Background : The recorded history of veld burning in the Kruger National Park (KNP) started with the appointment of Colonel James Stevenson-Hamilton as warden of the Park (then the Sabie Game Reserve) in July 1912 and can be divided into five periods: From 1912 to 1926, a haphazard, and indecisive burning policy was practiced, mainly due to the perception that fire was unfavourable for the environment and because the means to combat veld fires were very meagre. From 1926 to 1948, in which period it was realized that fire was not only unavoidable over a large area such as the KNP, but also actually desirable, necessary and beneficial when applied with circumspection. During this period the capability to successfully introduce and apply a definite fire policy did not exist. From 1948 to 1956, prescribed burning was not practiced, but a network of graded firebreaks was being established (to create burning blocks), and wild fires were actively combated. From 1957 to 1993, during which period a definite prescribed burning policy was practiced, amended several times, but basically consisting of a triennial rotational system where blocks were burned by management. All fires of non-management ignition sources were combated. From 1993 to the present, when a policy of allowing lightning-ignited fires to burn freely was introduced, and fires of human origin were suppressed. The shift away from a rigid prescribed burning programme was because of the concern that the dominance of grass species characteristic of over utilised veld was a result of too frequent burning (Potgieter, 2001). Lightning fires probably played just as an important role in shaping African savanna in pre-industrial times as anthropogenic fires caused by preindustrial man. The role of post-industrial man as far as its influence on the creation of savanna is concerned is probably negligible, but significantly important in the role of maintaining savanna, although probably not more so than that of lighting fires. Fires caused by postindustrial man becomes suspect as far as the creation of savanna is concerned, because instead of the mere burning of the veld for the pure reasons of survival as practiced by pre-industrial man, a measure of commercialism crept in (Potgieter, 2001). Fire management of the KNP in pre-industrial times can be regarded in the same light as that of post-industrial times. Although the motive for burning the veld in the KNP was beyond reproach, the underlying reasoning was not. Managers’ thinking was geared towards preventing so called “devastating fires”, laying to waste large areas of the Park, not realising that this was in actual fact nature going about its business in this ecosystem. They therefore devised a system of firebreak roads, which was gradually extended to the extent that we now have more than 4000 km roads that must be maintained. This was all in the cause of preventing or managing lightning and arson fires. Given the above, a revision of the veld fire policy was extremely necessary. The mission statement hammered out during the revising process in 1993 underscored and supported the proposal put forward in 1992, that lightning fires should be recognised as a legitimate and completely natural phenomenon in the Lowveld ecosystem. This had to be weighed against the prevailing practice of combating all fires caused by lightning and non-management anthropogenic sources of fire. The essence of this policy would therefore be to allow lightning-fires to burn to their full extent i.e. if vegetation conditions (available biomass) are such that large areas will burn, then such burns will be permitted to proceed to their full extent with the provision that no more than 50% of the management unit will be allowed to burn out (no matter what the ignition source) in a specific fire season (Potgieter, 2001).

Masters of Science / Understanding the hydrogeology of fractured or crystalline rocks is complicated because of complex structure and a porosity that is almost exclusively secondary. These types of geologies exhibit strong heterogeneities and irregularities contrasted in hydraulic properties, spacing and flow direction within fractured rock aquifers. Therefore it is important to develop a conceptual model based on site specific data such as the hydraulic roles between groundwater and nearby hillslope/surface water bodies in order to understand its movement within the environment. Therefore this study intends to develop a hydrogeological conceptual model associated with the dominant groundwater flow processes at a 3rd order scale within the Kruger National Park (KNP).

The structuring of ant assemblages in a Southern African savanna was investigated using data from the only long-term, large-scale savanna fire experiment in Africa. A comprehensive survey of three habitats in the Kruger National Park (KNP) revealed a total of 169 ant species from 41 genera. The sampling efficiency and consistency of pitfall traps and Winkler samples for inventory, bioindicator and ecological studies in savanna habitats was compared using ants. Pitfall traps were more efficient and productive than Winkler sampling for epigaiec ants, with a greater total species richness and higher abundance of ants recorded. Suggestions were made to improve Winkler sampling output, and to allow quantitative data to be collected. With the structuring of local assemblages, competition was the most significant local factor tested. The relationship between ant dominance and ant species richness was consistent across three continents. A model developed to test mechanisms that could be responsible for the form of this relationship supported the hypothesis that competitive exclusion by dominant ants at least partially reduces species richness. Stress was only partially responsible for low dominance and low species richness, while scatter in the data points is related to patchiness of ants at baits. These findings contrast strongly with previous claims regarding the relationship between richness and dominance. Habitat complexity was not found to play an important role in determining ant assemblage body size in this savanna system. The size-grain hypothesis (Kaspari&Weiser 1999) which predicts that environmental rugosity results in positive allometric scaling of leg length on body length because of changes in locomotion costs, was tested by comparing the body sizes of ants from areas of contrasting habitat complexity. No support for the hypothesis was found. Phylogenetic independent contrast methods did however support the allometric relationship found by Kaspari and Weiser (1999). Ant assemblages in KNP exhibited a remarkable degree of resistance, and in some cases resilience, to burning. Species richness or abundance did not vary with different burning treatments, although ant assemblage composition was sensitive to burning treatment. This difference, however, was only pronounced between burnt and unburnt plots, not between burning treatments. The degree of response of ant assemblages is likely to be related to two main contributory factors: mean annual rainfall and changes in vegetation structure with burning, and the assemblage's history of association with fire. An overview of published research on the effects of fire on fauna in Southern Africa was undertaken. Few studies have examined the effects of fire on amphibians or reptiles and few experimental studies have been undertaken using an experimental fire regime applied over appropriately long time intervals. Most studies provided no information on the scale of the study. Replication was often not reported, and was generally inadequate. Information on the effects of fire on fauna in Southern Africa is fragmentary, and consequently informed management decisions regarding the consequences of burning policies on the conservation of biodiversity both within and outside protected areas are problematic. Recommendations and suggestions for improving fire research are given. / Thesis (DPhil (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The role of architecture, public space and a valid architectural expression in the African City were all issues that were explored in the dissertation. It is a speculative work that proposes strategies and tactics and looks at a city beyond architecture, in which the emphasis shifts from urban forms to urban processes. The strategies were implemented on Paul Kruger Street to explore the possibilities of what an African City could or should be. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / unrestricted

A description is given of a prevalence study of canine distemper virus antibodies in large carnivores in the Kruger National Park and Marakele National Park in South Africa. The serum-virus neutralization test was used to determine the prevalence of antibodies in different carnivore species in Kruger National Park and Marakele National Park. The species tested included 198 lions, 33 hyenas, 23 wild dogs and a leopard. The results demonstrated a total of 69 (34.8%) positive sera from lions. Moreover, CDV neutralizing antibodies were present in 25 (75.8%) hyena sera, 18 (78.3%) wild dog sera and the serum of one leopard. The results demonstrate that canine distemper virus is present in the Kruger National Park and that removal of the fences between the Kruger National Park and other conservation areas may pose a risk for spreading infectious diseases to susceptible species. Further work would be required to determine the prevalence of CDV in neighbouring regions. Only then risks can be estimated. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

This study addresses the healthcare needs of employees and their families living in the Kruger National Park (KNP). A quantitative, explorative, descriptive research design was used to interview respondents who comprised of 75 male and female employees with children of various ages. The findings revealed that physical, psychological, environmental, socio-cultural, and behavioural needs of the employees and their families living in the KNP is probably unattainable as healthcare services are poorly distributed throughout the KNP, being mostly concentrated in the main camp of Skukuza. A number of respondents indicated that they required consultations about psychological and socio-cultural stresses in their lives. These services are not available in the KNP. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The way we build is inherently bound to methods implemented when representing any proposed intervention. Superficially, it would seem that the techniques used for representing architecture have rapidly progressed, especially with regard to the influence technology has on the depiction of architectural form in a graphically accessible manner. However, when critically examining the consequential products that arise from either method, it becomes evident that very little has been gained through employing these new methods of creation and depiction. Through accepting, wholeheartedly, drawing conventions adapted from generation to generation- combined with the digitisation of methods used for depicting architectural intent and/or instruction, a schism emerged. There exists a divide between the act of drawing, and the primal meaning represented through the product. To escape the doldrums created by the aforementioned condition, this dissertation presents a fourfold investigation on ‘architectural drawing’ as entity. The four individual chapters should be understood as reflections on the methodological approaches employed in the formation of the resulting intervention. The summarised topics are as follows: It is important to note that all the drawings presented in this document were done by hand, and drawn with considerable love and precision. As such, The drawings are intended to be carefully studied and contemplated - with specific regard to the preceding text - in order to create a holistic view of the project. The resulting intervention is informed by, and thus a direct product of, investigative sketches that act as research- and mapping devices. This process enables the communication of internalised ideas, both to oneself and to others. Since communication is fully dependent on the clear translation of ideas, drawings become the embodiment of the formulated approach, instead of a representation of internalised ideas. The programme housed by the resulting architecture aims to further strengthen the proposed theoretical premise through emphasising the impact that drawing has on spatial hierarchy. The act of drawing possesses the power to define or alter perceptions of hierarchal value contained within artefacts. through manipulating the emphasis placed on an object within a drawing it becomes possible to manipulate it’s perceived importance. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Invasive alien species are considered the second greatest threat to global biodiversity after habitat loss. South Africa is not immune from such threats and it is estimated that 10 million ha (8.28%) of land has been invaded to some extent by invasive alien species. Although South Africa has been invaded by several taxa, it is the effect of invasive trees and shrubs that has been environmentally and economically most damaging. The concerns raised due to the effects of biological invasion are not only restricted to off-reserve areas, but also protected areas where invasive alien organisms often pose a greater threat than habitat loss. Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa’s flagship conservation area has been invaded by numerous plant taxa. The most damaging of these is Opuntia stricta (Cactaceae) and current sources estimate that the weed has invaded approximately 35 000 ha of conserved land, despite the initiation of a biological control programme against it. However, little is known about the effect of O. stricta on biodiversity in the KNP despite the large number of resources allocated to its eradication, including a successful biological control programme against it. In this study, I investigated the effect of O. stricta infestation on beetle (Order Coleoptera) and spider (Order Araneae) assemblages across four treatments of varying O. stricta infestation levels (heavy infestation, medium infestation, surrounded sites and pristine sites). Species characteristic of each treatment (indicator species) were identified using the indicator method. In addition, spiders were collected to gauge the effectiveness of three collecting methods (pitfall traps, leaf litter sifting and active searching) in a savanna characterized by O. stricta invasion. One hundred and thirty one spider species (1050 individuals) and 72 beetle species (2162 individuals) were collected in the treatments. I found no significant differences in species richness, species density and species assemblages for both beetles and spiders across the treatments. In addition, no beetle or spider species were found to be characteristic indicator species for a given treatment, which further indicates that arthropod assemblages are similar when compared across treatments. These results indicate that O. stricta does not appear to have a significant effect on beetle and spider assemblages at its current infestation level, possibly because of the similarity in vegetation structure across the treatments. Regarding spiders, different collecting methods captured different species and only 17% of the species were shared, indicating that the methods complement each other. Therefore, in order to sample the spider community, all three methods should be employed. Of the 131 spider species collected, 54 species (41%) are new records for the KNP. In light of the results, it is suggested that KNP’s successful biological control programme has played an important role in reducing the extent of the O. stricta infestation and should be continued to further mitigate the impacts of O. stricta. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

In the Kruger National Park (KNP), pansteatitis in sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), was shown to be a serious problem in the inlets to large man-made lakes fed by rivers arising in the polluted catchments of the Olifants and Sabie rivers. An increasing prevalence of pansteatitis was recorded in catfish from the Olifants River gorge. A low prevalence was found in catfish upstream of the gorge at two further sites. No pansteatitis was detected in catfish from a rain-filled dam distant from the potential pollution sources affecting the Olifants River and in rivers arising outside of the park that were not dammed. Analysis of stomach content indicated a higher prevalence of fish in the diet of catfish affected by pansteatitis than in those not affected. Significant pathology in catfish was limited to changes associated with a generalised necrosis and inflammation of adipose tissues (pansteatitis), and there was evidence that lesions accumulated over time. Similar pathology was found in a captive population of catfish with known nutritional pansteatitis. Pathology in other organs that might have been attributed to pollution could not be demonstrated. Examination of blood smears and measurement of haematocrit, blood haemoglobin, serum vitamin E and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase values did not prove useful as monitoring tools, probably because of the episodic exposure to oxidative stress and the chronic nature of the condition. Pansteatitis-affected catfish, kept in an experimental pond for 11 months after the inciting nutritional cause had been removed, retained steatitis lesions almost unaltered. Whereas lipolysis appeared to be reduced by pansteatitis, adipogenesis appeared to be unaffected. Juvenile catfish confined in experimental tanks with sediments from sites where pansteatitis occurred remained healthy, and no pathology developed after 14 months, suggesting that sediments were not directly toxic. The results of the study present the first record of pansteatitis in both wild and farmed African sharptooth catfish and emphasize the ecological importance and complexity of nutritional oxidative stress in a disturbed aquatic environment. Nutrient entrapment and the consumption of phytoplankton-feeding fish rich in polyunsaturated fats, particularly silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes), a species alien to Africa but present in the Olifants River, is proposed as the dietary cause of the pansteatitis. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

Responsible Tourism (RT) implies that all parties involved in the tourism sector are responsible for making sure that all activities taking place are of a sustainable nature, and that consideration is given to environmental conservation, economic growth and social integrity. The Kruger National Park (KNP) and the South African National Parks (SANParks) are key role-players in the tourism and conservation sectors in South Africa, and have acknowledged and started to implement Responsible Tourism practices into their strategic model. One major hurdle in reaching their RT goals is a lack of funding, which they are currently addressing by expanding and diversifying their tourism product offerings. As stakeholders play a key role in RT, this study aimed to determine stakeholder perceptions of RT development in the KNP, in order to assist SANParks achieve their RT goals. The philosophical assumption under which this study was undertaken was the pragmatic research paradigm, in which one aims to understand the truth concerning whatever questions are investigated. The methodology was applied through questionnaires that were completed by KNP visitors, and interviews based on SANS 1162:2011 that were conducted with KNP employees. The study found that there is some misalignment between RT aspects that visitors consider as important, and those that are highlighted in SANParks' strategic documentation. It was also noted that despite generally good performance with regard to RT aspects, employees find that insufficient funding and the lack of awareness of stakeholders are two of the challenges faced in achieving RT. In order for SANParks to reach their RT goals, they can consider addressing these gaps, as the core of RT is that of behaviour and actions taken. Emphasis must be on how all those involved in the KNP and SANParks can alter their behaviour to make better places for people to live in, and better places for people to visit. / Environmental Sciences