Masters Degrees (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)
Recent Submissions
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The Properties and Effects of Dust from Unpaved Roads on Vegetation and Microbes in the Karoo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is minimal information on how dust from unpaved roads affects plant communities in the semi-arid Nama and Succulent-Karoo. One site per biome were used for conducting research, including the Square ... -
Avian impact of South Africas first concentrating solar power tower facility in the Northern Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through its commitment to a greener economy that is less dependent on nonrenewable energy resources, South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan aims to diversify the energy system by including energy resource ... -
Early Post-Release Movements, Prey Preference and Habitat Selection of Reintroduced Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Liwonde National Park, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Once widespread throughout Africa and southwestern Asia, the cheetah has disappeared from the majority of its historical range, making it Africa’s most endangered large felid. Scenario modelling has ... -
The effect of farmland abandonment on dung beetle diversity and function in the Nama-Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agricultural land abandonment has cascading effects on native biota. When badly managed, pressures on native biota can increase leading to reduced ecosystem function. Conversely, increased ecosystem ... -
Assessing translocation effects on an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) source population: demographics, landscape use and response to drones in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi.
(2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Translocations are increasingly common as a wildlife management strategy to reintroduce species that have undergone a local extirpation or to reinforce populations that have become isolated. Translocation ... -
Replacing wild grazers with domestic livestock: effect on dung beetle diversity, biomass, size and ecosystem function in a semi-arid Namibian savannah
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic activities have parcelled most native mammals into protected areas while cattle and other livestock replace them as the dominant grazers in the surrounding farmlands. This has severe ... -
Population genetics of the invasive wasp, Vespula germanica, in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The German wasp (Vespula germanica) is a highly successful invader on a global scale. These wasps were first observed in the Western Cape region in South Africa in 1972 and they have the potential to ... -
A spotted landscape: Threats to leopard, Panthera pardus pardus, & their prey within the Boland Mountain Complex, Western Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The collapse of prey-bases threatens many predators gllobally and may contribute to some predators’ localised extinctions. A similar cascade is a potential threat to leopard Panthera pardus and their ... -
Riparian plant community change and alien plant invasions following geomorphological change in the Sabie River, Kruger National Park, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Invasive species are among the biggest drivers of environmental change globally. Because of their ability to alter ecological and evolutionary processes they rank high among the most pressing environmental ... -
Quantifying the effectiveness of private land conservation areas in preventing losses of natural land cover and biodiversity intactness across South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Global biodiversity conservation targets cannot be achieved by relying on state-owned protected areas (PAs) alone. Private land conservation areas (PLCAs) are one potential complementary conservation ... -
Unlocking and securing Ecological Infrastructure (EI) investments: A review of EI investment models
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ecological Infrastructure (EI) refers to a suite of natural or semi-natural functioning ecosystems that deliver a range of essential services to humankind. Examples of EI are coastal dunes, catchments, ... -
Ecological Impact of Large Herbivores at Artificial Waterpoints in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The management of water requires an important understanding of the impacts of supplementation on the ecosystem. In semi-arid environments worldwide, access to water is essential for the survival of wildlife ... -
Ecology and habitat suitability of Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in the Western Cape, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Endemic to South Africa, the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) historically occurred throughout the Western Cape, and parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape. However, due to human impacts fewer than ... -
Diversity and ecology of phytophagous weevils in the deciduous fruit industry, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The banded fruit weevil, Phlyctinus callosus, Boheman, 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a serious and economically significant pest of apple orchards and vineyards in the Western Cape Province of ... -
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 ... -
Biological control of two sporadic grapevine pests, Plangia graminea and Lobesia vanillana, using entomopathogenic nematodes.
(2019-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Plangia graminea (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) and Lobesia vanillana (De Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are two sporadic, minor pests of wine grape vineyards in the Western Cape province of ... -
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 ... -
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 ...