Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 249-270).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 253-281).

This master´s thesis is about management complications of small-scaled especially protected areas, which can be solved with the plan of care. Determining the management of protected areas is important not only for protection of these areas for the future generations, but also for the conservation of environmental stability of our natural landscape in its original form. The focus of this thesis is the proposal of the plan of care for the nature reserve Velká a Malá olšina based on field survey and analysis of all available information. The methodology used was Evaluation of conditions and care for especially protected areas, as written in 2005 by Svátek and Buček, and by The Decree of The Environmental Department no. 64/2011 Sb. With this thesis, it was possible to discover the current problems in Velká a Malá olšina as well as lack of care and to determine the best form of management that could solve these issues. The proposed plan of care can be used as source of management in the area so other uncommon biotope of the Czech Republic remain protected and undamaged.

The succession on the dunes of the Mlalazi Nature Reserve represents a classical example of primary succession. The reproductive strategies of eight key species were compared to determine some of the mechanisms affecting the community dynamics, at the population level, in the early stages of succession. There is a temporal separation in the flowering and fruiting phenologies. Passerina rigida, Stipagrostis zeyheri and Imperata cylindrica produced small seeds with a low fruit/seed mass ratio within a short cycle. The seeds are suitable for wind-dispersal. The animal-dispersed species; Eugenia capensis, Mimusops caffra and Scaevola plumieri, produced large fleshy seeds with a high fruit/seed mass ratio within cycles of six months and more. Chrysanthemoides monilifera, also an animal-dispersed species, produced a large quantity of small fleshy seeds throughout the year. The fern, Microsorium scolopendrium produced spores throughout the year. The staggered fruiting and flowering phenology ensures a year-round availability of fruit in the dunefield. The key species formed less than half of the species composition of the soil seed bank. The size and range of the soil seed bank differed between the species. P. rigida and S. plumieri formed a high proportion of the seeds in the soil with a wide distribution along the successional gradient. The other species had low soil seed densities with short distribution ranges, or were not present. P. rigida and S. plumieri are easily dispersed species, whereas the other species may have a more restricted and clumped distribution due to the effect of foragers. A high density of P. rigida and E. capensis seeds were found under the parent trees. Only seeds of P. rigida and S. zeyheri were found in the soil in the open. Seeds of P. rigida, S. zeyheri, E. capensis and M. caffra were found under the canopies of P. rigida, E. capensis and M. caffra. No seeds of C. monilifera and I. cylindrica were found in the soil, possibly due to predation. The period of the study (September 1991 to November 1992) was in a dry or drought cycle with only 56.8% of the mean annual rainfall falling. Seed germination and seedling survival of all the species were affected by these dry, warm climatic conditions. The species had seedling densities of less than 4 seeds/m². The environmental conditions along the successional gradient also had an effect on seed germination and seedling survival. Environmental factors of soil pH, light intensity and surface soil temperatures were higher in the open than under canopy. Soil pH and the understorey cover decreased as the light intensity decreased from under the canopy of P. rigida to M. caffra . Litter cover and plant height increased. E. capensis had measurements intermediate to the two species, but had higher surface soil temperatures and plant height than P. rigida. Seedlings of P. rigida in the open and under the canopy of the parent plants had died by the end of the monitoring period. 50% of the seedlings of S. zeyheri under the canopy of P. rigida and M. caffra died. The mortality rate of the seedlings of E. capensis was lower under M. caffra than under the parent plants. I. cylindrica may be propagated vegetatively. However, the mortality of the propagules was greater under the canopy of E. capensis than under P. rigida. M. caffra only germinated under the canopy of E. capensis with a 100% mortality of the seedlings. M. scolopendrium only produced propagules through vegetative propagation under the canopy of E. capensis and M. caffra. The mortality of the young ferns was less than 50% and less under M. caffra than under E. capensis. No seedlings of C. monilifera or S. plumieri were found. The seed distribution range, seed germination requirements and the effect of the environmental conditions on the germination of the seeds and seedling establishment of the species appear to important factors of the reproductive strategies regulating the size of the species populations along the successional gradient.

The ecology and life history of the vlei rat, Otomys irroratus (Brants, 1827), were studied in a population on the Van Riebeeck Nature Reserve near Pretoria. Two main procedures were used to collect the basic information and material for the project. First, a permanent live-trapping grid was established where 333 animals were captured, marked, released, and recaptured over a period of 26 months, Second, snap-trapping and live-trapping were conducted elsewhere in the study area for supplementary material. Because Otomys angoniensis Wroughton, 1906, a sibling species of 0. irroratus, also occurred in the study area and grid, it was necessary to define the differences in morphology and ecological distribution between the two species. The ecology and life history of 0. irroratus are described and discussed in regard to the following major topics: taxonomy and morphology, distribution, population dynamics, reproduction, postnatal growth and development, activity, behavior, and economic importance. In addition to the presently used means of distinguishing 0. irroratus and 0. angoniensis, it was found that the hind foot length of the two species differed, being 29-34 mm in 0. irroratus and 25-28 mm in O. angoniensis. The baculum of the two species was also found to be distinct in both shape and size. In Southern Africa 0. irroratus occurs primarily in the grassland subregion of the Southern Savanna biotic zone, while O. angoniensis occurs primarily in the woodland subregion of the same biotic zone. The preferred habitats of the two species on the study grid were determined. There was little overlap of niches and each species had a high degree of association with a different veld type, O. irroratus being associated with the more mesic habitat. The population size of O. irroratus reached a peak in May and a low in September. The population also fluctuated considerably from one year to the next, with rainfall possibly being the main contributing cause. The ratio of juveniles, subadults, and adults fluctuated primarily in respect to the season when the young were born. The sex ratio did not depart significantly from 1:1. Males comprised 49,5 per cent of the total and females 50,5 per cent. The rate of disappearance after one month from first capture was 41 per cent, indicating that a large number of transients and individuals dispersing from their birth site were involved. The overall rate of disappearance, excluding the high first month rate of disappearance, was 3,1 per cent per month. The mortality rate appeared to be at its highest between August and September when the food and cover were of very poor quality and quantity. This was also the period when males demonstrated a significant loss in body weight. The major factors causing mortality appeared to be flooding of the habitat and owl predation. Floods not only reduced the population but significantly interrupted breeding. Otomys irroratus was one of the most prominent prey species of both barn and grass owls. The major factors causing mortality appeared to be flooding of the habitat and owl predation. Floods not only reduced the population but significantly interrupted breeding. Otomys irroratus was one of the most prominent prey species of both barn and grass owls. Recapture data revealed that the mean home range size was 1 443m2, while that of males (1 730 m2) was highly significantly different (P<O,Ol) from that of females (1 252m2). Home range size decreased significantly in winter but only slightly in relation to a doubling of the population size. Of 18 individuals recaptured after a flood, 12 (66,7 per cent) had returned to their previously determined home range. Despite a small mean litter size (2,33) and relatively long gestation period (about 40 days), the long breeding season (nine months) and precocial birth, rapid development, and nipple-clinging behavior of the young together give O. irroratus a good reproductive potential. Several litters of young were reared. They are precocial at birth and development proceeds rapidly. At birth the incisors are erupted, enabling the young to cling firmly to the nipples of the mother, thereby reducing mortality losses. Most adult behavior patterns are developed before weaning at 13 days of age. Sexual maturity is reached at approximately three months of age. Otomys irroratus is primarily crepuscular, but activity tests conducted in the field and laboratory indicated some activitv throughout the day and night. Individual and social behavior are described and discussed. The vlei rat is shy and retiring in captivity and in nature is not easily captured by the use of snap-traps. Interactions of adults were tested and they were found to be antisocial, with intrasexual aggression occurring when caged. Complex threat and communication patterns exist, a feature of asocial behavior. Mating failed to occur in captivity, probably as a result of their antisocial nature. Marking behavior is very distinctive and, combined with urination and possibly defecation, would appear to be useful in delineating territories. It would also appear from their social habits, marking behavior, and considerable overlap of home ranges that their interactions with conspecifics in nature are represented by a dominance hierarchy. The influence of O. irroratus upon the environment was found to be slight. The species serves as a common prey item for a number of predators and was found to harbor several endo- and ectoparasites of public health importance. / Thesis (DSc)--University of Pretoria, 1973. / gm2013 / Zoology and Entomology / Unrestricted

M.Sc. (Geography) / This study concentrates. not only on the physical and chemical factors influencing erosion levels in the Pilanesberg area, but also on the impact of anthropogenic factors such as artificial drainage and other cultural irregularities that have modified the local catchment in the Pilanesberg area. For this reason, a comparative study of soil erosion has been made across the perimeter of the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The study'aimed to analyze the impact of climatic factors, chemical and physical properties of the soils on the local erosion system. Possible triggering mechanisms of the erosion have been discussed and conservation concerns in the Pilanesberg area have been raised. Of major importance in this study has been the'estimation of soil loss rates across the perimeter of the PNR.. This was premised on the 'rationale that population pressure has an impact on the local erosion system, Through the' analysis of sediment trapped at the monitoring sites it has been possible to indicate the tremendous impact of population pressure on the slopes of the Pilanesberg hills, just outside of the PNR. The rate at which soil is lost on the surrounding rural landscape in the Pilanesberg area has been found to be on average. nearly four times higher than inside of the PNR.

Namaqualand is a semi-desert area situated in the winter rainfall region of South Africa hosting the world’s richest succulent flora, and is one of only two arid areas to classify as a global hotspot of biodiversity. The Goegap Nature Reserve, east of Springbok, lies in the Upland Succulent Karoo. After all the livestock were removed and the reserve fenced in 1969, a long-term monitoring project was initiated to record possible vegetation changes under the reduced grazing pressure. The first monitoring was done in 1974 when two line transects, of 1 km each, were surveyed. These surveys have been repeated annually covering a period of more than 30 years. When the reserve was enlarged in 1990, five additional line transects were set out in highly degraded areas. The main aim of this study was therefore to determine whether any changes in the vegetation in terms of species composition, species richness and life form richness in the monitored line transects could be detected. Rainfall as possible force driving these changes was also examined. It was found that changes did indeed take place in the vegetation. The species composition revealed notable changes over the entire monitored period, specifically in the two longest established line transects, whereas in the case of the species richness changes were also detected, but to a lesser extent and not notable in terms of an overall increase or decrease in the number of species. These changes are referred to as fluctuations. Rainfall can be regarded as a definite environmental driving force, with the time, intensity and duration of importance, specifically to the annual species composition. Overall, the veld condition improved and continuous monitoring of the line transects on a regular basis should take place to improve our understanding of the complex dynamics of this ecosystem. Because the changes in species composition are reflected in changes in grazing capacity the results are of direct importance to the management of the wildlife on the reserve. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Science / unrestricted

This thesis explores ways in which open space can be made memorable through the application of ecological design and landscape narrative principles. The Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is located in the predominantly residential eastern suburbs of Pretoria and has been identified as an important open space due to its unique ecological sensitivity. The hypothesis argues that through an understanding of the landscape narrative, interventions can be made in the reserve that will not negatively affect the ecological importance or the visual aesthetic of the reserve. These interventions will contribute to making a memorable landscape by reinforcing its beauty and genius loci. The interventions in the reserve should increase the daily use of the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve and thus promote the reserve as a sustainable open space while preserving its ecological importance. Copyright / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted