Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are home to an endemic group of dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion). They are small, viviparous, insectivorous, arboreal lizards, found in a variety of vegetation types and climatic conditions. Previous work on Bradypodion pumilum suggests prolonged breeding and high fecundity which is very unusual for a viviparous lizard inhabiting a Mediterranean environment. It has been suggested that the alleged prolonged reproduction observed in B. pumilum may be a reproductive adaptation to life in a fire-prone habitat. In addition, Chamaesaura anguina a viviparous, arboreal grass lizard also occurs in the fire-frequent fynbos and exhibits an aseasonal female reproductive cycle with high clutch sizes; highly unusual for the Cordylidae. With the observation of two species both inhabiting a fire-driven environment and exhibiting aseasonal reproductive cycles with high fecundity, it was thought that this unpredictable environment may shape the reproductive strategies of animals inhabiting it. However, detailed reproductive data for B. pumilum were unavailable. The first aim was provide baseline reproductive data for B. pumilum and to discuss the reproductive strategy in relation to a fire-prone environment. To establish the significance of fire in the reproductive strategy of B. pumilum, reproductive data of other Bradypodion species, not inhabiting the fire-prone area was required. The second aim was to provide baseline reproductive data for Bradypodion with discussion on possible scenarios facilitating the evolution of dwarf chameleon reproduction. Bradypodion pumilum specimens were collected in monthly samples from Stellenbosch and Somerset West in the Western Cape, South Africa. Specimens of other Bradypodion species were obtained from South African museums. Data were collected for both sexes of Bradypodion, and sperm storage ability was investigated in B. pumilum. Bradypodion females all showed an aseasonal reproductive cycle with relatively high clutch sizes for their body size and the possibility of individual females producing multiple clutches per year. Male Bradypodion have sperm available the entire year round however, there appears to be an increase in sperm production in autumn and again in spring in B. pumilum. Elements of this bimodal pattern are seen in other Bradypodion species. Dwarf chameleons regardless of habitat and associated climatic conditions are thus able to reproduce through out the year. It has also been demonstrated in B. pumilum that both sexes are able to store sperm and it is expected that other Bradypodion species would posses this character. This type of reproductive strategy is highly unusual for viviparous, temperate-zone lizards. It is likely that the cooling of the climate due to the development of the Benguela current facilitated the transition to viviparity in Bradypodion. Bradypodion may be aseasonal reproducers for a number of reasons. They are of tropical ancestry, they relatively recently inhabited tropical forests, or fluctuations in climate may have caused this. Bradypodion most likely have a high reproductive output due to their intense vulnerability to predation as in other chameleon species. The proposed hypothesis that the unusual reproductive characteristics of B. pumilum (and possibly the ancestral Bradypodion) were due to inhabiting a fire-prone environment now appears an unlikely explanation. However, even if this extraordinary reproduction was not in direct response to fire, the strategy appears beneficial in this type of unpredictable environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika, Lesotho en Swaziland huisves ‘n endemiese groep van dwergverkleurmannetjies (Bradypodion). Hulle is klein, lewendbarende, insekvretende, arboreale akkedisse en word gevind in ‘n verskeidenheid van plantegroeitipes en klimaatsomstandighede. Vorige studies op Bradypodion pumilum dui op ‘n verlengde broeiseisoen en hoë fekunditeit, wat ongewoon is vir ‘n lewendbarende akkedis wat in ‘n Mediterreense omgewing voorkom. Daar is voorheen voorgestel dat die skynbare verlengde voortplanting in B. pumilum ‘n aanpassing tot oorlewing in hoogs brandvatbare habitat kan wees. Chamaesaura anguina is ook ‘n lewenbarende, arboreale akkedis wat in fynbos voorkom wat hoogs vatbaar is vir brande en groot werpsels produseer en ‘n aseisoenale voortplantingsiklus in wyfies toon; hierdie patroon is ongewoon vir lede van die Cordylidae. Met die waarneming dat twee species wat in ‘n brandvatbare omgewing voorkom albei aseisoenale voortplantingsiklusse en hoë fekunditeit toon, het die gedagte ontstaan dat hierdie onvoorspelbare omgewing die voortplantingstrategieë van diere wat daarin voorkom, bepaal. Gedetailleerde voortplantingsdata ontbreek egter vir B. pumilum. Die eerste doelstelling van die studie was dus om basisinligting te voorsien oor voortplanting by B. pumilum en om die voortplantingstrategie aan die hand van die brandvatbare omgewing te bespreek. Om die moontlike rol van brand in die vorming van die voortplantingstrategie van B. pumilum te ondersoek, is voortplantingsdata vir ander Bradypodion species wat nie in brandvatbare habitat voorkom nie, nodig. Die tweede doelstelling was dus om basisinligting oor voortplanting by Bradypodion in die breë in te samel, gevolg deur bespreking van moontlike scenarios in die evolusie van voortplanting by dwergverkleurmannetjies. Bradypodion pumilum eksemplare is maandeliks versamel te Stellenbosch en Somerset-wes in die Weskaap, Suid-Afrika. Eksemplare van ander Bradypodion species is vanaf Suid-Afrikaanse museums verky. Data is vir beide geslagte van Bradypodion versamel, en die vermoë tot spermstoring in B. pumilum bepaal. Bradypodion wyfies het almal ‘n aseisonale voortplantingsiklus getoon met relatief hoë werpselgroottes vir hul liggaamsgrootte en daar bestaan die moontlikheid dat individuele wyfies verskeie werpsels per jaar kan lewer. Bradypodion mannetjies produseer sperms dwarsdeur die hele jaar, maar daar blyk tog ‘n toename in spermstoring te wees in die herfs en weer in die lente in B. pumilum. Spore van hierdie bimodale patroon word in ander Bradypodion species gesien. Dwergverkleurmannetjies is dus instaat om dwardeur die jaar voort te plant, ongeag die habitat en geassosieerde klimaatsomstandighede. Daar is getoon dat beide geslagte van B. pumilum sperms kan stoor en daar word verwag dat ander Bradypodion species ook hierdie vermoë het. Hierdie tipe van voortplantingstrategie is ongewoon vir lewendbarende akkedisse van die gematigde sone. Dit is moontlik dat die ontwikkeling van ‘n koue klimaat weens die onstaan van die Benguela-stroom aanleiding gegee het tot die oorskakeling na lewendbarendheid in Bradypodion. Bradypodion mag aseisonale voortplanting toon vir ‘n aantal moontlike redes. Hulle is van tropiese oorsprong, het redelik onlangs tropiese woude betrek, of fluktuasies in klimaat kon ook die oorsaak wees. Bradypodion het waarskynlik hoë voortplantingsuitset omdat hulle besonder kwesbaar is vir predasie, soos dit die geval is by ander verkleurmannetjies. Die aanvanklike hipotese dat die ongewone voortplantingseienskappe van B. pumilum (en moontlik die voorvaderlike Bradypodion) ‘n gevolg is van lewe in ‘n hoogs brandvatbare omgewing, blyk nou ‘n onwaarskynlik te wees. Selfs as hierdie buitengewone voortplantingstrategie nie ‘n direkte gevolg van brandvatbaarheid is nie, blyk die strategie voordelig te wees vir oorlewing in hierdie onvoorspelbare omgewing.

The objective of this study was to investigate endophagous insect species richness in Fynbos. The influences of plants as determinants of insect occurrence were given special attention. The endophagous insects associated with Proteaceae in Fynbos were compared to endophage assemblages from northern, non-Capensis Proteaceae. The Cape Fynbos genus Protea is utilized by many more insect taxa than the non-Fynbos species. The high diversity of host plants in Fynbos appears to have contributed to generating high, local endophagous insect diversity. Influences of regional climate, biotope and host-plant characteristics on the frequency of occurrence of insect borers exploiting Protea species was investigated in Fynbos. Distinct differences in frequency of encounter of the various insect taxa were recorded for the various host-plants studied. This variability was primarily accounted for by physical host-plant characteristics (infructescence and seed-set variables). These findings have important implications for evolution of insects associated with these plants, as well as for the conservation of insects and in pest control programmes on indigenous cut flowers. The relative species richness of endophagous and ectophagous insects in Fynbos was compared. Gall-forming insects (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), were found to be considerably more speciose than other feeding guilds, showing that the ratio of endophages to ectophages in sclerophyllous vegetation types is high. The intimate relationship that endophagous insects have with their host plants tends to habitat specialization. These insects are therefore likely to undergo radiation together with their host-plants. Species richness of gall-insects in Fynbos was investigated to establish whether insect richness was proportional to plant species richness. The relationship between gall-insect species richness and plant-species richness was investigated. Fynbos harboured more gall-insect species than other Cape Floristic Region vegetation types. Gall-insect species richness was positively correlated with plant-species richness. Plant species richness appears to have contributed to the evolution of a rich gall-insect fauna in the region. Fynbos gall-insect species richness is comparable to other sclerophyllous vegetation types globally, underscoring the importance of this vegetation type as a centre of galler diversification. Finally, the importance of plant species richness as a determinant of gall-insect species richness was investigated by comparing different sclerophyllous vegetation types under the same climatic conditions. Gall were sampled from Fynbos and Karoo vegetation. Fynbos had higher gall-insect species richness, correlated with plant-species richness. Plant-species richness, or the distal factors that generated it, appear to have contributed significantly to the radiation of gall-insects in this region. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 2016 / The analysis of faunal remains from archaeological sites can reveal much about past behaviour, palaeoenvironments and bone technology. This is especially pertinent for the Middle Stone Age (MSA): a period that corresponds to both the behavioural and anatomical development of Homo sapiens. In this thesis, I examine the faunal remains from Blombos Cave (BBC) and Klipdrift Shelter (KDS), two significant MSA sites about 45 km apart along the present-day southern Cape coast. The focus of the analyses is on the Still Bay (SB) layers (c. 75 – 68 thousand years ago [ka]) at BBC and the Howiesons Poort (HP) layers (c. 65 – 59 ka) at KDS. The aim of this thesis is to explore subsistence behaviour and environmental conditions during the SB and HP in the fynbos region of the southern Cape. I also investigate the effects of trampling on bone and whether trampling and other types of taphonomic modification can be used to infer occupational intensity in cave and rock shelter sites. Taphonomic data indicate that significant differences exist between the SB and HP faunal assemblages at BBC and KDS, respectively. Carnivores and scavengers had a greater effect on the SB than on the KDS assemblage. Furthermore, subsistence activities at KDS focused on marrow extraction while filleting was probably an important strategy at BBC. Taxonomic analyses indicate that the representative fauna from both sites is generally consistent with what is expected in the fynbos biome but with some noticeable differences. Grazers, for example, are significantly more prevalent at KDS than BBC while seal is more common at BBC. Other zooarchaeological data also show differences in prey selection strategies. Diet breadth is more extensive at KDS than at BBC, although bovid mortality profiles at BBC are more juvenile-dominated. I propose that many of these contrasting patterns imply that subsistence intensification is more evident in the HP layers at KDS than in the SB at BBC. Moreover, the taphonomic data suggest that the SB at BBC was a low-intensity, sporadically occupied period in contrast to the high-intensity occupations, particularly during the middle layers of the HP at KDS. The results of the KDS analysis also indicate a shift in environmental conditions during the HP and show links between prey selection, the environment and occupational intensity during this period. Trampling experiments indicate that trampling can generally be distinguished from butcherymarks, although bioturbation in shelly deposits can sometimes result in marks that mimic cutiii marks. More importantly, experiments show that pitting and abrasion are a more significant indicator of trampling than lines that resemble cut-marks. Based on these experiments, I argue that trampling modification can be used to infer occupational intensity at archaeological sites. Trampling marks in the KDS assemblage, for example, correspond well with the high occupational periods as indicated by other taphonomic data. Trampling and taphonomic data support the notion that BBC was a low-intensity, sporadically occupied site during the SB. By incorporating taxonomic, taphonomic and novel methods of skeletal-part analyses, this study contributes to our knowledge of human subsistence and palaeoenvironments during the SB and HP in the southern Cape. This thesis strengthens and adds to other research that has demonstrated variability in subsistence behaviour during the MSA. / LG2017

Thesis (MSc (Microbiology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Penicillium is a well‐known cosmopolitan genus with more than 225 accepted species. Species from this diverse genus, in general, are considered to primarily be soil fungi, with decomposition as its main function. Therefore, together with its ubiquitous nature, these species are of great importance in ecosystems, agriculture and biotechnology. However, in South Africa, very little research has been done on this complex genus, as species identification were often found to be problematic, even for experienced taxonomists. This lead to a number of South African studies only mentioning that a Penicillium spp. were isolated, without making any attempt of showing the extent of diversity within the genus from the unique habitats. The present study set out to explore the extent of the species diversity in Penicillium isolated from the Cape Floristic Region, specifically focusing on coastal fynbos soil. Soil samples were collected from this region, at sites situated outside Malmesbury. Four hundred and thirty four Penicillium strains were isolated from soil‐dilutions. The strains were characterized using morphological characters and subsequently placed into 24 morphological groups. There were, also, more or less 40 strains that could not be grouped with any other isolates. Groupings were made according to conidiophore branching patterns which divided the strains into their respective subgenera. Eight species from subgenus Aspergilloides, seven from subgenus Furcatum, eight from subgenus Biverticillium and one from subgenus Penicillium were isolated. The species were further characterized in subsequent chapters. In the second chapter of this thesis, one of the taxonomic groups in subgenus Biverticillium, isolated from coastal fynbos soil, Protea infructescences and on moth‐damaged Riesling grapes in Canada, was examined. This species was characterized using morphology and were found to have several unique characters, such as the very short synnema produced after prolonged incubation. These characters did not conform to descriptions of previously described species. Its novelty was confirmed by an ITS phylogeny and the strains were subsequently described as Penicillium ramulosum prov. nom. with P. cecidicola and P. dendriticumas its sister taxa. In chapter three, a further seven groups belonging to Penicillium subgenus Biverticillium were characterized. These strains were identified as P. minioluteum, P. verruculosum and P. rugulosum‐like, respectively. Four of the groups showed unique morphological characters, with the ITS phylogeny resolving the fynbos strains separate from all previously described species. The strains were, therefore, considered to be new to science and described as P. solicola prov. nom., P. ptychoconidium prov. nom., P. occultum prov. nom. and P. chloroloma prov. nom., respectively. A key to species from subgenus Biverticilliumcluded. is also inPenicillium subgenus Furcatum was the subject of the fourth chapter of this thesis. Our survey found that although the species diversity in this group was not as high as for the other subgenera, it was the group most often isolated in this study. Species were identified as P. janczewskii, P. canescens, P. melinii, P. corylophilum and P. citrinum using morphological characters. One species belonging to subgenus Penicillium, P. expansum, was also isolated and compared to species recorded during a previous survey. Amongst the identified species, were two groups that could not be identified using published keys, with their novelty confirmed by an ITS phylogeny. They are, therefore, described here as P. subturcoseum prov. nom. and P. hemitrachum prov. nom. A key to species in this subgenus is also provided. In Chapter 5 the presence of Penicillium subgenus Aspergilloides, which is characterized by monoverticillate conidiophores, were investigated. Species were identified as P. roseopurpureum, P. restrictum, P. hirayamae and P. toxicarium. Amongst the identified species, were four groups that did not conform to previously described species and are described here as P. brachycaulon prov. nom., P. malacosphaerula prov. nom., P. cumulacinatum prov. nom. and P. vulgaris prov. nom., respectively. The newly described species have been included in a key, together with closely related species and the other species of subgenus Aspergilloides from the fynbos soil. Species identifications in Penicillium is often problematic and South African taxonomists have often not attempt to identify strains down to species level. During this study, Penicillium was found to be well represented in the soil, with a large proportion being previously undescribed. For this reason, a dichotomous and synoptic key to species isolated during this study are provided in the final chapter. This study should thus serve as a basis for further explorations into the diversity and ecological role of this group of organisms in this ecologically mportant biome.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With growing concerns about current environmental issues, such as climate change, that affect ecosystems around the world, understanding ecosystem function is becoming increasingly important. In this study, I investigate the plant – seed disperser mutualism between an endemic scatter-hoarding mouse Acomys subspinosus and its Proteaceae plant counterpart Leucadendron sessile in the biodiversity hotspot of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the seed selection and caching behaviour of A. subspinosus. First, I determined the seed selection strategy for dispersal and burial by A. subspinosus. Acomys subspinosus may exert stabilizing selection pressure onto L. sessile seeds by dispersing and burying medium seeds with medium hull-thicknesses. Small seeds were eaten in situ and large seeds left at depots. I concluded that the buried L. sessile seeds may have a competitive advantage when it comes to seedling establishment in a post-fire environment, since seeds dispersed by rodents in the fynbos, such as L. sessile, are much larger in size and therefore have more stored nutrients and rapid growth capabilities than seeds dispersed by other vectors. Secondly, I documented rodent dispersal behaviour over a full years’ time. Acomys subspinosus dispersal behaviour changed significantly over the seasons, which I attributed to a change in food availability as the year progressed. Acomys subspinosus buried seeds in autumn after mass seed drop but began to recover caches and consume seeds during winter and spring. The rodent switched to an insectivorous diet in spring. I propose that the A. subspinosus – L. sessile relationship is mutualistic during the year, but the relationship does shift in the favour of the rodent during winter and spring. Lastly, I address the scatter-hoarding behaviour of A. subspinosus and cache recovery ability of its assumed closest food competitor Rhabdomys pumilio. I found that cache size has a profound influence on pilferage rates of L. sessile seeds. Acomys subspinosus scatter-hoarded the majority of seeds singly in the field and R. pumilio had difficulties finding those single-cached seeds in dry substrate under controlled experimental conditions, serving as evidence that scatter-hoarding is an effective method of pilferage mitigation by A. subspinosus during the dry summer months. Relatively little was known about this plant – disperser mutualism and how it functions before this thesis were conducted. I have provided insights into the influence of rodent disperser behaviour on seed morphology development, seed fate and seed persistence in the field and suspect that the plant –disperser relationship may have a larger influence on ecosystem dynamics than previously anticipated. Further research on this system is of importance, especially with today’s emerging environmental instability and human interference that threaten the robustness of highly interconnected ecosystems like the fynbos. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die huidige omgewingskwessies, soos die klimaatsverandering, wat ekosisteme wêreldwyd affekteer, word die begrip van ekosisteemfunksionering toenemend belangrik. In hierdie studie ondersoek ek die dier – saadverspreidingsmutualisme tussen die endemiese verstrooiings-storing muis Acomys subspinosus en sy Proteaceae plant eweknie Leucadendron sessile in die biodiversiteit 'hotspot’ van die Kaapse Floristiese Ryk, Suid-Afrika. Die hoof doelwit van die tesis is om die saadseleksie en storingsgedrag van A. subspinosus te ondersoek. Eerstens het ek die saadseleksie strategie vir die verspreiding en begrawing deur A. subspinosus bepaal. Acomys subspinosus het direksionele druk uitgeoefen op L. sessile sade deur mediumgrootte sade met medium saadhuiddiktes te versprei en te begrawe. Klein sade was in situ geëet en groot sade was gelaat by afgesette plekke. Ek het die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die L. sessile sade wat begrawe is ‘n kompeterende voordeel mag hê wanneer dit kom by die vestiging van saailinge in ‘n afgebrande omgewing, aangesien sade wat in die fynbos deur knaagdiere versprei word, soos L. sessile, baie groter is en dus meer gestoorde voedingstowwe en spoedige groeivermoëns het, as sade wat deur ander vektore versprei word. Tweedens het ek die knaagdier verspreidingsgedrag oor die tydperk van ‘n jaar gedokumenteer. Acomys subspinosus se verspreidingsgedrag het beduidend verander deur die verloop van die jaar, wat ek toegeskryf het aan die verandering in voedselbesbikbaarheid soos wat die jaar gevorder het. Acomys subspinosus het sade begrawe in die herfs na grootskaalse vrylating en val van die sade, maar het gestoorde sade begin terug kry en sade begin eet gedurende die winter en lente. Die knaagdier het na ‘n insekvretende dieët omgeskakel in die lente. Ek stel voor dat die A. Supspinosus – L. sessile verhouding nie die hele jaar mutualisties is nie, maar eerder antagonisties, in die knaagdier se guns, gedurende die winter en lente. In die laaste hoofstuk spreek ek die verstrooiings-storingsgedrag van A. subspinosus en storingsverkrygingvermoeë van sy naaste voedselmededinger en deponeringsdief Rhabdomys pumilio aan. Ek het gevind dat die storingsgrootte ‘n beduidende invloed het op die koers van diefstal van L. sessile sade. Acomys subspinosus het die meerderheid van die sade gestoor in die veld en R. pumilio het die enkel-gestoorde sade in droeë substraat onder gekontroleerde eksperimentele kondisies moeiliker gevind. Dit is ondersteunende bewyse dat verstrooings-storingsgedrag ‘n effektiewe metode is om diefstal te verminder in die droë somer in die fynbos. Relatief min was bekend oor hierdie dier – saad verspreidingsmutualisme en hoe dit funksioneer voordat die studie uitgevoer was. Ek het insig verskaf oor die invloed van knaagdier verspreidingsgedrag op saadmorfologie ontwikkeling, die lot van sade en die tydperk wat dit begrawe is in die veld. Ek vermoed dat die mutualisme ‘n hoeksteenproses is in die fynbos en die invloed daarvan op ekosisteemdinamieka mag dalk groter wees as wat voorheen verwag was. Verdere navorsing oor hierdie sisteem is belangrik, veral met vandag se opkomende omgewingsonstabiliteit en menslike inmenging wat die robuustheid van hoogs verbonde-netwerk ekosisteme soos die fynbos bedreig.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The invasive Australian acacia, A. sa ligna, is widespread in the Western Cape, South Africa, and is widely used by local communities. Not surprisingly, the introduction of the biological control agent, the fungus Uromycladium tepperianum in 1987 was received with mixed emotions. In an effort to determine the socio-economical and ecological impact of the fungus, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has commissioned a study, of which this thesis forms part. For this thesis, a number of parameters, environmental as well as biological, were sampled, analyzed and compared with existing data from previous studies. The goal was to obtain a comprehensive estimation of the effect of A. saligna on a Sand Plain Fynbos community near Atlantis and to assess whether or not, the detrimental effect A. saligna has on plant biodiversity, has reached the stage where it has become irreversible. The floristic data confirmed results from earlier studies, that invasion of A. saligna in Fynbos communities induces a decline in plant diversity, especially in dense acacia thickets. This study mainly revealed structural changes rather than community shifts. The enrichment of the soil as noted by others authors was also confirmed for the study area. However, it was outside the scope of this study to determine the long-term effects of this enrichment on the Sand Plain Fynbos communities. Soil moisture content was sampled on three different occasions, in densely invaded and uninvaded study plots. The aim was to see if A. saligna had any influence on the availability of water in the upper soil. Contrary to expectations, moisture content under acacia stands was higher in spring and early summer in the top soil than in pristine fynbos. Pitfall traps were used to sample the arthropods that dwell the surface of the study area. For arthropods in general, the survey did not produce conclusive data, but spider species seem to be positively affected by the presence of A. saligna, probably due to the structural diversity they add to the fynbos. This study revealed that the full ecological impact of A. saligna on its environment is far from understood, mainly due to the richness and complexity of the fynbos communities and a lack of research about faunal aspect of the Fynbos ecosystem. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Australiese akasia, A. saligna, is wydverspreid in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, en word dikwels gebruik deur die plaaslike gemeenskap. Dit is dan nie verbasend dat die invoering van die biologiese bestrydingsmiddel, die swam Uromycladium Tepperianum in 1987, met teenstrydige emosies ontvang is nie. In 'n poging om die sosio-ekonomiese en ekologiese impak van die swam te bepaal, het die Department van Waterwese en Bosboukunde 'n ondersoek aangevra waarvan die tesis deel vorm. Vir die tesis word 'n aantal parameters, omgewings sowel as biologies, geproef, geanaliseer en vergelyk met bestaande data van vroeër navorsing. Die doel van die studie is om te bepaal watter effek A. saligna op 'n sandpleinfynbos gemeenskap naby Atlantis het en om sodoende vas te stelof die nadelige effek van A. saligna op die biodiversiteit onomkeerbaar is. Plantaardige data bevestig resultate uit vroeër studies dat A. saligna 'n afuame in plant diversiteit, veral in digte akasiabosse, veroorsaak. In die studie word getoon dat die toename van A. saligna strukturele veranderings in plaas van gemeenskaplike verskuiwings tot gevolg het. Die verryking van die grond, deur ander navorsers genoteer, word ook in die studie bevestig. Dit is egter buite die veld van studie om die lang termyn gevolge van die verryking van die grond op die sandpleinfynbosgemeenskap te beslis. Op drie verskillende geleenthede word die watergehalte van die grond getoets onder die akasiabosse en die fynbos. Die doel van die toetse is om vas te stel hoe A. saligna die beskikbaarheid van water in die boonste grondlaag beïnvloed. In teenstelling is hoër vogtigheidsvlakke in die boonste grondlaag onder die akasiabosse as onder die fynbos gevind gedurende lente en vroeë somer. Lokvalle is gebruik om monsters te neem van die antropodieë woonagtig op die oppervlak van die studiearea. Oor die algemeen is die opname vir die antropodieë onvoldoende. Dit is egter insiggewend dat die spinnekopspesies voordeel trek uit die aanwesigheid van A. saligna. Dit is waarskynlik omdat die akasia strukturele diversiteit aan die fynbos verleen. Die studie onthul dat die volle ekologiese impak van A. saligna op sy omgewing moeilik verstaanbaar is as gevolg van die diversiteit en kompleksiteit van fynbos asook 'n gebrek aan navorsing.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Horticulture in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013 / Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF) is one of the most poorly conserved vegetation types in the Cape Floral Kingdom, and a large proportion of unconserved land is degraded, primarily as a result of transformation by agricultural, urban developments and invasion by alien plants. Fynbos restoration is one of the most important management interventions, both within the current conservation areas and in any future land remnants acquired for conservation. Many extant remnants are fragmented and isolated, and if successful restoration protocols are found, it may be possible to improve the conservation targets for this critically endangered vegetation type. On old fields, where indigenous soil seed banks have been lost due to alien plant invasion and anthropogenic action, it is essential to reintroduce the longer-lived fynbos components that contribute to vegetation structure, in order to facilitate the progress of the ecosystem on a more natural trajectory. This research is built on an earlier study of optimal ground-preparation treatments for restoring Sand Fynbos to old fields. This former study indicated that fossorial mammals (molerats and gerbils) may occur in dense colonies on old fields and present an obstacle to successful seedling establishment. The project aims to provide protocols for the establishment of indigenous seedlings from harvested seed onto old fields, in order to restore Sand Fynbos vegetation. Different pre-sowing treatments and sowing techniques were tested on large field plots to determine the most efficient protocol. The objectives of the research were: a) to investigate optimal pre-sowing treatments of indigenous seed for restoring degraded Sand Fynbos vegetation in old field sites; b) to investigate optimal sowing techniques on large field plots for restoring degraded Sand Fynbos vegetation in old field sites with depleted indigenous seed banks; c) to provide guidelines and disseminate information on optimal sowing protocols, and their costs, for restoring Sand Fynbos vegetation in degraded areas and old fields. A further component of the research was to calculate the costs of all treatments on a per hectare basis in order to assess the cost-effectiveness of the different options. Several different seed treatments may potentially increase the germination rate and promote fynbos restoration. These are scarifying, smoke, smoke water, chemical, light and temperature pre-sowing treatments. In order to keep the number of treatments (including their interactions) to a manageable level, only soaking in smoke water extract and seed coat scarification with course sand and grit were tested. A seed sample of each species was x-rayed at the Millennium Seed Bank in the United Kingdom, to test for viability in the seed samples, 52 % of the seed collected were empty, a typical indication of wild harvested seed. All species were germinated at 10/25 °C and 16/8 hours light/dark respectively. Scarification had a larger overall germination success, smoke water had very little effect on CFSF species, it is rather that germination is related to temperatures during a fire that result in seed coat splitting. It was recommended that further investigation using more species across the Sand Fynbos vegetation be conducted on pre-germination effects of heat and scarification. The study site had been cleared of woody invasive alien vegetation and additional site preparation included the application of a systemic herbicide to kill undesirable herbaceous weeds, prescribed fire to clear the site of woody debris and destroy weed seeds, and the local control of fossorial mammals (gerbils and molerats) by placing raptor perches and owl nesting boxes around the site. This research found that the use of herbicide shortly after the prescribed fire and once again prior to sowing was successful in controlling herbaceous weeds and the indigenous grass Cynodon dactylon. The challenge to using prescribed burning on old fields was low fuel loads, which resulted in a cool patchy. It is suggested that cutting and spreading of alien plant biomass is tested as a solution, however, the material must be evenly spread across the site and not stacked into piles which can cause excessively hot fires and scorching of the soil. In order to better understand soil conditions across the site, soil samples were collected prior to sowing, to analyse for soil macronutrients, organic matter and pH. It was established that all the excess nutrients added to the site from agriculture and pasturage over the years had leached from the soil. However, the organic matter content of the soil was extremely low and research needs to be done on the organic carbon content of the soils, how these relate to soil micro biota (which species are present and their relationship with CFSF species) and how best to enrich the site with humic matter for restoration and establishment of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. The field trial was set up in the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, a random split-plot block design, was replicated five times and used to investigate the selected seedbed preparation and sowing techniques, namely: broadcast sowing onto unprepared seedbed, broadcast with plank embedding of seed onto disked seedbed, broadcast onto disked seedbed and hydro-seed with disked seedbed. Results from the research found that the most successful methods for sowing seeds were the hydro-seeding and broadcast with plank embed. These methods may have provided better contact between the soil and seeds and better protection from predation and wind. Economically the broadcast and embed was better as machinery was more efficient and effective than manual labour. This study recommended that these two methods be combined with the additional planting of rare and threatened species in clumps to determine the benefits and interactions of each technique over the long term.

The most recent surveys in South Africa estimate that invasions are still increasing, despite substantial clearing efforts. Riparian systems in South Africa are particularly vulnerable to invasion by woody IAPs. This thesis addresses the restoration of alien‐invaded riparian systems, by investigating the factors that facilitate or constrain spontaneous recovery and influence the trajectories of succession. These factors include invasion history and management history, especially the use of fire. A seedling emergence approach was used to test the presence of a viable pre‐fire seedbank, and the effect of fire on the seed bank. The efficacy of some active restoration interventions was also tested, with the aim to return invasion‐resistant, indigenous vegetation with a structure and function representative of uninvaded sites. The findings of this study indicated the presence of a viable and persistent riparian soil seed bank, even after 30 years of intermtittent invasion as well as two fire cycles under invasion. It shows that the management practice of fell‐and‐burn resulted in high soil temperatures, and that this reduced the indigenous soil seed bank density, especially in the upper soil layer. Clear germination sequences and patterns of emergence over time for different species were observed during this study, with many species exhibiting delayed emergence relative to the timing of the fire event. It is proposed that manipulation of the season of fire could be used to selectively optimise the order of arrival and therefore superior recruitment of some species over others in the Eastern Cape fynbos, and thus alter the trajectories of recovery of vegetation towards a more desired state. Active restoration in the form of indigenous seed and plant additions resulted in a significantly higher indigenous cover after seven months, compared to a control (passive restoration) or restoring with grass. Indigenous cover and composition was also strongly influenced by lateral zonation, and some key guilds and species were missing or present in much lower densities compared to reference sites. Grass restoration significantly suppressed the regeneration of A. longifolia, as well as the regeneration of indigenous species. Biotic resistance can thus be achieved through restoration, and it could be a powerful tool in the management of IAPs, although the deliberate introduction of grass after clearing in fynbos also reduces biodiversity and could have unforeseen consequences to riparian function.

Oldenburgia grandis is a rare, long-lived woody paleoendemic of the Fynbos Biome of South Africa. Confined to quartzite outcrops, it has a small geographic range and narrow habitat specificity. O. grandis responds to its fire-prone environment by resprouting. Elasticity analysis of O. grandis reveals that growth and fecundity were traded off for persistence of adult, mature and sapling stages. Morphological adaptations such as a corky fire-resistant bark and the ability to resprout after fire are traits that O. grandis have evolved to persist in a frequently disturbed environment. Population growth rate for sites undisturbed by fire for a number of years (l = 1.01) and sites at various stages of recovery after fire (l = 1.00) were very similar. The highest variation in transition probabilities for all sites was seen in the persistence of the seedling stage and growth from seedling to sapling. Observed population structure and stable stage distribution determined by the matrix model show that sites recently undisturbed by fire had high abundances of the adult and sapling stages. A peak in sapling stages was seen for the stable stage distribution where similar peak in sapling numbers were seen for population structures of sites at various stages of recoveryafter fire. Favourable environmental conditions for the persistence of O. grandis populations include no fire with transition probabilities between the observed minimum and maximum and fire frequency at a 10 year interval where seedling protection from the fire is high and adult and mature mortalities during the fire are low. Stochastic environmental events that could put populations (particularly small populations) at an increased risk of extinction include high to moderate fire intensities where seedling protection from the fire is low and adult and mature mortalities are high as a result of the fire.