Dragonfly assemblages and their biotope preferences in the National Botanical Gardens,
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa were investigated. The information served as background for
increasing public awareness and education by designing a dragonfly observation trail.
Multivariate analyses of data, classified 20 a priori selected sampling units into four
ecologically meaningful biotope types, each with characteristic dragonfly assemblages. These
biotopes were: 'waterfall', 'forested river', 'shaded pond/stream' and 'open ponds/dam'.
Species-environmental variables correlations were significantly high for six out of twelve,
measured environmental variables: pH, percentage shade, vegetation (structural and
compositional), ambient temperatures, water temperatures, and water depth. Sunlit
ponds/dam had higher species richness and diversity than the other water bodies. The months
of November to April were significantly high in species richness and diversity, and were
characterized by both rare and abundant, and both localized and widespread species. The
winter months (May to October), in contrast, were characterized by only the widespread and
abundant species. Questionnaire responses were used to test the popularity of the concept of
a dragonfly trail, and showed a high level of awareness and commitment on the part of
respondents (visitors to the botanical gardens) across all age groups. There was a strong
response to knowing more about dragonflies (using a trail) and to become involved in
conserving them. The scientific results, the responses to the questionnaire, and practical
feasibility, all indicated that the instigation of a trail was possible. After some preliminary
trials, a full trail was designed, which is now being installed by the National Botanical
Gardens for the benefit of a wide sector of the public and for heightening public awareness
of the need for dragonfly and other invertebrate conservation. This study was partly in
response to the IUCN Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: Dragonflies, and to widen the value and appeal of the botanical gardens, which are an already well-established public asset. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/10282 |
| Date | 20 December 2013 |
| Creators | Niba, Augustine Suh. |
| Contributors | Samways, Michael J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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