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Conservation Developments in South African Forestry
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: R. McC. Pott --- ,The historical development of environmental conservational activities within the South African Forestry Industry is followed, and the changing emphasis from the conservation of the remaining indigenous forests (pre-1900) to water conservation, to natural assets and unplanted areas is highlighted. The... -
Fitting underutilised crops within research-poor environments: Lessons and approaches
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S.N. Azam-Ali --- , MalaysiaUnderutilised crops, the cropping systems in which they are cultivated and the people who manage, protect and conserve them represent important elements of agricultural biodiversity. Each of these components and our knowledge of them is increasingly marginalised by the structures... -
DUNE MINING AND THE NHLABANE SYSTEM: CAN BIODIVERSITY AND THE NURSERY FUNCTION BE MAINTAINED?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences • Authors: D. P. Cyrus --- , , South Africa V. Wepener --- , , South AfricaA four year study of the Nhlabane Estuary and Lake System was undertaken over the period 1992 to 1995. Data gathered clearly showed that in terms of ichthyofauna, the estuary plays an important role as a nursery ground for juveniles... -
Correlates of stocking rate and overgrazing in the Leliefontein Communal Reserve, central Namaqualand
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: S.W. Todd M.T. HoffmanWe investigate the correlates of stocking rate in the Leliefontein communal reserve and attempt to provide a mechanistic explanation of the controlling factors. We further speculate on how high stocking rates are maintained in relation to the current state of... -
Soil and vegetation changes across a Succulent Karoo grazing gradient
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: P C Beukes F EllisThis study describes soil and vegetation changes radiating out from a central watering point on a livestock farm in the Succulent Ceres Karoo (Tanqua). The aim was to identify possible relationships between long-term grazing pressure, and soil and vegetation properties... -
Spatial and seasonal distribution of the ichthyofauna of Lake Nokoué, Bénin, west Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: P Lalèyè C Niyonkuru J Moreau GG TeugelsThe fish biodiversity of Lake Nokoué, a lagoon in Bénin, was monitored for one year from August 2000 to July 2001 by means of samples from the artisanal fishery collected once a month at three stations. A total of 5... -
The effect of some environmental factors on zooplankton community biodiversity in Lake Qarun, Egypt
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Adel AliA MageedThe zooplankton of Lake Qarun was studied January–December 2003. A total of 26 species was recorded, amongst which protozoa, primarily ciliophora, were most abundant (79% of the species total), followed by rotifera (13%) and copepoda (8%). The average density ranged... -
The effect of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) SolmsLaubach (Pontederiaceae), on benthic biodiversity in two impoundments on the New Year's River, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: JohnM Midgley MartinP Hill MartinH VilletWater hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), forms thick mats that affect water resource utilisation, but little is known about its impacts on biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. The benthic invertebrate community and algal biomass were sampled under water hyacinth mats... -
Physico-chemical conditions and macroinvertebrate fauna in the River Nile from Aswan to Cairo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: M Reda Fishar R Thorne W Peter WilliamsThis paper examines the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in relation to physico-chemical conditions along 1 035km of the River Nile from Aswan High Dam to Al Kanater Barrage, Cairo. Total Dissolved Salts and several individual chemical variables showed positive linear... -
The global impact of alien trout species—a review; with reference to their impact in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: JA Cambray --- Makana Biodiversity Centre, South AfricaRainbow and brown trout have been introduced into at least 82 countries, where they have significantly impacted indigenous fish, aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. In many studies the second, and sometimes the first, most serious identified threat to indigenous aquatic fauna... -
An integrated remote sampling approach for aquatic invertebrates associated with submerged macrophytes
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: PSR Weyl --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa JA Coetzee --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, South AfricaA sampling method and apparatus for collecting meaningful and quantifiable samples of aquatic macroinvertebrates, and the macrophytes they are associated with, are presented. Where physical danger from wildlife is a significant factor, especially in Africa, this apparatus offers some safety... -
Determining the minimum effective dose of rotenone for eradication of alien smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu from a South African river
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: MS Jordaan --- CapeNature Scientific Services, South Africa OLF Weyl --- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South AfricaIn February 2012 the Rondegat River, in the Cape Floristic Region, was the first river in South Africa where the piscicide rotenone was used to remove an alien invasive fish, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. In preparation for this treatment, the... -
Gastropod diversity, distribution and abundance in habitats with and without anthropogenic disturbances in Lake Victoria, Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: CN Lange --- Invertebrate Zoology Section, Kenya TK Kristensen --- Mandahl-Barth Research Centre for Biodiversity and Health in Developing Countries, DBL Centre for Health Research and Development, Denmark H Madsen --- Mandahl-Barth Research Centre for Biodiversity and Health in Developing Countries, DBL Centre for Health Research and Development, DenmarkWe investigated freshwater gastropod diversity, abundance and distribution in habitats with and without anthropogenic disturbance in two localities, Ndere in the Winam Gulf and Mbita Point, Lake Victoria, Kenya, from May 2002 to January 2004. A total of 133 984... -
Biogeographic patterns in rocky intertidal communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: KJ Sink GM Branch JM HarrisOn the east coast of southern Africa, marine biogeographic boundaries have previously been unresolved. This paper analyses large-scale patterns of community structure of rocky intertidal shores along the whole of the KwaZulu-Natal coast, based on abundance data covering 220 macroalgal... -
Patterns of endemicity and range restriction among southern African coastal marine invertebrates
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: RJ Scott --- Marine Biology Research Centre, Zoology Department, South Africa CL Griffiths --- Marine Biology Research Centre, Zoology Department, South Africa TB Robinson --- Department of Botany and Zoology, South AfricaSouthern Africa supports a rich marine biota of 12 734 currently described marine species. Although the distribution and overall species-richness patterns of several component taxa are well documented, studies considering range sizes are absent. This study considers range size frequencies... -
Diversity of decapod crustaceans at the interface of unconsolidated seabed areas and rocky shores in tropical/subtropical Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: A Fransozo --- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Brazil M Furlan --- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Brazil V Fransozo --- , Brazil G Bertini --- , Brazil RC da Costa --- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Brazil LC Fernandes-Góes --- , BrazilThe decapod crustacean assemblages from unconsolidated seabed areas located near rocky shores in the Ubatuba region on the south-east coast of Brazil were analysed by investigating the abundance, richness, diversity and dominance of species. The relationships of the sediment and... -
Epiphytic seaweeds and invertebrates associated with South African populations of the rocky shore seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule — a hidden wealth of biodiversity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: CM Browne --- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, South Africa R Milne --- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, South Africa C Griffiths --- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, South Africa JJ Bolton --- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, South Africa RJ Anderson --- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, South AfricaSeagrasses support a great diversity of epiphytic organisms. There are no detailed published accounts of algae and animals growing on seagrasses in South Africa. The seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule (previously known as Thalassodendron ciliatum) is unique among southern African seagrasses in... -
Comparative growth performance of different Casuarina species and provenance at Lushoto in the West Usambara mountains, Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: S. T. Mwihomeke --- Department of Forestry, South Africa P. Mwangingo --- Silviculture Research Centre, Tanzania S.M.S. Maliondo --- Department of Forest Biology, Tanzania S. Mathias --- Silviculture Research Centre, Tanzania S.A.O. Chamshama --- Department of Forest Biology, TanzaniaVariation in growth charactristics, coppicing ability and understory vegetation development was assessed in four Casuarina species (C. equisetifolia, C. junghuhniana, C. cunnighamiana and C. oligodon) grown in Lushoto in the West Usambara Mountains (WUM), Tanzania. The performance of the four... -
Stand biomass and volume estimation for Miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo, Morogoro, Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: S.A.O. Chamshama --- Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Tanzania A.G. Mugasha --- Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Tanzania E. Zahabu --- Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, TanzaniaTree volume and biomass equations developed for Kitulangalo area in Morogoro, Tanzania ignored small branches and small trees. Consequently, this study was carried out to develop new individual tree volume and biomass equations, and assess current regeneration status, biodiversity and... -
A preliminary survey and analysis of the spatial distribution of aquatic invertebrates in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: HelenF Dallas Belda MosepeleThe spatial distribution of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Okavango River Delta, Botswana, was investigated during the low-water period in February 2003. This complements an earlier study undertaken during high-water in June 2000. Seventy-five samples were taken in a range of... -
Environmental impact of seasonal integrated aquaculture ponds ('fingerponds') in the wetlands of Lake Victoria, Kenya: an assessment, with the aid of Bayesian Networks
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Julius Kipkemboi AnneA van Dam Patrick DennyThe potential effect on ecosystem integrity of the use of natural wetlands for seasonal wetland fishponds ('fingerponds'), integrated with vegetable production for livelihood demands, was evaluated using experimental sites at Lake Victoria, Kenya. Soluble reactive phosphorous and total phosphorus, ammonium,... -
Caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae of the Opa River basin, south-western Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: SylvesterS OgboguCaddisflies in the streams of the Opa River catchment basin in Ile-Ife, south-western Nigeria, were surveyed, documenting nine genera in six families. Hydropsychidae is the most speciose family, with three genera, and has the highest number of individuals in the... -
Lake Victoria water resources management challenges and prospects: a need for equitable and sustainable institutional and regulatory frameworks
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: GB LuiloCurrent issues relating to water utilisation, pollution and management in Lake Victoria, as well as legislative and regulatory history governing the management of the Lake Victoria Basin are reviewed. The articles of the agreements, many of which are now outdated,... -
Effects of oil pollution on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Gabon wetlands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: MR Vinson EC Dinger J Kotynek M DethierMacroinvertebrate assemblages from uncontaminated and contaminated sites in the Gamba Complex (Gabon) were compared, the latter sites having been subjected to ongoing oil spills since the 1970s. Vegetation communities surrounding the sites included savannah, shrub–scrub, palm forest, gallery forest and... -
A benthic survey of the rocky reefs off Pondoland, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: L Celliers BQ Mann AHH Macdonald MH SchleyerA subtidal marine biodiversity survey was carried out on shallow reefs (−1m to −30m) in the proclaimed Pondoland Marine Protected Area between Port Edward and Port St Johns, South Africa. A total of 26 benthic reef transects was undertaken involving... -
Influence of selected abiotic factors on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Olifants River catchment, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: M Kemp --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa KN de Kock --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa V Wepener --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa W Roets --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa L Quinn --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa CT Wolmarans --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South AfricaBiodiversity is frequently seen as an indicator of ecological health. Therefore a survey of the macroinvertebrates of the Olifants River, one of the most polluted rivers in South Africa, was conducted in 2010–2011. Four surveys were conducted at a total... -
Macrozoobenthic communities in waters off Angola
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: G Lange --- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Germany A Darr --- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Germany ML Zettler --- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, GermanyMacrozoobenthic biodiversity is described for waters off Angola, one of the poorest-known marine environments of the world. During research cruises in 2004 and 2011, the shelf region of Angola was investigated at 39 stations in water depths of between 19... -
Bird diversity and land use on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro and the adjacent plains, Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Eija Soini --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), KenyaThis study of bird distribution in the main land-use categories of the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, aims at understanding potential impacts of the land-use changes on birds. A land-use map of the study area was derived from a Landsat... -
Assessment of the macro-invertebrate fauna of rivers in southern Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: J. O. Olomukoro --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Nigeria L. I. N. Ezemonye --- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, NigeriaThis study evaluated the macro-invertebrate fauna in water bodies of southern Nigeria spanning the rainforest and derived savanna ecozones. The benthic macro-invertebrate fauna of Edo Ecozone comprises 55 taxa, belonging to 13 major groups. The abundance of major taxonomic groups... -
Small mammal diversity and density on the Bokkeveld escarpment, South Africa – implications for conservation and livestock predation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: P. J. O‘Farrell --- Botany Department, South Africa J. S. Donaldson --- South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa M. T. Hoffman --- Botany Department, South Africa A. D. Mader --- South African National Biodiversity Institute, South AfricaA preliminary investigation of the diversity and density of small mammals in four structurally distinct habitat types in an actively-utilized farming landscape was carried out. We sought to understand how diversity and density are influenced by landscape structure, habitat structure... -
Conservation status and distribution of freshwater fishes in South African national parks
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: I. A. Russell --- South African National Parks, South AfricaThirteen of South Africa’s national parks contain aquatic systems which support 63 indigenous and 11 alien freshwater fishes. Indigenous fishes include 43 species of the Zambezian faunal group (70% of the national total), eight Karroid (47%), five Cape (31%) and... -
The influence of fire on rodent abundance at the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: D.N. MacFadyen --- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa N.L. Avenant --- Department of Mammalogy, South Africa M. van der Merwe --- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa G.J. Bredenkamp --- Department of Plant Sciences, South AfricaThe relative population numbers of rodents were studied in nine habitats in and outside the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, before and after burning the firebreaks that surround the enclosure. Trap success was exceptionally high, and the field work... -
An exploratory investigation of the fish communities associated with reefs on the central Agulhas Bank, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Albrecht Götz --- Elwandle Node, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa Sven E. Kerwath --- Fisheries Research, Department of Agriculture, South Africa Toufiek Samaai --- Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa Charlene da Silva --- Fisheries Research, Department of Agriculture, South Africa Christopher G. Wilke --- Fisheries Research, Department of Agriculture, South AfricaDespite their ecological and economic importance, the temperate reef habitats of the central Agulhas Bank remain poorly studied. From 2008 to 2010, multiple stations grouped into six general sites of varying depth, profile and distance offshore, were surveyed. A combination... -
Grazing depletes forb species diversity in the mesic grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Rob Scott-Shaw --- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, South Africa Craig D Morris --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, South AfricaForbs constitute over 80% of the species richness of mesic grassland but their response to grazing is largely unknown. The influence of grazing on the forb composition, richness and diversity of two species-rich grasslands in the coastal hinterland and midlands... -
Sustainable intensification of cultivated pastures using multiple herbivore species
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: James P Muir --- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, USA William D Pitman --- Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, USA Jamie L Foster --- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, USA José C Dubeux --- North Florida Research and Education Center, USADemand for animal products is growing faster than for any other agricultural product. As a result, pressure for greater output from cultivated pastures is expected to increase. Assuming cultivated pasture area will decrease with land degradation, conversion to grain crops... -
Marine fish parasitology in South Africa: history of discovery and future direction
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Nico J Smit --- Water Research Group (Parasitology), Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, South Africa Kerry A Hadfield --- Water Research Group (Parasitology), Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, South AfricaAlmost 200 years have passed since the first description of a marine fish parasite from South Africa. It is therefore an opportune time to look back, take stock of and reflect on the history of discovery within this field and,... -
Beyond Jaws: rediscovering the ‘lost sharks’ of southern Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: DA Ebert --- Pacific Shark Research Center, USA KE van Hees --- Pacific Shark Research Center, USASouthern Africa has one of the richest and most diverse chondrichthyan faunas in the world, comprising all 13 orders, 49 families, 111 genera and approximately 204 species. This represents nearly 20% of all known chondrichthyans, and includes 117 shark, 79... -
Bird diversity in the savanna habitats of Akagera National Park, Rwanda, in the post-war recovery period
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Callixte Gatali --- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Sweden Kjell Wallin --- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, SwedenThe biodiversity of Akagera National Park (ANP), Rwanda, has reportedly been declining since 1990 due to conflict and war in the country between 1990 and 1994. In this paper, we describe bird diversity in the post-war recovery period. We used... -
Spatial and seasonal patterns of European short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus distribution in island coastal environments
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: F Otero-Ferrer --- Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura, Spain R Herrera --- Dirección General de Ordenación del Territorio, Spain VM Tuset --- Instituto de Ciéncias del Mar (CSIC), Spain J Socorro --- Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura, Spain L Molina --- Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura, SpainThis study represents the first report on seahorses in the Macaronesian islands (North-East Atlantic), determining the spatial and seasonal abundance, population structure and physical appearance of European short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus. Animals were surveyed off Gran Canaria Island in two... -
Termite species richness, composition and diversity on five farms in southern Kunene region, Namibia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: J. Zeidler --- Integrated Environmental Consultants Namibia, Namibia S. Hanrahan --- Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, South Africa M. Scholes --- Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaA survey was conducted on five farms in former Damaraland, a communal farming area in arid northwestern Namibia. The aims of the survey were to establish termite inventories for each site and to investigate whether termite diversity is determined by... -
Species richness, endemicity and distribution patterns of South African sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria & Corallimorpharia)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Fabian H. Acuña --- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Argentina Charles L. Griffiths --- Marine Biology Research Institute, South AfricaA revised and updated list of South African sea anemones is compiled and the distribution pattern and endemicity of each determined from museum and literature records. Forty nine valid species are recognized. Species richness appears fairly uniform around the coast,... -
Sampling strategies for millipedes (Diplopoda), centipedes (Chilopoda) and scorpions (Scorpionida) in savanna habitats
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Dave Druce --- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, George Campbell Building,, South Africa Michelle Hamer --- School of Botany and Zoology, South Africa Rob Slotow --- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, George Campbell Building,, South AfricaAt present considerable effort is being made to document and describe invertebrate diversity as part of numerous biodiversity conservation research projects. In order to determine diversity, rapid and effective sampling and estimation procedures are required and these need to be... -
Occurrence, abundance and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Nyando River catchment, Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: DA Abong'o --- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Kenya SO Wandiga --- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Kenya IO Jumba --- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Kenya PJ Van den Brink --- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, The Netherlands BB Naziriwo --- Department of Chemistry, Uganda VO Madadi --- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Kenya GA Wafula --- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Kenya P Nkedi-Kizza --- Soil and Water Science Department, USA H Kylin --- Department of Water and Environmental Studies, SwedenA baseline study was conducted of the occurrence of macroinvertebrates at 26 sites in the Nyando River catchment in 2005–2006. A total of 13 orders and 16 families of Arthropoda, Mollusca, Platyhelminthes and Annelida were collected, with the order Ephemeroptera... -
Aquatic invertebrate fauna of wells in a tropical mountain climate, western Cameroon
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: G Nana Nkemegni --- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé 1, Cameroun SH Zébazé Togouet --- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé 1, Cameroun A Fomena --- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé 1, Cameroun OF Pountougnigni --- Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé 1, Cameroun C Piscart --- UMR CNRS 6553 Ecosystèmes, Biodiversité, Evolution (ECOBIO), Université Rennes 1, FranceThe present study, conducted between May 2012 and September 2013, aimed to determine the distribution of groundwater invertebrates in the Bamoun tableland, Cameroon. A total of 216 samples taken from 30 wells in four localities – Foumban, Foumbot, Kouoptamo and... -
Recovery of bird communities after selective logging and clear-cutting in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Pirita Latja --- Department of Biology, Finland Geoffrey M Malinga --- Department of Biology, Finland Anu Valtonen --- Department of Biology, Finland Heikki Roininen --- Department of Biology, FinlandIn the face of the continuing destruction of tropical rainforests, a major challenge is to understand the consequences of these habitat changes for biodiversity and the time scale at which biodiversity can recover after such disturbances. In this study, we... -
Have grass carp driven declines in macrophyte occurrence and diversity in the Vaal River, South Africa?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: PSR Weyl --- Zoology and Entomology Department, South Africa GD Martin --- Zoology and Entomology Department, South AfricaThe Vaal River, South Africa, historically had a rich diversity of native submerged macrophytes with at least 13 species from 5 families recorded. Over the past 10 years there has been a noticeable reduction in the occurrence and diversity of... -
A review of over a decade of DNA barcoding in South Africa: a faunal perspective
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Jessica M da Silva --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa Sandi Willows-Munro --- School of Life Sciences, South AfricaFor over a decade, molecular short standardised DNA fragments, termed DNA barcodes, have been developed for species discrimination around the world. As of 2010, the vast majority of barcoding research was biased toward particular taxonomic groups and geographic regions largely... -
Additions to the barnacle (Crustacea: Cirripedia) fauna of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Aiden Biccard --- Centre for Invasion Biology and Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa Charles L Griffiths --- Centre for Invasion Biology and Department of Biological Sciences, South AfricaThe purpose of this paper is to document recent additions to the South African barnacle (Cirripedia) fauna. New species records were obtained by examining accumulated collections of unidentified material in the Iziko South African Museum, as well as via material... -
Structure and dynamics of demersal fish assemblages over three decades (1985–2012) of increasing fishing pressure in Guinea
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: ML Camara --- Centre National des Science Halieutiques de Boussoura (CNSHB), Republic of Guinea B Mérigot --- Université de Montpellier, France F Leprieur --- Université de Montpellier, France JA Tomasini --- Université de Montpellier, France I Diallo --- Centre National des Science Halieutiques de Boussoura (CNSHB), Republic of Guinea M Diallo --- Centre National des Science Halieutiques de Boussoura (CNSHB), Republic of Guinea D Jouffre --- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, SenegalIn a context of growing fishing pressures and recommendations for an ecosystem approach to fisheries, there is a need to monitor changes in fish communities over time. In this study, we analysed data from scientific trawl surveys carried out on... -
Distribution and community structure of Ostracoda (Crustacea) in shallow waterbodies of southern Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: B Rumes --- Limnology Unit, Department of Biology, Belgium T Van der Meeren --- Limnology Unit, Department of Biology, Belgium K Martens --- Limnology Unit, Department of Biology, Belgium D Verschuren --- Limnology Unit, Department of Biology, BelgiumThe current study presents the ostracod communities recovered from 26 shallow waterbodies in southern Kenya, combined with an ecological assessment of habitat characteristics. A total of 37 waterbodies were sampled in 2001 and 2003, ranging from small ephemeral pools to... -
The tardigrade fauna of Tunisia, with an integrative description of Bryodelphax maculatus sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Piotr Gąsiorek --- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Poland Daniel Stec --- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Poland Witold Morek --- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Poland Jamila Marnissi --- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tunisia Łukasz Michalczyk --- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, PolandThe current knowledge of the diversity and distribution of tardigrade species in northern Africa is scarce and far from satisfactory. In this paper we review old and provide new faunistic records for various regions of Tunisia. Among the newly recorded... -
Does high-density stocking affect perennial forbs in mesic grassland?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Sindiso Chamane --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa Kevin P Kirkman --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa Craig Morris --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tim O’Connor --- South African Environmental Observation Network, South AfricaLivestock production is an appropriate land use for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation, but little is known about the impact of grazing strategies on forbs that contribute most species, in grasslands. This study compared the effects of high-density, short-duration stocking (HDG) with... -
A global assessment of Holistic Planned Grazing™ compared with season-long, continuous grazing: meta-analysis findings
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Heidi-Jayne Hawkins --- Department of Biological Sciences, South AfricaIt has been claimed that Holistic Planned Grazing™ (HPG), a type of rotational grazing, can increase productivity in rangelands and reverse climate change while doubling the stocking rate, mainly through the impact of densely bunched animals on primary production. Previous... -
What are the long-term effects of high-density, short-duration stocking on the soils and vegetation of mesic grassland in South Africa?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Sindiso Chamane --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa Kevin P Kirkman --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa Craig Morris --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, South Africa Tim O’Connor --- South African Environmental Observation Network, South AfricaHigh-density, short-duration stocking (HDG) is gaining popularity amongst farmers in the South African mesic grasslands, but little is known about its potential impact on natural resources. Using a fence-line contrast approach, this study compared the long-term effects of HDG with... -
Boulder shores in South Africa – a distinct but poorly documented coastal habitat type
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: L Tucker --- Marine Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa CL Griffiths --- Marine Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa F Schroeter --- Marine Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa HD Vetter --- Marine Research Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, South AfricaThis study compares the composition, species richness and biomass of macrofaunal and algal assemblages on intertidal boulder shores as compared with those on adjacent rock-platforms, at six sites along the southwest coast of South Africa. Of 214 species identified, 175... -
First genetic data for band-winged grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae) of the Biskra region of Algeria with new records for the country
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Abdelhamid Moussi --- Laboratory Valorization and Conservation of Natural Resources, Algeria Lara-Sophie Dey --- General Zoology, Germany Daniel Petit --- UMR 1061 Inra, France Abderrahmane Abba --- Laboratory Valorization and Conservation of Natural Resources, Algeria Robert Klesser --- General Zoology, Germany Martin Husemann --- Centrum für Naturkunde, GermanyDNA barcoding represents an objective tool for fast species identification, especially for taxa for which morphological identification is difficult. One current limitation of barcoding is the lack of reference sequences for many groups. While many European and North American countries... -
A synthesis on the impact of non-native conifer plantations on ant and beetle diversity in north-western Patagonia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Juan C Corley --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Romina D Dimarco --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Déborah Fischbein --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina María V Lantschner --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Andrés S Martínez --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Maité Masciocchi --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Analia Mattiacci --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina Juan Paritsis --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, Argentina José M Villacide --- Grupo de Ecología de Poblaciones de Insectos, ArgentinaSoftwood forestry with non-native tree species is increasing worldwide and especially in many developing countries of the Southern Hemisphere. Tree plantations are beneficial in environmental and socioeconomic aspects, but at the same time there are recognised costs associated with afforestation... -
Changes in bat community composition and activity patterns across a conservation-agriculture boundary
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Fezile Mtsetfwa --- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resource and Environment, United States Robert A McCleery --- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resource and Environment, United States Ara Monadjem --- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resource and Environment, United StatesAgricultural landscapes are typically associated with a decreased biodiversity, particularly when they extend across large spatial scales. Despite the fact that some African bat species seem to provide essential ecosystem services across landscapes, we only have a limited understanding of... -
Response of arthropod communities to plant-community rehabilitation efforts after strip mining on the semi-arid west coast of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Adam Steed --- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South Africa Rudi Swart --- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South Africa Marco J Pauw --- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON): Arid Lands Node, South Africa Francois Roets --- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South AfricaStrip mining in arid ecosystems causes extreme ecological destruction that may take decades to recover. The present study examined the effect of different plant-community rehabilitation treatments on arthropods after strip mining in the arid Namaqualand region of South Africa. Vegetation... -
Biological soil crusts of the Succulent Karoo: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Bettina Weber --- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany Alexandra Tamm --- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany Stefanie Maier --- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany Emilio Rodríguez-Caballero --- Department of Desertification and Geo-Ecology, Experimental Station of Arid Zones (EEZA-CSIC), SpainThe Succulent Karoo is characterised by a dense coverage of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) belonging to different types and successional stages. Whereas the Soebatsfontein region hosts cyanobacteria-dominated and minor amounts of lichen- and bryophyte-dominated biocrusts, the Knersvlakte comprises a rich... -
Vegetation responses to seasonal weather conditions and decreasing grazing pressure in the arid Succulent Karoo of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Ute Schmiedel --- Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, Germany Jens Oldeland --- Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, GermanyThe Succulent Karoo biome is a renowned centre of biodiversity and endemism in the arid winter rainfall region of South Africa that is threatened by climate change. On 20 permanently marked plots within a biodiversity observatory, species richness and cover... -
Minimum population size and potential impact of feral and semi-feral donkeys and horses in an arid rangeland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Halcyone Muller --- Conservation South Africa, South Africa Amanda Bourne --- Department of Biological Sciences, South AfricaFarmers in the northern, communally managed parts of the Succulent Karoo, an arid rangeland system in South Africa, historically used donkeys and horses for transport and ploughing. With increasing mechanisation, draught animal power has largely been replaced by machines. Yet,... -
Comparison of socio-economic and ecological benefits of bamboo and trees: the perspectives of local communities in south-western Ghana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Richard Osei --- Earth and Life Institute, Belgium Michael Ansong --- Department of Silviculture and Forest Management, Ghana Stefan Zerbe --- Faculty of Science and Technology, ItalyNatural forests are disappearing in many tropical countries, resulting in loss of biodiversity and erosion of forest-dependent livelihoods. The maintenance and restoration of forests as well as a search for alternative natural resources that can concurrently improve the environment and... -
Reef fish and benthic community structures of the Santa Luzia Marine Reserve in the Cabo Verde islands, eastern central Atlantic Ocean
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: R Freitas --- Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências do Mar, República de Cabo Verde TC Mendes --- Departamento de Ecologia, Brazil C Almeida --- Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências do Mar, República de Cabo Verde T Melo --- Biosfera I – Associação para Defesa do Meio Ambiente, República de Cabo Verde RC Villaça --- Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Brazil R Noguchi --- Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Brazil SR Floeter --- Laboratório de Biogeografia e Macroecologia Marinha, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Brazil CA Rangel --- Centro Nacional de Avaliação da Biodiversidade e de Pesquisa e Conservação do Cerrado (CBC), Brazil CEL Ferreira --- Departamento de Biologia Marinha, BrazilUnderstanding ecological structures and the dynamics of reef fish assemblages is a fundamental step in current conservation biology. Patterns of abundance and biomass of reef fish communities of the tropical Cabo Verde Archipelago (eastern central Atlantic Ocean) have not been... -
Taxonomic challenges associated with identification guides of benthic macroinvertebrates for biomonitoring freshwater bodies in East Africa: A review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: H Ochieng --- Department of Biology, Uganda J Okot-Okumu --- Department of Environmental Management, Uganda R Odong --- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, UgandaAlthough biomonitoring of freshwater bodies is important in East Africa as a result of increasing environmental threats, the identification guides of benthic macroinvertebrates used to generate data for developing metrics for this purpose are mainly not regionally specific. This casts... -
Spatio-temporal variation of environmental variables and aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Lake Nokoué, a RAMSAR site of Benin
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: OH Odountan --- Laboratory of Ecology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, Department of Zoology, Republic of Benin L Janssens de Bisthoven --- Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CEBioS), Belgium CZ Koudenoukpo --- Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Aquaculture, Benin Y Abou --- Laboratory of Ecology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, Department of Zoology, Republic of BeninEnvironmental characteristics and macroinvertebrate assemblages of Lake Nokoué (Benin) were investigated from September 2014 to July 2016. Seasonal and hydroclimatic changes, as well as anthropogenic activities were the overriding factors affecting environmental variables investigated. Analysis of macroinvertebrate community structure with... -
Seasonal and successional patterns of phytoplankton in Epe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: OA Kunrunmi --- Department of Botany, Nigeria TA Adesalu --- Department of Botany, NigeriaVariations in phytoplankton species abundance and composition are regulated by changes in physico-chemical factors. A study of biodiversity and successional sequences was carried out monthly from November 2012 to April 2014 to determine the environmental factors controlling phytoplankton assemblages in... -
Ecological, recreational and educational potential of a small artificial wetland in an urban environment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: PN Gitau --- School of Biological Sciences, Kenya GG Ndiritu --- School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Kenya NN Gichuki --- School of Biological Sciences, KenyaPertinent questions remain on whether small, artificial wetlands, such as abandoned quarries play any ecological or socio-economic role in the environment. To increase information on roles played by small-sized artificial wetlands in the environment, an assessment study was carried out... -
Vulnerability of birds to contaminated water sources in the Karoo region of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Alan TK Lee --- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, South Africa Carolynne Geary --- Purposefully Lost Conservation Centre, South Africa Dale R Wright --- BirdLife South Africa, South Africa W Richard J Dean --- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, South AfricaThe Karoo is a unique region in South Africa in terms of its ecological processes and endemic species. Large areas are needed to maintain viable populations of nomadic birds that follow erratic rainfall events and subsequent food and nesting resources,... -
The avifauna, conservation and biogeography of the Njesi Highlands in northern Mozambique, with a review of the country’s Afromontane birdlife
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Samuel EI Jones --- School of Biological Sciences, United Kingdom Gabriel A Jamie --- Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation, Belgium Emidio Sumbane --- Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation, Belgium Merlijn Jocque --- Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation, BelgiumNorthern Mozambique’s ‘sky-island’ mountains have become increasingly recognised for their Afromontane birdlife. Despite growing ornithological coverage, however, several Mozambican mountains remain poorly known. We present results from a three-week survey of three such mountains: the Njesi Plateau, Mount Chitagal and... -
Nutrient fluxes from sediments pose management challenges for the Knysna Estuary, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: LRD Human --- South African Environmental Observation Network, Elwandle Coastal Node, South Africa R Weitz --- Department of Botany, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, South Africa BR Allanson --- Knysna Basin Project, Department of Zoology and Entomology, South Africa JB Adams --- Department of Botany, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, South AfricaThis study investigated seasonal dynamics of benthic nutrient fluxes using in situ benthic chambers deployed over a 24–hour period at the sediment water interface for four distinct regions of the Knysna Estuary. The sediment in the Upper Estuary, Lagoon and... -
Effects of prolonged mouth closure in a temporarily open/closed estuary: a summary of the responses of invertebrate communities in the uMdloti Estuary, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: UM Scharler --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa K Lechman --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa T Radebe --- School of Life Sciences, South Africa HL Jerling --- Department of Zoology, South AfricaProlonged mouth closure in estuaries is often associated with hypersalinity, mainly as a result of reduced freshwater inflow. However, on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa, temporarily open/closed estuaries have a tendency towards hyposalinity during closed mouth conditions, primarily because of... -
The charismatic praying mantid: A gateway for insect conservation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Bianca Greyvenstein --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa Hannalene du Plessis --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa Johnnie van den Berg --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South AfricaPraying mantids (Mantodea) are not only apex predators with a ‘mystical’ status, but are also regarded as a kind of oracle and, in some cultures, as omens associated with good or bad. In the future, the cultural, mystical and religious... -
Local ecological knowledge demonstrates shifting baselines and the large-scale decline of sawfishes (Pristidae) in Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: G Braulik --- University of St Andrews, United Kingdom M Kasuga --- Wildlife Conservation Society Tanzania Program, Tanzania G Majubwa --- Ambakofi, TanzaniaSawfishes are coastally distributed rays that grow to very large sizes. All five species are assessed as Endangered or Critically Endangered as a result of population declines caused mainly by entanglements in fishing gear and by habitat degradation. Three species... -
Contrasting patterns in the abundance of fish communities targeted by fishers on two coral reefs in southern Mozambique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: T Sancelme --- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Australia J Goetze --- Global FinPrint Project, Australia S Jaquemet --- Université de La Réunion, UMR 9220 ENTROPIE [Tropical Marine Ecology Laboratory], Réunion MG Meekan --- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Australia A Flam --- Marine Megafauna Foundation, Marine Megafauna Research Center, Mozambique AM Watts --- Marine Megafauna Foundation, Marine Megafauna Research Center, Mozambique CW Speed --- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, AustraliaCoastal populations of maritime countries in eastern Africa rely on fish as a primary source of protein, but baseline information on the abundance of fish communities on these coastlines is often lacking. We used baited remote underwater video stations to... -
Spatial variability of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Okavango Delta, Botswana: considerations for developing a rapid bioassessment tool
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: H Dallas --- , South Africa B Mosepele --- , BotswanaSpatial variability in macroinvertebrate assemblages of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, was examined to evaluate differences in assemblages at a regional and habitat scale. Sampling was undertaken six times during a one-year cycle from 2005 to 2006, with 228 macroinvertebrates samples... -
Trends in populations of Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus in agricultural landscapes of Western Cape, South Africa, as measured by road counts
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Donella J Young --- , South Africa James A Harrison --- , South AfricaPopulation trends of the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus were monitored by volunteers participating in Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR) in the Overberg and Swartland agricultural regions of the Western Cape province from 1993 and 1996, respectively, until 2019 in the Overberg... -
Colonisation of South African kelp-bed canopies by the alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: extent and implications of a novel bioinvasion
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: C Lindberg --- , South Africa CL Griffiths --- , South Africa RJ Anderson --- , South AfricaThe Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is the most significant invasive alien marine species in South Africa and, although not normally found subtidally, has recently been observed colonising heads and stipes of the kelp species Ecklonia maxima in False Bay. We... -
Ecosystem service values of sediment generation and entrapment by marginal coral reefs at Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: SCS Laing --- , South Africa MH Schleyer --- , South Africa JK Turpie --- , South AfricaCoral reefs provide a multitude of goods and services, some of which are difficult to value due to their intangible nature and the absence of markets to ascribe their relative worth. The coral reefs of Sodwana Bay on the northeast... -
Updated checklist and assemblages of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acridomorpha) associated with various habitats, including oases of Central Sahara in Algeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Abderrahmane Soudani --- , Algeria Abdelhamid Moussi --- , AlgeriaThe grasshopper communities of central Saharan ecosystems (Adrar region, Algeria) were studied at two scales: the first scale considered different biotopes in 23 localities. Random sampling with different traps from February 2016 to February 2019 made it possible to capture... -
Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Susan Nanfuka --- , Uganda David Mfitumukiza --- , Uganda Anthony Egeru --- , UgandaEcosystems provide climate-change adaptation opportunities including ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and livelihood improvement especially for natural resource dependent communities. To contribute to the understanding of location specific adaptation processes of predominantly agro-pastoralists, a study was carried out in the central... -
Extending biodiversity conservation with functional and evolutionary diversity: a case study of South African sparid fishes
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: R Henriques --- , South Africa BQ Mann --- , South Africa ES Nielsen --- , South Africa C Hui --- , South Africa S von der Heyden --- , South AfricaDesigning marine protected area (MPA) networks has relied primarily on species- or habitat-based measures that assess spatial distributions of biodiversity. Molecular and functional data have the potential to unlock information regarding the evolutionary uniqueness and resilience of natural communities, making... -
Composition, structure and diversity of fish assemblages across seascape types at Príncipe, an understudied tropical island in the Gulf of Guinea (eastern Atlantic Ocean)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: F Otero-Ferrer --- , Canary Islands F Tuya --- , Canary Islands NE Bosch Guerra --- , Australia A Herrero-Barrencua --- , Canary Islands AD Abreu --- , R Haroun --- , Canary IslandsCoastal seascapes are often composed of a mosaic of interconnected habitats. Transitions between adjacent habitats are of special relevance to the ecology of many reef-associated organisms. In this study, we tested (i) whether the degree of similarity in the composition... -
Demersal fish communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, indicate partial congruence with proposed conservation biozones
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: WN Dalton --- , South Africa SN Porter --- , South Africa T-C Livingstone --- , South Africa BQ Mann --- , South AfricaThe KwaZulu-Natal shelf, on the east coast of South Africa, is inhabited by diverse communities of demersal fishes; however, previous studies deeper than 30 m have largely investigated these with extractive techniques. Using baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs), this study... -
Strengthening the DNA barcode reference library for South African estuarine macrofauna
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: C Fagg --- , South Africa NL Phair --- , South Africa L Claassens --- , South Africa RSK Barnes --- , South Africa S von der Heyden --- , South AfricaSeagrass ecosystems face many anthropogenic pressures, yet globally there is a lack of knowledge of their associated biodiversity. Molecular barcoding can aid in biomonitoring efforts, but few South African invertebrates are accounted for. We provide 48 new sequences for 15... -
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... -
First record of the ant Pheidole megatron Fischer and Fisher, 2013 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Rwanda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Venuste Nsengimana --- , Rwanda Ann Vanderheyden --- , Belgium Sophie Gombeer --- , Belgium Nathalie Smitz --- , Belgium Kenny Meganck --- , Belgium Marc De Meyer --- , Belgium Thierry Backeljau --- , Belgium Brian L Fisher --- , United States Wouter Dekoninck --- , BelgiumWe present the first record of the ant Pheidole megatron Fischer and Fisher, 2013 in Rwanda, a species thought to be endemic to the Malagasy region. Specimens were collected in July 2019, in one of the houses located at Kivumu,... -
Metabarcoding of marine zooplankton in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: SP Singh --- , South Africa JC Groeneveld --- , South Africa J Huggett --- , South Africa D Naidoo --- , South Africa R Cedras --- , South Africa S Willows-Munro --- , South AfricaMetabarcoding is an emerging method in which DNA barcoding is combined with next-generation sequencing to determine the biodiversity of taxonomically complex samples. We assessed the current state of DNA barcode reference databases for marine zooplankton in South Africa and undertook... -
Taxonomic revision of the Jita snakes (Lamprophiidae: Boaedon) from São Tomé and Príncipe (Gulf of Guinea), with the description of a new species
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Luis MP Ceríaco --- Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto, Portugal Ana Lisette Arellano --- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, USA Robert C Jadin --- University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA Mariana P Marques --- Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal Diogo Parrinha --- Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal Jakob Hallermann --- Universität Hamburg, GermanyThe taxonomic status of the São Tomé and Príncipe islands ‘Cobras Jitas’, genus Boaedon, has been a subject of confusion. Historically, these island populations have been referred to as part of either the Boaedon fuliginosus species complex or Boaedon capensis... -
Evaluating the evidence for ecological effectiveness of South Africa’s marine protected areas
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: SP Kirkman --- , South Africa BQ Mann --- , South Africa KJ Sink --- , South Africa R Adams --- , South Africa T-C Livingstone --- , South Africa JB Mann-Lang --- , South Africa MC Pfaff --- , South Africa T Samaai --- , South Africa MG van der Bank --- , South Africa L Williams --- , South Africa GM Branch --- , South AfricaWe reviewed 140 papers to assess the ecological effectiveness of South Africa’s marine protected areas (MPAs). Evidence was assessed for coverage and representivity, protection of important biodiversity areas, other recognised elements of effectiveness, connectivity, and ecological effects—from the scale of... -
Zooplankton communities in Lake Nasser, Egypt, under the current flood regime, before the construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Mahmoud H Hegab --- , Egypt Nehad Khalifa --- , Egypt Walid Aly --- , EgyptThis study focuses on changes in zooplankton composition and abundance in Lake Nasser during different flood periods before the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Field surveys were carried out in August 2016 (flood period), December 2016 (post-flood... -
Avian diversity in Moka, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Christina D Perella --- , United States Jacob R Owens --- , United States Drew T Cronin --- , United StatesBioko Island, Equatorial Guinea is a biodiversity hotspot facing encroaching development, logging, and hunting. Long-term monitoring of the species composition and community structure of birds on Bioko allows for a better understanding of the effects of seasonality, anthropogenic development, and... -
Temperature cycles beneath, and adjacent to, intertidal boulders and associated differences in biotic composition
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: C van Rensburg --- , South Africa A Robbins --- , South Africa C Griffiths --- , South AfricaThe only previous study on the macrobiota of South African boulder shores showed this assemblage to be more diverse than on nearby rocky platforms, but the drivers of that difference remain unresolved. We recorded water and air temperatures under intertidal... -
Unleashing traditional ecological knowledge for biodiversity conservation and resilience to climate change in Rwanda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: Nathan Kanuma Taremwa --- , Rwanda Marie-Christine Gasingirwa --- , Rwanda Donat Nsabimana --- , RwandaThe purpose of this study was to assess how traditional ecological knowledge systems can be leveraged to achieve biodiversity conservation and build resilience to climate change. A sequential mixed methods approach was used to study 379 local people residing around... -
Revisiting ‘A monograph on the Polychaeta of southern Africa’: establishing taxonomic research priorities in southern Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: CA Simon --- , South Africa J Kara --- , South Africa DT Clarke --- , South Africa S Sedick --- , South AfricaOriginally published in 1967, John H Day’s work ‘A monograph on the Polychaeta of southern Africa’ is still used widely to identify polychaetes. However, ongoing taxonomic revisions have revealed that several putative cosmopolitan or locally widespread taxa contained in the... -
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... -
Influence of burning and defoliation on Festuca costata (Nees) in the Drakensberg
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Kabemba Mwambilwa --- , South Africa Kevin P Kirkman --- , South Africa Zivanai Tsvuura --- , South AfricaFire occurs naturally in grasslands and savannas and it is commonly used as a management tool to influence structure and composition. The ability of a grass plant to recover from fire may be influenced by the fire frequency and intensity... -
Comparisons of macrofaunal communities occupying shores across the full particle-size spectrum reveals pebble beaches to be a distinct coastal habitat type
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: A Robbins --- University of Cape Town, South Africa CL Griffiths --- University of Cape Town, South Africa L Nefdt --- University of Cape Town, South AfricaIntertidal research has focused primarily on very fine to coarse sandy beaches (grain size <1 mm) and on rocky shores, while shores with grain sizes of 1-256+ mm have rarely been studied. Within South Africa, few published accounts describe the... -
A new puddle frog (Phrynobatrachidae: Phrynobatrachus) from the Mambilla Plateau in eastern Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: DavidC. Blackburn --- University of Kansas, USAA new species of puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus) is described from the Kurmin Danko Forest Reserve on the western edge of the Mambilla Plateau in eastern Nigeria. The new species is distinguished from both geographically proximate and closely related Phrynobatrachus species... -
Living in a desert: examining scorpion beta diversity in Egyptian drylands from a macroecological perspective
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: André FA Lira --- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Brazil Stênio ÍA Foerster --- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia Ahmed Badry --- Al-Azhar University, EgyptDrylands correspond to ca. 40% of the world’s land surface. Because of their ecological importance, these areas are regularly considered for agricultural purposes. Scorpion assemblages often exhibit higher levels of species diversity in dry habitats and are beneficial indicators in... -
Changes in plant vegetation structure and diversity with distance from herder shelters in the Middle Atlas Mountains
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: A El Aich --- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Morocco S Ghassan --- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Morocco CL Alados --- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Spain S El Aayadi --- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Morocco L Baamal --- Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, MoroccoLivestock grazing intensity gradients associated with sheep holder shelters influenced the longevity of rangelands vegetation. This study aimed to examine the effects of livestock grazing pressure on vegetation structure and diversity with distance from herder shelters. Six shelters were sampled... -
Assessing long-term nutrient and lime enrichment effects on a subtropical South African grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Naledi Zama --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Anathi Magadlela --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Ntuthuko Mkhize --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Michelle Tedder --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Kevin Kirkman --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaNutrient enrichment influences grassland ecosystem structure, typically manifested by reduced species richness and increased productivity. Quantifying the long-term impacts of nutrient enrichment on grasslands contributes to understanding eutrophication effects on grassland, particularly for grasslands adapted to low soil nutrient status... -
Effect of land use/land cover changes on water quality in the Upper Athi River sub-catchment in Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Margaret Waturu --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya Lewis Sitoki --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya Joseph Lalah --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya Stanley Chasia --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya Evance Mbao --- The Technical University of Kenya, KenyaThe unprecedented pollution of Athi River has negatively impacted the downstream communities who depend on the river's waters. Moreover, the Upper Athi River Catchment has recently experienced an increase in human population coupled with rapid industrialisation, which has led to... -
Environmental stressors influence the biological water quality of a lotic system in southwestern Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: EO Akindele --- Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria SA Olaniyan --- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria AM Adedapo --- Obafemi Awolowo University, NigeriaDeforestation in the Afrotropical realm is extensively encroaching on riparian corridors, causing increasingly negative impacts on freshwater biota. This study aimed to assess the biological water quality of an Afrotropical river in southwestern Nigeria whose riparian corridor is threatened by... -
Regenerative economy: A pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Africa Journal of Management • Authors: Judith L. Walls --- Institute for Economy and the Environment, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland Leo Luca Vogel --- University of St.Gallen, SwitzerlandAfrica is experiencing a period of rapid economic growth, booming population, and migration as biodiversity is deteriorating and the climate is warming. Together, these represent grand societal and environmental challenges. The African Union and the United Nations both promote sustainable... -
Macrobenthic fauna of the Agulhas Bank shelf edge
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: S Brandt --- University of Cape Town, South Africa N Karenyi --- University of Cape Town, South Africa K Sink --- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South AfricaThe deep sea (>200m depth) off South Africa is largely unexplored, with most benthic macrofauna samples limited to depths shallower than 100m. The benthic infaunal diversity of the Agulhas Bank shelf edge has not yet been studied. We analysed seven... -
A bibliometric study on diatom DNA metabarcording for water quality monitoring: a global perspective
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: EO Mbao --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya J Nyika --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya T Sheng --- Nanjing Agricultural University, China B Ochieng --- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China L Sitoki --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya SO Oduor --- Egerton University, Kenya N Kitaka --- Egerton University, Kenya L Olaka --- The Technical University of Kenya, Kenya C Tan --- University of Tours, FranceAquatic biota have been used for decades in water quality assessment since they reflect the changing physico-chemical conditions of waterbodies. Among the aquatic organisms used in biological assessment are diatoms. Initially, morphological studies of diatoms were preferred in monitoring but... -
A preliminary study into the detection of fish environmental DNA in selected South African estuaries
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Keneilwe Thekiso --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tshoanelo Miya --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Dominique A Cowart --- , FranceEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful technique for the non-invasive and comprehensive monitoring of entire ecosystems. Despite its many advantages, the use of eDNA in South Africa as an assessment tool for fish biodiversity is largely underutilised. This study was... -
New distribution records and population density of the Critically Endangered Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan), eastern Madagascar
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Alain JV Rakotondrina --- Madagasikara Voakajy, Madagascar Raphali R Andriantsimanarilafy --- Madagasikara Voakajy, Madagascar Hanta J Razafimanahaka --- Madagasikara Voakajy, Madagascar Achille P Raselimanana --- , Madagascar Rikki Gumbs --- Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom Caleb Ofori-Boateng --- Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom Jody M Taft --- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South Africa Fanomezana M Ratsoavina --- Université d’Antananarivo, MadagascarThe distribution and population density of the Critically Endangered Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan) in eastern humid forests of Madagascar was studied using line transect-distance sampling. Based on the results from species distribution models, eight sites were visited over a four-month... -
Susceptibility of dwarf chameleons to climate and land use change: a vulnerability framework for conservation planning
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Tyron K Clark --- University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Graham J Alexander --- University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Krystal A Tolley --- South African National Biodiversity Institute, South AfricaClimate and land use changes are eroding biodiversity globally, and reptiles are highlighted as being particularly susceptible. In South Africa, global changes threaten the persistence of an assemblage of dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion) located in a biodiversity hotspot. We used ecological... -
Identification of main variables in forest management for recovery of endemic species habitat in burned areas of southern Chile
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Roberto Moreno --- Instituto de Investigación Sistema Tierra (IISTA), Universidad de Córdoba, España Ricardo Zamora --- Universidad de Córdoba, España Norman Moreno-García --- Universidad Mayor, Chile Carlos Esse --- Instituto Iberoamericano de Desarrollo Sostenible (IIDS), Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile Carmen Galán --- Instituto de Investigación Sistema Tierra (IISTA), Universidad de Córdoba, España Juan Ramón Molina --- Universidad de Córdoba, EspañaWildfires are among the most serious disturbances that affect forest biodiversity, damaging both flora and fauna. In some burned areas, vegetation recovery is a long and complex process that requires the support of restorative actions. This study evaluated changes in... -
Assessment of the impact of woody species encroachment on plant species diversity and the livelihood of pastoralists in southeastern Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Abdulhakim Mahmud --- Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia Habte Telila --- Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia Lemessa Kumsa --- Adama Science and Technology University, EthiopiaThe study aimed to assess the encroachment of woody plants on the rangelands of the Dallo Manna district of Bale Zone, and their impact on plant species diversity and pastoral livelihoods. Plant data were collected from 45 plots at encroaching... -
Population genetics and phylogeography of Trachylepis sulcata (Peters, 1867) and T. ansorgii (Boulenger, 1907) in south-western Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Brett O. Butler --- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico Luis M.P. Ceríaco --- Universidade do Porto, Portugal Todd R. Jackman --- Villanova University, Aaron M. Bauer --- Villanova University,Ansorge’s Rock Skink Trachylepis ansorgii (Boulenger, 1907) is an Angolan taxon, the taxonomic distinctiveness and geographic distribution of which are poorly understood. It is closely related to the widespread Western Rock Skink T. sulcata (Peters, 1867) from Namibia and South... -
Assessing the extent to which African wetland inventories can report to the global targets on biodiversity, including Goal A of the Global Biodiversity Framework
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: MM Sadiki --- University of Pretoria, RSA H van Deventer --- University of Pretoria, RSA CD Hansen --- University of Pretoria, RSAWetlands face global threats with estimates suggesting a loss ranging from 21% to 85% of their original extent. Africa’s wetlands, covering about 4.4% of the continent, provide crucial services to millions of people and harbour significant biodiversity. This study assesses... -
Molecular evidence reveals fish-pathogenic Aphanomyces spp. (Oomycetes: Saprolegniales) on new host of the threatened seasonal cyprinodont fish Nothobranchius spp. (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes) in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: Béla Nagy --- , FranceThe Aphanomyces species pose an important global threat and cause damage to aquaculture and agriculture by infecting aquatic animals and plants. Several subpopulations of the seasonal cyprinodont fish genus Nothobranchius with lesions suggestive of infection with Aphanomyces invadans, were observed... -
Diversity, abundance and habitat association of small mammals in Maze National Park, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Belayneh Ayechw --- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia Simon Shibru --- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia Serekebirhan Takele --- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia Abraham Tolcha --- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia Matewos Masne --- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia Zewudneh Tomass --- Arba Minch University, EthiopiaWe investigated species composition, relative abundance, habitat association and density of small mammals in Maze National Park, Ethiopia. Data were collected using the capture-mark-recapture technique in three representative habitat types (grassland, bushland and riverine forest) from November 2021 to August... -
From forage to multifunctionality: shifting perceptions of rangeland ecosystem services in the journals of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Craig D Morris --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaRangelands offer various goods and ecosystem services (ES) besides providing forage for commercial livestock production. An analysis of research published in the journals of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa from 1966 to 2023 revealed a widening focus on different... -
Nearly six decades of grazing research published by the Grassland Society of Southern Africa: trends, recommendations and gaps
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: G Arena --- , South Africa H-J Hawkins --- , South AfricaWe reviewed research on grazing in extensive rangelands published by the Grassland Society of Southern Africa’s (GSSA) flagship journal, founded in 1966. We aimed to identify and synthesise emerging themes, trends, key recommendations and research gaps. From 1966 to 2023,... -
Cross-realm biodiversity profile of the South African coastal zone
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: LR Harris --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa JB Adams --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa A Dayaram --- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa LV Dunga --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa N Job --- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa SP Kirkman --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa SJ Lamberth --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa MC Pfaff --- University of Cape Town, South Africa JL Raw --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa GM Rishworth --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa A Robbins --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa KJ Sink --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa AL Skowno --- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa H van Deventer --- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa L van Niekerk --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South AfricaSouth Africa’s coast is 3 113 km long and includes microtidal shores that experience semi-diurnal tides and mostly high wave energy. From west to east, the cool Benguela Current and the warm Agulhas Current drive steep gradients in climate and... -
Littoral substrates and nest properties of Coptodon rendalli vary with distance from the shoreline in a tropical impoundment, southeast Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: RJ Chateya --- National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe HGT Ndagurwa --- National University of Science and Technology, ZimbabweThe change in littoral substrates and Coptodon rendalli nest properties along the inshore–offshore gradient of Mushandike Dam in southeast Zimbabwe, impacted by long-term water-level fluctuations, were studied in March 2016. Substrate and nest properties were measured in four contiguous 25... -
Assessment of the inland wetland ecosystem types in South Africa: threats and protection
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: H van Deventer --- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa Jeanne L Nel --- , The NetherlandsEcosystem threat status (ETS) and ecosystem protection levels (EPLs) are headline indicators that can assess freshwater ecosystems at a country-wide scale. A spatial layer of freshwater, inland wetland ecosystem types of South Africa was combined with a range of spatial... -
Filling the gaps: herpetological checklist of Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province (Angola) shed light on one of the most unexplored corners of tropical Central Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Javier Lobón-Rovira --- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Asociado, Universidade do Porto, Portugal Ninda L Baptista --- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Asociado, Universidade do Porto, Portugal Tyron Clark --- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Luke Verburgt --- University of Pretoria, South Africa Gregory FM Jongsma --- New Brunswick Museum, Canada Werner Conradie --- Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa Luis Veríssimo --- Fundação Kissama, Angola Pedro Vaz Pinto --- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Asociado, Universidade do Porto, PortugalThe global environmental crisis has reinforced the importance of improving the documentation of the geographical distributions of extant species. With this aim, species inventories of specific locations or regions are a high priority, especially so in poorly explored areas. Cabinda... -
Trends and population size of White-necked Rockfowl Picathartes gymnocephalus within the Nyamibe Bepo Forest Reserve in Ghana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Joseph Kwasi Afrifa --- Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre, Ghana Ernestina Ahema --- Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre, Ghana Winston Kanyi --- Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre, Ghana Gideon Nyamekye Osei --- Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre, Ghana Darkwah Yaw Amoateng --- Ghana Wildlife Society, Accra Conservation Education Centre, Ghana Augustus Asamoah --- Proforest Africa Regional Office, GhanaThe White-necked Rockfowl Picathartes gymnocephalus (family Picathartidae) is endemic to the Upper Guinea forest and has a global population of <10 000 mature individuals. This species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List owing to its declining population,... -
Frequent defoliation rapidly and progressively reduces the vigour of a perennial mesic grassland forb, Thunbergia atriplicifolia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Craig D Morris --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Sindiso Nkuna --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaForbs in South African mesic grasslands are ancient, numerous, and diverse, thriving with fires and light herbivory but declining under chronic, severe grazing and trampling. This study tested the hypothesis that repeated herbivory progressively weakens forbs by reducing their underground... -
Spatial environmental variability shapes the diversity of bottom ecosystems on the western Gulf of Guinea shelf
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: C Denechaud --- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway E Dovlo --- Fisheries Scientific Survey Division (FSSD), Ghana T Joanny --- Centre de Recherches Océanologiques (CRO), Côte d’Ivoire VS Osei --- Fisheries Scientific Survey Division (FSSD), Ghana L Buhl-Mortensen --- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway A Staby --- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), NorwayThe western Gulf of Guinea is characterised by seasonal upwellings and hosts a large diversity of marine species. Although the assemblages of bottom fishes and benthic organisms are periodically assessed, there has been little research investigating these in tandem. We... -
Heavy metal contamination in mangrove ecosystems: assessing bioaccumulation in crabs and snails along the Bayelsa Coast, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: HO Adamu --- University of Bremen, Germany JI Izegaegbe --- University of Eastern Finland, Finland RO Hussaini --- Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria EM Odoya --- Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria HO Adamu --- Federal Ministry of Water Resources, NigeriaRapid human population growth and industrial activities along coastal areas have intensified anthropogenic contamination in water, sediment and edible fauna, posing public health risks. Mangrove ecosystems act as pollutant sinks, increasing the likelihood of heavy metal accumulation in aquatic organisms... -
Call description and extended range of Phrynobatrachus mayokoensis in Gabon
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Ryan van Huyssteen --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Melissa Petford --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Marius Burger --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Mark-Oliver Rödel --- , Germany Joris Ngoulou --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Abraham Bamba Kaya --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Etienne Akomo Okoue --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin Islands Jerome Gaugris --- Ecological Services Ltd, British Virgin IslandsThis study presents the first description of the advertisement call of Phrynobatrachus mayokoensis and reports a new locality record for this species in Gabon. During June 2022, two specimens were found in the Baniaka region, Haut-Ogooué Province, Gabon. The call... -
Establishing a basis for recognising marine ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Marine Science • Authors: SP Kirkman --- Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa P Kowalski --- , South Africa SD Holness --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa LJ Atkinson --- , South Africa R Brand --- Western Cape Government, South Africa L Dunga --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa TP Fairweather --- Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa T Goldman --- Rhodes University, South Africa D Marnewick --- Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, South Africa J Nhleko --- Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa R Peter --- Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa C Smith --- World Wide Fund for Nature – South Africa (WWF-SA), South Africa MG van der Bank --- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South Africa G van der Heever --- Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa L van Niekerk --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa KA Wright --- Wildlands Conservation Trust (WILDTRUST), South Africa KJ Sink --- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South AfricaThe concept of ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) and its technical guidance provide opportunities for recognising a broader range of area-based management measures that contribute to biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas. However, progress towards the recognition of OECMs... -
Bird community composition across a land use gradient in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology • Authors: Regine C Tabe Tiku --- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria Samuel EI Jones --- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Cyprus Malange NF Elikwo --- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Cameroon Kowo Cyril --- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Cameroon Steve Ngoy --- Centre de Suiveillance de la Biodiversite, Universite de Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo Virginia Zaunbrecher --- Center for Tropical Research, University of California, United States Ravinder NM Sehgal --- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, United StatesCocoa agroforestry expansion is widespread in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, posing a significant threat to the integrity of protected areas. Despite this threat, the impact of this expansion on forest bird communities remains largely unexamined. This study investigated bird... -
Effects of grazing regimes on ground-dwelling small mammal distribution and abundance in rangelands at Gravelotte, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: AW Bio Keri --- The Regional Post-Graduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands (ERAIFT), University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo J De Groot --- Southern African Wildlife College, South Africa PM Hamming --- Southern African Wildlife College, South Africa S Ntie --- Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Gabon SGA Nago --- Université de Parakou (UP), Benin EBO Ahouandjinou --- Federal University of Technology, Nigeria AJ Gardiner --- Southern African Wildlife College, South AfricaUnderstanding the impact of grazing on wildlife communities is essential for implementing sustainable grazing practices that promote biodiversity conservation. This study investigated the effects of three grazing regimes (Wildlife and Cattle Grazing, Traditional Rotational Selective Grazing, and Holistic Planned Grazing...