Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology
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Seed survival of Australian Acacia in the Western Cape of South Africa in the presence of biological control agents and given environmental variation
(PeerJ, 2019)Studies of invasive Australian Acacia have shown that many seeds are still produced and accumulate in soil stored seed banks regardless of the presence of seed-targeting biological control agents. This is despite claims ... -
Edible fynbos plants : a soil types and irrigation regime investigation on Tetragonia decumbens and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fynbos’ rich biodiversity has been a source of much economic activity with its beautiful wild flowers and world-famous Proteas. Additionally, the medicinal and health benefits of rooibos and honey bush ... -
Mapping the contours of organic agriculture : an exploratory study of an under-served population in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the challenges that organic producers face in South Africa and to determine how universities and other knowledge institutions might better support these producers. ... -
Examining the spatiotemporal dynamics of exotic plants in a montane grassland : mechanisms and management
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite a surge of research on exotic species in alpine habitats, a lack of reliable baseline data has inhibited long-term understanding about exotic species dynamics in mountain ecosystems across the ... -
Spatial and feeding ecology of elephant (Loxodonta africana) on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Little Karoo, South Africa.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are megaherbivore mixed feeders. They are an important keystone species, influencing a variety of factors within an ecosystem. Historically elephants migrated ... -
Understanding social-ecological regime shifts : the case of woody encroachment in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Humanity has been very successful in modifying the planet to meet the demands of a rapidly growing human population. As human activities have grown in magnitude, they have become increasingly interlinked ... -
Trimen’s false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae) : biology and potential control options
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Trimen’s false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae), has developed pest status in vineyards in the Northern Cape and Limpopo (Groblersdal area) provinces of South Africa. Larvae feed on ... -
Invasive Australian Acacia seed banks: Size and relationship with stem diameter in the presence of gall-forming biological control agents
(Public Library of Science, 2017)Australian Acacia are invasive in many parts of the world. Despite significant mechanical and biological efforts to control their invasion and spread, soil-stored seed banks prevent their effective and sustained removal. ... -
Including irrigation in niche modelling of the invasive wasp Vespula germanica (Fabricius) improves model fit to predict potential for further spread
(Public Library of Science, 2017)The European wasp, Vespula germanica (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), is of Palaearctic origin, being native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced into North America, Chile, Argentina, Iceland, Ascension ... -
Control of the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), using entomopathogenic fungi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), or woolly apple aphid (WAA), is a serious pest of apple trees (Malus domestica Borkhausen), attacking both the root system and the arboreal parts of ... -
The metabolic costs of sexual signalling in the chirping katydid Plangia graminea (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) are context dependent : cumulative costs add up fast
(The Company of Biologists, 2017)Katydids produce acoustic signals via stridulation, which they use to attract conspecific females for mating. However, direct estimates of the metabolic costs of calling to date have produced diverse cost estimates and are ... -
Learning to starve : impacts of food limitation beyond the stress period
(The Company of Biologists, 2017)Starvation is common among wild animal populations, and many individuals experience repeated bouts of starvation over the course of their lives. Although much information has been gained through laboratory studies of acute ... -
The influence of local and landscape factors on arthropod predator diversity in the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globally, agriculture is under pressure to feed the increasing human population, leading to greater cropland extensification and intensification. This has numerous negative impacts on both cropland and ... -
Beta diversity across the complementary zones of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Biodiversity loss is occurring at an alarming rate. Protected areas alone are not sufficient for long-term biodiversity conservation. To address this, conservation efforts need to incorporate the landscape ... -
Direct environmental impacts of solar power in two arid biomes : an initial investigation
(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2017)According to recent national energy plans and policy documents, the number of renewable energy developments is expected to increase in South Africa, thus contributing to the diversification of the country’s energy system. ... -
Analysis of the global warming potential of biogenic CO₂ emission in life cycle assessments
(Nature Research, 2017-01-03)Biomass is generally believed to be carbon neutral. However, recent studies have challenged the carbon neutrality hypothesis by introducing metric indicators to assess the global warming potential of biogenic CO2 (GWPbio). ... -
Distribution of pests of blueberries in South Africa and re-description and behaviour of the blueberry bud mite Acalitus vaccinii (Eriophyidae)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Blueberries (Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae)) are native to North America. Their production in South Africa was established about 32 years ago. South Africa exports about 80% of produced blueberries to the ... -
Mesopredator abundances, prey interactions and diet of Caracal caracal and Canis mesomelas in the Gamkaberg, Western Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Carnivore conservation is considered a priority due to a rise in conflict between involved species and humans. Conservation strategies are thus essential in ensuring the persistence of carnivores in ... -
Changes in the Berg River Basin over time
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The nature of river ecosystems is influenced by the history of activities in their basins. This dissertation investigated historic changes in the Berg River Basin and their influence on river ecosystem ... -
An assessment of alternative postharvest technologies for the disinfestation of fresh Cape Flora cut flowers for export from South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A successful industry has developed around the export of fresh Proteaceae cut flowers from South Africa. Phytosanitary insects are a barrier to export, as South African Proteaceae associates with a ...
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