Effects of land tenure, geology and topography on vegetation and soils of two grassland types in South Africa

South Africa is classified as a water-scarce country, and depends on agriculture for food production. The irrigation sector is the largest consumer of water in the country, accounting for about 62% of water utilisation, but also losing 30–40%. Given the threat of drought and climate change, efficient irrigation systems have become a necessity, especially in the smallholder farming sector where most losses occur. Smallholder irrigation schemes (SIS) were developed to improve rural livelihoods through sustainable food production for food security and poverty alleviation, but these development objectives remain largely unfulfilled. The objectives of this review were to assess challenges facing SIS and explore opportunities for revitalising the schemes. The focus was on government policy and strategies to support smallholder farmers. A review of government policy showed that although the needs and interests of smallholder farmers are high on the national agenda, there is insufficient financial support to the sector, suggesting that smallholder agriculture is not really seen as a potential driver of the economy. The core focus of the government on repairing irrigation infrastructure while neglecting the soft components relating to capacity building has partly been blamed for the failure of SIS in South Africa. Capacity building is one of the missing links in smallholder irrigation development and many failures have been attributed to lack of adequately trained farmers and extension staff, particularly in irrigation water management. Land tenure insecurity has been singled out as a major institutional challenge leading to poor performance of irrigation schemes. The diversity of schemes means that different kinds of interventions are needed to respond to varying farmers’ needs, resources and agricultural contexts. These findings point to the need to balance the soft and hard components of the irrigation schemes for sustainability. It is therefore evident that the government needs to review its priorities in revitalisation of SIS. Land tenure policies allowing increased access to arable land need to be developed urgently, together with the promotion of alternative cropping systems that are suitable forthe smallholder farming sector.

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Innovation in the Land Tenure System of the Transkei, South Africa

Land Economics ◽

10.2307/3145447 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 467 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gilbert L. Rutman

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Land Tenure ◽

Tenure System ◽

Land Tenure System

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Online appendix 1:Ecology of the plant-dwelling spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v55i1.1113-1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Author(s):

René Fourie ◽

Charles R. Haddad ◽

Anna S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽

Anel Grobler

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Structural Effect ◽

Private Land ◽

Themeda Triandra ◽

Online Appendix ◽

Rich Diversity ◽

Sampling Protocols ◽

Grassland Types

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida in the Grassland Biome, foliage-dwelling and grass-dwelling spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) were collected in the Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve in the central Free State Province from November 2005 to August 2007. Foliage-dwelling spiders were collected from three common tree or shrub species (Acacia karroo, Searsia ciliata and Searsia lancea) and grass-dwellers from four contrasting grasslands (uniform Themeda triandra, mixed, weedy and woodland grasslands). From the grass layer, 1649 spiders were collected, representing 15 families and 82 species, whilst 496 tree-dwelling spiders were collected that represented 17 families and 52 species. There was some overlap in the fauna of the two strata, resulting in a total of 108 species from 18 families being collected. The Araneidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae were consistently the most abundant in all grassland types and tree species, although Salticidae were scarce on A. karroo. Assemblage analysis indicates high similarity and overlap in the fauna of the four grassland types, suggesting that the structural complexity of grasslands has a limited effect on species composition. In contrast, the foliage-dwelling assemblages were more distinct, with only some overlap between the faunas of S. ciliata and A. karroo, suggesting a stronger vegetation structural effect in shaping arboreal spider assemblages. The isolation of trees and shrubs within the extensive grassy habitat may contribute to the more unique fauna and lower species richness of the woody vegetation. Conservation implications: This study uncovered a rich diversity of plant-dwelling spiders from central South Africa. Grassland faunas show considerable temporal variation and some variability in microhabitat preferences, and sampling protocols should take this into account when spiders are considered in management plans and biodiversity surveys in reserves and private land.

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Ecology of the plant-dwelling spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v55i1.1113 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

René Fourie ◽

Charles R. Haddad ◽

Anna S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽

Anel Grobler

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Structural Effect ◽

Private Land ◽

Themeda Triandra ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Rich Diversity ◽

Sampling Protocols ◽

Grassland Types

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida in the Grassland Biome, foliage-dwelling and grass-dwelling spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) were collected in the Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve in the central Free State Province from November 2005 to August 2007. Foliage-dwelling spiders were collected from three common tree or shrub species (Acacia karroo, Searsia ciliata and Searsia lancea) and grass-dwellers from four contrasting grasslands (uniform Themeda triandra, mixed, weedy and woodland grasslands). From the grass layer, 1649 spiders were collected, representing 15 families and 82 species, whilst 496 tree-dwelling spiders were collected that represented 17 families and 52 species. There was some overlap in the fauna of the two strata, resulting in a total of 108 species from 18 families being collected. The Araneidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae were consistently the most abundant in all grassland types and tree species, although Salticidae were scarce on A. karroo. Assemblage analysis indicates high similarity and overlap in the fauna of the four grassland types, suggesting that the structural complexity of grasslands has a limited effect on species composition. In contrast, the foliage-dwelling assemblages were more distinct, with only some overlap between the faunas of S. ciliata and A. karroo, suggesting a stronger vegetation structural effect in shaping arboreal spider assemblages. The isolation of trees and shrubs within the extensive grassy habitat may contribute to the more unique fauna and lower species richness of the woody vegetation. Conservation implications: This study uncovered a rich diversity of plant-dwelling spiders from central South Africa. Grassland faunas show considerable temporal variation and some variability in microhabitat preferences, and sampling protocols should take this into account when spiders are considered in management plans and biodiversity surveys in reserves and private land.

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What Can South Africa Learn from Other African Countries in Respect of Upgrading Customary Systems of Land Tenure?

Land Tenure Challenges in Africa - Economic Geography ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-82852-3_2 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 27-45

Author(s):

William Beinart

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Land Tenure ◽

African Countries

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Informal Settlement Characteristics in a Rural Land Restitution Case: Elandskloof, South Africa

Sociological Research Online ◽

10.5153/sro.494 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 95-103

Author(s):

Michael Barry ◽

David Mayson

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Land Tenure ◽

Informal Settlement ◽

Informal Settlements ◽

Western Cape ◽

Land Resources ◽

Rural Land ◽

Western Cape Province ◽

Land Administration ◽

Land Restitution

Research in informal settlements in South Africa has shown that conflict is inherent between groups within a settlement and between the broader community and the land administration authorities. In general, groups and sub-groups continually form, reform and dissolve within informal settlements. Moreover, the internal rules that a community creates relating to land tenure tend to be manipulated by sub-groups as they compete for land, resources and power. Internal rules are not static but are subject to continual change. Similar characteristics were observed in Elandskloof, a rural land restitution case in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

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