Spelling suggestions: "subject:"plant species.but africa."" "subject:"plant species.but affrica.""
1 |
The relationship between the length of flowering periods and the distribution ranges of plant species in eastern South Africa.Mahadeo, Nikara. 29 November 2013 (has links)
Flowering is one of the most important stages in determining the successful survival and
spread in plants. The duration of the flowering period is closely associated with successful
reproduction, making it essential to understand the importance and effects of the length of
flowering on various macroecological variables across plant species. The effects of the length
of flowering periods on the distribution range size of species have seldom been investigated.
This project aims to identify any macroecological relationship that may exist between the
length of flowering periods and the distribution ranges of plant species endemic to the eastern
part of South Africa, a region well known for its floral diversity. Range size and flowering
phenology data were collected for several genera that are centred in the region (Cussonia,
Gymnosporia, Searsia, Streptocarpus, Pavetta, Plectranthus, Crinum, Eulophia, Gladiolus,
Kniphofia, Satyrium, Watsonia and Zantedeschia). At genus level, the relationship varied
considerably. While significant correlations between the two variables were retrieved in four
genera, the meaning of these patterns differed. In some cases, these suggested that a larger
range was achieved through successful pollination due to extended flowering periods,
whereas in others, it is probably just an effect of different flowering seasons in different areas
where the range is large enough to comprise diverse climates. When incorporating variables
such as growth form (narrowly and broadly-defined) and genus identity in analyses of covariance
between flowering durations and various measures of distribution, the association of
genera was far greater than that of growth form. It can be concluded that both range size and
the length of the flowering season are the result of numerous factors acting jointly, which
differ across plant groups and are likely to be susceptible to changes in climate and biological
invasions. This means that the relationship between range size and flowering period is driven
by different factors in different genera, suggesting that the conservation of plant diversity in
the face of global change will have to consider the complexity of flowering patterns, and it is
likely that lineage-specific approaches for different plant groups will be necessary. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.
|
2 |
Survey of diseases on Marula (Sclerocarya birrea), in Tshikundamalema, Limpopo Province, South AfricaRamabulana, Elelwani 05 1900 (has links)
MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / See the attached abstract below
|
3 |
Effects of different inclusion levels of marula (sclerocarya birrea) pulp at ensiling on the nutritive value of Napier grass (pennisetum purpureum) silageMakharamedzha, Unarine 18 September 2017 (has links)
MSCAGR (Animal Science) / See the attached abstract below
|
4 |
Control of invasive alien plant species at Wolkberg Project in Limpopo ProvinceMatsila, Sydwell Nyadzani 21 September 2018 (has links)
MESMEG / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Invasive alien plants refer to plant species that show a tendency to escape from human control, go beyond the intended physical boundaries and cause environmental damage.
The issue of letting the Invasive alien plant species grow and spread, with no attempts made to control the spread of the species beyond the limits of plantations, is not sustainable. All the attempted methods that the Department of Environmental Affairs used seemed to have failed in yielding the expected results. The main objective of the study was to determine the Wolkberg Working for Water programme’s level of success in terms of clearing invasive alien plant species. Wolkberg Project was used as a case study as it is one of the Working for Water Programme. The data were collected using random sampling methods on the worked areas, where work is in progress and those where no work has been done. Primary data were collected from land owners through field observations and questionnaires from the participants whilst secondary data were collected from the Department of Environmental Affairs.
The study adopted a mixed methods approach which is both quantitative and qualitative. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package. The research determined the level of success in terms of clearing invasive alien plant species, employment opportunities, tools/materials that have been used to clear the plants and the advice on the possible strategies that can be employed in the invasive alien plant species management.
It was found out that the Invasive alien plant species require constant maintenance in order for them to be controlled. The Wolkberg project is mainly dominated by male workers compared to females. Each team comprised 3% underage workers. The study recommends that the project should make sure that the follow-ups are done at the correct time and stage. Looking at the statistics of males and females, the study revealed that transformation is not adhered to in this project. / NRF
|
5 |
Plant diversity in grassland of selected nature reserves and adjacent grazing areas within the Gauteng province , South AfricaMochesane, Moseketsi Valencia 02 1900 (has links)
The relations between environmental resources and biodiversity are crucial in the proper management and conservation of grasslands. Three nature reserves were chosen around the Gauteng Province, namely Roodeplaat Nature Reserve (RNR) in Tshwane, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (SNR) in Heidelberg, and Abe Bailey Nature Reserve (ANR) in Carletonville. We selected three sites within RNR, SNR and ANR, and paired these with adjacent sites in private farming/grazing areas adjacent to the nature reserves. At each site, species composition, species richness and plant diversity were determined with the use of 50m x 20m Modified-Whittaker plots (MWP), making a total of eighteen plots (MWP) at the nine paired sites. Two paired sites had high Shannon-Wiener Index (H’) average values at the adjacent grazing area as compared to the nature reserve area at ANR. Roodeplaat Nature Reserve (RNR) and Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (SNR) had two paired sites with high H’ average values in the nature reserve as compared to the adjacent grazing area.
The vegetation structure was similar for the three study locations, consisting of graminoids, herbs and isolated patches of shrubs. The species composition showed similarities between ANR and SNR sites, while RNR showed different species composition. SNR soils had the highest organic carbon (OC), total Carbon (C), total Nitrogen (N), Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Sodium (Na) as compared to both ANR and RNR. Species richness had a significantly positive relationship with Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen. Species diversity difference was detected between the nature reserves and adjacent grazing areas and the difference are likely due to a number of factors including soil properties, land disturbance and land use and management. More research is necessary to further understand the aspects impacting species richness, species diversity and species composition in grasslands. / School of Agriculture and Life Sciences / M. Sc.
|
6 |
Ethnobotanical survey of problem weeds, alien invasive plant species and their roles in Nzhelele, Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South AfricaRamarumo, Luambo Jeffrey 18 September 2017 (has links)
MSc (Botanty) / Department of Botany / Background: Problem plants and alien invasive weed species are part of today‟s ecological
transformation. Ethnobotanical literature on ecological prominence and ethical values of
problem alien weeds is scant and should be documented to avoid loss of valuable species.
Aim: The study was aimed at documenting problem weeds and alien invasive plant species
considered to be beneficial in deep rural communities.
Materials and method: Purposeful triangulation research methods were used to ensure the
proper gathering of both qualitative and quantitative data sets.
Results and conclusion: Some problem weeds and alien invasive plant species are being
utilized by local people to maintain their livelihood. A total of 78 plant species from 33
families were recorded. These plant species belonged to diverse growth habits, namely:
climbers, herbaceous, succulents, shrubs, trees as well as creepers. Recorded problem
weeds and alien invasive plant species were contributing towards ecological, medicinal and
social values. These included being utilized as a source of food (14), fruits (4), medicinal
(31), ornamentals (7), firewood (3), social (2) and multiple purposes (17). The main utilized
families were Asteraceae (14.1%) and Solanaceae (14.1%). These families were mostly
utilized for the purpose of medicinal and food. Plant species that were widely used are as
follows: Achyrathes aspera L., Agave sisalana L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Anredera
cordifolia L., Canna indica L., Centella asiatica L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium
ambrosioides L. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King and H. Rob. The dominant
category for problem weeds and alien invasive plant species was 1b (44%) followed by
weeds (35%), category 2 (9%), invaders (5%), category 3 (4%) and 1% for both category 1,
1a as well as X3. The results revealed that the legislative listing of plant species as problem
weeds and alien invasive species was based on single knowledge basis system, rather than
on multi-dimensional knowledge systems. Therefore, this study recommended that for
judgment to be considered in decision-making, it should be based on species-specificity as
well as multi-dimensional-knowledge basis. The reconciliation of inherent grapples among
scientific and indigenous knowledge systems could possibly be underpinned by equal
legislative consideration for the aforementioned knowledge systems especially in the
establishment and implementation of environmental regulations. This could also aid with the
provision to support transformation in South Africa and worldwide.
|
7 |
Ethnomedicinal survey of invasive alien plant species used in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South AfricaCherane, Mosibudi Wendy 20 September 2019 (has links)
MSc (Botany) / Department of Botany / Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are non-native species that have spread beyond the
introduction site; become abundant to an extent that they serve as agents of change
that also threaten native biological diversity (Garcia-Berthou, 2007). IAPs have
medicinal applications for the treatment of various aliments in humans (Jäger et al.,
1996).
In this study, an ethnomedicinal survey was conducted on medicinal uses of invasive
alien plant species in order to identify and investigate the various disease treatment
methods employed by Bapedi traditional health practitioners within Capricorn District.
Six traditional health practitioners were randomly selected, via the snowball method
from each of the five local municipalities namely: Aganang, Blouberg, Lepelle-Nkupi,
Molomole and Polokwane. The whole survey included 30 traditional health
practitioners. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to document
information about the medicinal uses of IAPs from participants. The collected data
from the questionnaire was captured in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using
descriptive statistics.
The study recorded 22 IAPs belonging to 14 plant families. Records or data collected
show invasive alien plants species to have been used for treatment of different
alignments amongst Bapedi traditional health practitioners. Plant families with the
most recorded species include: Solanaceae and Myrtaceae with 18.2% for both of
them. The plant parts most frequently used in descending order were as follows: roots
vii
(40%), followed by the leaves (39%), fruits (7%), thorns (6%), bark (4%), seeds (2%)
and lastly stems (2%). Decoction was recorded as the most dominant method used
during medicinal preparations (n = 176) and flu was recorded as the most treated
ailment amongst traditional health practitioners (n = 29).
Apart from clearing IAPs as part of management strategy by South African
government, there are other alternative innovative ways that can be employed to
ensure that the number of IAPs introduced does not exceed beyond measure.This
could be achieved by encouraging local people to use them as either medicinal
sources or by incorporating them into any other local ethnobotanical use. The new
innovative ways (such as traditional health practitioners utilizing the IAPs instead of
endangered plants or indigenous plants species) can bring in some form of relief to
the already declining indigenous species populations. Research scholars from
different research institutes and higher education research centres can regard IAPs
used medicinally as source of new pharmaceutical leads to create new medications.
With such attention turned to alien invasive species, their survival as well as their
spread will be kept on check at the same time creating a control measure to their
spread with little effort. Further laboratory-based studies are needed to determine
efficiency and safety of the IAPs used by traditional health practitioners in this study. / NRF
|
Page generated in 0.0711 seconds