Bezuidenhout 63 Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa – Pierre de Villiers 66 Field research update: Assessing the impact of smallmouth bass on the indigenous 67 fish community of the Rondegat River, Western Cape – Darragh Woodford Threatened fishes of Swaziland – Richard Boycott 70 Yellowfishes of Zambia & Mozambique – Roger Bills 76 Identification of conservation units of two yellowfish species: Labeobarbus 78 kimberleyensis & L.
    [Show full text]
  • River Flow and Quality
    Setting the Thresholds of Potential Concern for River Flow and Quality Rationale All of the seven major rivers which flow in an easterly direction through the Kruger National Park (KNP) originate in the higher lying areas west of the KNP where they are highly utilised (Du Toit, Rogers and Biggs 2003). The KNP lies in a relatively arid (490 mm KNP average rainfall) area and thus the rivers are a crucially important component for the conservation of biodiversity in the KNP (Du Toit, Rogers and Biggs 2003). Population growth in the eastern Lowveld of South Africa during the past three decades has brought with it numerous environmental challenges. These include, but are not limited to, extensive planting of exotic plantations, overgrazing, erosion, over-utilisation and pollution of rivers, as well as clearing of indigenous forests from large areas in the upper catchments outside the borders of the KNP. The degradation of each river varies in character, intensity and causes with a substantial impact on downstream users. The successful management of these rivers poses one of the most serious challenges to the KNP. However, over the past 10 years South Africa has revolutionised its water legislation (National Water Act, Act number 36 of 1998). This Act substantially elevated the status of the environmental needs, through defining the ecological reserve as a priority water requirement. In other words this entails water of sufficient flow and quality to maintain the integrity of the ecological system, including the water therein, for human use. With the current levels of abstraction in the upper catchments, the KNP quite simply does not receive the water quantity and quality required to maintain the in-stream biota.
    [Show full text]
  • Rivers Database Version 3 a User Manual
    Rivers Database Version 3 A User Manual Directorate: Resource Quality Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Republic of South Africa Rivers Database Version 3 A User Manual Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Resource Quality Services September 2007 Directorate: Resource Quality Services, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry September 2007 Published by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Resource Quality Services Private Bag X313 PRETORIA 0001 Republic of South Africa Tel: (012) 808 0374 Co-ordinated by: Resource Quality Services Copyright Reserved Project Number 2004-157 This publication may be reproduced only for non-commercial purposes and only after appropriate authorisation by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has been provided. Additional copies can be requested from the above address. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the full acknowledgement of the source. This document should be cited as: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (2007) Rivers Database Version 3 A User Manual, prepared by The Freshwater Consulting Group and Soft Craft Systems for DWAF, Pretoria, South Africa. To cite data in the Rivers Database: Reference the data by listing the owners of the data (Site or Site Visit data) in the following manner. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (2007) Rivers Database: Data Owners: “List data owners” ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following project team members and officials of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry are thanked for their inputs, comments and assistance towards the development of this document. Project Management Team Mr. B. Madikizela, Deputy Director: RQS Ms. S. Jhupsee / Mr. R. Sekwele, Assistant Director: RQS Study Team Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Predicting the Edibility of Fish in the Flag Boshielo System
    PREDICTING THE EDIBILITY OF FISH IN THE FLAG BOSHIELO SYSTEM Report to the WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION by JOSEPH R. SARA, SEAN M. MARR, WILMIEN J. LUUS-POWELL, WILLEM J. SMIT and ABRAHAM ADDO-BEDIAKO University of Limpopo WRC Report No. 2544/1/21 ISBN 978-0-6392-0262-4 July 2021 Obtainable from Water Research Commission Private Bag X03 Gezina, 0031 PRETORIA [email protected] or download from www.wrc.org.za The publication of this report emanates from a project titled Investigation of large-scale drivers of seasonal fluctuation on water chemistry and toxicant levels in the Flag Boshielo System (WRC Project No: K5/2544) DISCLAIMER This report has been reviewed by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the WRC, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. © Water Research Commission PREDICTING THE EDIBILITY OF FISH IN THE FLAG BOSHIELO SYSTEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RATIONALE Despite South Africa being food secure at national level, Statistics South Africa found that almost 21% of South African households experience food insecurity (Statistics South Africa, 2017b). South Africa’s National Development Plan aims to eliminate poverty and increase food security in rural areas by 2030. South Africa has more than 4 700 impoundments constructed primarily for domestic, agricultural and industrial water supply. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have proposed that these water storage and distribution impoundments be developed for inland fisheries and aquaculture in order to improve rural livelihoods and increase food security in South Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Determining the Conservation Value of Land in Mpumalanga April 2002 Prepared for DWAF/DFID STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
    Determining the conservation value of land in Mpumalanga April 2002 Prepared for DWAF/DFID STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Prepared by A.J. Emery, M. Lötter and S.D. Williamson Mpumalanga Parks Board Private Bag X11338 Nelspruit 1200 [email protected] Executive Summary This report is aimed at identifying areas of biodiversity importance within Mpumalanga through the use of existing data and expert knowledge, and the development of species and Geographic Information System (GIS) databases. This study adopted a similar approach to that developed by the Kwa-zulu Natal Nature Conservation Services in their report “Determining the conservation value of land in KwaZulu-Natal”. The approach was based on the broad Keystone Centre (1991) definition of biodiversity (the variety of life and its processes), and therefore analysed the complete biodiversity hierarchy excluding the genetic level. The hierarchy included landscapes, three well-defined communities, one floristic region, one broad vegetation community and eight broad species groups (Figure 1.1). The species groups included threatened plants, economically important medicinal plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Species data and GIS coverages were obtained from a wide variety of sources. Digital coverages of two detailed vegetation communities, wetlands and forest, were compiled from all available sources. Special effort was made to map additional forests and wetlands that had not previously been mapped. Acocks Veld Types and Centres and Regions of Plant Endemism (Phytochoria) were used to define the broad plant communities. The species data were compiled from published papers, private and public collections in herbaria and museums, personal observations and MPB records. The resulting species databases afforded the MPB the opportunity to capture all its species records in databases, which in turn were used to investigate the various species layers.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecostatus of the Sabie/Sand River Catchments
    ECOSTATUS OF THE SABIE/SAND RIVER CATCHMENTS Submitted to: INCOMATI CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY Compiled by: MPUMALANGA TOURISM AND PARKS AGENCY Scientific Services: Aquatic & Herpetology Date: August 2012 Ecostatus of Sabie-Sand River Catchment TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………5 1.1 Objectives of the Survey ........................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................................ 5 2 METHODS…………………………………………………………………………………6 2.1 Fish assemblage...................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Sampling ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Aquatic Macro Invertebrates ...................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1 Sampling ......................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Present Ecological Status........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Pollution and Metazoan Parasites on the Health and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers of Two Cyprinid Fish Species in the Olifants River System, South Africa
    EFFECTS OF POLLUTION AND METAZOAN PARASITES ON THE HEALTH AND OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS OF TWO CYPRINID FISH SPECIES IN THE OLIFANTS RIVER SYSTEM, SOUTH AFRICA by TSHEPISO PROMISE RAMALEPE DISSERTATION Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in ZOOLOGY in the FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE School of Molecular and Life Sciences at the UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO SUPERVISOR: Prof. W.J. Luus-Powell CO-SUPERVISORS: Dr. L.J.C. Erasmus Prof. A-M. Botha-Oberholster (SU) 2015 DECLARATION I declare that the dissertation hereby submitted to the University of Limpopo, for the degree of Masters of Science in Zoology has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other University; that it is my work in design and execution, and that all material contained herein has been duly acknowledged. ………………………... …………………………. T.P. Ramalepe Date i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost; I would like to thank God for the strength, and serenity to accept things I could not change, courage to change things I could and wisdom to know the difference. I would like to gratefully and sincerely thank my supervisor Prof. Wilmien Luus- Powell and co-supervisors; Prof. Anna-Maria Botha-Oberholster and Dr. Lourens Erasmus for their unfailing support, constructive comments, valuable suggestions and guidance throughout the study, it is highly appreciated. I wish to thank: Dr. Joseph Sara, Dr. Matswele Matla, Mr. Willem Smit and Mr. Johan Theron for their technical services, assistance with collection of fish and advice with some of the parasite identification. I also thank: Dr.
    [Show full text]