Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology
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Browsing Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology by browse.metadata.type "Book"
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- ItemEcosystem services in the Gariep basin(SUN PRESS, 2004) Bohensky, E.; Reyers, B.; Van Jaarsveld, A. S.; Fabricius, C.The Gariep Basin Millennium Ecosystem Assessment investigated the condition and trends of ecosystem services and human well-being in the Gariep basin from 1993 to 2003. The assessment features highlights from four local-scale assessments nested within the basin: Sehlabatebe, Great Fish River, Richtersveld, and Gauteng Province. Scenarios were constructed at both basin and local scales to depict possible alternative futures of ecosystem service supply and demand in 2030. Past, present, and possible future responses to change in ecosystem services were considered. Conducted with input and technical support from a User Advisory Group (UAG) comprising basin stakeholders, the assessment is aimed primarily at the international assessment community, decision-makers at national and provincial levels of government, research institutions, as well as the private sector and the general public.
- ItemGuidelines for restoring Lowland Sand Fynbos ecosystems(2022-02) Holmes, Patricia M.; Esler, Karen J.; Geerts, Sjirk; Ngwenya, Duduzile K.; Rebelo, Anthony G.; Dorse, Clifford; van der Merwe, Jacques; Retief, Jacobus; Hall, Stuart A.; Grey, Penelope; Nsikani, Mlungele N.; Faculty of AgriSciences, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.Lowland Sand Fynbos ecosystems are among the most threatened terrestrial systems in South Africa. Of the ten Sand Fynbos veld types, seven are Critically Endangered or Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. They are all either poorly protected, or not protected at all in the conservation network. Sand Fynbos ecosystems harbour unique biodiversity, but owing to their lowland locations experience extensive losses to other land uses. Some natural pockets remain scattered within agricultural or urban developments. They are, however degraded due to invasive alien plants, inappropriate fire regimes or pollution and are an urgent priority to restore. National biodiversity targets aim for a minimum proportion of an ecosystem type to be retained in a natural or near-natural state. The minimum target for Sand Fynbos ecosystems is mostly 30% of the original extent – a target no longer attainable for several of these ecosystems, such as Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. For many of these precious systems, this means a necessary focus on their restoration. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist managers and landowners of degraded Sand Fynbos vegetation to restore biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of these threatened ecosystems. The guidelines outline appropriate methods to restore degraded Sand Fynbos ecosystems, based on the latest research and field trial outcomes.