Masters Degrees (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)
Recent Submissions
-
Evaluating the success of phased-release reintroductions for captive-born cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global cheetah population has declined to an estimated 7,100 individuals, with half the global population currently found in southern Africa. Where natural metapopulation dynamics are no longer ... -
Exploring the social-ecological drivers and impacts of the blueberry boom in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 2015 there has been a rapid increase in blueberry production within South Africa, with most of the industry focused on exporting the fresh fruit. Despite the recent emergence of the blueberry ... -
Structural and functional attributes of Heuweltjies in the fynbos and succulent Karoo biomes: the interaction of termites, vegetation and geochemistry
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The structural and functional attributes of heuweltjies in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes were studied with the aim of investigating the interaction amongst vegetation, termites, and geochemistry ... -
Climate change perceptions, knowledge and adaptation responses of smallholder, crop-livestock farmers in Mediterranean-type ecosystems: case studies from the Overberg District, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Smallholder farmers must adapt their farming practices to sustain livelihoods, as a result of the changing climate. It is known that climate change may cause significant adverse effects on the agricultural ... -
Utilisation of landscape features for overwintering by grassland epigaeic arthropods in timber plantation conservation corridors
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although plantation timber is an important crop for the South African economy, providing many jobs to low-income communities, it does come at a high environmental cost. The loss of biodiversity through ... -
Assessment of the pathogenicity of fusarium euwallaceae to grapevine and deciduous fruit trees in South Africa and its rapid detection in woody tissues
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A myriad of different tree species in South Africa are under threat from the invasive woodboring beetle, Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), the polyphagous shot hole borer, ... -
Exploring the concept of applied nucleation as a restoration tool in a previously invaded Mediterranean climate vegetation type
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a need to scale-up ecological restoration efforts. The urgency to restore degraded habitats means that we, as researchers, need to be at the forefront of new and innovative restoration techniques. ... -
Postharvest insect pest disinfestation in export Proteaceae cut flowers - the potential of new disinfestation strategies
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Proteaceae family are associated with a wide range of insect pests which feed both externally and internally. International agricultural trade of fresh plant material increases the risk of introducing ... -
Contextualizing waterscape health in a subtropical rangeland
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Freshwater ecosystems are threatened globally by environmentally impactful agriculture. An ever- increasing population drives intensive agricultural production, putting immense pressure ... -
The importance of heuweltjies for arthropod biodiversity in the succulent Karoo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Succulent Karoo biome of South Africa is home to unique patches of vegetation which are distinct from the surrounding homogenous matrix, locally known as heuweltjies. ... -
Optimization of formulated artificial diets with the addition of sterols and cryoprotectants for effective rearing and fitness of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Eldana saccharina is amongst the most economically damaging pests in South African sugarcane. Many attempts have been made to control the pest. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) as part of an Integrated ... -
Biodiversity of wetlands and its implications for pondscape conservation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wetlands are socioeconomically important, providing valuable goods and services, and supporting high levels of biodiversity, making them a top conservation priority. KwaZulu-Natal agroforestry plantations ... -
Ecology and biocontrol options of the leaf miner, liriomyza huidobrensis, on potatoes in the Western Cape province
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The potato leaf miner, Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae), is a devastating pest of potatoes, worldwide. However, little knowledge of the biology and ecology of this pest in South ... -
Formulation and optimisation of entomopathogenic nematodes for long-term storage and application against key insect pests
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pest insect infestation is a key challenge to crop production in the agricultural industry. To reduce crop losses, farmers use chemical pesticides. The continuous use of pesticides lead ... -
Determining the host range and metabolic responses to starvation and feeding in a novel outbreak pest of sugarcane, Cacosceles newmannii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Prioninae)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: To gain insight into the rapid emergence of Cacosceles newmannii (Thomson 1877) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) as a crop pest in sugarcane, a better understanding of its biology is required. My study had ... -
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 ...