Caption "D8. Monk’s Cowl & Champagne Castle across the Injasuti Valley. Oct. 1958."

The grasslands of South Africa, and especially the higher altitudinal grasslands, are under increasing human pressure. In this study a floristic-ecological account of the vegetation of the southernmost Drakensberg and its foothills is given. This is the first comprehensive botanical study undertaken in this floristically poorly known region. The study area is situated in the magisterial districts of Barkly-East, Elliot and Maclear between 30°40' and 31°35' S, and 27°25' and 28°35' E. In the study area afforestation is the greatest threat at lower altitudes, whereas at the higher altitudes overgrazing, trampling and invasion by exotic plant species impact negatively on the native vegetation. A brief review of the history and previous botanical exploration of the area, as well as the physical environment are given. Four main plant communities - the Maytenus undata- Rhus dentata woodland and forests communities, Harpechloafalx- Pycreus cooperi hygrophilous communities, Themeda triandra - Alloteropsis semialata high altitude communities and Alloteropsis semialata- Rendlia altera Afromontane grassland communities, with various sub-communities and variants are identified and described. An annotated check-list of the plant species collected in the study area and distribution maps of all the Drakensberg Alpine Region and local endemic species found in the study area are given. Twenty two local endemic species and 74 rare and threatened taxa were identified. During the study 1 991 species and infraspecific taxa of vascular plants were collected or listed. Most of the endemic species in the study area are located above 1 500m altitude. Due to the relatively low number of local endemic species (22) the study area can at best be considered as a weak centre of endemism. However, it is clearly linked with two other major centres of plant endemism, namely the Drakensberg Alpine Region (DAR) and Maputaland-Pondoland Region (MPR). Within the study area 194 DAR and 86 MPR endemic species were recorded. No local endemic species occur in the forest and wetland communities. Most of the rare and threatened species are found in open grassland which are the areas most suitable for afforestation. This causes a major conflict between the forestry industry and conservation agencies in the area. All grasslands situated at an altitude of above 1 600 m are floristically very diverse and adequate representative areas should be protected, especially the areas of Tentkop and Elands Heights. Soils here are highly erodible and forestry and trampling in these areas should therefore be avoided at all costs. The higher lying grasslands and, to a lesser extent, the lower lying grasslands are ecologically sensitive areas. This is particularly so where the underlying mother rock is basalt, which weathers into highly erodible soils. It is suggested that all areas above 1 600 m be declared "no-go" areas for afforestation. This is based on not only the number of endemic and rare species found in these areas, but also because of the floristic diversity and aesthetic value they hold for eco-tourism. All habitats are sensitive to some degree, but the most threatened areas are the higher lying and open grasslands. Areas that are generally unsuitable for afforestation include rocky outcrops, vleis, drainage lines and forests. Most of these areas are protected by law, albeit for reasons not to do with biodiversity or endangered species. AFRIKAANS : Die grasvelde van Suid-Afrika, en veral die hoërliggende grasvelde, is onder toenemende menslike druk. In hierdie ondersoek word 'n floristies-ekologiese weergawe gegee van die plantegroei van die mees suidelike Drakensberg-eskarp en voetheuwels. Hierdie is die eerste uitgebreide plantkundige ondersoek in dié gebied. Die studiegebied is geleë in die Barkly-Oos, Elliot en Maclear landdrosdistrikte tussen 30º40' en 31º35' S, en 27º25' en 28º35' 0. In die studiegebied is bosbou die grootste bedreiging in laerliggende gebiede, terwyl oorbeweiding, vertrapping en indringing van uitheemse plantspesies die grootste negatiewe impak op die inheemse plantegroei van die hoërliggende gebiede bet. 'n Kort historiese oorsig, die vernaamste vorige versamelaars in die gebied en 'n beskrywing van die fisiese omgewing word verskaf. Vier hoof plantgemeenskappe word onderskei - die Maytenus undata - Rhus dentata boomveld en woud gemeenskappe, Harpechloa falx - Pycreus cooperi vlei gemeenskappe, Themeda triandra - Allotercpsis semialata hoogliggende grasveld gemeenskappe en die Alloteropsis semialata - Rendlia altera Afromontaan grasveld gemeenskappe met verskeie sub-gemeenskappe en variante. 'n Spesielys van aile spesies wat tot nog toe in die studiegebied aangeteken is, asook verspreidingskaarte van alle Drakensberg Alpynse en lokale endemiese spesies wat in die studiegebied versamel is, word verskaf. Twee-en-twintig lokale endemiese spesies en 74 skaars en bedreigde spesies is vir dié gebied geïdentifiseer. Gedurende die ondersoek is 1 991 spesies en infraspesifieke vaatplanttaksa versamel of gelys. Die meeste van die endemiese spesies in die studiegebied word hoër as 1 500 m bo seevlak aangetref. As gevolg van die relatief lae getal endemiese spesies (22) in die studiegebied, kan hierdie streek slegs as 'n swak sentrum van endemisme beskou word. Die gebied vorm egter deel van beide die Drakensberg Alpynse Sentrum en die Maputaland-Pondoland Sentrum van endemisme. Vir die studiegebied is 194 Drakensberg Alpynse en 86 Maputaland-Pondoland endemiese spesies aangeteken. Geen lokale endemiese spesies word in die woud en vlei gemeenskappe aangetref nie. Die meeste van die skaars en bedreigde spesies is met oop grasvelde geassosieer. Laasgenoemde is ook die mees geskikte habitat vir bosbou. Dié feit is verantwoordelik vir die meeste konflik tussen die bosboubedryf en bewaringsgroepe. Grasvelde bokant 1 600 m het 'n hoë floristiese diversiteit en daadwerklike pogings behoort aangewend te word om dit te bewaar, veral in die Tentkop en Elands Heights gebiede. Gronde in hierdie gebiede is besonder maklik erodeerbaar. Bosbou en vertrapping deur vee behoort ten alle koste vermy te word. Die hoogliggende, en tot 'n mindere mate die laagliggende grasvelde is ekologies baie sensitief. Dit is veral die geval waar die onderliggende moedermateriaal basalt is, omdat laasgenoemde gesteente tot gronde met 'n hoë erosie-potensiaal verweer. Daar word voorstel dat geen bosbou in gebiede bo 'n hoogte van 1 600 m beoefen word nie. Hierdie voorstel word nie net gemaak op grond van die aantal endemiese, skaars en bedreigde spesies nie, maar ook met die oog op die voordele wat die estetiese landskap vir ekotoerisme mag inhou. Enige habitat is tot 'n sekere mate sensitief, maar in die studiegebied is die mees sensitiewe dele uit 'n plantkundige oogpunt is die hoërliggende oop grasvelde. Laerliggende gebiede wat nie vir bosbou geskik is nie sluit vlei gebiede, klip koppies en randjies, woude en dreinerings lyne in. Die meeste van hierdie gebiede word deur die wet beskerm, alhoewel nie noodwendig as gevolg van biodiversiteit of bedreigde spesies nie. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Plant Science / unrestricted

In hierdie studie word gepoog om ’n historiese oorsig te gee oor die bydrae van die Drakensberg Seunskoor tot die musieklewe in Suid-Afrika. So ’n studie is nog nie voorheen onderneem nie. As agtergrond tot die geskiedkundige navorsing is ʼn algemene oorsig van die koortradisies in Suid-Afrika, en hoe wedersydse beïnvloeding met die Drakensberg Seunskoor plaasgevind het, in hierdie studie uiteengesit. Daar is verder gekyk na die ontstaan en algemene agtergrond van die skool, die musiekopvoeding, kooraktiwiteite, konserte, repertorium, opnames, oudleerlinge en dirigente. ’n Algemene historiese weergawe van die Drakensberg Seunskoor vorm die grootste komponent van die studie. Persoonlike gesprekke, direkte observasie, deelnemende observasie, versameling van inligting deur dokumente en argiefrekords en die studie van kulturele artefakte is die metodes wat gebruik is om inligting te versamel. As gevolg van die feit dat die koor ʼn groot hoeveelheid repertorium van verskillende genres sing, word die toonkunstenaarskap van die koorlede en dirigente uitsonderlik ontwikkel, veral wat betref verskillende uitvoeringspraktyke, wat ook ’n praktiese toepassing is van die musiekkurrikulum by die skool. Die aantal optredes, toere, repertorium en opnames, asook die aantal hoëprofielkontrakte wat die Drakensberg Seunskoor sedert sy ontstaan ontvang het, is ’n duidelike bewys dat hierdie koor nie slegs ’n baie groot invloed op die Suid-Afrikaanse musieklewe het nie, maar ook internasionaal uitstekend vaar. Die sukses van alumni en oud-dirigente se verdere musiekloopbane onderskryf ook hierdie stelling. Die genoemde intense opvoeding deur middel van musiek het tot gevolg dat van die oud-leerlinge die internasionale musiekwêreld met sukses betree, en daardeur die skool se invloed ver buite die landsgrense uitdra. Curricula vitae van alumni van die skool, waaronder Barry Coleman, Jacques Imbrailo, Colin Lee, Mark Nixon, Clint van der Linde en Deon van der Walt, staaf hierdie stelling. Curricula vitae van dirigente wat betrokke was by die koorskool sedert die ontstaan van die skool (in 1967) tot 2006 toon dat die koor nie slegs musici van formaat lok nie, maar ook aan hierdie afrigters die geleentheid bied om hulle toonkunstenaarskap te ontwikkel wat hulle in staat stel om later ’n groot rol in die musieklewe van Suid-Afrika, asook soms internasionaal, te speel. Hierdie studie lewer ’n bydrae tot die erkenning wat die Drakensberg Seunskoor verdien. Dit gee terselfdertyd aan uitvoerders, studente en historici ’n breër agtergrond, insig en waardering vir die koorskool. English This study aims to give a historic overview of the contribution of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir to music in South Africa. Such a study has not yet been undertaken up to date. As background to the historic research, a general overview of choral traditions in South Africa and the mutual influence with the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir is set out in this study. Other aspects explored include the origin and general background of the school, the musical education, choir activities, concerts, repertoire, recordings, past students and conductors. A historic account of the choir forms the greatest part of the study. The methods used to gather information include interviews, personal conversations, direct observation, participatory observation, the collection of information from documents and archive records and the study of cultural artefacts. Because the choir sings a large repertoire from different genres, the musicianship of the choir members and conductors is developed particularly well, especially regarding different performance practices, which is also a practical application of the music curriculum at the school. The number of performances, tours, repertoire and recordings, as well as the high profile contracts that the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir has received since its origin, are clear indications that the choir not only has a significant influence on South African music, but also does exceptionally well internationally. The success of the further music careers of alumni and past conductors supports this statement. The school’s intense education through music means that past students enter the international music world successfully, and in this way carry the school’s influence far beyond the country’s borders. Curricula vitae of alumni of the school, which include Barry Coleman, Jacques Imbrailo, Colin Lee, Mark Nixon, Clint van der Linde and Deon van der Walt, are proof of this. Curricula vitae of conductors that have been involved with the choir school since its origin (in 1967) to 2006, show that the choir not only attracts noted musicians, but also offers them the opportunity to develop their musicianship, which allows them to later play a great role in music in South Africa, often also internationally. This study contributes to the recognition that the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir deserves. It gives performers, students and historians a broad background, and at the same time insight into and appreciation for the choir school. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Music / unrestricted

The Drakensberg is the highest part of a 1000-km long escarpment that also forms a natural border between South Africa and eastern Lesotho. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park was declared a World Heritage site in 2000 and is globally significant, in particular due to the rock art painted by San hunter-gatherers who inhabited the area from about 8 000 years ago until the late 19th Century. Approximately 30 000 painted images can be found in nearly 600 rock shelters in the area. Rock art heritage in the Drakensberg is unfortunately being lost through a variety of processes, some natural and others resulting from human impacts. Previous research on the weathering of San paintings has focused largely on either monitoring processes causing weathering in rock shelters or investigating rock surfaces that are adjacent to the rock paintings. Recent findings indicate that some of the San art has been painted onto surfaces that were prepared by smoothing the rock surface with a “grinding stone” and coated with a clay (“ground”) layer prior to the application of pigments. This new information may have important implications for rock art conservation as smoothing of a rock surface could significantly modify the physical and chemical characteristics of the surface, thereby influencing the deterioration of the art. In this study two classification systems are developed from data collected in four rock shelters situated in the Park. The first, a Type of Surface Classification System, is developed for the purpose of identifying different types of rock surfaces within rock shelters. The second, a State of Deterioration Classification System, is developed with the purpose of establishing, through visual inspection, how deteriorated the rock art on different types of rock surfaces is. Linkages between the type of surface and the state of deterioration are also explored. Findings show that it is not only possible to determine which surface type a painting has been painted on, but that different rock surface types can deteriorate through different weathering mechanisms and to a different degree. One type of rock surface, acknowledged but not yet recorded, was found amongst the rock art paintings selected for the purpose of this study. More importantly, the alteration of rock surfaces through human action in the past is found to cause rock surfaces to deteriorate either at an accelerated or a retarded rate as opposed to rock paintings that were made on surfaces that have only been altered by natural weathering mechanisms. For example, if a rock surface has only been smoothed with a grinding stone, results show that weathering mechanisms did not deteriorate the surface as quickly as in the case where a clay ground layer has been applied to the rock surface. Different types of rock surfaces deteriorating through different weathering mechanisms (as a result of surface preparation) might have significant implications in terms of rock art conservation as the strategies implemented to conserve rock art should be adapted to consider surface type. In terms of rock art studies aiming to conserve this precious heritage, the two classification systems presented could, therefore, be useful non-destructive tools in assessing rock art deterioration. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MA / Unrestricted

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016. / This dissertation examines the role of remote sensing on rock art survey and is motivated by two key objectives: to determine if remote sensing has any value to rock art survey, furthermore if remote sensing is successful to determine if these individual remote sensing components can contribute to a predictive (site locating) model for rock art survey. Previous research effectively applied remote sensing techniques to alternate environmental studies which could be replicated in such a study. The successful application of google earth imagery to rock art survey (Pugin 2012) demonstrated the potential for a more expansive automated procedure and this dissertation looks to build on that success. The key objectives were tested using three different research areas to determine remote sensing potential across different terrain. Owing to the nature of the study, the initial predictions were formulated using the MARA database – a database of known rock art sites in the surrounds of Matatiele, Eastern Cape – and were then applied to surrounding areas to expand this database further. Upon adding more sites to this database, the predictions were applied to Sehlabathebe National Park, Lesotho and then 31 rock art sites in the areas adjacent to Underberg. The findings of this research support the use of predictive models provided that the predictive model is formulated and tested using a substantial dataset. In conclusion, remote sensing is capable of contributing to rock art surveys and to the production of successful predictive models for rock art survey or alternate archaeological procedures focusing on specific environmental features. / LG2017

In contrast to the wealth of palaeoenvironmental research stemming from the eastern Afromontane archipelago, the southern Afromontane component, which comprises largely of the Drakensberg, remains understudied. The Drakensberg constitute an area of significant biodiversity, cultural and economic importance. Suitable sites for palaeoenvironmental research are rare in South Africa due to general arid climatic conditions over much of the country. The KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg offers a unique opportunity for palaeoenvironmental research through its increased rainfall and higher altitudes, which enable the development of wetlands that have the potential for polliniferous accumulation to occur. Catchment Six in Cathedral Peak is one such wetland that has provided an opportunity to research palaeoenvironmental conditions of the southern Afromontane archipelago component. A 371 cm sediment core was extracted from a subalpine wetland in Catchment Six and analysed using multiple proxies including; pollen, charcoal and geochemistry (carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes). A chronological framework for the core was established based on accelerated mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating of eight bulk sediment samples. A basal date of 15,100 ± 445 cal yr BP was determined at a depth of 298 cm. Poor pollen preservation of the basal portion of the core limited palaeoenvironmental inference for the late Pleistocene section of the record. The multiproxy record provides high chronological resolution for the early to late Holocene. Multi-proxy data indicate that the Holocene period in the Drakensberg was characterised by variable climatic conditions. Charcoal data indicate periods of increased regional fires in the last ca. 400 cal yr BP. Palaeoenvironmental inferences from the Catchment Six record are broadly in agreement with regional climatic indications based on existing literature. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Caption: “Giants Castel reserve, Drakensberg. Vegetation growing on top of a large boulder. 1956. C. J. Skead. Christine Skead in picture.”

South African grasslands are under-conserved and there is a need to expand conservation efforts beyond the boundaries of protected areas. While communal grasslands have conservation potential they are generally over-utilized and the impact of communal land-use on biodiversity is poorly studied. At the same time there is pressure on protected areas to allow for the sustainable utilization of biodiversity. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of communal land-use on various components of biodiversity and to make recommendations regarding communal use of protected areas. A fence-line study was conducted to assess the impact of eight years of controlled communal land-use on biodiversity in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The communally used land (referred to as the lease land) which was used for controlled grazing as well as plant collection was compared with land under formal conservation. Vegetation was sampled using the importance score method and veld condition assessments. Selected invertebrate taxa were sampled using sweep netting, colour pan traps and transects and were identified to morphospecies level. Multivariate statistics revealed that sites generally grouped according to landscape position rather than land-use. No significant differences were found in diversity, evenness, richness or veld condition between the lease and conservation land. However, more than twenty-five percent of vegetation and invertebrate species were found exclusively in the lease or conservation land, suggesting that different suites of species were supported by the two landuses. Four alien plant species were found exclusively in the lease land, while one vulnerable and one rare plant species were found only in the conservation land. Further research is required to assess whether biodiversity was diminished by controlled communal. While the lease concept may offer potential as a low-use buffer zone, localised damage from cattle paths and weak enforcement of grazing agreements were areas of concern. Keywords: communal grass)ands, grassland flora, grassland invertebrates, transfrontier park. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, 2012. / A variety of mass movement landforms occur in the southern Drakensberg, South Africa, and whilst a number of studies on individual landforms have been conducted, regional scale assessments of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Transfrontier Park have been relatively limited. Mass movement has been defined as the downward and outward movement of slope-forming material under the influence of a transporting agent such as water, air, ice or snow (Goudie, 2004). This includes landforms such as landslides, debris flows, terracettes, solifluction lobes and rockfall. Although two landslide risk assessments have been conducted in the region, one was site specific and focussed on shallow, translational slides (Bijker, 2001), whilst the other was at a much larger regional scale and focused on large palaeo-mass movements (Singh, 2008). Numerous international mass movement classifications have been developed over the years, and one of the primary aims of this research is to develop a classification for mass movement landforms within a southern African context. A number of mass movement landforms were identified, measured and mapped in the field to acquire a better understanding of how the landforms originate. This classification was then further adapted to facilitate the identification of mass movement landforms from orthophotos. Aerial photo interpretation techniques were used to map three terrace-type mass movement landforms and four shear-type mass movement landforms in the Garden Castle State Forest of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Transfrontier Park. A further level of detail was added to the classification by ascribing environmental conditions to the different landform types. A Geographic Information System was used to collate and generate spatial information which could be added to the landforms in the mass movement inventory. These were then analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical modelling. Histograms, as well as an area-weighted frequency distribution, were used to describe the landforms and then hierarchical partitioning was used to identify the environmental variables associated with each type of landform. One main environmental variable was identified for each type of mass movement. Logistic regression was then used to create probability maps for each type of landform. An average of 30% of the study area has a medium to very high likelihood of developing mass movements, although this percentage varies for each type, whilst rock movement deposits are predicted to occupy more than 80% of the study area. Gradient, altitude and lithology were selected most frequently by the statistical models as influencing landform distribution, whilst distance to a rock exposure had the strongest influence on the location of rock movement deposits. Aspect was selected least frequently by hierarchical partitioning which raises questions about the influence of aspect on valley asymmetry. Various models have been developed which describe slope development in the Drakensberg with reference to slope aspect, however the results of this study suggest that other environmental factors may be more important and that slope development is a complex process.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2015. / Mountains are one of the most important and yet environmentally sensitive habitats in the world, they act as reservoirs of species, and have frequently served as refugia for organisms during periods of climate change and provided subsequent sources for speciation. As temperatures increase due to global climate change, species are shifting to higher altitudes to escape the effects of warming at lower altitudes. The spatial distribution and diversity of alpine vegetation is strongly influenced by environmental factors such as snow cover, solar radiation, soil moisture, humidity, and air/ground temperature. Snow cover is one of the most important factors controlling ground level microclimate and alpine plant growth. My study was undertaken near Kotisephola Pass at ca. 3300 m.a.s.l. in eastern Lesotho. Three zones were identified namely, upper, middle and lower zones at the site, as a result of vegetation differences that were observed along a 30 m transect from the rock scarp to the tussock grasses. The environmental variables of temperature, soil moisture, solar radiation, snow depth and humidity were measured over a period of 17 months using i-Buttons, Hobo and Tinytag data loggers, probes, solar radiation and temperature data loggers. Vegetation sampling was undertaken to determine aerial cover, and species composition, richness and diversity during the summer growing season of January and February 2013. The study site portrays strong fine-scale botanical micro-zonation owing to ground level microclimatic differentiation as a consequence of topographic (i.e rock scarp) shading and snow capture. Temperatures were >5 °C warmer in the upper zone from July – September 2012 due to the deep (1 m) snow cover which lasted for two months longer than in the middle zone, and only lasted for 36 hours in the lower zone. Accordingly, the upper zone had the lowest solar radiation throughout the data collection period due to the continuous snow cover and shading from the rock scarp. Three botanical zones were identified as characterised by different Helichrysum species. The upper zone (21 species) was more species rich than the the middle (19) and lower (18) zones. The vegetation is dominated by grasses which cover >35% of the study site, whilst herbs and shrubs cover only ca. 6% with an average of 12.3% bare ground. The strong zonation in plant species composition is a response to the fine spatial-scale changes in the environment, resulting from snow cover acting in ameliorating the harsh iii alpine conditions in winter. More detailed research on a larger scale is still required to fully comprehend phenology and morphology of the plants at the study region.