A comparison of anthropogenic and elephant disturbance on Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree) populations in the Lowveld, South Africa
- Botha, Jenny, Witkowski, Ed T F, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Botha, Jenny , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181629 , vital:43753 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v45i1.10"
- Description: Acacia xanthophloea (the ‘fever tree’) is a popular medicinal species that is traded widely in South Africa. Although it occurs throughout southern Africa, there is increasing pressure on its riverine and marshy habitats. This study compares the impact of harvesting on an A. xanthophloea population located on private land near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, with two protected populations situated within the Kruger National Park. The densities of the harvested and protected populations were similar (84±8 trees/ha and 85±20 trees/ha, respectively). There were fluctuations in the quotients between frequencies of trees in successive diameter classes, which is common in savanna where high levels of fire, mega-herbivore and anthropogenic disturbance are experienced. The extent of stem damage (stripping of bark and breakage) by elephants in the protected area was significantly higher than the extent of harvesting on private land, although the degree of damage was relatively low, with only 7 % of the populations having been damaged at rates >26 %. The degree of harvesting on private land was relatively low, with the majority of trees having been harvested at rates of less than 10 % of the stem below 2 m. Despite this, ringbarking had occurred (4 %). The basal diameters and heights were significantly lower in the protected population than in the harvested one, suggesting that over time elephant impact was the more severe disturbance. Acacia xanthophloea exhibited high resilience to disturbance, with all the elephant damaged trees and harvested individuals surviving. However, the mean bark thickness measured in local markets (6.3±1.4 mm) was significantly lower than that measured in either the harvested (12.4±1.0 mm) or the KNP (10.3±0.8 mm) populations. As harvesters tend to select the largest individuals in a population to maximise their financial returns, this could mean that smaller individuals are being harvested, and/or bark is not being given sufficient time to grow back after harvesting. Acacia xanthophloea outside protected areas thus need to be monitored and the management improved, preferably in conjunction with the resource users. In addition, traditional healers, those selling medicinal plants and other members of the community need to continue to be encouraged to cultivate this fast growing species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Botha, Jenny , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181629 , vital:43753 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v45i1.10"
- Description: Acacia xanthophloea (the ‘fever tree’) is a popular medicinal species that is traded widely in South Africa. Although it occurs throughout southern Africa, there is increasing pressure on its riverine and marshy habitats. This study compares the impact of harvesting on an A. xanthophloea population located on private land near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, with two protected populations situated within the Kruger National Park. The densities of the harvested and protected populations were similar (84±8 trees/ha and 85±20 trees/ha, respectively). There were fluctuations in the quotients between frequencies of trees in successive diameter classes, which is common in savanna where high levels of fire, mega-herbivore and anthropogenic disturbance are experienced. The extent of stem damage (stripping of bark and breakage) by elephants in the protected area was significantly higher than the extent of harvesting on private land, although the degree of damage was relatively low, with only 7 % of the populations having been damaged at rates >26 %. The degree of harvesting on private land was relatively low, with the majority of trees having been harvested at rates of less than 10 % of the stem below 2 m. Despite this, ringbarking had occurred (4 %). The basal diameters and heights were significantly lower in the protected population than in the harvested one, suggesting that over time elephant impact was the more severe disturbance. Acacia xanthophloea exhibited high resilience to disturbance, with all the elephant damaged trees and harvested individuals surviving. However, the mean bark thickness measured in local markets (6.3±1.4 mm) was significantly lower than that measured in either the harvested (12.4±1.0 mm) or the KNP (10.3±0.8 mm) populations. As harvesters tend to select the largest individuals in a population to maximise their financial returns, this could mean that smaller individuals are being harvested, and/or bark is not being given sufficient time to grow back after harvesting. Acacia xanthophloea outside protected areas thus need to be monitored and the management improved, preferably in conjunction with the resource users. In addition, traditional healers, those selling medicinal plants and other members of the community need to continue to be encouraged to cultivate this fast growing species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Iron perchlorophthalocyanine and tetrasulfophthalocyanine catalyzed oxidation of cyclohexane using hydrogen peroxide, chloroperoxybenzoic acid and tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidants
- Grootboom, Natasha, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Grootboom, Natasha , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289606 , vital:56653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S1381-1169(01)00404-6"
- Description: Polychlorophthalocyanine (Cl16PcFeII) and tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([FeIITSPc]4−) complexes of iron are employed as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) and hydrogen peroxide as oxidants. Catalysis using the Cl16PcFeII was performed in a dimethylformamide:dichloromethane (3:7) solvent mixture. For the [FeIITSPc]4−catalyst, a water:methanol (1:9) mixture was employed. The products of the catalysis are cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanediol. The relative yields of the products depended on oxidant and the catalyst. TBHP was found to be the best oxidant since minimal destruction of the catalyst and higher selectivity in the products were observed when this oxidant was employed. The mechanism of the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of the Cl16PcFeII and [FeIITSPc]4− involves the oxidation of these catalysts, forming an Fe(III) phthalocyanine species as an intermediate. Higher yields were observed when [FeTSPc]4− was employed as a catalyst, which is more soluble than the perchlorinated iron phthalocyanine catalyst.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Grootboom, Natasha , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289606 , vital:56653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S1381-1169(01)00404-6"
- Description: Polychlorophthalocyanine (Cl16PcFeII) and tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([FeIITSPc]4−) complexes of iron are employed as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) and hydrogen peroxide as oxidants. Catalysis using the Cl16PcFeII was performed in a dimethylformamide:dichloromethane (3:7) solvent mixture. For the [FeIITSPc]4−catalyst, a water:methanol (1:9) mixture was employed. The products of the catalysis are cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanediol. The relative yields of the products depended on oxidant and the catalyst. TBHP was found to be the best oxidant since minimal destruction of the catalyst and higher selectivity in the products were observed when this oxidant was employed. The mechanism of the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of the Cl16PcFeII and [FeIITSPc]4− involves the oxidation of these catalysts, forming an Fe(III) phthalocyanine species as an intermediate. Higher yields were observed when [FeTSPc]4− was employed as a catalyst, which is more soluble than the perchlorinated iron phthalocyanine catalyst.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Being Brave: Writing Environmental Education Research
- Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, Burt, Jane C
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184734 , vital:44267 , xlink:href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ654591"
- Description: The heroine came back from her very important quest and sat down to write a thesis . . . While mythical journeys do not always end this way, the stories have to be told. The work of telling the story in the hero’s journey is often left untold. This paper explores some of the headwork that goes into textwork (Van Manen, 1995) in environmental education research. We argue that writing is an integral part of the research process, and should not be viewed as an “add on” or a silent, untold part of the adventure. We reflect on some of the institutional and epistemological issues associated with writing social science (in our case environmental education) research texts. Writing research is never an easy enterprise, it is bound by history and tradition, convention, institutional habit, and regulation. It is also constrained by the uncertainty of the process of writing itself, by problems of power relations in research, and the difficulty of writing to represent experience rigorously and authentically while recognizing that all writing is a constructed symbolic representation of experience. The paper reflexively reviews our attempts at “being brave” in the construction of our research texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184734 , vital:44267 , xlink:href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ654591"
- Description: The heroine came back from her very important quest and sat down to write a thesis . . . While mythical journeys do not always end this way, the stories have to be told. The work of telling the story in the hero’s journey is often left untold. This paper explores some of the headwork that goes into textwork (Van Manen, 1995) in environmental education research. We argue that writing is an integral part of the research process, and should not be viewed as an “add on” or a silent, untold part of the adventure. We reflect on some of the institutional and epistemological issues associated with writing social science (in our case environmental education) research texts. Writing research is never an easy enterprise, it is bound by history and tradition, convention, institutional habit, and regulation. It is also constrained by the uncertainty of the process of writing itself, by problems of power relations in research, and the difficulty of writing to represent experience rigorously and authentically while recognizing that all writing is a constructed symbolic representation of experience. The paper reflexively reviews our attempts at “being brave” in the construction of our research texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Weaving cloths: Research design in contexts of transformation
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184745 , vital:44268 , xlink:href="https://cjee.lakeheadu.ca/article/viewFile/259/136"
- Description: Through storytelling, I apply methodological and epistemological reflexivity to ask questions about the way in which environmental education research is framed in transformational settings. I ask questions about the role of research teachers/supervisors in the “weaving enterprise” or the research process. Do we have the dual task of developing contextually relevant frameworks, and of making sure that these frameworks are not adopted on an “industrial scale”—in other words, as new paradigms which have the potential to narrow research possibilities? The paper concerns itself with a broader question, notably the potentially debilitating effects of mass production of research, or the globalizing of knowledge production. The story I use to raise these, and other questions for consideration by teachers/supervisors of research is a research workers story (my own), constructed between 1992 and 1996, in a context of rapid socio-political and educational transformation in South Africa (Lotz, 1996). In addition to the above, the paper opens a debate about reflexivity as research methodological rigour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184745 , vital:44268 , xlink:href="https://cjee.lakeheadu.ca/article/viewFile/259/136"
- Description: Through storytelling, I apply methodological and epistemological reflexivity to ask questions about the way in which environmental education research is framed in transformational settings. I ask questions about the role of research teachers/supervisors in the “weaving enterprise” or the research process. Do we have the dual task of developing contextually relevant frameworks, and of making sure that these frameworks are not adopted on an “industrial scale”—in other words, as new paradigms which have the potential to narrow research possibilities? The paper concerns itself with a broader question, notably the potentially debilitating effects of mass production of research, or the globalizing of knowledge production. The story I use to raise these, and other questions for consideration by teachers/supervisors of research is a research workers story (my own), constructed between 1992 and 1996, in a context of rapid socio-political and educational transformation in South Africa (Lotz, 1996). In addition to the above, the paper opens a debate about reflexivity as research methodological rigour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The identification of the UV degradants of melatonin and their ability to scavenge free radicals
- Maharaj, Deepa S, Anoopkumar-Dukie, Shailendra, Glass, Beverley D, Antunes, Edith M, Lack, Barbara A, Walker, Roderick B, Daya, Santylal
- Authors: Maharaj, Deepa S , Anoopkumar-Dukie, Shailendra , Glass, Beverley D , Antunes, Edith M , Lack, Barbara A , Walker, Roderick B , Daya, Santylal
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184303 , vital:44198 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-079X.2002.01866.x"
- Description: Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to induce the generation of free radicals in biological tissues such as skin. Of these free radicals, the O2–· and particularly the ·OH radical can induce cellular damage including lipid peroxidation. Thus, the use of antioxidants to prevent such damage induced by UV irradiation has received much attention recently. One such antioxidant, which has the potential to be incorporated into sunscreens, is the pineal secretory product melatonin. One of the concerns of using melatonin in sunscreens is its photostability. In the present study, we investigated the photostability of melatonin subjected to UV irradiation. In addition, we used liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify the degradants and we also assessed the ability of the degradants to inhibit O2–· generation as well as lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The results show that UV irradiation of melatonin (0.1 mg/mL) using a 400-W lamp for 2 hr caused a significant decline of melatonin to 18% of its original concentration after 20 min, with the decline continuing until the melatonin concentration reaches zero at 120 min. The LC-MS results show that the degradants of melatonin are 6-hydroxymelatonin and N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine (AFMK). These degradants were able to provide equipotent activity against potassium cyanide (KCN)-induced superoxide generation compared to non-irradiated melatonin. Thus, the study shows that although melatonin is rapidly degraded by UV irradiation, the degradants retain antioxidant activity, making melatonin a likely candidate for inclusion in sunscreens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Maharaj, Deepa S , Anoopkumar-Dukie, Shailendra , Glass, Beverley D , Antunes, Edith M , Lack, Barbara A , Walker, Roderick B , Daya, Santylal
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184303 , vital:44198 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-079X.2002.01866.x"
- Description: Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to induce the generation of free radicals in biological tissues such as skin. Of these free radicals, the O2–· and particularly the ·OH radical can induce cellular damage including lipid peroxidation. Thus, the use of antioxidants to prevent such damage induced by UV irradiation has received much attention recently. One such antioxidant, which has the potential to be incorporated into sunscreens, is the pineal secretory product melatonin. One of the concerns of using melatonin in sunscreens is its photostability. In the present study, we investigated the photostability of melatonin subjected to UV irradiation. In addition, we used liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify the degradants and we also assessed the ability of the degradants to inhibit O2–· generation as well as lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The results show that UV irradiation of melatonin (0.1 mg/mL) using a 400-W lamp for 2 hr caused a significant decline of melatonin to 18% of its original concentration after 20 min, with the decline continuing until the melatonin concentration reaches zero at 120 min. The LC-MS results show that the degradants of melatonin are 6-hydroxymelatonin and N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine (AFMK). These degradants were able to provide equipotent activity against potassium cyanide (KCN)-induced superoxide generation compared to non-irradiated melatonin. Thus, the study shows that although melatonin is rapidly degraded by UV irradiation, the degradants retain antioxidant activity, making melatonin a likely candidate for inclusion in sunscreens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Effects of axial ligands on the photophysical properties of silicon octaphenoxyphthalocyanine
- Maree, M David, Nyokong, Tebello, Suhling, Klaus, Phillips, David
- Authors: Maree, M David , Nyokong, Tebello , Suhling, Klaus , Phillips, David
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289582 , vital:56651 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000452"
- Description: The photochemistry and photophysics of six axially substituted silicon phthalocyanines are reported and show the importance of the axial groups in the photochemistry of these compounds. The fluorescence quantum yields are especially affected by the axial ligand. A very good correlation was found for the experimentally determined fluorescence lifetimes and the theoretically determined lifetimes using the Strickler-Berg equation for the unaggregated molecules.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Maree, M David , Nyokong, Tebello , Suhling, Klaus , Phillips, David
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289582 , vital:56651 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000452"
- Description: The photochemistry and photophysics of six axially substituted silicon phthalocyanines are reported and show the importance of the axial groups in the photochemistry of these compounds. The fluorescence quantum yields are especially affected by the axial ligand. A very good correlation was found for the experimentally determined fluorescence lifetimes and the theoretically determined lifetimes using the Strickler-Berg equation for the unaggregated molecules.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical studies of germanium and tin phthalocyanine complexes
- Maree, Suzanne, Phillips, David, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maree, Suzanne , Phillips, David , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289667 , vital:56661 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S108842460200004X"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of tin and germanium phthalocyanine complexes containing phenoxy and substituted phenoxy groups as phthalocyanine ring substituents. The compounds studied are: dichlorogermanium phthalocyanine complexes containing eight phenoxy (4a), o-methyl phenoxy (4b) or estrone (4c) groups on the ring. The corresponding dichlorotin complexes (5a, 5b and 5c) and diiodotin complex (6a) were also investigated, as well as diestrone phthalocyaninato tin (7). Germanium octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes undergo phototransformation rather than direct photobleaching, whereas tin octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes undergo a photobleaching process, which is mediated by photoreduction of the phthalocyanine ring. Tin octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes gave higher ΦΔ values than the corresponding germanium complexes. Also tin phthalocyanine complexes containing an unsubstituted ring gave higher ΦΔ values than the corresponding octaphenoxy substituted complexes. The triplet quantum yields increased with the increase in electron-donating power of the ring substituents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Maree, Suzanne , Phillips, David , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289667 , vital:56661 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S108842460200004X"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of tin and germanium phthalocyanine complexes containing phenoxy and substituted phenoxy groups as phthalocyanine ring substituents. The compounds studied are: dichlorogermanium phthalocyanine complexes containing eight phenoxy (4a), o-methyl phenoxy (4b) or estrone (4c) groups on the ring. The corresponding dichlorotin complexes (5a, 5b and 5c) and diiodotin complex (6a) were also investigated, as well as diestrone phthalocyaninato tin (7). Germanium octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes undergo phototransformation rather than direct photobleaching, whereas tin octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes undergo a photobleaching process, which is mediated by photoreduction of the phthalocyanine ring. Tin octaphenoxy phthalocyanine complexes gave higher ΦΔ values than the corresponding germanium complexes. Also tin phthalocyanine complexes containing an unsubstituted ring gave higher ΦΔ values than the corresponding octaphenoxy substituted complexes. The triplet quantum yields increased with the increase in electron-donating power of the ring substituents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Synthesis, electrochemical and photochemical properties of unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine complexes
- Matlaba, Pulane M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matlaba, Pulane M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289650 , vital:56658 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5387(02)01226-3"
- Description: The synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives are reported. The ZnPc derivatives are synthesized by ring expansion of subphthalocyanine complexes. Ring substitution is effected with tert-butyl phenol, naphthol and hydroxybenzoic acid. Comparison of the redox potentials for complexes substituted with varying numbers of tert-butyl phenol: 1 (complex 5), 2 (complex 6), 3 (complex 7), 6 (complex 8) and 8 (complex 9) shows that the complexes with the highest number of substituents are more difficult to oxidize and easier to reduce. All the reported complexes are relatively photostable, with photobleaching quantum yields of the order of 10−5. Singlet oxygen quantum yields for the complexes ranged from 0.22 to 0.68.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Matlaba, Pulane M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289650 , vital:56658 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5387(02)01226-3"
- Description: The synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives are reported. The ZnPc derivatives are synthesized by ring expansion of subphthalocyanine complexes. Ring substitution is effected with tert-butyl phenol, naphthol and hydroxybenzoic acid. Comparison of the redox potentials for complexes substituted with varying numbers of tert-butyl phenol: 1 (complex 5), 2 (complex 6), 3 (complex 7), 6 (complex 8) and 8 (complex 9) shows that the complexes with the highest number of substituents are more difficult to oxidize and easier to reduce. All the reported complexes are relatively photostable, with photobleaching quantum yields of the order of 10−5. Singlet oxygen quantum yields for the complexes ranged from 0.22 to 0.68.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Some insights on the gap
- O'Donoghue, Rob, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Authors: O'Donoghue, Rob , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182720 , vital:43856 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145410"
- Description: In our response to 'Mind the gap' by Kollmuss and Agyeman (2002) we review contemporary pro-environmental behaviour research and perspectives. We apply a social processes vantage point to reveal a blindness to the historical origins of these perspectives. Through drawing on a case in an African context, we illuminate the way in which experts in institutional contexts come to etch instrumental perspectives, and thus we probe the limitations of instrumentalist assumptions associated with pro-environmental behaviour research and perspectives. We also point to ideological blind spots and blockages that persist in disallowing social politics and history to illuminate the complexities of human social habitus, and we reveal some of the complexities that have been set aside in the Kollmuss and Agyeman article.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: O'Donoghue, Rob , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182720 , vital:43856 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145410"
- Description: In our response to 'Mind the gap' by Kollmuss and Agyeman (2002) we review contemporary pro-environmental behaviour research and perspectives. We apply a social processes vantage point to reveal a blindness to the historical origins of these perspectives. Through drawing on a case in an African context, we illuminate the way in which experts in institutional contexts come to etch instrumental perspectives, and thus we probe the limitations of instrumentalist assumptions associated with pro-environmental behaviour research and perspectives. We also point to ideological blind spots and blockages that persist in disallowing social politics and history to illuminate the complexities of human social habitus, and we reveal some of the complexities that have been set aside in the Kollmuss and Agyeman article.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Voltammetric detection of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrodes and its determination in tablets
- Oni, Joshua, Westbroek, Philippe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289692 , vital:56663 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289692 , vital:56663 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Voltammetric detection of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrodes and its determination in tablets
- Oni, Joshua, Westbroek, Philippe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289678 , vital:56662 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289678 , vital:56662 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Spectrophotometric and electrochemical studies of the interaction between iron (II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine and histamine
- Oni, Joshua, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289629 , vital:56657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000233"
- Description: The interaction between iron(II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([FeIITSPc]4+) and histamine results in the oxidation of the central metal by oxygen in the former, with the formation of a complex denoted as [(His)FeIIITSPc]3− (where His = histamine). The rate constant for the formation of the complex is kf = 2.41 × 10−2dm3.mol−1.s−1 and an equilibrium constant of 6.3 dm3.mol-1 was obtained. The oxidation state of the central metal of [FeIITSPc]4− before and after the coordination of histamine is confirmed by spectroelectrochemistry. Further electrochemical oxidation of this [(His)FeIIITsPc]3− derivative results in a metal-based process proposed to involve an FeIV phthalocyanine species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289629 , vital:56657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000233"
- Description: The interaction between iron(II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([FeIITSPc]4+) and histamine results in the oxidation of the central metal by oxygen in the former, with the formation of a complex denoted as [(His)FeIIITSPc]3− (where His = histamine). The rate constant for the formation of the complex is kf = 2.41 × 10−2dm3.mol−1.s−1 and an equilibrium constant of 6.3 dm3.mol-1 was obtained. The oxidation state of the central metal of [FeIITSPc]4− before and after the coordination of histamine is confirmed by spectroelectrochemistry. Further electrochemical oxidation of this [(His)FeIIITsPc]3− derivative results in a metal-based process proposed to involve an FeIV phthalocyanine species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Cyclic voltammetric studies of octabutylthiophthalo-cyaninato-cobalt (II) and its self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold electrode
- Ozoemena, Kenneth, Westbroek, Philippe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ozoemena, Kenneth , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289567 , vital:56650 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000130"
- Description: The synthesis of thiol-derivatized cobalt phthalocyanine complex, 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa (butylthiophthalocyaninatocobalt(II) (CoOBTPc) is described. Cyclic voltammetric data of this complex in DMF showed five quasi-reversible and reversible, diffusion-controlled redox couples, comprising both the phthalocyanine ring and central metal redox processes. The CoOBTPc complex forms a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold electrode. The investigation of the integrity of this SAM, using the established cyclic voltammetric methods in aqueous alkaline solutions, gave evidence about the formation of a stable and easily reproducible monolayer. However, due to its susceptibility to destruction via oxidative and reductive desorptions, its potential application as an electrochemical sensor in alkaline pH is limited to a potential window of between −0.20 and +0.55 V vs Ag/AgCl.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Ozoemena, Kenneth , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289567 , vital:56650 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424602000130"
- Description: The synthesis of thiol-derivatized cobalt phthalocyanine complex, 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa (butylthiophthalocyaninatocobalt(II) (CoOBTPc) is described. Cyclic voltammetric data of this complex in DMF showed five quasi-reversible and reversible, diffusion-controlled redox couples, comprising both the phthalocyanine ring and central metal redox processes. The CoOBTPc complex forms a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold electrode. The investigation of the integrity of this SAM, using the established cyclic voltammetric methods in aqueous alkaline solutions, gave evidence about the formation of a stable and easily reproducible monolayer. However, due to its susceptibility to destruction via oxidative and reductive desorptions, its potential application as an electrochemical sensor in alkaline pH is limited to a potential window of between −0.20 and +0.55 V vs Ag/AgCl.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Voltammetric characterization of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of octabutylthiophthalocyaninatoiron (II)
- Ozoemena,Kenneth, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ozoemena,Kenneth , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/290419 , vital:56748 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-4686(02)00362-6"
- Description: The fabrication of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa (butylthio)-phthalocyaninatoiron(II) [FePc(SBu)8] on gold electrode is described. The integrity of the SAM, with respect to its ability to block certain Faradaic processes, is interrogated using cyclic voltammetric experiments in aqueous solutions. The experiments show that this SAM provide an excellent blocking capability to the Faradaic processes emanating from gold surface oxidation, underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper and redox chemistry of Fe(NH4)(SO4)2 in HClO4. It is revealed by cyclic voltammetry that an ill-defined reversible couple of the SAM of FePc(SBu)8 can be greatly improved by a simple repetitive cycling of the modified electrode in a DMF solution containing TBAP within a short space of time (ca. 2 min). This ‘activation’ process provides good information concerning the surface coverage and orientation of the monolayer. The reversible redox wave shows a potential shift of about −57 mV per pH in the pH range of 2–9. A preliminary investigation indicates that FePc(SBu)8-SAM modified gold electrode shows electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of L-cysteine in acidic medium. The monolayer is stable and easily reproducible. However, due to its susceptibility to destruction via oxidative and reductive desorptions, its potential application as an electrochemical sensor would be much better in acidic and neutral than alkaline environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Ozoemena,Kenneth , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/290419 , vital:56748 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-4686(02)00362-6"
- Description: The fabrication of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa (butylthio)-phthalocyaninatoiron(II) [FePc(SBu)8] on gold electrode is described. The integrity of the SAM, with respect to its ability to block certain Faradaic processes, is interrogated using cyclic voltammetric experiments in aqueous solutions. The experiments show that this SAM provide an excellent blocking capability to the Faradaic processes emanating from gold surface oxidation, underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper and redox chemistry of Fe(NH4)(SO4)2 in HClO4. It is revealed by cyclic voltammetry that an ill-defined reversible couple of the SAM of FePc(SBu)8 can be greatly improved by a simple repetitive cycling of the modified electrode in a DMF solution containing TBAP within a short space of time (ca. 2 min). This ‘activation’ process provides good information concerning the surface coverage and orientation of the monolayer. The reversible redox wave shows a potential shift of about −57 mV per pH in the pH range of 2–9. A preliminary investigation indicates that FePc(SBu)8-SAM modified gold electrode shows electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of L-cysteine in acidic medium. The monolayer is stable and easily reproducible. However, due to its susceptibility to destruction via oxidative and reductive desorptions, its potential application as an electrochemical sensor would be much better in acidic and neutral than alkaline environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Melatonin protects against copper‐mediated free radical damage
- Parmar, Paresh, Limson, Janice, Nyokong, Tebello, Daya, Santy
- Authors: Parmar, Paresh , Limson, Janice , Nyokong, Tebello , Daya, Santy
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289617 , vital:56654 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-079X.2002.01859.x"
- Description: Copper is an essential trace element which forms an integral component of many enzymes. While trace amounts of copper are needed to sustain life, excess copper is extremely toxic. Copper has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Wilson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Previous studies showed that melatonin, the principle secretory product of the pineal gland, binds Cupric chloride (Cu2+) and that this may have implications in copper-induced neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, in vitro copper-mediated lipid peroxidation was induced. Melatonin (5 mM) protected against copper-mediated lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates. Electron micrographs of in vivo administered Cu2+ and melatonin show that melatonin affords some protection to rat hepatocytes in the presence of copper. Electrochemical studies performed show that melatonin, in addition to binding Cu2+, may provide protection against copper-mediated free radical damage by binding Cu1+. The findings of these studies provide further evidence for the neuroprotective role of melatonin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Parmar, Paresh , Limson, Janice , Nyokong, Tebello , Daya, Santy
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289617 , vital:56654 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-079X.2002.01859.x"
- Description: Copper is an essential trace element which forms an integral component of many enzymes. While trace amounts of copper are needed to sustain life, excess copper is extremely toxic. Copper has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Wilson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Previous studies showed that melatonin, the principle secretory product of the pineal gland, binds Cupric chloride (Cu2+) and that this may have implications in copper-induced neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, in vitro copper-mediated lipid peroxidation was induced. Melatonin (5 mM) protected against copper-mediated lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates. Electron micrographs of in vivo administered Cu2+ and melatonin show that melatonin affords some protection to rat hepatocytes in the presence of copper. Electrochemical studies performed show that melatonin, in addition to binding Cu2+, may provide protection against copper-mediated free radical damage by binding Cu1+. The findings of these studies provide further evidence for the neuroprotective role of melatonin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The role and value of savanna non-timber forest products to rural households in the Kat River Valley, South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Shackleton, Sheona E, Ntshudu, M, Ntzebeza, J
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E , Ntshudu, M , Ntzebeza, J
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182820 , vital:43882 , xlink:href="https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023145773"
- Description: The majority of South Africans reside in rural areas characterized by limited infrastructure and employment opportunities. Many, therefore, make extensive use of non-timber-forest products (NTFPs) as part of their daily livelihoods. However, until recently, there were relatively few quantitative studies on resources used, amounts and frequencies. This is especially so for the savanna biome in South Africa, even though it is the largest biome. This paper presents data from a quantitative study of resource use and value in three villages situated in the savannas of the poorest province of South Africa. The results demonstrated widespread use of a wide variety of NTFPs. There were no households that did not make use of at least one NTFP from the surrounding woodlands. The five contributing most to the total gross value per household were fuelwood, wild herbs, wild fruits, bushmeat and honey beer. The mean gross annual direct-use value at the three villages ranged from US$211 to US$324 per household, averaged across user and non-user households. The direct-use value to user households was approximately double this. The net value differed between specific NTFPs because of differential labour input. The net value represented between 39 and 86% of the gross value, with a mean of 63%. However, the use of opportunity costs of labour in such areas requires examination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E , Ntshudu, M , Ntzebeza, J
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182820 , vital:43882 , xlink:href="https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20023145773"
- Description: The majority of South Africans reside in rural areas characterized by limited infrastructure and employment opportunities. Many, therefore, make extensive use of non-timber-forest products (NTFPs) as part of their daily livelihoods. However, until recently, there were relatively few quantitative studies on resources used, amounts and frequencies. This is especially so for the savanna biome in South Africa, even though it is the largest biome. This paper presents data from a quantitative study of resource use and value in three villages situated in the savannas of the poorest province of South Africa. The results demonstrated widespread use of a wide variety of NTFPs. There were no households that did not make use of at least one NTFP from the surrounding woodlands. The five contributing most to the total gross value per household were fuelwood, wild herbs, wild fruits, bushmeat and honey beer. The mean gross annual direct-use value at the three villages ranged from US$211 to US$324 per household, averaged across user and non-user households. The direct-use value to user households was approximately double this. The net value differed between specific NTFPs because of differential labour input. The net value represented between 39 and 86% of the gross value, with a mean of 63%. However, the use of opportunity costs of labour in such areas requires examination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Growth and fruit production of Sclerocarya birrea in the South African lowveld
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181618 , vital:43752 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020579213024"
- Description: Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro. is a common species throughout the semiarid, deciduous savannas of much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a favoured species and is frequently maintained in homestead plots and arable fields in an agroforestry situation. Although the abundance and popularity of this species has led to several initiatives to commercialise a number of marula products, the sustainability of the resource base with respect to fruit production has not been considered. This paper reports on a field experiment that monitored growth rates and fruit production of a sample of adult trees from several wild populations. Mean fruit production was 36.8 kg per tree in the first year, and negligible in the second. This was considerably less than previous estimates, which were based largely on small samples or anecdotal reports. The maximum recorded yield was 416.6 kg per tree. Fruit production was positively related to the size of the tree. Growth rates of adult trees were slow. There was a strong positive relationship between mean annual diameter increment and stem diameter. The slow growth rates and low fruit yields indicate that more attention is required regarding the sustainability of there source and its ability to provide sufficient fruit for the growing subsistence and commercial demand at both local and national scales.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181618 , vital:43752 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020579213024"
- Description: Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro. is a common species throughout the semiarid, deciduous savannas of much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a favoured species and is frequently maintained in homestead plots and arable fields in an agroforestry situation. Although the abundance and popularity of this species has led to several initiatives to commercialise a number of marula products, the sustainability of the resource base with respect to fruit production has not been considered. This paper reports on a field experiment that monitored growth rates and fruit production of a sample of adult trees from several wild populations. Mean fruit production was 36.8 kg per tree in the first year, and negligible in the second. This was considerably less than previous estimates, which were based largely on small samples or anecdotal reports. The maximum recorded yield was 416.6 kg per tree. Fruit production was positively related to the size of the tree. Growth rates of adult trees were slow. There was a strong positive relationship between mean annual diameter increment and stem diameter. The slow growth rates and low fruit yields indicate that more attention is required regarding the sustainability of there source and its ability to provide sufficient fruit for the growing subsistence and commercial demand at both local and national scales.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Growth patterns of Pterocarpus angolensis in savannas of the South African lowveld
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182373 , vital:43824 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00676-4"
- Description: Pterocarpus angolensis D.C. is one of the most valuable indigenous timber species on the African continent south of the equator. Because of its high value, it is actively sought after in a number of countries, and wild populations are diminishing. However, attempts at artificial germination and growth trials have yielded poor results, thus, emphasis needs to be placed on sustainable management of existing populations. Success of in situ management will be enhanced if based on reliable data and knowledge regarding the growth patterns of this species within specific localities and countries. Such comprehensive data are lacking for several countries, including South Africa. This paper presents empirical data on a number of studies investigating the growth patterns of P. angolensis in the central lowveld savannas of South Africa, including phenology, annual diameter increment, size class structure, size of reproductive maturity, and morphometric relationships. The size class profile indicated that there was adequate recruitment of P. angolensis, but with constricted through growth from the suffrutex stage to the sapling stage. A small proportion of individuals attained reproductive maturity at 8 cm diameter, but most were bigger. All stems were reproductively mature by 26 cm diameter. This is below the minimum size for harvesting which is dictated by the need for a well developed heartwood. Annual growth was strongly related to stem size and rainfall during the growing season. Basal area increment of small stems was approximately four times greater than mature stems, and declined with increasing stem size. Over the 6-year-period and across all stem sizes, mean diameter increment was 4.5 mm per year. This rate is towards the lower end of the range of reported growth rates from other countries, and poses particular challenges for the sustainable management of this species in South African savannas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182373 , vital:43824 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00676-4"
- Description: Pterocarpus angolensis D.C. is one of the most valuable indigenous timber species on the African continent south of the equator. Because of its high value, it is actively sought after in a number of countries, and wild populations are diminishing. However, attempts at artificial germination and growth trials have yielded poor results, thus, emphasis needs to be placed on sustainable management of existing populations. Success of in situ management will be enhanced if based on reliable data and knowledge regarding the growth patterns of this species within specific localities and countries. Such comprehensive data are lacking for several countries, including South Africa. This paper presents empirical data on a number of studies investigating the growth patterns of P. angolensis in the central lowveld savannas of South Africa, including phenology, annual diameter increment, size class structure, size of reproductive maturity, and morphometric relationships. The size class profile indicated that there was adequate recruitment of P. angolensis, but with constricted through growth from the suffrutex stage to the sapling stage. A small proportion of individuals attained reproductive maturity at 8 cm diameter, but most were bigger. All stems were reproductively mature by 26 cm diameter. This is below the minimum size for harvesting which is dictated by the need for a well developed heartwood. Annual growth was strongly related to stem size and rainfall during the growing season. Basal area increment of small stems was approximately four times greater than mature stems, and declined with increasing stem size. Over the 6-year-period and across all stem sizes, mean diameter increment was 4.5 mm per year. This rate is towards the lower end of the range of reported growth rates from other countries, and poses particular challenges for the sustainable management of this species in South African savannas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Nearest-neighbour analysis and the prevelance of woody plant competition in South African savannas
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181640 , vital:43754 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014795505362"
- Description: Inter- and intra-specific competition has long been regarded as a significant determinant of the structure and function of woody plant communities in African savannas. The most widely used approach to detect the presence or absence of competition has been the use of nearest-neighbour methods. Although several studies have been published reporting the presence of competition in Acacia dominated communities, less than 20 plots have been sampled across all these studies. Results from broad-leaved communities are variable, and also based on a small sample number. Consequently, this study sought to assess the prevalence of competition from a large number of savanna sites (45), and to identify abiotic and biotic factors characterising sites with competition relative to those without. Using the nearest-neighbour method only four sites (9.3%) indicated the presence of inter-specific competition; two were Acacia dominated communities (18.2% of Acacia sites) and two were broad-leaved communities (7.7%). These four sites had a significantly higher mean annual rainfall and fewer woody species than sites without inter-specific competition. There were also significant relationships between the inter-specific competition index and the dominance index and the number of species at a site. In terms of intra-specific competition only ten of the 31 sites tested revealed a significant correlation between nearest-neighbour distance and summed canopy volume of the two neighbours. Seven were for Acacia species (55.6% of the Acacia species comparisons) and three were for broad-leaved species (21.4% of the broad-leaved species comparisons). Sites lacking evidence of intra-specific competition were at a significantly lower slope position and had a smaller proportion of small stems. The lower prevalence of competition in South African savannas detected in this study using the same method as previous studies is discussed, and the appropriateness of nearest-neighbour analysis is examined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181640 , vital:43754 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014795505362"
- Description: Inter- and intra-specific competition has long been regarded as a significant determinant of the structure and function of woody plant communities in African savannas. The most widely used approach to detect the presence or absence of competition has been the use of nearest-neighbour methods. Although several studies have been published reporting the presence of competition in Acacia dominated communities, less than 20 plots have been sampled across all these studies. Results from broad-leaved communities are variable, and also based on a small sample number. Consequently, this study sought to assess the prevalence of competition from a large number of savanna sites (45), and to identify abiotic and biotic factors characterising sites with competition relative to those without. Using the nearest-neighbour method only four sites (9.3%) indicated the presence of inter-specific competition; two were Acacia dominated communities (18.2% of Acacia sites) and two were broad-leaved communities (7.7%). These four sites had a significantly higher mean annual rainfall and fewer woody species than sites without inter-specific competition. There were also significant relationships between the inter-specific competition index and the dominance index and the number of species at a site. In terms of intra-specific competition only ten of the 31 sites tested revealed a significant correlation between nearest-neighbour distance and summed canopy volume of the two neighbours. Seven were for Acacia species (55.6% of the Acacia species comparisons) and three were for broad-leaved species (21.4% of the broad-leaved species comparisons). Sites lacking evidence of intra-specific competition were at a significantly lower slope position and had a smaller proportion of small stems. The lower prevalence of competition in South African savannas detected in this study using the same method as previous studies is discussed, and the appropriateness of nearest-neighbour analysis is examined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Use patterns and value of savanna resources in three rural villages in South Africa
- Shackleton, Sheona E, Shackleton, Charlie M, Netshiluvhi, T R, Geach, B S, Ballance, A, Fairbanks, D H K
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M , Netshiluvhi, T R , Geach, B S , Ballance, A , Fairbanks, D H K
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182384 , vital:43825 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0130:UPAVOS]2.0.CO;2"
- Description: Rural communities in South Africa harvest a diversity of wild resources from communal woodlands for home consumption and sale. The contribution these resources make to the rural economy has been little recognized, and few studies have attempted to place a monetary value on this use. This paper describes three case studies which aimed to determine the value of savanna resources for the livelihoods of rural households. Use patterns and values of resources in three villages of differing socioeconomic status were determined using household interviews, PRA techniques and key informant interviews. Questions were designed to establish the types of products used, frequency of use, quantities used, seasonality of use, longevity of durable resources, local prices, and the extent of trade. All households were procuring at least some woodland resources, with the most frequently used being fuel wood, wood for implements, edible herbs and fruits, grass for brushes, and insects. Patterns of resource use varied across villages. The most “rural” village used the greatest diversity of resources and had the highest number of users for most resources. Gross value of resources consumed per household per year ranged from R28I9 to R7238. Total value was highest in the less obviously resource dependent village, primarily the result of higher local prices due to greater extraction costs and a larger market for traded goods. Values are comparable to those contributed by other land-based livelihood activities such as subsistence cultivation and livestock production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M , Netshiluvhi, T R , Geach, B S , Ballance, A , Fairbanks, D H K
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182384 , vital:43825 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0130:UPAVOS]2.0.CO;2"
- Description: Rural communities in South Africa harvest a diversity of wild resources from communal woodlands for home consumption and sale. The contribution these resources make to the rural economy has been little recognized, and few studies have attempted to place a monetary value on this use. This paper describes three case studies which aimed to determine the value of savanna resources for the livelihoods of rural households. Use patterns and values of resources in three villages of differing socioeconomic status were determined using household interviews, PRA techniques and key informant interviews. Questions were designed to establish the types of products used, frequency of use, quantities used, seasonality of use, longevity of durable resources, local prices, and the extent of trade. All households were procuring at least some woodland resources, with the most frequently used being fuel wood, wood for implements, edible herbs and fruits, grass for brushes, and insects. Patterns of resource use varied across villages. The most “rural” village used the greatest diversity of resources and had the highest number of users for most resources. Gross value of resources consumed per household per year ranged from R28I9 to R7238. Total value was highest in the less obviously resource dependent village, primarily the result of higher local prices due to greater extraction costs and a larger market for traded goods. Values are comparable to those contributed by other land-based livelihood activities such as subsistence cultivation and livestock production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002