Response of invertebrates to alien and indigenous vegetation characteristics in Nduli and Luchaba Nature Reserves, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Yekwayo, Inam
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Alien and indigenous vegetation -- Invertebrates , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:18489 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009478
- Description: Most invertebrate species are becoming extinct due to habitat loss and alien plant invasions. Hence this study aimed at determining the response of invertebrates to alien and indigenous vegetation within protected areas in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Invertebrates were collected using pitfall traps, during 12 sampling occasions from May 2010 to April 2011 numbers of sampling sites. Although the sampling method was adapted to collecting ground dwelling invertebrates, opportunistic flying invertebrates were also collected. A total of 7 flying invertebrate orders, 25 families, 34 species and 248 individuals were attracted to traps while 5 orders, 19 families, 50 species and 1976 individuals of soil surface-dwelling invertebrates were collected. ANOVA test showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in species richness and abundance across sites for soil surface-dwelling invertebrates. Bray-Curtis similarity measures in PRIMER and correspondence analysis (CA) in CANOCO showed that sampling units with alien invasive plants shared most soil surface-dwelling invertebrate species at ± 75% level of similarity. Sampling unit A from the Mix alien (MA) site shared most species with indigenous vegetation sites. Sampling units from indigenous vegetation sites shared most species at ± 65% level of similarity. Multivariate analysis using CANOCO indicated that certain site variables such litter depth influenced the distribution of soil surface-dwelling invertebrates across sites. The study provided preliminary data and information for promoting invertebrate biodiversity conservation within protected areas (Nduli and Luchaba Nature Reserves) of the KSD Local Municipality. Key words: invertebrates, indigenous vegetation, alien vegetation, Lantana camara, Acacia mearnsii, and Eucalyptus.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Stable isotopes dynamics of macrophytes along Umtata River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Mzamo, Sanele Caleb
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Stable isotopes -- Macrophytes , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:18485 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007205
- Description: The decline of freshwater ecosystems, generally result from land use activities in the river catchment and is of great concern worldwide. This study was conducted along Umtata River in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa between May 2010 and April 2011. The study was aimed at identifying macrophytes families (to species level) and determining the stable isotope signatures (C:N ratios, δ13C and δ15N) and to relate their isotopic signatures to the land use activities along the river catchment. Analysis of variance was performed to test the effect of sites and sampling period on the C:N ratios, δ13C and δ15N signatures. There were 16 macrophyte families represented by 26 species recorded along the river. There was only a significant difference in sites and sampling period in δ15N (p< 0.05). The highest C:N ratios value (30.75±9.65‰) was recorded in the upper reaches while the lowest value (6.10±2.35‰) occurred in the lower reaches. The δ13C values varied throughout the length of the river with highest values (-19.63±5.44‰) obtained in the middle reaches. Spatial variation was evident in δ15N throughout the length of the river and showed increase from the upper reaches to middle reaches and decreased towards lower reaches. The δ15N ranged from 3.92±2.43‰ in the upper reaches to 10.02±4.56‰ in the middle reaches. Temporal variation in δ15N was also evident throughout the sampling period with highest peak in May (9.77± 4.49‰) and lowest in February (0.50±2.49‰) respectively. The highest values of isotope signatures at spatial level demonstrated the true reflection of urban development, sewage discharge and agricultural activities taking place along the river system. Continued monitoring is recommended that may ultimately come up with a better management options for the communities living within the study area, and also to better enhanced land utilization.
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- Date Issued: 2013