The distribution, habitat requirements and conservation status of Rudd's Lark Heteromirafra ruddi in South Africa

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A.R. Hockey ◽  
D.G. Allan ◽  
A.G. Rebelo ◽  
W.R.J. Dean
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
S. THOBEKA GUMEDE ◽  
DAVID A. EHLERS SMITH ◽  
YVETTE C. EHLERS SMITH ◽  
SAMUKELISIWE P. NGCOBO ◽  
MBALENHLE T. SOSIBO ◽  
...  

Summary Establishing the specific habitat requirements of forest specialists in fragmented natural habitats is vital for their conservation. We used camera-trap surveys and microhabitat-scale covariates to assess the habitat requirements, probability of occupancy and detection of two terrestrial forest specialist species, the Orange Ground-thrush Geokichla gurneyi and the Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata during the breeding and non-breeding seasons of 2018–2019 in selected Southern Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A series of camera-trap surveys over 21 days were conducted in conjunction with surveys of microhabitat structural covariates. During the wet season, percentage of leaf litter cover, short grass cover, short herb cover, tall herb cover and saplings 0–2 m, stem density of trees 6–10 m and trees 16–20 m were significant structural covariates for influencing Lemon Dove occupancy. In the dry season, stem density of 2–5 m and 10–15 m trees, percentage tall herb cover, short herb cover and 0–2 m saplings were significant covariates influencing Lemon Dove occupancy. Stem density of trees 2–5 m and 11–15 m, percentage of short grass cover and short herb cover were important site covariates influencing Orange Ground-thrush occupancy in the wet season. Our study highlighted the importance of a diverse habitat structure for both forest species. A high density of tall/mature trees was an essential microhabitat covariate, particularly for sufficient cover and food for these ground-dwelling birds. Avian forest specialists play a vital role in providing ecosystem services perpetuating forest habitat functioning. Conservation of the natural heterogeneity of their habitat is integral to management plans to prevent the decline of such species.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Carl C. Christensen ◽  
Kenneth A. Hayes ◽  
Norine W. Yeung

Freshwater systems are among the most threatened habitats in the world and the biodiversity inhabiting them is disappearing quickly. The Hawaiian Archipelago has a small but highly endemic and threatened group of freshwater snails, with eight species in three families (Neritidae, Lymnaeidae, and Cochliopidae). Anthropogenically mediated habitat modifications (i.e., changes in land and water use) and invasive species (e.g., Euglandina spp., non-native sciomyzids) are among the biggest threats to freshwater snails in Hawaii. Currently, only three species are protected either federally (U.S. Endangered Species Act; Erinna newcombi) or by Hawaii State legislation (Neritona granosa, and Neripteron vespertinum). Here, we review the taxonomic and conservation status of Hawaii’s freshwater snails and describe historical and contemporary impacts to their habitats. We conclude by recommending some basic actions that are needed immediately to conserve these species. Without a full understanding of these species’ identities, distributions, habitat requirements, and threats, many will not survive the next decade, and we will have irretrievably lost more of the unique books from the evolutionary library of life on Earth.


Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter J. Reisinger ◽  
Devi M. Stuart-Fox ◽  
Barend F.N. Erasmus

We quantified habitat associations and evaluated the conservation status of a recently identified, undescribed species of dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion sp. nov. Dhlinza, endemic to scarp forest remnants in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At the microhabitat scale the Dhlinza dwarf chameleon was found more often in forest gaps and near paths than highly disturbed edges or forest interior. Chameleon presence was not explained by forest physiognomic variables such as vine cover, shrub and tree density, or canopy cover. Presence near gaps may be better explained by the combined effects of the thermal microenvironment and food availability. The species is moderately common where it occurs, with estimated densities of 4.7, 8.7 and 29.7 individuals per ha within forest interior, edges and gaps respectively. At the landscape scale, the chameleon occurs only in three remnant forests: the Dhlinza, Entumeni and Ongoye Forests. The species' extent of occurrence was estimated to be 88 km2 and its area of occupancy 49 km2. Based on the small area of remaining suitable habitat, this species meets the requirements for categorization as Endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria.


Author(s):  
T. V. Andrianova

Abstract A description is provided for Asperisporium vitiphyllum, a colonizer of living leaves, causing a leaf spot or brown leaf blotch and leaf drying. Some information on its habitat, dispersal and transmission, and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (Morocco and South Africa), Asia (Armenia, China, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan (Almaty oblast), Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), Europe (Moldova, Russia (Krasnodar krai, Leningradskaya oblast, Stavropol krai) and Ukraine)) and hosts (including Vitis vinifera).


Author(s):  
P. F. Cannon

Abstract A description is provided for Barrmaelia oxyacanthae, saprobic on wood of various trees. Some information on its dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (South Africa), North America (Canada, USA (New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia)), Asia (Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan (Aktyubinskaya oblast), Pakistan), Europe (Belarus, Belgium, former Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, former Yugoslavia)). B. oxyacanthae is sometimes found on elm twigs previously gnawed by rabbits.


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract A description is provided for Cerothallia luteoalba, a lichen-forming fungus growing on well-lit, sunny trunks of trees with alkaline bark, particularly Ulmus spp. Some information on its habitat, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (Morocco, South Africa), North America (USA (Colorado, Washington)), Asia (Iran, Israel, Syria), Atlantic Ocean (Portugal (Azores)), Australasia (Australia (Western Australia)), Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK)).


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract C. elatum is described and illustrated. Information on host range (mainly field and horticultural crops, trees, wood, nematode, dung and artefacts), geographical distribution (South Africa; Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada; California, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington DC, USA; Chile; Ecuador; Venezuela; Gansu and Jiangsu, China; India; Pakistan; Philippines; Japan; Russia; Turkey; Uzbekistan; New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia; New Zealand; Dominican Republic; Austria; Belgium; Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; France; Germany; Great Britain; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; Russia; Sweden; Switzerland; Ukraine; Cyprus; Iraq; and Kuwait), biology, and conservation status is presented.


2006 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. M. Crawford ◽  
Benedict L. Dundee ◽  
Bruce M. Dyer ◽  
Norbert T. W. Klages ◽  
Michael A. Meÿer ◽  
...  

Abstract Crawford, R. J. M., Dundee, B. L., Dyer, B. M., Klages, N. T., Meÿer, M. A., and Upfold, L. 2007. Trends in numbers of Cape gannets (Morus capensis), 1956/57–2005/06, with a consideration of the influence of food and other factors – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, 169–177. Cape gannets (Morus capensis) breed at six colonies in Namibia and South Africa. Population size averaged about 250 000 pairs over the period 1956/1957–1968/1969 and about 150 000 pairs from 1978/1979 to 2005/2006. Over the whole 50-y period, numbers at the three Namibian colonies fell by 85–98%, with greater proportional decreases in the south. There were increases at two South African colonies between 1956/1957 and 2005/2006. The colony at Lambert's Bay increased between 1956/1957 and 2003/2004, but attacks by Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) on birds at nests caused abandonment of the entire colony in 2005/2006. Long-term changes at colonies are thought to be largely attributable to an altered abundance and distribution of prey, especially sardine (Sardinops sagax) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). In both Namibia and South Africa, the numbers of Cape gannets breeding were significantly related to the biomass of epipelagic fish prey. Over the 50-y period, there was also a marked similarity in the proportions of gannets and epipelagic fish in the Benguela system, which were present in Namibia and South Africa. In the 2000s, there was an eastward shift in the distribution of sardine off South Africa and a large increase in the number of gannets breeding at South Africa's easternmost colony. When sardine were scarce off South Africa, gannets fed on anchovy, but off Namibia anchovy only temporarily and partially replaced sardine. Ecosystem management measures that might improve the conservation status of Cape gannets are considered.


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