https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43754 Fri 10 May 2024 15:57:56 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43824 Fri 10 May 2024 15:57:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43752 Fri 10 May 2024 15:57:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43905 Fri 10 May 2024 15:56:36 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43753 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.]]> Fri 10 May 2024 15:56:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43825 Fri 10 May 2024 14:12:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43882 Fri 10 May 2024 14:11:22 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:43815 Fri 10 May 2024 14:10:34 SAST ]]>