Masters Degrees (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)
Recent Submissions
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Drought stress responses in wild and cultivated Aspalathus linearis of the Suid Bokkeveld, Northern Cape Province of South Africa : linkages between local knowledge and empirical evidence
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The north-western region of the Western Cape forms part of the Fynbos biome and is home to the indigenous plant, A. linearis (rooibos). Rooibos cultivation is restricted to a small geographic area with ...
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Integrative taxonomy of the endemic Karoo agile grasshoppers, the Euryphyminae
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Euryphyminae are a small, African subfamily of grasshoppers which are not very well known. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and consist of 23 genera, 16 of which have records of occurrence in ...
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Conservation of diverse parasitoid assemblages across agricultural mosaics within the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ever-growing agricultural industry within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) threatens many arthropod species, including functionally beneficial insects such as parasitoids. Damage caused by insect pests ...
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Transitioning to organic agriculture : the changes in arthropod biodiversity and pests over time
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) is a unique area known for its incredible biodiversity. It is also the largest wine-grape producing area in South Africa. However, agriculture and more specifically ...
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Ring nematode (Criconemoides xenoplax), distribution, characterisation and culture methods
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ring nematode, Criconemoides xenoplax (Raski, 1952) Loof & De Grisse, is described as a migratory ectoparasitic nematode that feeds entirely on the roots of plants, mainly those of woody perennials. ...
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Ecology of apex predators in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apex carnivores play an important role in the ecosystem by regulating prey via predation. Anthropogenic influences have resulted in rapid range and population reductions of large carnivores across the ...
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Ecology of plains zebra (Equus quagga) in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zebras occur throughout Africa and are responsible for sustaining the dynamics and overall well-being of the environments they reside in. However, zebras have experienced significant range reductions and ...
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Conservation of spider diversity within an agricultural mosaic : insights from the Greater Cape Floristic Region, biodiversity hotspot.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agricultural expansion is one of the main drivers of habitat fragmentation and land use change which negatively impacts biological diversity. The Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR), a biodiverse hotspot, ...
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The diversity and distribution of topsoil and leaf litter arthropods in timber plantation landscape mosaics
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Landscape planning for conservation is of great importance in high-impact production systems, such as commercial timber plantations. Ecological networks (ENs) have been applied on a large scale in exotic ...
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Investigating the above-ground application of EPNs for the control of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The table and wine grape industries in South Africa are of major economic importance, particularly within the Western Cape Province, making the pest control of grapevines a priority. The vine mealybug ...
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Prospects for using entomopathogenic nematodes as a biocontrol agent against fungus gnats, bradysia spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae) in nursery and glass house crops
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fungus gnats of the genus Bradysia, have become important pests to undercover, cultivated crops. Commonly referred to as mushroom fly, nuisance flies, or dark-winged flies, they have a global distribution. ...
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Ecology of impala (Aepyceros melampus) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Protected areas in Africa are under increasing pressure as the human population and their associated activities continue to rise. Habitat loss and fragmentation has led to the isolation of wildlife areas, ...
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The population status, habitat use and seasonal diet of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is classified as a keystone species as it is critical to the integrity of the ecosystems it occupies. It influences a variety of factors in these ecosystems that ...
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Investigating the direct environmental impacts of emerging solar power and shale gas developments in two arid biomes of South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa’s energy system diversification involves the inclusion of a variety of energy resources as alternatives to coal. Amongst these energy technologies supported by various policy documents, ...
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People and protected areas : natural resource harvesting as an approach to support rural communities surrounding Majete Wildlife Reserve, Southern Malawi : a case study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Protected areas across the developing world are increasingly incorporating the needs of local rural communities into their management decisions. The African Parks managed Majete Wildlife Reserve (MWR) in ...
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Conservation implications of ethnoveterinary knowledge : a Mongolian case study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Across the world, pastoralist livelihoods are centred on the health of livestock herds. In Mongolia, where herders rely on the well-being of their livestock and the vast rangelands they inhabit, pastoralism ...
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Improving feeding efficiencies of black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens (L., 1758) (Diptera : Stratiomyidae : Hermetiinae) through manipulation of feeding conditions for industrial mass rearing
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The human population is rapidly expanding and raises several concerns in terms of food security and waste management. To feed the human population, we need to start expanding our horizons in terms of what ...
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Effects of burning of slash piles of Acacia spp. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis biomass on soil physicochemical properties within Western Cape riparian and terrestrial areas
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Removal of woody invasive alien plants from riparian and terrestrial fynbos ecosystems usually leads to the accumulation of large volumes of plant biomass. The three study species, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia ...
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Assessing the chemical ecology and shelter-seaking behaviour of the grainchinch bug, Macchiademus diplopterus (hemiptera: lygaeidae) for optimisation of trapping during aestivation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The grain chinch bug (GCB), Macchiademus diplopterus (Distant) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) is a key quarantine pest of South African export fruit and is endemic to the Western Cape Province. The pest is ...
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The importance of renosterveld conservation based on insect diversity sampled in West Coast Renosterveld in the Western Cape of South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research in the Fynbos Biome mainly focussed on the exceptional high plant diversity, especially of the Cape Floristic Region. However, there remains a poor understanding of the insect life found in this ...
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Investigating the potential of indigenous nematode isolates to control invasive molluscs in canola
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Terrestrial molluscs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) are important economic pests worldwide, causing extensive damage to a variety of crop types, and posing a health risk to both humans and wildlife. In South ...
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Oxygen safety margins set thermal limits in an insect model system
(The Company of Biologists, 2015-03)A mismatch between oxygen availability and metabolic demand may constrain thermal tolerance. While considerable support for this idea has been found in marine organisms, results from insects are equivocal and raise the ...
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The ecology of spotted hyena,Crocuta crocuta, in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The management of predators plays an important role in conservation management today because of the intensive management requirement of small fenced off protected areas. Apex predators such as spotted ...
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Diet of key predators responsible for livestock conflict in Namaqualand, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) occurs in areas where humans and wildlife occupy the same area or compete for the same resources. Although some carnivores are responsible for incidental attacks on humans, ...
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Optimising the use of visual and radar observations for the mitigation of wind energy related impacts on Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) in the Eastern Cape Province
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Being one of the leading global renewable energy investors over the last few years, South Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a rapid transformation. This transformation has been driven by the Renewable ...
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Invaded range and competitive ability of the newly invasive Polistes dominula compared to that of its native congener species in the Western Cape, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The European paper wasp Polistes dominula (Christ)(Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) established itself as a prolific invader across the globe and has been recorded and studied on all continents, except ...
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The natural drivers and the effects of landscape transformation for dragonflies of the Cape Floristic Region
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a biodiversity hotspot. The region has three established biosphere reserves, which all aim to alleviate the impacts that land transformation has on ecosystem integrity, ...
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The effect of agriculture and alien plants on natural communities of plants, insect herbivores and parasitoids
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Habitat transformation and invasions by non-native (alien) plants are two of the most concerning drivers of global environmental change. These factors cause biodiversity declines that disrupt ...
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Restoration of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos : the significance of pre-germination treatments and moisture regime
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The seed ecology of the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF) vegetation’s species in Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, in Western Cape South Africa, was investigated within the context of a broader restoration ecology ...
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The effect of commercial forestry plantations and roads on southern Afrotemperate forest arthropod diversity
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With only about 12% of the Earth’s surface under some form of official protection and the human population on the rise exponentially, production landscapes can and should contribute significantly towards ...
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