Browsing Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv & Cons Biol) by Title
Now showing items 35-54 of 80
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Identifying and mapping invasive alien plant individuals and stands from aerial photography and satellite images in the central Hawequa conservation area
(University of the Western Cape, 2012)The Cape Floristic Region, situated at the southern tip of Africa, is one of the world’s most botanically diverse regions. The biodiversity of this region faces various types of threats, which can be divided into three ... -
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 ... -
Impacts of the invasive reed Arundo donax on biodiversity at the community-ecosystem level
(University of the Western Cape, 2007)Arundo donax is an invasive species that mostly impacts on sensitive riparian ecosystems. Arundo is also invasive in South Africa, though less is known about its ecology, biology, and impacts. Since California and the ... -
Implications of potential biome boundary shifts for small mammal assemblages in the arid zone
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Desertification deteriorates the landscape functionality of rangelands, affecting the resilience of biome boundaries which have a cascade effect not only in vegetation composition and characteristics but also in animal ... -
In vivo effects of crinum macowanii on the rat cardiovascular system
(University of the Western Cape, 2007)Crinum macowanii (C. macowanii) (Amaryllidacea) as authenticated by Mr. F. Weitz at the Herbarium, University of the Western cape, is widely used a traditional remedy and is thought to have therapeutic value (Fennell and ... -
The inorganic pollution of the Franschhoek River : sources and solutions
(University of the Western Cape, 2011)The aim of the study was to quantify the extent of inorganic chemical pollution of the Franschhoek River and draw relationships between contaminants in water, sediment and plants. The invasive Acacia mearnsii and Salix ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Investigating the diet selection and genetic variation of small ruminants in a dryland pastoral system in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Small ruminants found in pastoral dryland systems face many challenges regarding constant environmental and climate changes. These variable environments are home to many pastoralists who use the natural resources to ... -
Lichen thermal sensitivities, moisture interception and elemental accumulation in an arid South African ecosystem
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures ... -
Long-term vegetation monitoring – a 33 year record from table mountain
(2013)Nearly 40 years ago McLachlan and Moll highlighted the need for a well-defined path system on the Western Table of Table Mountain in the immediate vicinity of the Upper Cable Station (UCS). At that time the numbers of ... -
Medicinal plant use in the Dwarsrivier Valley, Stellenbosch
(University of the Western Cape, 2013)Plants have been used as medicine since antiquity. Passed on by word of mouth through the generations, this oral tradition is at risk of becoming extinct due to westernization and lack of documentation. The community in ... -
Monitoring of heavy metals in the Bottelary River using Typha capensis and Phragmites australis
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)The aim of this study was to use plants to determine the degree of heavy metal contamination in water and sediments in order to effectively monitor and provide possible recommendation to improve the water quality in the ... -
Monitoring water quality with riparian trees along the Berg River, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2012)Heavy metals and nutrients have long been regarded as pollutants to freshwater ecosystems. These elements have a detrimental effect on plants, animals and the water quality of rivers in South Africa. The Berg River flows ... -
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 ... -
Patterns of resource use by livestock during and after drought in a communal rangeland in Namaqualand
(University of the Western Cape, 2006)Pastoralists in Africa have developed complex mechanisms by which they can alleviate the threat of drought. They practice mobility as one of the strategies to avoid the worst effects of natural stress and disperse grazing ... -
Phylogenetic assessment and historical biogeography of the Psammophis leightoni complex
Stable and accurate taxonomy remains a primary component of conservation. By overlooking taxonomic disorder, conservation management strategies may ineffectively distribute resources. The Psammophis leightoni species complex ... -
Post-Fire response of botanical and microbial communities in the succulent Karoo
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Fire as a form of disturbance is unique in the way it impacts upon the environment, acting like a herbivore with a ubiquitous appetite. Consuming both dead and living material, converting complex organic molecules into ... -
Predicting reptile species distributions and biogeographic patterns within Kruger National Park
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Knowledge of global reptile ecology is limited and there remains much to understand in terms of detailed reptile species information, including that of their distributions. In South Africa, despite being one of SANParks ...
