DOCSLIB.ORG

University of Cape Town

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
University of Cape Town LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ENCEPHALARTOS SPP. (ZAMIACEAE) AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING POPULATION STRUCTURE, RESPONSES TO THREATS AND EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION ACTION Kim Martina Konings Dissertation presented for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town February 2016 Supervisors: Prof John Sydney Donaldson (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Prof Michael Timm Hoffman (Plant Conservation Unit, University of Cape Town) University of Cape Town 1 The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town DECLARATION I know the meaning of plagiarism and declare that all of the work in the dissertation, save for that which is properly acknowledged, is my own Kim M. Konings. February 2016 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) for this opportunity to study further by providing funding for this study. Thank you to my supervisors, Prof. John Donaldson and Prof Timm Hoffman for their support and careful editing of this document. A special thanks to John for his patience and guidance during my research and for many visits to UCT, spending a generous amount of time assisting me. Your knowledge and passion for cycads and conservation are inspiring. Thanks to Timm for inviting me into the Plant Conservation Unit (PCU) family at UCT and showing care and support for my work. Many people played a role in my field work, a special mention to Desale Okubamichael, who provided me with a lot of guidance on how to carry out the field measurements, as well as providing me with some of his data (collected with Sam Jack and de Wet, thanks Sam and de Wet!) and in general being a great friend. Thank you to Sarah Findlay and Luke Potgieter, my field assistants. You guys were amazing. Sarah, you are the most encouraging wonderful being I have ever had the pleasure of spending an extended amount of time with in isolated circumstances. Luke, you were the one who kept us on track, I’m not sure how you kept sane, but we appreciated you. Thank you also to John and Timm for helping us with the first bit of field work. Also thanks to De Wet Bösenberg and Phakamani Xaba for helping me to organize equipment and accommodation. Thanks to Nigel and Heather McMaster for being so welcoming, taking an interest in our work, walking us to the sites and setting us up with a warm fire in the lovely Cameron’s Cottage. Thanks to Bruce Cleary for hosting us and making an amazing dinner, also to Ryan at Venn Grove for hosting us. Thank you to Carin Swart for assisting with fieldwork as well as Les Powrie and Megan Welsford for helping me to compile the environmental data. A big thanks goes to Prof. Emer. Les Underhill, A/Prof. Res Altwegg, Katya Mauff, Dr. Miguel Lacerda, Dr Ian Durbach, Dr Maria Pulido and Ushma Galal for help with statistics. 3 A massive thank you to my family, my mom, dad, granny, sister and brother-in-law, you guys are an unconditional support base. Thank you Mom and Dad for cooking for me and offering help, and in general just loving and encouraging me. A huge thank you to my friends. Petra, my awesome officemate who became a great friend! Thank you for your advice and your listening ear and our generally hilarious and thought-provoking conversations. Thanks to all the great people I met in the PCU for little tea chats, Carina, Abraham, Daniel, Sam, and of course a special mention to Rua for our awesome friendship, many tea breaks at UCT, as well countless off-campus shenanigans. To Connie and Kim for our middle-campus lunches, as well as Aimee...I love our awesome foursome, thanks girls for your constant encouragement and the infamous survival pack and famous cycad cake! Also to Job, Lulu, Simone, Alex M, Michelle, Jenn, Cres, Lorenzo, Sulona, Tumi, Moné, Jennie, James, Angela, Rikki, Shagita, Sandi, Tammy, Erica, Nico, Tristan, Helen, Lauren T, Alex S, Davide, Charl, Duncan, Willem, Liane, Nadene, Shirin, Alta, Nicole, Yoga Omies and anyone who I have forgotten, there are just so many good people in my life! You guys have all supported me and entertained me! And of course thanks goes to Nahko, I believe in the good things coming. 4 a) b) d) c) f) e) Life forms within the genus Encephalartos. a) E. laevifolius b) female cones of E. senticosus c) E. latifrons d) E. villosus e) E. cycadifolius f) E. altensteinii. Photos taken by John S. Donaldson. 5 ABSTRACT Understanding life history traits and how they influence population-level processes under different conditions have been important areas of study in evolution and ecology. One application in ecology has been to determine whether there are general responses that apply to species with similar life history traits, which could provide a predictive understanding of species with shared traits rather than having to adopt a species- specific approach to management. In this study, an analysis of life history traits was applied to cycads, the oldest living seeds plants which are at risk of extinction due to vulnerability to illegal wild harvesting and habitat loss. The study focused on South African cycad species within the genus Encephalartos, as well as two species from Swaziland. The first objective was to identify groups of species with similar life histories and to assess whether these groups are aligned with phylogenetic relationships or an association with particular environments. The second objective was to determine whether species with shared suites of life history traits exhibited a similar population stage structure. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to identify groups based on key life history traits, namely, cone number and coning interval, number of seeds produced, number of stems, stem height and plant habit. Four life history groups emerged, these were: Group 1 with single-stemmed, subterranean species such as E. villosus; Group 2 generally characterised by medium-height species with many stems such as E. lehmannii; Group 3 with the tallest species which generally produce the most cones at the most frequent interval such as E. natalensis; and Group 4 with dwarf-arborescent, multi-stemmed species such as E. horridus. The groups were not found to correspond with the most recent phylogeny for Encephalartos and thus phylogenetic constraints were excluded. An analysis of environmental variables for 193 populations of species in all groups, including maximum and minimum temperatures, mean annual precipitation, moisture index, rainfall co-efficient of variation and fire return frequency, showed that the means per group were not significantly different from each other for most of the variables. However, it was evident that the variable ranges showed clear trends with biological significance. These tended towards more stable, less variable environments with more predictable rainfall for Group 1 species, and less 6 stable, more variable environments with less predictable rainfall for species within Group 4. Groups 2 and 3 showed a large range and overlap in environmental associations with no consistent patterns. Population structure is valuable for determining whether recruitment in a population is adequate for species survival. Static life tables and Chi-Squared analyses were used to test differences in the population structure and survivorship patterns of species between and within the life history groups. If particular demographic patterns were shown to be emergent properties of certain suites of life history traits, autecological studies may be avoided for predictive-ecological conservation frameworks. The results showed that species in Group 1 had populations with a high proportion of juveniles and fewer reproductive adults, indicating high recruitment as well as high juvenile mortality. In contrast, species in Group 4 had populations with a high proportion of adults and fewer juveniles indicating low recruitment and high juvenile mortality with primary investment into adult plant persistence through vegetative suckering. Group 2 consisted mostly of rare species with very small populations and high proportions of adult plants showing evidence of episodic recruitment events. Species in Group 3 showed a similar trend towards intermittent recruitment with adult persistence, however, no explicit population structure emerged. This led to the conclusion that Groups 1 and 4 are relatively consistent and predictable, however, Groups 2 and 3 would better benefit from an autecological approach to management. This study was helpful to assemble life history data for South African Encephalartos, as well as environmental parameters for each species. Ultimately, it has shown that primary investment into seeds versus persistence, or a combination thereof, can influence population structure. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download the PDF File
    ISSN 2473-442X CONTENTS Message from Dr. Patrick Griffith, Co-chair, IUCN/SSC CSG 3 Official newsletter of IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group Botanic Garden: In Focus Vol. IV I Issue 2 I December 2019 Montgomery Botanical Center’s Cycad Collection – Focus on research and conservation 5 Michael Calonje & Patrick Griffith Feature Articles Towards an approach for the conservation and illegal trade prevention of South Africa’s endangered Encephalartos spp. 10 James A. R. Clugston, Michelle Van Der Bankand Ronny M. Kobongo Fire is the most important threat for conservation of Dioon merolae (espadaña) in the hill Nambiyigua, municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico 13 Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera & Mauricio Martínez Martínez Ex-situ Cycad Conservation [1]: Public and Private Collections 16 Chip Jones & JS Khuraijam The Cycad Specialist Group (CSG) is a component of the IUCN Species Research and Conservation News Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC). It consists of a group of volunteer The Cycad Extinction Crisis in South Africa 19 experts addressing conservation Wynand van Eeden & Tim Gregory issues related to cycads, a highly What is Ceratozamia becerrae ? 21 threatened group of land plants. The Andrew P. Vovides, Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera & José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega CSG exists to bring together the world’s cycad conservation expertise, Preliminary Finding: Seed longevity of Encephalartos in controlled storage 23 and to disseminate this expertise to Ngawethu Ngaka and Phakamani Xaba organizations and agencies which can use this guidance to advance cycad Meeting Reports conservation. 2nd Nong Nooch Cycad Horticulture Workshop 25 Official website of CSG: Anders Lindstrom http://www.cycadgroup.org/ Plant Conservation Genetics Workshop 26 Co-Chairs Caroline Iacuaniello, Stephanie Steele & Christy Powell John Donaldson Patrick Griffith CSG Members 28 Vice Chairs Michael Calonje Cristina Lopez-Gallego Red List Authority Coordinator De Wet Bosenberg CSG Newsletter Committee JS Khuraijam, Editor Irene Terry Andrew P.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Taxonomic Survey in the Sierra Del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve
    Biota Neotropica 21(1): e20201050, 2021 www.scielo.br/bn ISSN 1676-0611 (online edition) Inventory Multi-taxonomic survey in the Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve Francisco Javier Sahagún-Sánchez1* & José Arturo De-Nova2 1Universidad de Guadalajara, Departamento de Políticas Públicas, Periférico Norte N° 799, Núcleo Universitario Los Belenes, C.P. 45100, Zapopan, Jalisco, México. 2Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Instituto de Investigación de Zonas Desérticas, Altair Núm. 200, Col. del Llano C.P. 78377 San Luis Potosí, SLP. México. *Corresponding author: Francisco Javier Sahagún-Sánchez, e-mail: [email protected] SAHAGÚN-SÁNCHEZ, F.J., DE-NOVA, J.A. Multi-taxonomic survey in the Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve. Biota Neotropica 21(1): e20201050. https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-BN-2020-1050 Abstract: Studies on biological diversity are essential to generate baseline information in natural protected areas. In the present study, we developed a multi-taxonomic inventory in the Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve, located northeast of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Systematic samplings were performed between January 2017 to May 2018, for the taxonomic groups of flora, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. A total of 3 730 records of 683 species were obtained, corresponding to 427 species of flora, 10 of amphibians, 20 of reptiles, 192 of birds, and 34 of mammals, from which 47 species are threatened. The results obtained represent the critical biodiversity that can be found in this natural protected area. The information will be useful for decision-making on the management and conservation of biodiversity in the Sierra Madre Oriental’s ecological corridor.
    [Show full text]
  • Cycad Forensics: Tracing the Origin of Poached Cycads Using Stable Isotopes, Trace Element Concentrations and Radiocarbon Dating Techniques
    Cycad forensics: Tracing the origin of poached cycads using stable isotopes, trace element concentrations and radiocarbon dating techniques by Kirsten Retief Supervisors: Dr Adam West (UCT) and Ms Michele Pfab (SANBI) Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Conservation Biology 5 June 2013 Percy FitzPatrick Institution of African Ornithology, UniversityDepartment of Biologicalof Cape Sciences Town University of Cape Town, Rondebosch Cape Town South Africa 7701 i The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town Table of Contents Acknowledgements iii Plagiarism declaration iv Abstract v Chapter 1: Status of cycads and background to developing a forensic technique 1 1. Why are cycads threatened? 2 2. Importance of cycads 4 3. Current conservation strategies 5 4. Stable isotopes in forensic science 7 5. Trace element concentrations 15 6. Principles for using isotopes as a tracer 15 7. Radiocarbon dating 16 8. Cycad life history, anatomy and age of tissues 18 9. Recapitulation 22 Chapter 2: Applying stable isotope and radiocarbon dating techniques to cycads 23 1. Introduction 24 2. Methods 26 2.1 Sampling selection and sites 26 2.2 Sampling techniques 30 2.3 Processing samples 35 2.4 Cellulose extraction 37 2.5 Oxygen and sulphur stable isotopes 37 2.6 CarbonUniversity and nitrogen stable of isotopes Cape Town 38 2.7 Strontium, lead and elemental concentration analysis 39 2.8 Radiocarbon dating 41 2.9 Data analysis 42 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Biology of Cycad Pollen, Seed and Tissue - a Plant Conservation Perspective
    Bot. Rev. (2018) 84:295–314 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-018-9203-z Comparative Biology of Cycad Pollen, Seed and Tissue - A Plant Conservation Perspective J. Nadarajan1,2 & E. E. Benson 3 & P. Xaba 4 & K. Harding3 & A. Lindstrom5 & J. Donaldson4 & C. E. Seal1 & D. Kamoga6 & E. M. G. Agoo7 & N. Li 8 & E. King9 & H. W. Pritchard1,10 1 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK; e-mail: [email protected] 2 The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd, Private Bag 11600, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; e-mail [email protected] 3 Damar Research Scientists, Damar, Cuparmuir, Fife KY15 5RJ, UK; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] 4 South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] 5 Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Chonburi 20250, Thailand; e-mail: [email protected] 6 Joint Ethnobotanical Research Advocacy, P.O.Box 27901, Kampala, Uganda; e-mail: [email protected] 7 De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines; e-mail: [email protected] 8 Fairy Lake Botanic Garden, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; e-mail: [email protected] 9 UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK; e-mail: [email protected] 10 Author for Correspondence; e-mail: [email protected] Published online: 5 July 2018 # The Author(s) 2018 Abstract Cycads are the most endangered of plant groups based on IUCN Red List assessments; all are in Appendix I or II of CITES, about 40% are within biodiversity ‘hotspots,’ and the call for action to improve their protection is long- standing.
    [Show full text]
  • Plethora of Plants - Collections of the Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (2): Glasshouse Succulents
    NAT. CROAT. VOL. 27 No 2 407-420* ZAGREB December 31, 2018 professional paper/stručni članak – museum collections/muzejske zbirke DOI 10.20302/NC.2018.27.28 PLETHORA OF PLANTS - COLLECTIONS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB (2): GLASSHOUSE SUCCULENTS Dubravka Sandev, Darko Mihelj & Sanja Kovačić Botanical Garden, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 9a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia (e-mail: [email protected]) Sandev, D., Mihelj, D. & Kovačić, S.: Plethora of plants – collections of the Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (2): Glasshouse succulents. Nat. Croat. Vol. 27, No. 2, 407- 420*, 2018, Zagreb. In this paper, the plant lists of glasshouse succulents grown in the Botanical Garden from 1895 to 2017 are studied. Synonymy, nomenclature and origin of plant material were sorted. The lists of species grown in the last 122 years are constructed in such a way as to show that throughout that period at least 1423 taxa of succulent plants from 254 genera and 17 families inhabited the Garden’s cold glass- house collection. Key words: Zagreb Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, historic plant collections, succulent col- lection Sandev, D., Mihelj, D. & Kovačić, S.: Obilje bilja – zbirke Botaničkoga vrta Prirodoslovno- matematičkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu (2): Stakleničke mesnatice. Nat. Croat. Vol. 27, No. 2, 407-420*, 2018, Zagreb. U ovom članku sastavljeni su popisi stakleničkih mesnatica uzgajanih u Botaničkom vrtu zagrebačkog Prirodoslovno-matematičkog fakulteta između 1895. i 2017. Uređena je sinonimka i no- menklatura te istraženo podrijetlo biljnog materijala. Rezultati pokazuju kako je tijekom 122 godine kroz zbirku mesnatica hladnog staklenika prošlo najmanje 1423 svojti iz 254 rodova i 17 porodica.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollination and Germination As Limiting Factors in the Propagation of Threatened Cycads, Encephalartos (Zamiaceae)
    Pollination and germination as limiting factors in the propagation of threatened cycads, Encephalartos (Zamiaceae) Phakamani M’Afrika Xaba A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Scientiae in the department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology of the University of Western Cape. Date of submission: 12 November 2014 KEY WORDS Encephalartos latifrons Encephalartos altensteinii Pollen viability Pollen storage Pollen germination Artificial wet pollination Artificial dry pollination Seed storage Seed pre-treatment Seed germination i ABSTRACT Cycads are the most threatened living organisms assessed to date (IUCN, 2010). Encephalartos is an African cycad genus which in South Africa has a high diversity but threatened status. This study focuses on the Critically Endangered cycad Encephalartos latifrons, which exhibits low seed viability (< 10) in ex situ living collections in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (KNBG). This is the largest known ex situ collection of E. latifrons, and the conservation programme of this species has been negatively affected by the unknown cause of low seed germination. This study hypothesised that low seed germination in E. latifrons at KNBG was caused by: firstly, low pollen viability as a result of storage or environmental conditions; secondly by factors with the wet artificial pollination method and its synchronous application to the diurnal formation of pollination droplets in ovules; thirdly, seed storage factors (period and environmental conditions) and the lack of seed pre-treatment (scarification and hormone). This study compared E. latifrons to a more common cycad E. altensteinii with high seed viability (> 60%) at KNBG. Encephalartos latifrons pollen viability results show that fresh and stored pollen of specimens cultivated at KNBG was high (>60%) and comparable to pollen from the wild, that was above the recommended standard (>40%) (Stanley & Linskens, 1974), and only started losing viability after three years.
    [Show full text]
  • Cactaceae) with Special Emphasis on the Genus Mammillaria Charles A
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2003 Phylogenetic studies of Tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae) with special emphasis on the genus Mammillaria Charles A. Butterworth Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Botany Commons, and the Genetics Commons Recommended Citation Butterworth, Charles A., "Phylogenetic studies of Tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae) with special emphasis on the genus Mammillaria " (2003). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 565. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/565 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps.
    [Show full text]
  • RMB-439 C-Formato.Indd
    Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 81: 163- 175, 2010 http://dx.doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2010.001.186 Is geographical rarity frequent among the cacti of the Chihuahuan Desert? ¿Es la rareza geográfi ca frecuente entre las cactáceas del Desierto Chihuahuense? Héctor M. Hernández*, Carlos Gómez-Hinostrosa and Gibrán Hoffmann Departamento de Botánica, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado postal 70-233, 04510 Mexico D. F., Mexico. *Correspondent: [email protected] Abstract. With the aim of assessing the extent of geographical rarity of Mexican Cactaceae, we calculated the distribution size (area of occupancy) of 142 species from the Chihuahuan Desert. In addition, using 2 variables (number of localities and range size), we preliminarily assessed their conservation status using the current IUCN Red List criteria. The results showed enormous variation in the areas of occupancy, although from the biogeographic and conservation perspective the most exceptional group comprises the extremely narrow endemics (42 species), whose range is restricted to areas smaller than 10 km2. Our results reinforce the reputation of this plant family as exceptionally rare geographically. We suggest that geographical rarity of Cactaceae in the Chihuahuan Desert is a natural phenomenon; however, we propose that the range of several species has been infl uenced by human activities. Regarding the conservation status of the species, 75 of them are categorized as Least concern. The remaining 67 species (47.2%) fall in 1 of the 3 categories of threat (27 Vulnerable, 11 Endangered, and 29 Critically endangered). These fi gures confi rm the critical conservation status of Mexican Cactaceae.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Scoping Report: Seafield Kleinemonde Eco-Estate DRAFT Coastal & Environmental Services
    Coastal & Environmental Services THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ‘ECO- ESTATE’ DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO THE EAST KLEINEMONDE RIVER, EASTERN CAPE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT Prepared by Coastal & Environmental Services P.O. Box 934 Grahamstown 6140 On behalf of Mr R Taylor Prepared for Approval by Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism Private Bag X5001 Greenacres Port Elizabeth 6057 25 October 2006 Environmental Scoping Report: Seafield Kleinemonde Eco-Estate DRAFT Coastal & Environmental Services TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 LIMITATIONS & ASSUMPTIONS........................................................................................................ 5 1.1.1 Limiting conditions ........................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 STUDY AREA, STUDY SITE AND STUDY TEAM .............................................................................. 6 1.3 GENERAL METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH ................................................................................ 6 2 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PROCESS ........................................................... 7 2.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING STUDY .................................... 7 2.1.1 Role of the Environmental Consultant or Environmental assessment Practitioner .......................... 8 2.1.2
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Management Plan for Albany Cycad, Encephalartos Latifrons
    (24 June 2011 - to date) NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT 10 OF 2004 (Gazette No. 26436, Notice No. 700. Commencement date: 1 September 2004 – unless otherwise indicated. BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ALBANY CYCAD, ENCEPHALARTOS LATIFRONS Published under Government Notice R416 in Government Gazette 34388. Commencement date: 24 June 2011. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS I, Bomo Edith Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs acting under section 43(1)(b), read with section 43(3) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), hereby publish the Biodiversity Management Plan for Albany Cycad, Encephalartos latifrons, as contained in the Schedule hereto. (Signed) BOMO EDITH EDNA MOLEWA MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS Page 1 of 46 SCHEDULE BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ENCEPHALARTOS LATIFRONS environmental affairs Department: Environmental Affairs REPUBLIC OF SOUOTH AFRICA Page 2 of 46 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cycads are special botanical features in South Africa's rich biodiversity. They are naturally rare, relatively slow growing, attain very old age and are structurally very appealing. Many of the species that occur in southern Africa are local endemics and their reproductive ecology, i.e. the need for coning synchronicity and the presence of pollen and seed vectors within their habitat, exacerbates this naturally rare status. In addition to this they have also attracted the attention of avid collectors and traders who are not satisfied with obtaining seedlings from breeding programmes, but who prefer the immediate gratification of being able to obtain mature specimens. Due to their slow growth rates, these then tend to be removed from natural populations within their natural distribution range to satisfy this demand.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapters 13-14
    13. ROCKERY IX This feature runs in a North-South direction from near the Western end of Rockery VIII. It is a small feature, 21 meter long and about 11 meters wide at the middle. On this feature are grown plants belonging to the collection of the late SHRI O. P. BANSAL, who was a keen plant grower. For several years he was associated with the Rose Society of India. In his later years he took to growing cacti. He expired in 1994, when be was actively involved in the activities of the National Cactus and Succulent Society of India, Chandigarh. After his sudden death in 1994 the family expressed the desire to donate the plants to this Garden. So after building Rockery VIII for MR. G. C. JAIN, this rockery came into being. MR BANSAL had a small collection, but quite a large number were big 175 specimen plants. Most remarkable were three mature plants of Melocactus maxonii with large cephalium, big groups of Coryphantha elephantidens, and several large Ferocactus herrerae. Out of the three big Melocacti, one still survives near the Northern end. The others did not survive long. Now several younger plants have been planted alongside this specimen. Starting from the Northern end there is an Agave americana variegated plant. In the background of this rockery there are several large Ritterocereus pruinosis, Yucca aloefolia, Kalanchoe behariensis, Aloe arborescens and some Agaves. There are three Opuntia mamillata fa. monstrose plants on this feature. A large Espostoa lanata is near the Northern end. There is a larger plant of Napolea cochenillifera.
    [Show full text]
  • Trubs, but No Trianas: Filled and Empty Regions of Angiosperm Stem
    bs_bs_banner Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179, 361–373. With figures Trubs, but no trianas: filled and empty regions of angiosperm stem length-diameter-mechanics space MATISS CASTORENA1, JULIETA A ROSELL2 and MARK E OLSON1* 1Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer Circuito s/n de Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico 2Departamento de Ecología de la Biodiversidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer Circuito s/n de Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico Received 10 March 2015; revised 19 June 2015; accepted for publication 5 August 2015 Discrete plant habit categories such as ‘tree’, ‘shrub’, and ‘liana’ belie continuous variation in nature. To study the evolution of this continuous variation, we gathered data on stem length, diameter and tissue mechanical stiffness across a highly morphologically diverse highland xerophytic scrub on a lava flow in central Mexico. With stem allometric and mechanical data from 1216 segments from 50 species, we examined relationships between stem length–diameter proportions and tissue mechanical stiffness using linear mixed-effects models. Rather than a series of discrete clouds in stem length–diameter–tissue stiffness space, corresponding to traditional habit categories, the plants of this xerophytic scrub formed a single continuous one. Within this cloud, self-supporting plants had stems that became predictably longer and tissues that became stiffer for a given diameter increase, and there was no paucity of intermediates between trees and shrubs (‘trubs’). Non self-supporting plants had a steeper stem length–diameter slope and their tissues did not increase in stiffness with stem size. The area between self- and non self-supporting plants was sparsely occupied as stem size increased.
    [Show full text]