Stratigraphy of late Quaternary mountain slope landforms and deposits in southern Africa and their significance for the dynamics of mountain sediment systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Knight ◽  
S.W. Grab
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Mountain Slope ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Gravity Driven ◽  
Great Escarpment ◽  
Steep Slopes

Abstract Mountains are areas of high potential sediment yield due to their steep slopes and generally cool, wet climates. Mountain sediments are moved by gravity-driven and often cryogenically-influenced processes, and captured within valleys or footslopes in the form of screes, alluvial/colluvial fans and terraces, or on hillslopes in the form of solifluction sheets, debris lobes/ridges and openwork block deposits. This study critically examines the geomorphic, sedimentary, stratigraphic and dating evidence from cryogenically-influenced late Quaternary slope deposits found along the highest sectors of the Great Escarpment in the Eastern Cape Province (South Africa) and Maloti–Drakensberg range (Lesotho, and KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa). This evidence is set in the context of mountain weathering and erosion/transportation processes during the late Quaternary, and the dynamics of such sedimentary systems. Despite many general reports and observations, there is little detailed and quantitative evidence for late Quaternary slope processes, products and stratigraphy in southern Africa. This study integrates the existing morphological, sedimentary and dating evidence to examine mountain slope evolution in southern Africa based on the conceptual framework of sediment cascades. Application of this framework can help explain the spatial and temporal differences in sediment supply and dynamics observed in different sectors of the Great Escarpment during the late Quaternary.

Carnivore Size and Quaternary Climatic Change in Southern Africa

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Klein
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Mathematical Relationship ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Quantitative Estimates ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Problematic Aspect ◽  
Cool Conditions

The relationship between carnassial length and latitude south is analyzed for 17 African carnivore species to determine if individuals tend to be larger in cooler climates, as predicted by Bergmann's Rule. With modern data in support, middle and late Quaternary temperatures might then be inferred from mean carnassial length in fossil samples, such as those from Equus Cave, Elandsfontein, Sea Harvest. Duinefontein, and Swartklip in the Cape Province of South Africa. One problematic aspect of the study is the use of carnassial length and latitude as necessary but imperfect substitutes for body size and temperature, respectively. For some species, another difficulty is the relatively small number of available modern specimens, combined with their uneven latitudinal spread. Still, in 14 of the species, carnassial length does tend to increase with latitude south, while mean carnassial length in the same species tends to be greater in those fossil samples which accumulated under relatively cool conditions, as inferred from sedimentologic, palynological, or geochemical data. Given larger modern samples from a wide variety of latitudes, refinement of the mathematical relationship between carnassial length and latitude in various species may even permit quantitative estimates of past temperatures in southern Africa.

Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of late Quaternary colluvial slope deposits in southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Surface Instability ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Accommodation Space ◽  
Slope Sediment

Abstract Slope and lowland sediment systems throughout southern Africa are dominated by the presence of colluvium with interbedded palaeosols and hardground duricrusts. These sediments correspond to phases of land surface instability and stability, respectively, during the late Quaternary. This study examines the stratigraphy and environmental interpretation of slope sediment records from specific sites in southern Africa for the period of marine isotope stages (MIS) 6 to 1 (~191 ka to present), informed by theoretical ideas of the dynamics of slope systems including sediment supply and accommodation space. Based on this analysis, phases of land surface instability and stability for the period MIS 6 to 1 are identified. The spatial and temporal patterns of land surface conditions are not a simple reflection of climate forcing, but rather reflect the workings of slope systems in response to climate in addition to the role of geologic, edaphic and ecological factors that operate within catchment-scale sediment systems. Considering these systems dynamics can yield a better understanding of the usefulness and limitations of slope sediment stratigraphies.

scholarly journals Rich sister, poor cousin: Plant diversity and endemism in the Great Winterberg–Amatholes (Great Escarpment, Eastern Cape, South Africa)

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 159-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.R. Clark ◽  
A.P. Dold ◽  
C. McMaster ◽  
G. McGregor ◽  
C. Bredenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Great Escarpment

scholarly journals Special economic zones in Southern Africa: white elephants or latent drivers of growth and employment? The case of Zambia and South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mwanda Phiri ◽  
Shimukunku Manchishi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Special Economic Zones ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Coordination Failures ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Economic Tools ◽  
Economic Zones

The successful use of special economic zones as economic tools for export-led industrial development in East Asia propelled a wave of similar initiatives across Africa. In Southern Africa, Zambia and South Africa instituted special economic zones in their respective legal and institutional frameworks in the 2000s as mechanisms for catalysing industrialization and employment creation by means of domestic and foreign investments. Using a case-study approach, we find that special economic zones in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, are largely latent drivers of growth and employment hampered by inadequate infrastructure financing and provision and weak local supplier capabilities. Special economic zones in Lusaka, Zambia, face similar constraints but are further hampered by inadequate business services provision, burdensome regulations and business procedures, a fragmented incentive framework, institutional coordination failures, and a weak design that does not leverage strategic anchor industries for greater agglomeration economies, thus rendering them more of white elephants.

scholarly journals History of ‘swine fever’ in Southern Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Louise Penrith
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Classical Swine Fever ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of

The histories of the two swine fevers in southern Africa differ widely. Classical swine fever (hog cholera) has been known in the northern hemisphere since 1830 and it is probable that early cases of ‘swine fever’ in European settlers’ pigs in southern Africa were accepted to be that disease. It was only in 1921 that the first description of African swine fever as an entity different from classical swine fever was published after the disease had been studied in settlers’ pigs in Kenya. Shortly after that, reports of African swine fever in settlers’ pigs emerged from South Africa and Angola. In South Africa, the report related to pigs in the north-eastern part of the country. Previously (in 1905 or earlier) a disease assumed to be classical swine fever caused high mortality among pigs in the Western Cape and was only eradicated in 1918. African swine fever was found over the following years to be endemic in most southern African countries. Classical swine fever, however, apart from an introduction with subsequent endemic establishment in Madagascar and a number of introductions into Mauritius, the last one in 2000, had apparently remained absent from the region until it was diagnosed in the Western and subsequently the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 2005. It was eradicated by 2007. The history of these diseases in the southern African region demonstrates their importance and their potential for spread over long distances, emphasising the need for improved management of both diseases wherever they occur.

scholarly journals Hesperoides, a new “hairy” flea beetle genus from southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

2017 ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Biondi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Flea Beetle ◽  
Extensor Tendon ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Republic

Hesperoides afromeridionalis gen. nov. and sp. nov. from the Republic of South Africa (Western and Eastern Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal) is described. Despite some similarities with Hespera Weise, it exhibits major affinities with the genera attributed to the subtribe Aphthonini, especially with Aphthona Chevrolat and Montiaphthona Scherer. Data on distribution are supplied, along with preliminary ecological notes. Photomicrographs of main morphological characters, including male and female genitalia, and metafemoral extensor tendon are provided. Key to the six “hairy” flea beetle genera occurring in sub-Saharan African and their habitus photos are also given.

scholarly journals The Mollusc collections at South African institutions: Development and current status

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 (7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Cole
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Marine Molluscs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Southwestern Indian Ocean

There are three major mollusc collections in South Africa and seven smaller, thematic collections. The KwaZulu-Natal Museum holds one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere. Its strengths are marine molluscs of southern Africa and the southwestern Indian Ocean, and terrestrial molluscs of South Africa. Research on marine molluscs has led to revisionary papers across a wide range of gastropod families. The Iziko South African Museum contains the most comprehensive collections of Cephalopoda (octopus, squid and relatives) and Polyplacophora (chitons) for southern Africa. The East London Museum is a provincial museum of the Eastern Cape. Recent research focuses on terrestrial molluscs and the collection is growing to address the gap in knowledge of this element of biodiversity. Mollusc collections in South Africa date to about 1900 and are an invaluable resource of morphological and genetic diversity, with associated spatial and temporal data. The South African National Biodiversity Institute is encouraging discovery and documentation to address gaps in knowledge, particularly of invertebrates. Museums are supported with grants for surveys, systematic studies and data mobilisation. The Department of Science and Innovation is investing in collections as irreplaceable research infrastructure through the Natural Science Collections Facility, whereby 16 institutions, including those holding mollusc collections, are assisted to achieve common targets and coordinated outputs.

A case study on the Trichoptera fauna of springs in the escarpment mountains of southern Africa (Insecta, Trichoptera)

Zoosymposia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-311
Author(s):  
WOLFRAM MEY
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Semiarid Environment ◽  
Great Escarpment ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

The Trichoptera assemblages of three springs in the escarpment and on the Waterberg of Namibia, and of two springs in the Great Escarpment of South Africa were collected at irregular intervals. The species composition of each spring is presented and discussed in terms of permanence and stability of spring areas. The study has revealed a poor fauna in the Namibian escarpment, which consists of widespread species whereas the springs on the Waterberg and in the Great Escarpment are more speciose and contain relict and possible endemic species as well as widespread and euryoecious species. The differences are due to different degrees of isolation and distance from other freshwater ecosystems and suitable aquatic biotopes in the arid and semiarid environment of southwestern Africa.

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