Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
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How do teachers and learners navigate the terrain of ecology and what are the associated conceptual understandings?
(University of the Western Cape, 2011)This thesis relates the teaching of ecology in schools to the requirements of the National Curriculum Statements, Grades R-9 and Grades 10-12, for Natural and Life Sciences. It examines the conceptual understanding of the ... -
A comparative study of degeneration of the posterior limbs and girdles of some scelotes species.
(University of the Western Cape, 1981)The genus Scelotes was instituted by Fitzinger in 1826 and is represented by nineteen species and subspecies in Southern Africa (Fitzsimons, 1943) . Valuable contributions have been made to our knowledge of the Lacertilia ... -
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. ... -
Reptile community responses to an avian ecosystem engineer
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)In the Kalahari, sociable weavers (Philetairus socius) build huge, communal nests. Although Kalahari tree skinks (Trachylepis spilogaster) are known to preferentially use trees that host such colonies, the degree to which ... -
Temporal and spatial variability in copepod abundance, distribution and community structure off Walvis Bay in the northern Benguela Current, 1979-1981
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)The zooplankton samples used for retrospective analysis in this study form part of the historical SWAPELS (South West African Pelagic Egg and Larva Survey) collection from January 1972 to December 1989, which covered the ... -
The reproductive physiology of The south african pilchard.
(UWC, 1995)Epipelagic fish species form an integral component of the world's supply of protein. The most abundant of these fish belong to the order Clupeiformes (clupeoids) which include sardine, pilchard, sardinella, sprat, and ... -
Applying a lagrangian trajectory model to investigate and describe the distribution of drifting ecklonia maxima within the benguela upwelling system
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Macroalgal morphological variation is determined to a large extent by a combination of environmental factors, with wave exposure and temperature perhaps the main influences, as they are key environmental properties to which ... -
Salt tolerance and modification of wheat salt resistance by plant hormones
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)The history of salt tolerance and the factors effecting salt resistance of plants were literature surveyed, and it was concluded that ion concentration, salt accumulation, compatible solutes and the genetic traits play a ... -
Species delimitation and assessment of genetic variability in Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae): evidence from amplified fragment length polymorphisms
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)During the course of this thesis, AFLP technique was successfully applied to the Aizoaceae taxa. This study involved a substantial component of laboratory work including generating and analysing AFLP data, the operation ... -
Genetic analysis of resistance to powdery mildew (podosphaeara leucotricha) in apple (Malus x dornestica Borkh.)
(University of the Western Cape, 2008)Apple powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera leucotricha, is one of the major diseases of the cultivated apple in the Western Cape, causing severe losses in yield and affecting fruit quality. This affects the deciduous ... -
Studies of foraminifera associated with gelidium pristoides (turner) keutzing (gelidiales: rhodophyta)
(University of the Western Cape, 2002)Our understanding of the macrofauna of hard intertidal substrata around South Africa is fairly comprehensive, and we have a good understanding of the environmental factors responsible for structuring macrofaunal communities ... -
Specias delimitation and assessment of genetic variability in Carpobrotus (Alzoaceae): evidence from amplified fragment length polymorphisms
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)Species of Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae) are widely spread throughout South Africa and are commonly used for their medicinal properties. The genus consists of 13 species of which seven occur in South Africa, five ... -
The distribution of the desert rain frog ( Breviceps macrops) in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) is an arid adapted anuran found on the west coast of southern Africa occurring within the Sandveld of the Succulent Karoo Biome. It is associated with white aeolian sand deposits, ... -
Food resources available to juvenile fish (particularly rhabdosargus holubi) in seagrass beds of the swartkops etuary
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Estuarine habitats are critical nursery areas for many species of marine fishes during their early life stages in terms of food availability and structural complexity, which increases survival and growth rates. The Cape ... -
Understanding mangrove dynamics in range edge populations in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Mangrove distribution along the East African region occurs from Somalia to South Africa, including Madagascar and other islands. It comprises approximately 10 species, including Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh, Bruguiera ... -
Detection of phycotoxins along the South African coast: a comparison of three different biological assay systems and instrumental analysis by high performance liquid chromatography
(University of the Western Cape, 1998)In recent years, harmful algal blooms have been of growing concern in many parts of the world. These blooms often result in deterioration in water quality, large-scale mortalities in marine life, and shellfish poisonings ... -
Acoustic signalling in bladder grasshoppers (orthoptera: pneumoridae)
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Sound plays a vital communicative role in many Orthopteran insect species. Acoustic signals are often used during courtship behaviour and mate location. The Pneumoridae, commonly referred to as bladder grasshoppers, are ... -
Snake community structure in a heterogeneous fynbos ecosystem
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Snakes occur in most terrestrial ecosystems, forming an integral part of many ecological communities. A diverse community of snakes in an ecosystem can indicate a complex habitat structure capable of supporting a diverse ... -
Conservation and resource-use relations: Analysis for protected area expansion feasibility in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)It is assumed that expanding the size and/or number of protected and conservation areas can contribute to more effective conservation, ecosystem services and environmental protection. Expansion is normally a response to ... -
Investigating the relationship between novel farming practices and zoonotic disease transmission at the wildlife/livestock interface: A case study at a commercial farm and conservancy in Beaufort West, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)In recent years, the intensification of agricultural activities in South Africa, has led to many of the sectors farmers adopting novel farming practices as a means of promoting economic productivity. One such practice, is ...
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