Tree Species Diversity of Agro- and Urban Ecosystems Within the Welgegund Atmospheric Measurement Station Fetch Region
Tree species diversity of agro- and urban ecosystems within the Welgegund Atmospheric Measurement Station fetch region L Knoetze 21215294 Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister Scientiae in Environmental Sciences at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University Supervisor: Prof SJ Siebert Co-supervisor: Dr DP Cilliers October 2017 DECLARATION I declare that the work presented in this Masters dissertation is my own work, that it has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been acknowledged by complete reference. Signature of the Student:………………………………………………………… Signature of the Supervisor:………………………………………………………. Signature of the Co-supervisor:………………………………………………………… i ABSTRACT Rapid worldwide urbanisation has noteworthy ecological outcomes that shape the patterns of global biodiversity. Habitat loss, fragmentation, biological invasions, climate- and land-use change, alter ecosystem functioning and contribute to the loss of biodiversity. This warrants the study of urban ecosystems and their surrounding environments since biodiversity is essential for economic success, ecosystem function and stability as well as human survival, due to the fact that it provides numerous ecosystem goods and services. Furthermore, agroecosystems are continuously expanding to meet human needs and play a distinctive role in supplying and demanding ecosystem services, consequently impacting biodiversity. With anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems increasing exponentially, pressure on ecosystem services are intensifying and ultimately unique urban environments that are perfect for the establishment of alien species is created. The proportion of native species in urban areas has increasingly been reduced due to urbanisation, while the proportion of alien species has markedly increased.
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