Erythrina caffra - kaffirboom
- Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
- Date: 23-08-1959
- Subjects: Erythrina caffra - South Africa -- Photographs , Trees -- South Africa -- Photographs
- Language: English
- Type: mixed material , photographs , landscape photographs
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/119690 , vital:34772
- Description: Caption "In Woodlands forest between King Williams Town and Stutterheim. 23-09-1959.”
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
- Date: 23-08-1959
- Subjects: Erythrina caffra - South Africa -- Photographs , Trees -- South Africa -- Photographs
- Language: English
- Type: mixed material , photographs , landscape photographs
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/119690 , vital:34772
- Description: Caption "In Woodlands forest between King Williams Town and Stutterheim. 23-09-1959.”
- Full Text: false
Red Lingerie Layered Velcro Dress
- Rhodes University Drama Department, Mavuka, Nomsa, Makweya, Lethabo, Hanbe, Tanduxolo, Love, Bariki, Jama, Siqhamo Hlubi
- Authors: Rhodes University Drama Department , Mavuka, Nomsa , Makweya, Lethabo , Hanbe, Tanduxolo , Love, Bariki , Jama, Siqhamo Hlubi
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: Clothing and dress , Dresses , Skirts , Underwear , Women's clothing , Twenty-first century , Costume
- Type: three dimensional object , Realia , image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467696 , vital:76957 , PSG 109
- Description: The red lingerie dress piece was design for the production Tksss Tkss Tkss directed by Lethabo Makweya in 2024. The costume features various pieces that attach onto a red lingerie body suit through Velcro. The piece includes 13 pieces that are made with stretch mesh and the body suit includes a blend of lace power mesh, tulle and Velcro and includes a garter ring and is suitable for sizes small. , Used in the production Tkss Tkss Tkss directed by Lethabo Makweya , Condition: Good with no visible staining or tears , This is an item from the Post-Graduate Wall, meaning item has been bought or made for a Post-Graduate production/project. The item cannot be destroyed or adapted as the costume is meant to be preserved following the project. The item can be signed out of the wardrobe but only for a short amount of time. , This record has been reviewed by the wardrobe staff and library technical team members but may be incomplete. The goal is to ensure that the records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email rhodesdramadepartmentwardrobe@gmail.com.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Rhodes University Drama Department , Mavuka, Nomsa , Makweya, Lethabo , Hanbe, Tanduxolo , Love, Bariki , Jama, Siqhamo Hlubi
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: Clothing and dress , Dresses , Skirts , Underwear , Women's clothing , Twenty-first century , Costume
- Type: three dimensional object , Realia , image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467696 , vital:76957 , PSG 109
- Description: The red lingerie dress piece was design for the production Tksss Tkss Tkss directed by Lethabo Makweya in 2024. The costume features various pieces that attach onto a red lingerie body suit through Velcro. The piece includes 13 pieces that are made with stretch mesh and the body suit includes a blend of lace power mesh, tulle and Velcro and includes a garter ring and is suitable for sizes small. , Used in the production Tkss Tkss Tkss directed by Lethabo Makweya , Condition: Good with no visible staining or tears , This is an item from the Post-Graduate Wall, meaning item has been bought or made for a Post-Graduate production/project. The item cannot be destroyed or adapted as the costume is meant to be preserved following the project. The item can be signed out of the wardrobe but only for a short amount of time. , This record has been reviewed by the wardrobe staff and library technical team members but may be incomplete. The goal is to ensure that the records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email rhodesdramadepartmentwardrobe@gmail.com.
- Full Text: false
Science engagement with school learners for microbial quality testing of water in Makhanda
- Authors: Nqowana, Thandiswa
- Date: 2020-04
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pharmacy)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124754 , vital:35677
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Nqowana, Thandiswa
- Date: 2020-04
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pharmacy)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124754 , vital:35677
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
Education, Training and Capacity-Building in the Field of Biological Invasions in South Africa:
- Byrne, Marcus J, du Plessis, Dorette, Ivey, Philip J, Measey, John, Robertson, Mark P, Robinson, Tamara B, Weaver, Kim N
- Authors: Byrne, Marcus J , du Plessis, Dorette , Ivey, Philip J , Measey, John , Robertson, Mark P , Robinson, Tamara B , Weaver, Kim N
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176250 , vital:42678 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Our changing relationship with the biosphere is one of many anxieties that human society currently confronts. The paradox that some biodiversity that has been moved across the planet by human trade could actually be harmful is unknown to many people. They are either oblivious, or perceive nature as being under threat, rather than as threatening in itself.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Byrne, Marcus J , du Plessis, Dorette , Ivey, Philip J , Measey, John , Robertson, Mark P , Robinson, Tamara B , Weaver, Kim N
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176250 , vital:42678 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Our changing relationship with the biosphere is one of many anxieties that human society currently confronts. The paradox that some biodiversity that has been moved across the planet by human trade could actually be harmful is unknown to many people. They are either oblivious, or perceive nature as being under threat, rather than as threatening in itself.
- Full Text: false
Invasive alien aquatic plants in South African freshwater ecosystems:
- Hill, Martin P, Coetzee, Julie A, Martin, Grant D, Smith, Rosali, Strange, Emily F
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A , Martin, Grant D , Smith, Rosali , Strange, Emily F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176271 , vital:42680 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: South Africa has a long history of managing the establishment and spread of invasive fioating macrophytes. The past thirty years of research and the implementation of nation-wide biological and integrated control programmes has led to widespread control of these species in many degraded freshwater ecosystems. Such initiatives are aimed at restoring access to potable freshwater and maintaining native biodiversity.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A , Martin, Grant D , Smith, Rosali , Strange, Emily F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176271 , vital:42680 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: South Africa has a long history of managing the establishment and spread of invasive fioating macrophytes. The past thirty years of research and the implementation of nation-wide biological and integrated control programmes has led to widespread control of these species in many degraded freshwater ecosystems. Such initiatives are aimed at restoring access to potable freshwater and maintaining native biodiversity.
- Full Text: false
Microbial fuel cells for remediation of metal rich wastewater coupled with bioelectricity generation
- Authors: Mshoperi, Edith
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124112 , vital:35540
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
Microbial fuel cells for remediation of metal rich wastewater coupled with bioelectricity generation
- Authors: Mshoperi, Edith
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124112 , vital:35540
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
More than a century of biological control against invasive alien plants in South Africa: a synoptic view of what has been accomplished
- Hill, Martin P, Moran, V Clifford, Hoffmann, John H, Neser, Stefan, Zimmermann, Helmuth G, Simelane, David O, Klein, Hildegard, Zachariades, Costas, Wood, Alan R, Byrne, Marcus J, Paterson, Iain D, Martin, Grant D, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Moran, V Clifford , Hoffmann, John H , Neser, Stefan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Simelane, David O , Klein, Hildegard , Zachariades, Costas , Wood, Alan R , Byrne, Marcus J , Paterson, Iain D , Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176260 , vital:42679 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Invasive alien plant species negatively affect agricultural production, degrade conservation areas, reduce water supplies, and increase the intensity of wild fires. Since 1913, biological control agents ie plant-feeding insects, mites, and fungal pathogens, have been deployed in South Africa to supplement other management practices (herbicides and mechanical controls) used against these invasive plant species. We do not describe the biological control agent species.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Moran, V Clifford , Hoffmann, John H , Neser, Stefan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Simelane, David O , Klein, Hildegard , Zachariades, Costas , Wood, Alan R , Byrne, Marcus J , Paterson, Iain D , Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176260 , vital:42679 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Invasive alien plant species negatively affect agricultural production, degrade conservation areas, reduce water supplies, and increase the intensity of wild fires. Since 1913, biological control agents ie plant-feeding insects, mites, and fungal pathogens, have been deployed in South Africa to supplement other management practices (herbicides and mechanical controls) used against these invasive plant species. We do not describe the biological control agent species.
- Full Text: false
A computational analysis to decipher the pathways of stability, uncoating and antigenicity of human enterovirus capsids
- Authors: Ross, Caroline Jane
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114788 , vital:34035 , 10.21504/10962/114788
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Ross, Caroline Jane
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114788 , vital:34035 , 10.21504/10962/114788
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
A content analysis of psychology Masters theses from South African universities
- Authors: Robson, Brian
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113924 , vital:33845
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Robson, Brian
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113924 , vital:33845
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
Active vs passive portfolio management: an empirical analysis of selected South African equity funds
- Mphahlele, Phaswane Moatlegi
- Authors: Mphahlele, Phaswane Moatlegi
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97846 , vital:31493
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
Active vs passive portfolio management: an empirical analysis of selected South African equity funds
- Authors: Mphahlele, Phaswane Moatlegi
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97846 , vital:31493
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
An emancipatory approach for innovative access to education in farm schools of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Robinson, Craig Grant
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72462 , vital:30055
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Robinson, Craig Grant
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72462 , vital:30055
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
Antimicrobial resistance awareness program at Settlers Hospital
- Manhanzva, Rufaro Immaculate
- Authors: Manhanzva, Rufaro Immaculate
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97712 , vital:31475
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Manhanzva, Rufaro Immaculate
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97712 , vital:31475
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
Evaluation of SNPs of G6PD, with regard to the 3D conformational, structural and stability alterations, in order to investigate the clinical implications and potential applications
- Authors: Sanabria, Natasha Mary-Anne
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76500 , vital:30574
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Sanabria, Natasha Mary-Anne
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76500 , vital:30574
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
Formulation, development and assessment of an orodispersible taste masked sildenafil film for paediatric use
- Authors: Naidu, Hariska
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97635 , vital:31466
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Naidu, Hariska
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97635 , vital:31466
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
Functional characterization of the nuclear localisation and export signals of the human Hsp70/Hsp90 organising protein (HOP)
- Authors: Rousseau, Robert P
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97819 , vital:31489
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Rousseau, Robert P
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97819 , vital:31489
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
Rethinking ICT4D Impact Assessments: reflections from the Siyakhula Living Lab in South Africa
- Mthoko, Hafeni, Khene, Caroline
- Authors: Mthoko, Hafeni , Khene, Caroline
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , conference paper
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105286 , vital:32495 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11235-6_4
- Description: The approach to outcome and impact assessments of ICTD has often relied solely on identifying project effects in relation to project baseline data; however, such an approach limits the potential learning that could be occurring throughout a project’s lifecycle. Impact assessments should be conducted in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the evaluation data that has been captured from the initiation of the project through to its implementation, and beyond. This study sought to reflect on the implementation of an impact assessment framework that is based on a comprehensive approach to evaluation. The framework was implemented in the Siyakhula Living Lab to assess for its outcomes and impacts on the community. A pragmatic approach was applied through a reflective process, to assess the utility of the framework within this context. Semi-structured interviews with project stakeholders were conducted to further gain insight into the comprehensive approach to conducting impact assessments. It was found that a comprehensive approach to assessing impacts provided a meaningful way to understand the effects of the ICTD initiative, and provided an overview of project areas that required improvement. However, it was found that the proposed assessment framework required a customisation component in order to modify it to better suit the project context. The way in which future impact assessments are conducted can draw on the lessons gained from following a more comprehensive approach to evaluation, and thus improve learning over time.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Mthoko, Hafeni , Khene, Caroline
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , conference paper
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105286 , vital:32495 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11235-6_4
- Description: The approach to outcome and impact assessments of ICTD has often relied solely on identifying project effects in relation to project baseline data; however, such an approach limits the potential learning that could be occurring throughout a project’s lifecycle. Impact assessments should be conducted in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the evaluation data that has been captured from the initiation of the project through to its implementation, and beyond. This study sought to reflect on the implementation of an impact assessment framework that is based on a comprehensive approach to evaluation. The framework was implemented in the Siyakhula Living Lab to assess for its outcomes and impacts on the community. A pragmatic approach was applied through a reflective process, to assess the utility of the framework within this context. Semi-structured interviews with project stakeholders were conducted to further gain insight into the comprehensive approach to conducting impact assessments. It was found that a comprehensive approach to assessing impacts provided a meaningful way to understand the effects of the ICTD initiative, and provided an overview of project areas that required improvement. However, it was found that the proposed assessment framework required a customisation component in order to modify it to better suit the project context. The way in which future impact assessments are conducted can draw on the lessons gained from following a more comprehensive approach to evaluation, and thus improve learning over time.
- Full Text: false
Secret sex lives in the intertidal: insights into the mating systems of clinid fishes from molecular parentage analyses
- Authors: Scheeper, Martinus Johannes
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72438 , vital:30048
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Scheeper, Martinus Johannes
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/72438 , vital:30048
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text: false
Synthesis, characterisation and biological evaluation of novel anti-infective compounds bearing ferrocene, arylpyrrole, thiazolidinedione, quinoline and triazole moieties
- Authors: Oderinlo, Ogunyemi Olajide
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114714 , vital:34016 , 10.21504/10962/114714
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Oderinlo, Ogunyemi Olajide
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114714 , vital:34016 , 10.21504/10962/114714
- Description: Expected release date-April 2022
- Full Text: false
Temperature dependence of persistent luminescence in CaAl2O4: Eu2+, Nd3+ related to beta irradiation and optical excitation
- Kalita, Jitumani M, Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105158 , vital:32470 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.10.062
- Description: Mechanisms responsible for the emission of persistent luminescence in CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ are typically studied following excitation by ultraviolet or visible light. In contrast, we have studied the persistent luminescence from this material after beta irradiation and optical excitation. These studies have been carried out at 25 °C as well as at various temperatures up to 100 °C. A thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve measured at 1 °C/s following beta irradiation showed a glow peak at 63 °C. On the other hand, a glow curve measured after 15 s of optical excitation by polychromatic white light shows a peak at 102 °C. The partial heating procedure reveals that each of the TL peaks consist of several overlapping components. The TL in each case was analysed for kinetic parameters. The initial rise analysis carried out on the rising edge of the overlapping components shows that the activation energy of the component peaks corresponding to beta irradiation is consistent at (0.59 ± 0.01) eV. In comparison, activation energies corresponding to optical excitation increases with the partial heating temperature from (0.71 ± 0.01) eV to (0.76 ± 0.01) eV. The activation energy of (0.59 ± 0.01) eV is ascribed to an oxygen vacancy whereas the range of activation energies between (0.71 ± 0.01) eV and (0.76 ± 0.01) eV is ascribed to the 4 f levels of the Nd dopant.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105158 , vital:32470 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.10.062
- Description: Mechanisms responsible for the emission of persistent luminescence in CaAl2O4:Eu2+,Nd3+ are typically studied following excitation by ultraviolet or visible light. In contrast, we have studied the persistent luminescence from this material after beta irradiation and optical excitation. These studies have been carried out at 25 °C as well as at various temperatures up to 100 °C. A thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve measured at 1 °C/s following beta irradiation showed a glow peak at 63 °C. On the other hand, a glow curve measured after 15 s of optical excitation by polychromatic white light shows a peak at 102 °C. The partial heating procedure reveals that each of the TL peaks consist of several overlapping components. The TL in each case was analysed for kinetic parameters. The initial rise analysis carried out on the rising edge of the overlapping components shows that the activation energy of the component peaks corresponding to beta irradiation is consistent at (0.59 ± 0.01) eV. In comparison, activation energies corresponding to optical excitation increases with the partial heating temperature from (0.71 ± 0.01) eV to (0.76 ± 0.01) eV. The activation energy of (0.59 ± 0.01) eV is ascribed to an oxygen vacancy whereas the range of activation energies between (0.71 ± 0.01) eV and (0.76 ± 0.01) eV is ascribed to the 4 f levels of the Nd dopant.
- Full Text: false
The elephant in the ‘room’: determinants of songbird assemblages in the Thicket Biome, South Africa
- Authors: Parker, Daniel M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105134 , vital:32468 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2018.1562847
- Description: When vegetation structure is altered, songbird communities may be affected. Despite speculation that African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) browsing impacts bird communities, existing data are limited. I sampled the bird communities of the Albany Thicket Biome at 10 sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, half with elephants and half without. Songbird community parameters were best predicted by how long elephants had been present, elephant density and the percentage cover of thicket vegetation. The sites where elephants had been present for longer had more bird species and increased songbird density and diversity. However, bird density also increased with increasing thicket vegetation cover and this is a phenomenon unlikely to be compatible with long-term elephant presence. There was an almost equal split between the number of bird species that appeared to be negatively affected by changes in habitat structure (47%) and those which benefited (53%). Smaller birds were generally more abundant as vegetation structural integrity increased and larger birds were more abundant when vegetation structural integrity declined. The browsing of elephants could be viewed as facilitative for songbirds in the short term. However, this effect may not persist in the long term because all elephant populations (notorious tree-fellers) in the Eastern Cape are found in fenced areas where natural migration is not possible. More broadly, my data provide important insight into how avian communities respond to habitat transformation at the local and regional scales.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Parker, Daniel M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105134 , vital:32468 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2018.1562847
- Description: When vegetation structure is altered, songbird communities may be affected. Despite speculation that African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) browsing impacts bird communities, existing data are limited. I sampled the bird communities of the Albany Thicket Biome at 10 sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, half with elephants and half without. Songbird community parameters were best predicted by how long elephants had been present, elephant density and the percentage cover of thicket vegetation. The sites where elephants had been present for longer had more bird species and increased songbird density and diversity. However, bird density also increased with increasing thicket vegetation cover and this is a phenomenon unlikely to be compatible with long-term elephant presence. There was an almost equal split between the number of bird species that appeared to be negatively affected by changes in habitat structure (47%) and those which benefited (53%). Smaller birds were generally more abundant as vegetation structural integrity increased and larger birds were more abundant when vegetation structural integrity declined. The browsing of elephants could be viewed as facilitative for songbirds in the short term. However, this effect may not persist in the long term because all elephant populations (notorious tree-fellers) in the Eastern Cape are found in fenced areas where natural migration is not possible. More broadly, my data provide important insight into how avian communities respond to habitat transformation at the local and regional scales.
- Full Text: false