Browsing Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv & Cons Biol) by Issue Date
Now showing items 61-80 of 131
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The roles of intertidal marine gastropod shells as secondary substrate for macroalgae
(University of the Western Cape, 2014)Primary space within the marine benthos is by far the most limited resource for which all sessile organisms must compete. It only ever becomes available when the organisms occupying it dies or are forced to leave the area. ... -
Taxonomy and diversity of the sponge fauna from Walters Shoal, a shallow seamount in the Western Indian Ocean region
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Seamounts are poorly understood ubiquitous undersea features, with less than 4% sampled for scientific purposes globally. Consequently, the fauna associated with seamounts in the Indian Ocean remains largely unknown, with ... -
The invasive guttural toad, Amietophrynus gutturalis
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)The guttural toad, Amietophrynus gutturalis, Power 1927, is a common toad with a broad geographic range through much of temperate, sub-tropical and tropical southern and central Africa. Introduced to the islands of Mauritius ... -
Genetic analysis of the Cape Sand Frog, Tomopterna delalandii (Tschudi 1838)
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Tomopterna delalandii occurs throughout the west coast, Western Cape and south coast of South Africa. This range stretches across three distinct biogeographical assemblages. Based on historical records and the fact that ... -
Blood cell histology of Homopus areolatus: effects of season and cohort
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Homopus areolatus is an endemic terrestrial tortoise that resides in a Mediterranean type of climate, which is characterised by winter rainfall and mild winter temperatures. Within ectotherms, such as H. areolatus, ... -
Assessing the vegetation and soil microbial ecology of renosterveld rangelands around Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape Province
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)The Bokkeveld Plateau, a region hosting high plant endemism, is home to two arid mountain centre renosterveld types. One, Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld, has partially been transformed into croplands and pastures, with ... -
Interannual changes in abundance and distribution of jellyfish along the west coast of South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)Hydromedusae are mostly carnivorous planktivores that under ideal conditions can reproduce and accumulate to form dense masses of jellyfish, known as blooms. These jellyfish blooms may have various impacts on their surrounding ... -
Assessing the quality of forage for livestock in a semi-arid pastoral system in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)This study evaluated the nutritional quality of the forage plants in Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld vegetation in the Kamiesberg uplands of the Leliefontein communal area, South Africa. Determining the quality of forages ... -
A web-based biodiversity toolkit as a conservation management tool for natural fragments in an urban context
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)The collection of biological information has a long history, motivated by a variety of reasons and in more recent years is largely being driven for research and academic purposes. As a result biological information is often ... -
Dynamics and biological implications of the Port St Johns cyclonic lee eddy
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)This project describes the current dynamics of the cyclonic lee eddy off Rame Head, Port St Johns and Waterfall Bluff, and how its physical forcing may influence the biological communities. Three research surveys were ... -
Observations on the biology and seasonal variation in feeding of the East Coast redeye round herring (Etrumeus wongratanai) (Clupeiformes), off Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)The basic biology and ecology of Etrumeus wongratanai was investigated from samples of fish collected by jigging off Scottburgh, Kwazulu-Natal throughout 2014 and 2015. A total of 516 otoliths, 401 gonads, 140 stomachs and ... -
Towards an unravelling of the taxonomy of Chrysaora (Scyphozoa; Semaeostomeae; Pelagiidae) from around South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Historically, two species of Chrysaora are known from the Benguela Current Ecosystem: C.fulgida (Reynaud 1830) and C. africana (Vanhöffen 1902). However a third morphotype is now seen, which bears a resemblance to both. ... -
A web-based biodiversity toolkit as a conservation management tool for natural fragments in an urban context
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)The collection of biological information has a long history, motivated by a variety of reasons and in more recent years is largely being driven for research and academic purposes. As a result biological information is often ... -
Intra- and interspecific variability in the distribution patterns and diet of the two most common catsharks caught in demersal trawls off the West and South coasts of South Africa: Evidence for habitat and resource partitioning?
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)The objective of this thesis was to elucidate intra- and interspecific variability in the distribution patterns and diet of the two most common demersal catsharks taken as by-catch by the commercial trawling industry ... -
Assessing livestock farmers' ecological knowledge and adaptation to climate and environmental change in arid regions of South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Challenges that come with micro-level climate change projections have resulted in the inadequacy of our understanding of local climatic changes and the appropriate adaptation strategies. This has resulted in indigenous ... -
Impacts and control of alien Proteaceae invasion in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Research focused on ecological impacts and control of invasive alien species (IAS) is gaining attention worldwide. The eradication and control of invasive alien plants (IAP) is essential for the restoration of native plant ... -
An analysis of the fire regime and its effects on post-fire recovery in Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld vegetation
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld (NGR) is a fire-prone shrubland largely confined to the Kamiesberg Uplands. More than 20% has been transformed by agricultural activities such as grazing and dryland cropping. The history ... -
An Investigation of Benthic Epifauna to Support Classification and Mapping of Outer Shelf Ecosystems in KwaZulu-Natal
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Ecosystem classification and mapping are foundational steps for effective ecosystem-based marine spatial planning, marine ecosystem assessment and integrated ocean management. The aims of this study were to interrogate and ... -
Systematics of geophytic Othonna (Senecioneae, Othonninae)
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)A member of the Senecioneae subtribe Othonninae, Othonna L. is a genus of some 120 species mainly concentrated in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, with a few species extending into southern Namibia, ... -
Analysis of three wetland medicinal plants: Centella asiatica, Cyperus longus and Typha capensis found in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)South Africa is recognised worldwide for its rich diversity of plants, many of which have been used in ethno-medicine. However, the use of wetland plant species in ethno-medicine required further investigations. This ...