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Effects of human activities on the Waterval River, Vaal River catchment, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: TK Gyedu-Ababio F van WykRand Water's chemical water quality data from 1991 to 2000 were used to assess the water quality of the Waterval River, which contributes about 111 x 106m3 of water to the Vaal River annually. Due to a biological community's ability... -
Gill damage, metallothionein gene expression and metal accumulation in Tilapia sparrmanii from selected field sites at Rustenburg and Potchefstroom, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Daléne van Heerden Peet Jansen van Rensburg Mikko Nikinmaa André VoslooFish were collected from field sites in the mining and agricultural areas of Potchefstroom and Rustenburg, North-West Province, South Africa. Water and sediment samples from each site, together with fish muscle and gills, were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass... -
Ecological status and role of the Mfolozi–Msunduzi estuarine system within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site on the south-east coast of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: DP Cyrus --- Coastal Research Unit of Zululand, Department of Zoology, South Africa L Vivier --- Coastal Research Unit of Zululand, Department of Zoology, South Africa RK Owen --- Coastal Research Unit of Zululand, Department of Zoology, South Africa HL Jerling --- Coastal Research Unit of Zululand, Department of Zoology, South AfricaThe original structure and functioning of the historical Mfolozi–St Lucia estuarine system are described and anthropogenic impacts, which resulted in the Mfolozi and Msunduzi rivers being separated from the St Lucia Estuary and having their own combined mouth to the... -
Temporal and spatial variability in macroinvertebrate community structure in relation to environmental variables in Ajijiguan Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: FO Arimoro --- , South Africa RB Ikomi --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Nigeria IO Ajuzieogu --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Nigeria FO Nwadukwe --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, NigeriaVariations in macrobenthic community structure in time and space along a pollution gradient were examined in a small Niger Delta creek in 2006–2007. Salinity fluctuated between fresh and mesohaline conditions with values ranging from 0.4 to 5.2, and conductivity ranged... -
Water quality and zooplankton of the Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: ED Anyanwu --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Nigeria RB Ikomi --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Nigeria FO Arimoro --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, NigeriaWater quality and zooplankton were investigated using standard methods at four stations in the Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria, from January to April 2008 (dry season) and from May to August 2008 (rainy season). Nigerian water quality standards were used... -
Human-mediated drivers of change — impacts on coastal ecosystems and marine biota of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: A Mead --- Centre for Invasion Biology, South Africa C L Griffiths --- Centre for Invasion Biology, South Africa G M Branch --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa C D McQuaid --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa L K Blamey --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa J J Bolton --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa R J Anderson --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa F Dufois --- Marine Research Institute, South Africa M Rouault --- Marine Research Institute, South Africa P W Froneman --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa A K Whitfield --- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa L R Harris --- Department of Zoology, South Africa R Nel --- Department of Zoology, South Africa D Pillay --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa J B Adams --- Department of Botany, South AfricaCoastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to human-mediated drivers of global change because they are located at the land–ocean interface and often host centres of urbanisation and development. The South African coastline comprises several distinct coastal ecoregions that support a wide... -
The effect of anthropogenic disturbances on population structure and regeneration of Scorodophloeus fischeri and Manilkara sulcata in coastal forests of Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: C Mligo --- Department of Botany, Tanzania HVM Lyaruu --- Department of Botany, Tanzania HJ Ndangalasi --- Department of Botany, TanzaniaScorodophloeus fischeri (Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinoideae) and Manilkara sulcata (Sapotaceae) are examples of tropical African hardwood species and are endemic to East African coastal forests. These plant species are threatened by human activities beyond natural recovery in some forests. This study... -
Intrusion of beach-disposed dredger spoil into the Mhlathuze Estuary, South Africa, and its impact on Zostera capensis
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: DP Cyrus CF MacKay SP WeertsPort expansion at Richards Bay on the east coast of South Africa between 1996 and 1999 required the disposal of some 5,998,429 m3 of dredge spoil. This was deposited via a pipeline onto the adjacent beach and spilled into the... -
Linking forest tenure and anthropogenic factors with institutions and the effectiveness of management in Mpigi forests, central Uganda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: N Turyahabwe CJ Geldenhuys S Watts M TweheyoThis paper reveals the investigated effects of forest tenure and physical and socioeconomic correlates on conservation and management of forests in the Mpigi District, central Uganda. Tree diversity was surveyed in 156 nested plots of 20 m × 50 m... -
Response of endemic Clarias species’ life-history biometrics to land use around the papyrus-dominated Mpologoma riverine wetland, Uganda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: GA Ssanyu --- Department of Biological Sciences, Uganda J Kipkemboi --- Department of Biological Sciences, Kenya JM Mathooko --- Global Research Akademik and Mentoring Services (GRAMS), Kenya J Balirwa --- Department of Fish Biology, UgandaThe Mpologoma River wetland is highly negatively impacted by rice growing and yet it provides habitat to endemic Clarias species that are important to the wetland fishery. Variations in life-history biometrics of small Clarias species at various wetland sites in... -
A high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in a population of feral cats in the Western Cape province of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases • Authors: Kenneth Hammond-Aryee --- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, South Africa Monika Esser --- Immunology Unit, NHLS Tygerberg, Division Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, South Africa Lesley van Helden --- Veterinary Services: Animal Health, Western Cape Government Agriculture, South Africa Paul van Helden --- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Tuberculosis Research/SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, South AfricaToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan pathogen that causes toxoplasmosis; and, is of global importance. T. gondii is highly pathogenic to both humans and animals due to its ability to infect almost all mammals and birds. Felids are the... -
Nesting ecology of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in north-eastern Algeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Aicha Fouzari --- Laboratoire de Recherche et de Conservation des Zones Humides, University of Guelma, Algeria Farrah Samraoui --- Laboratoire de Recherche et de Conservation des Zones Humides, University of Guelma, Algeria Ahmed H Alfarhan --- Center of Excellence for Research in Biodiversity, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Boudjéma Samraoui --- Center of Excellence for Research in Biodiversity, King Saud University, Saudi ArabiaThe status of waterbirds breeding in protected areas in North Africa needs constant monitoring because of a naturally fluctuating environment and permissive attitudes towards illegal activities likely to negatively affect population dynamics of threatened species. We present the results of... -
Ghost crab burrow density at Watamu Marine National Park: An indicator of the impact of urbanisation and associated disturbance?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: HFR Hereward --- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, UK LK Gentle --- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, UK ND Ray --- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, UK RD Sluka --- A Rocha Kenya, KenyaGhost crab (Ocypode species) burrow densities have previously been used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact. This study aimed to assess the burrow density of Ocypode species (O. ryderi and O. cordimanus) at four sites across Watamu Marine National Park,... -
Habitat utilisation and nesting behaviour of two sympatric weavers in Mbalmayo District, Cameroon
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Abubakari Said Mgelwa --- College of Life Sciences, China Abadi Mehari Abrha --- Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Ethiopia Zabibu Kabalika --- College of Natural Resources Management and Tourism, Tanzania Simon Awafor Tamungang --- Laboratory of Applied Ecology and Biology, Department of Animal Biology, Cameroon Amare Gebre Medhin Nigusse --- Institute of Geo-Information and Earth Observation Sciences, Department of Geo-Information and Earth Observation Sciences for Natural Resource Management, EthiopiaAvian ecology and behaviour data provides crucial information for bird conservation and management, but are still missing for many species, particularly in developing countries. This study examines habitat utilisation, nesting behaviour, anthropogenic disturbances and impacts on agricultural crops of Village... -
Invertebrate drift densities in the Njoro and Kamweti Rivers in the Kenyan highlands that differ in the level of anthropogenic disturbances
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Charles M M’Erimba --- Department of Biological Sciences, Kenya John G Mbaka --- Department of Land and Water Management, Kenya Priscilla W Mureithi --- Department of Biological Sciences, Kenya Ken O Ouma --- Department of Biological Sciences, KenyaInvertebrate drift is one of several fundamental ecological processes in streams. However, little is known about the dynamics of invertebrate drift in Kenyan streams. In this study, we assessed invertebrate drift in two rivers, i.e. Njoro and Kamweti, that differ... -
Spotted hyaena visitation at anthropogenic sites in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: LE Belton --- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa EZ Cameron --- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa F Dalerum --- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South AfricaMany large carnivores are attracted to anthropogenic sites, typically, because they offer easy access to anthropogenic resources, such as garbage. Such behaviour could lead to increased contacts between people and carnivores, with the potential for escalated conflicts. Within protected areas,... -
Physico-chemical water quality characteristics of upper Ebonyi River, Enugu State, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: NO Nweze --- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Nigeria EC Eze --- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, NigeriaThe physico-chemical characteristics of upper Ebonyi River, Nigeria were assessed at four locations, from September 2014 to December 2014, using standard methods, thereby providing information for documentation and the determination of pollution status in comparison with World Health Standards. Parameters,... -
Heavy metal concentrations in water and sediment of the Steelpoort River, Olifants River System, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: A Addo-Bediako --- Department of Biodiversity, South Africa K Matlou --- Department of Biodiversity, South Africa E Makushu --- Department of Biodiversity, South AfricaSteelpoort River has been adversely affected by human activities in the catchment. Water and sediment quality of the river was assessed in 2015. The concentrations of some of the metals in water were found to be high and exceeded the... -
The potential use of chironomids (Insecta: Diptera) as bioindicators in streams and rivers around Sebeta, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: A Mezgebu --- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Ethiopia A Lakew --- National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research Centre, Ethiopia B Lemma --- Department of Zoological Sciences, Ethiopia G Beneberu --- Department of Biology, EthiopiaThe impact of human activities on streams and rivers of Ethiopia was assessed using the Dipteran family Chironomidae. Different stressors originating from industries and agricultural activities were assessed to see their effect on Chironomidae taxa. Chironomidae larvae were collected using... -
Water quality assessment using benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators in streams and rivers around Sebeta, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: A Mezgebu --- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Ethiopia A Lakew --- National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research centre, Ethiopia B Lemma --- Department of Zoological Sciences, EthiopiaThe increasing impact of human activities on the freshwater-bodies of Ethiopia requires an efficient and cost-effective method for ecological health assessment. In the current study, benthic macroinvertebrates were used to assess the impact of different stressors originating from industries and... -
Spatial modelling of cumulative human pressure in the tropical coastscape of Zanzibar, Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: ZA Khamis --- Department of Geography and Geology, Finland R Kalliola --- Department of Geography and Geology, Finland N Käyhkö --- Department of Geography and Geology, FinlandCoastal landscapes and seascapes (‘coastscapes’) are under immense anthropogenic pressures emanating from multiple human activities. We applied spatial modelling to characterise the cumulative pressures in the coastscape of Zanzibar’s main island Unguja (hereafter Zanzibar), in the western Indian Ocean. We... -
Abiotic and biotic responses to the 2016/2017 restoration project at the St Lucia Estuary mouth, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: S Jones --- DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, South Africa NK Carrasco --- School of Life Science, South Africa R Perissinotto --- DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, South Africa C Fox --- Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, St Lucia Estuary, South AfricaThe St Lucia Estuary is the largest estuarine lake in Africa and has been heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities, which include a history of human-induced sediment loading and separation in the 1950s of the originally common St Lucia Estuary-uMfolozi River... -
Macrobenthic community structure of the Mhlathuze Estuary, a permanently open estuarine embayment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: JI Izegaegbe --- Department of Zoology, South Africa L Vivier --- Department of Zoology, South Africa HMM Mzimela --- Department of Zoology, South AfricaThe Mhlathuze Estuary, an estuarine embayment in northern Zululand, is considered an estuary of national conservation importance. No historical data on the benthic macrofauna are available for the past 20 years, creating a significant gap in our understanding of the... -
A comparison of aquatic macroinvertebrate and large branchiopod community composition between temporary pans of a conservation area and surrounding communal area in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: T Dube --- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, Belgium L de Necker --- Water Research Group, School for Biological Sciences, South Africa V Wepener --- Water Research Group, School for Biological Sciences, South Africa NJ Smit --- Water Research Group, School for Biological Sciences, South Africa T Pinceel --- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, Belgium GN Mwaijengo --- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, Belgium P Lemmens --- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, Belgium L Brendonck --- Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, BelgiumAlthough temporary wetlands are often biodiversity hotspots that deliver multiple ecosystem services, they are also threatened by human exploitation. We conducted a comparative field study to investigate the impact of reserve protection on the diversity and community structure of aquatic... -
Plankton Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) for assessing ecosystem health within the Ouémé River basin, Republic of Benin
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: AM Houssou --- , Republic of Bénin DC Adjahouinou --- , Republic of Bénin CA Bonou --- , Republic of Bénin E Montchowui --- , Republic of BéninThis study aims at assessing the impact of organic pollution on plankton communities of the Ouémé River using a Plankton Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) as a tool for ecological heath assessment. Plankton and other environmental data were collected monthly... -
The new soil classification system in South Africa, its history, important changes made and implications for users
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George van Zijl --- , South Africa Dave Turner --- , South Africa Garry Paterson --- , South Africa Jaco Koch --- , South Africa Johan van Tol --- , South Africa Kurt Barichievy --- , South Africa Cathy Clarke --- , South Africa Martiens du Plessis --- , South Africa Piet van Deventer --- ,The board of the Soil Science Society of South Africa endorsed the “Soil Classification: A Natural and Anthropogenic System for South Africa”, in 2020 making it the official soil classification system to be used in South Africa. This classification system,... -
An assessment of the ecological condition of a wetland on the Lions River floodplain based on soil and vegetation parameters, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: H Ndlovu --- , South Africa DC Kotze --- , South Africa GPW Jewitt --- , South Africa CD Morris --- , South AfricaWetlands are increasingly exposed to human activities, resulting in degradation. As the wetland degrades, it loses functionality. In South Africa, wetlands can play an important water-regulating role. This study aims to establish the ecological condition of a historically utilised wetland... -
South African raptors in urban landscapes: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Shane C McPherson --- , South Africa Petra Sumasgutner --- , Austria Colleen T Downs --- , South AfricaGlobally, but especially in Africa, increasing human populations and anthropogenic land-use change are generally affecting diversity negatively. Urban environments in southern Africa typically comprise a mosaic landscape of anthropogenic infrastructure with some green spaces. These urban cities have a range... -
Diversity of macrophytes in relation to environmental conditions in wetlands along the lower part of the Gilgel Abay River catchment in Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Habtamu Getnet --- , Ethiopia Seyoum Mengistou --- , Ethiopia Bikila Warkineh --- , EthiopiaThe environmental conditions in wetlands affect the diversity, composition, and distribution of their macrophyte communities. This study investigated the diversity of macrophytes as related to environmental conditions in wetlands of the lower part of Gilgel Abay River catchment in Ethiopia... -
Diversity pattern of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in a modified tropical environment in the western region of Cameroon
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Manfothang Dongmo Ervis --- , Cameroon Bakwo Fils Eric-Moise --- , Cameroon Mongombe Manga Aaron --- , Cameroon Atagana Patrick Jules --- , Cameroon Tchuenguem Fohouo Fernand-Nestor --- , CameroonThe western region of Cameroon is one of the leading agricultural production areas in sub-Saharan Africa, and this ongoing anthropogenic perturbation has led to the replacement of natural forests with agroecosystems. Such anthropogenic landscape transformations may have affected bat species... -
Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the ocypodid burrowing crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios, in Richards Bay Harbour, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: JI Izegaegbe --- , South Africa L Vivier --- , South Africa HMM Mzimela --- , South AfricaBioaccumulation of metals in an endemic ocypodid burrowing mud crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios, was investigated in contaminated mudflats of the subtropical Richards Bay Harbour (RBH), South Africa. Following sampling of water, sediment and mud crabs from three sites (Bhizolo, Mzingazi and... -
The effect of changes in human drivers on the fire regimes of South African grassland and savanna environments over the past 100 years
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: James R Puttick --- , South Africa M Timm Hoffman --- , South Africa Timothy G O’Connor --- , South AfricaFire is a key regulator of tree cover in grassy ecosystems, but century-long changes in fire regimes have not been explicitly quantified in South Africa. This study aimed to determine changes in the fire regimes of South Africa’s grassy biomes... -
Development of a multimetric index for assessing the ecological integrity of some selected rivers and streams in the north-eastern part of Lake Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Amelework Zewudu --- , Ethiopia Getachew Beneberu --- , Ethiopia Minwyelet Minigst --- , Ethiopia Amare Mezgebu --- , EthiopiaA multimetric index was developed using benthic macroinvertebrates to assess the ecological health of selected rivers and streams in the north-eastern part of Lake Tana subbasin, Ethiopia. One-time extensive sampling was carried out during the post-rainy season (November–December) of 2016... -
Macroinvertebrate community structure and diversity in relation to environmental factors in wetlands of the lower Gilgel Abay River catchment, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Habtamu Getnet --- , Ethiopia Seyoum Mengistou --- , Ethiopia Bikila Warkineh --- , EthiopiaThe influence of environmental factors on the diversity of macroinvertebrates was studied in the wetlands of the Gilgel Abay River (GAR) catchment in Ethiopia. The study was done between September 2017 and March 2018, encompassing both wet and dry seasons... -
Assessing fish community response to water quality and habitat stressors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Wesley Evans --- , South Africa Colleen T Downs --- , South Africa Matthew J Burnett --- , South Africa Gordon C O’Brien --- , South AfricaThe degradation of freshwater ecosystems can be attributed to stressors associated with the increased demand for water and other aquatic resources. Freshwater ecosystems face such challenges in supporting agriculture, industry, and high-density urban areas in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa... -
Local perceptions and sociocultural value of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Clément Daboné --- University Centre of Tenkodogo/University Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso Adama Ouéda --- University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Burkina Faso Lindy J Thompson --- , South Africa Jacques Boco Adjakpa --- University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Peter DM Weesie --- University of Groningen, The NetherlandsHooded Vultures have suffered from dramatic population declines in recent decades owing to anthropogenic pressures. To properly address this threat, the sociocultural perspectives towards this species should be considered. We examined peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs on Hooded Vulture's sociocultural... -
The Elephant Marsh, Malawi – Part 1: reconstruction of the historic hydromorphology
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: AL Birkhead --- , South Africa CA Brown --- , South Africa H Bukhari --- , South Africa MK Reinecke --- , South Africa WO Mgoola --- , Malawi JK Nyirenda --- , MalawiThe Elephant Marsh lies on the floodplain of the lower Shire River, in southern Malawi. It is both a cultivated, seasonal floodplain and an area of permanent shallow lakes. The marsh is highly biodiverse, has a productive fishery and supports... -
Comparison of oxidative stress biomarkers in Oreochromis mossambicus in minimally and highly disturbed aquatic environments in the Matabeleland region, Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Z Makuvara --- , Zimbabwe J Marumure --- , Zimbabwe L Chapungu --- , Zimbabwe J Machingura --- , South Africa AH Siwela --- , ZimbabweOwing to their ability to provide a functional measure of organismal response to chemical stressors, oxidative biomarkers are useful in ecotoxicological studies to assess disturbance in aquatic environments. This study assessed the use of oxidative stress biomarkers in Oreochromis mossambicus... -
Ecological Violations and Anthropogenic Pollution in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Wizard of the Crow
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Eastern African Literary and Cultural Studies • Authors: Dele Maxwell Ugwanyi --- Enugu State University of Science and Technology, NigeriaEcological violations and anthropogenic pollution have been recurring motifs in contemporary African novels. Existing studies on African literature from the ecological standpoint have focused largely on the narrative strategies of nature writing, with little attention given to the impacts and... -
Habitat scale and seasonality influence macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in a tropical Kenyan montane stream
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Frank O Masese --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Augustine Sitati --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Mourine J Yegon --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Elizabeth W Wanderi --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Phillip O Raburu --- University of Eldoret, KenyaHabitat quality and diversity strongly influence the composition of macroinvertebrate communities in lotic ecosystems. We evaluated the functional organization of macroinvertebrates in response to changes in habitat type and seasonality in the Afromontane Moiben River in western Kenya. In-stream substrate... -
A new record of a chick falling from a nest in Limpopo province, South Africa, adds to the known causes of Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus mortality
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: --- , South Africa --- , South Africa --- University Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso --- , South Africa --- , United StatesFor all species, causes of mortality, both anthropogenic and natural, should be recorded. In Critically Endangered species these records are even more important, owing to their potential impacts on small and/or declining populations. Here we present a case of natural... -
Difference in acoustic responses to urbanisation in two African passerines
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Dickson Anobie Matthew --- AP Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Nigeria Samuel Tertse Ivande --- AP Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Nigeria Ulf Ottosson --- AP Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), Nigeria Samuel Temidayo Osinubi --- University of Cape Town, South AfricaModification of ecosystems as a consequence of urbanisation alters natural habitat structures and soundscapes, creating constraints for vocal communication in animals. Birds are able to adjust their vocalisation to the prevailing acoustic features of their habitat. As such, their sounds... -
Assessment of surface water quality in a highly anthropised semi-arid catchment (Case of Wadi El Hatab Basin, Tunisia, North Africa)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: W Hayouni --- University of Sfax, Tunisia N Chkir --- University of Sfax, Tunisia S Pistre --- Université Montpellier, France K Zouari --- University of Sfax, TunisiaAnthropogenic contamination of surface waters is a critical issue in urbanised catchments, especially in Mediterranean environments with scarce water resources and intermittent rivers. A combined hydro-geochemical and multivariate statistical methodology has been applied to evaluate the surface water quality of... -
A preliminary macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (M-IBI) for monitoring the highland flood plain wetland ecosystems in Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Habtamu Getnet Fetene --- Asossa University, Ethiopia Seyoum Mengistou --- Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia Bikila Warkineh Dullo --- Addis Ababa University, EthiopiaAnthropogenic activities have put tremendous pressure on the natural condition of wetlands. However, few studies have used indices based on benthic invertebrates to assess the effect of these pressures on wetland ecosystems. Multi-metric indices (MMIs) have been used successfully to... -
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius nesting dynamics and breeding success across a human-modified landscape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Roger N Porter --- , William W Howells --- , Ingrid B Weiersbye --- , South Africa Ben Hoffman --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Sean N Porter --- Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), South AfricaAnthropogenic habitat transformation is one of the leading causes of biodiversity decline. Migratory birds, particularly many raptor species, are increasingly threatened by global environmental change. We investigated the nesting dynamics and potential determinants of breeding success in a population of... -
Assessment of the ecological integrity and fish community structures of the uMngeni River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Pumla Dlamini --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Colleen T Downs --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Matthew Burnett --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Gordon O’Brien --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaThe uMngeni River is economically important as it provides water to two of the largest cities in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. As such, protecting the river and the life within it is also of great importance. In this study, we... -
The behavioural response of an estuarine teleost (Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi) to angler bait collection in two adjacent Eastern Cape estuaries, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: EC Butler --- Rhodes University, South Africa B van Heerden --- Rhodes University, South Africa MW Farthing --- Rhodes University, South Africa A-R Childs --- Rhodes University, South Africa WM Potts --- Rhodes University, South AfricaReports of learned behavioural adaptations of wild Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (family Sparidae) were investigated in two estuarine systems in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Underwater observational trials using video cameras demonstrated that fish rapidly responded to bait collection...