scholarly journals Poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus, in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Tshianeo M. Ndou ◽  
Eduard M. Stam ◽  
Milingoni P. Tshisikhawe ◽  
Mercy A. Alabi ◽  
Adeyemi O. Adeeyo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Hydrological Effects ◽  
Peculiar Nature ◽  
Simple Statistical Analysis

There is an established link between deforestation and negative hydrological effects which may affect watersheds. The number of the cycads Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in South Africa is drastically reducing, and they are nearly extinct. Additionally, poaching and reduction in the population of cycads in reserves may impact negatively on watersheds in protected and buffer areas since the regeneration of this plant occurs over a long period. This research aimed to study the distributions of poached cycads, evaluate the factors responsible for poaching activity and suggest possible solutions towards conservation of E. transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in some of the nature reserves in Limpopo province. Field observation was used to ascertain and collect locations of poached cycads. Data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to rangers for the collection of data on causes of poaching, parts poached, measures taken and challenges of rangers in the nature reserves. Processing of the collected data was done by simple statistical analysis. The total population of rangers available in the reserves was used for the determination of the sample size of rangers by Slovin’s formula. Unemployment (46%) is the leading cause for poaching in Mphaphuli Nature Reserve, while trade is a leading factor in Modjadji and Lekgalameetse (37% and 60%) respectively. Debarked cycads amount to 14 (54%) while 12 of the total (26 poached cycads) were completely removed (46%). The most effective way of stopping the poaching of cycads as perceived by the rangers is by patrolling the nature reserves. The observed poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus is alarming since this plant has a low population size which is currently confined to the Limpopo Province in South Africa only. If poaching continues in the nature reserves, all cycads have the tendency of being removed. Therefore, there is a need to continually develop strategies for the conservation of cycads. The peculiar nature and challenges of each reserve have been established and unique solutions for these nature reserves in Limpopo Province have been proposed. Better conservation of cycad species can positively impact the hydrological process of the concerned area and better help the watersheds.

scholarly journals Socio-Economic Benefits Stemming from Bush Clearing and Restoration Projects Conducted in the D’Nyala Nature Reserve and Shongoane Village, Lephalale, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5133
Author(s):  
Tshepiso Mangani ◽  
Hendri Coetzee ◽  
Klaus Kellner ◽  
George Chirima
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Indirect Benefit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Similar Nature ◽  
Thematic Content Analysis ◽  
Grazing Capacity

This study aimed to investigate the socio-economic benefits stemming from bush clearing and restoration projects conducted in the Lephalale municipality, within the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at two sites: the D’Nyala Nature Reserve and a nearby local village, Shongoane. A qualitative thematic content analysis approach and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from 14 purposively selected participants between the ages of 22 and 55 (male = 9 and female = 5). The results indicated that the nature reserve benefited from the project via the improved visibility of the landscape features and game viewing, which made the reserve more attractive for tourists and resulted in increased revenue. The costs of buying feed for game could also be curbed since the grazing capacity increased. Since the nature reserve sourced temporary labour from the local village to execute the project, the community benefited in terms of members being able to earn a wage, which led to an improvement in their livelihoods. Another indirect benefit was the morale and behavioural changes observed amongst community members. It was obvious that the socio-economic benefits derived from projects such as these far outweigh the negatives and that there is every reason to institute projects of a similar nature elsewhere.

Forbs and herbs diet of the Tragelaphus strepsiceros at Musina Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-901
Author(s):  
Rudzani A. Makhado ◽  
Basil J. Curlewis ◽  
Wilmien J. Luus‐Powell ◽  
Martin J. Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

scholarly journals Online appendix 1:South African National Survey of Arachnida: A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan H. Foord ◽  
Anna S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
Rudy Jocqué ◽  
Charles R. Haddad ◽  
Robin Lyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Spider Species ◽  
Online Appendix

The aim of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) is to document the Arachnida fauna of South Africa. One of the focus areas of SANSA is to survey protected areas to obtain species-specific information, and species distribution patterns for Red Data assessments. Here, we provide the first checklist of the spider species of Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (LNR) in the Limpopo province of South Africa collected during five surveys between 2009 and 2016 using methods targeting both the ground and field layers. Forty-five families, represented by 168 genera and 268 species, have been collected so far. The most species-rich families were the Salticidae (41 spp.) and Araneidae (38 spp.), followed by the Thomisidae (33 spp.), while 11 families were represented by one species. Information on spider guilds, endemicity value and conservation status are provided. The LNR protects approximately 12.2% of the total South African spider fauna. Two species, Hasarinella distincta Haddad & Wesołowska, 2013 (Salticidae) and Ballomma legala Jocqué & Henrard, 2015 (Zodariidae), are presently known to be endemic to the reserve.Conservation implications: The LNR falls within the Savanna Biome in the Limpopo province. Only five spider species were previously known from the reserve and 263 spp. are reported from the reserve for the first time. Thirteen species are possibly new to science and 2 species represent new distribution records for South Africa.

scholarly journals Determination of Cd, Mn and Ni accumulated in fruits, vegetables and soil in the Thohoyandou town area, South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babra Moyo ◽  
Vhahangwele Matodzi ◽  
Malebogo A Legodi ◽  
Vusumzi E Pakade ◽  
Nikita T Tavengwa
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Town Area

The accumulation of heavy metals such as Cd, Mn and Ni was investigated in seven different vegetables, fruits and soil samples from Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Heavy metals were quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Concentrations of heavy metals in fruits and vegetables were in the range of 0.23–2.94 mg∙kg-1 for Cd, 11.72–50.16 mg∙kg-1 for Mn and 5.73 – 44.11 mg∙kg-1 for Ni on a dry weight basis. Analysis of soils from where fruits and vegetables were sampled showed that Cd in the soil was in the range of 0.08–1.07 mg∙kg-1, Mn levels were 204.99–249.13 mg∙kg-1 and Ni levels were 48.47–88.23 mg∙kg-1. Cd was below the instrument detection limit for soils on which onions and bananas were grown. Vegetables showed different accumulation abilities, with leafy vegetables being the highest accumulators of heavy metals. The obtained results showed that concentrations of Cd in fruits, vegetables and soils exceeded the recommended maximum acceptable levels proposed by FAO/WHO and, hence, may pose a health risk to consumers. Ni concentrations in bananas, onion, beetroot, spinach and Chinese cabbage exceeded recommended standards by FAO/WHO.

scholarly journals A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Dippenaar ◽  
Ansie S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
Mogadi A. Modiba ◽  
Thembile T. Khoza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
The South ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
African Species ◽  
Collecting Methods

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), spiders were collected from all the field layers in the Polokwane Nature Reserve (Limpopo Province, South Africa) over a period of a year (2005–2006) using four collecting methods. Six habitat types were sampled: Acacia tortillis open savanna; A. rehmanniana woodland, false grassland, riverine and sweet thorn thicket, granite outcrop; and Aloe marlothii thicket. A total of 13 821 spiders were collected (using sweep netting, tree beating, active searching and pitfall trapping) represented by 39 families, 156 determined genera and 275 species. The most diverse families are the Thomisidae (42 spp.), Araneidae (39 spp.) and Salticidae (29 spp.). A total of 84 spp. (30.5%) were web builders and 191 spp. (69.5%) wanderers. In the Polokwane Nature Reserve, 13.75% of South African species are presently protected.

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