Masters Degrees (Botany and Zoology)
Recent Submissions
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The hydrological and ecophysiological effects of simulated climate warming on the soil and vegetation of the Nama Karoo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Climate change is increasingly recognised as threat to individual species performance and survival. Manipulative field experiments, such as warming experiments, are crucial to understanding the potential ... -
Response of different plant functional types to environmental variability on Marion Island : quantifying diurnal patterns over a seasonal cycle using the photochemical reflectance index
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Marion Island forms part of the Prince Edward Island group, situated near the latitude of 47° South. Seasonal and temporal variability in climate on Marion Island has been described as muted, due to the ... -
Patterns and processes of alien plant invasions in small urban areas in South Africa : the Berg River catchment as a case study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Many studies in invasion biology focus on the negative consequences of invasive alien plant species in natural areas. In South Africa, national legislation relating to invasive species focusses mainly on ... -
Amphibian conservation in an urban park : a spatial approach to quantifying threats to Anura on the Cape peninsula
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Species’ threat assessments produce generalized threat impact scores, often by considering regional-scale representations of threats. Cities, on the other hand, produce municipal-scale, high resolution ... -
The impact of Xenopus laevis predation on aquatic ecosystems
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Predator-prey interactions are dynamic and the ability to predict their impact on prey species has become an important aspect in ecology. One method to predict the impact of a predator species on a prey ... -
The world without birds : an experimental test of the ecological significance of pollinating birds for plant communities
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since pollinators are declining in many parts of the world, it is vital to understand the consequences of pollinator loss. How will plant communities be affected? If pollinators are keystone mutualists, ... -
The Iingcungcu Project : restoring nectar feeding birds, building biodiversity leadership.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Plant-pollinator interactions are threatened by habitat fragmentation and little is being done to mitigate its varying impacts. Thus the Iingcungcu study put together three chapters 1) aiming to establish ... -
An assessment of Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) as invasive species in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Evaluating potentially invasive plants is an important part of invasive species management. Reports of several naturalized and invasive Melaleuca species in South Africa prompted an investigation into ... -
Ailanthus altissima : an assessment of its distribution at different spatial scales and options for management in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The constant flow of goods into and out of cities has resulted in the proliferation of invasive species in urban areas and, because of this, cities are viewed as ‘hotspots’ for invasive species. The rise ... -
Managing invasive alien plants on private land in the Western Cape : insights from Vergelegen Estate
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services in South Africa and are particularly widespread and damaging in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). Activities such as ... -
Investigating the morphology, locomotory performance and macroecology of a sub-Saharan African frog radiation (Anura: Pyxicephalidae)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The phenotypic diversity among closely related species is often attributed to the process of natural selection. This process retains heritable traits within a population, increasing effectiveness of ... -
Rodents and restios: rodents and the fates of Willdenowia incurvata (Restionaceae) seeds
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH SUMMARY: The biodiversity hotspot of the fynbos offers a “natural laboratory” to study species diversification, particularly in flowering plants. Often it is the interactions with the surrounding biotic or abiotic ... -
Population genetics of the Sporothrix splendens complex from Protea L. in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ophiostomatoid fungi consist of a remarkable assemblage of species that are distantly related (Orders Microascales and Ophiostomatales) and that are grouped based on convergent evolution towards arthropod ... -
Anatomical survey of the formation of primary xylem and nutrients supply to the reproductive apple bud
(Stellenbosch : Stellebosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a deciduous fruit species, which is subject to dormancy before bud break occurs in spring. Although not noticed externally, anatomical changes occur in the reproductive ... -
Southern Madagascar rocky shores : a primary description and comparison with northern KwaZulu-Natal shores.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The rocky shores of southern Madagascar are poorly studied with no publications describing intertidal biodiversity and community structure. This dissertation aimed to provide a first description of the ... -
Vocal recruitment in dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Vocal communication is important in social vertebrates, particularly those for whom dense vegetation obscures visual signals. Vocal signals often convey secondary information to facilitate rapid and ... -
Culture potential and population structure of the indigenous oysters Striostrea margaritacea and Saccostrea cucullata in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Oyster culture has a long standing history with mankind and movement of indigenous oysters, in South Africa, dates back to the 1600s. Crassostrea gigas (the Pacific oyster) accounts for 80% of global ... -
Phylogeography and thermal physiology of Meroles knoxii (Family: Lacertidae) : relevance for species responses to climate change
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Climate change is considered to be one of the greatest threats to species and ecosystems globally and is likely to contribute to the rapidly increasing number of species extinction. In South Africa, these ... -
Species boundaries and conservation of the velvet worm genus Peripatopsis in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examined biogeographical and taxonomic relationships within the genus Peripatopsis with a special emphasis on the Peripatopsis capensis species complex using phylogenetic analyses, population ... -
The development of phosphate stress and its functional consequences in the model legume plant Medicago truncatula
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Phosphate is an abundant nutrient in the soil; however it is mostly bound to other elements that make phosphate unavailable for plant uptake. This bound state makes phosphate the second most limiting ...
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