scholarly journals The distribution of the dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. (Aizoaceae) in southern Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Young ◽  
Philip G. Desmet
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Succulent Karoo ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Region

Background: The dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. is one of the most species rich in the Aizoceae. The genus is most closely associated with a region of high floral endemism and biodiversity, the Succulent Karoo biome in south-western Africa.Objectives: To examine the distribution of Conophytum in south-western Namibia and in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.Method: A database comprising 2798 locality records representing all known species and subspecies of the genus Conophytum has been constructed.Results: The genus is primarily restricted to the arid winter-rainfall region of the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and south-western Namibia, within the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Whilst taxa are found across all the main biomes in the region (the Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Desert and Fynbos biomes), 94% of Conophytum taxa are found only in the Succulent Karoo biome and predominantly (88% of taxa) within South Africa. Endemism within specific bioregions is a feature of the genus and ~60% of taxa are endemic to the Succulent Karoo. Approximately 28% of all taxa could be considered point endemics. Whilst the genus has a relatively wide geographical range, we identify a pronounced centre of endemism in the southern Richtersveld.Conclusion: The genus Conophytum can be used as a good botanical model for studying patterns of diversity and speciation in the Succulent Karoo biome, the effects of climate change on dwarf succulents, and for informing conservation planning efforts.

A Taxonomic Revision of the Othonna bulbosa Group (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon L. Magoswana ◽  
James S. Boatwright ◽  
Anthony R. Magee ◽  
John C. Manning
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
The South ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
African Species ◽  
Taxonomic Treatment ◽  
Rainfall Region

Othonna L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) is a genus of some 120 species concentrated in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, with a few species extending into southern Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The South African species of Othonna were last revised more than a century ago, and many species, particularly from the southern African winter rainfall region, remain poorly understood. This study focused on the geophytic species comprising the O. bulbosa group, distinguished by their tuberous rootstock and annual, leafy, aerial stems. A comprehensive taxonomic treatment is presented, including descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations, and geographical distribution. Twenty-five species are recognized, of which four are newly described (O. lilacina Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. nigromontana Magoswana & J. C. Manning, O. revoluta Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and O. sinuata Magoswana & J. C. Manning), and 18 names are reduced to synonymy. The species differ in habit, shape and incision of foliage, capitulum type (radiate vs. disciform), number of involucral bracts, pappus length, and cypselae (myxogenic vs. nonmyxogenic). We place the species into four morphologically diagnosable series (series Heterophyllae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Disciformes Magoswana & J. C. Manning, series Perfoliatae Magoswana & J. C. Manning, and series Undulosae Magoswana & J. C. Manning) based on habit and capitulum type.

scholarly journals Rainfall and river flow trends for the Western Cape Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 115 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakhee Lakhraj-Govender ◽  
Stefan W. Grab
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel

Climate change has the potential to alter the spatio-temporal distribution of rainfall, subsequently affecting the supply and demand of water resources. In a water-stressed country such as South Africa, this effect has significant consequences. To this end, we investigated annual and winter rainfall and river flow trends for the Western Cape Province over two periods: 1987–2017 and 1960–2017. Annual rainfall for the most recent 30-year period shows decreasing trends, with the largest magnitude of decrease at the SA Astronomical Observatory rainfall station (-54.38 mm/decade). With the exception of the significant decreasing winter rainfall trend at Langewens (-34.88 mm/decade), the trends vary between stations for the period 1960–2017. For the period 1987–2017, statistically significant decreasing winter trends were found at four of the seven stations, and range from -6.8 mm/decade at Cape Columbine to -34.88 mm/decade at Langewens. Similarly, the magnitudes of decreasing winter river flow at Bree@Ceres and Berg@Franschoek are greater for the more recent 30-year period than for 1960–2017. Correlation coefficients for Vilij@Voeliv rainfall and four river flow stations Berg@Franschoek, Bree@Ceres, Wit River@Drosterkloof and Little Berg@Nieuwkloof) are stronger for shorter periods (i.e. 1987–2017 and 2007–2017) than that for the longer period, 1960–2017. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasises the importance of studies to assist with model prediction uncertainties. To this end, our study expands the understanding of regional hydrological responses to rainfall change in the water stressed region of the Western Cape Province.

SYSTEMATIC CONSERVATION PLANNING IN THE CAPE FLORISTIC REGION AND SUCCULENT KAROO, SOUTH AFRICA: ENABLING SOUND SPATIAL PLANNING AND IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

2005 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. 201-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSIE BROWNLIE ◽  
CHARL DE VILLIERS ◽  
AMANDA DRIVER ◽  
NANCY JOB ◽  
AMREI VON HASE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Systematic Conservation Planning ◽  
Environmental Legislation ◽  
Succulent Karoo ◽  
Biodiversity Convention

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) and Succulent Karoo are global biodiversity hotspots. The CFR is one of six plant kingdoms worldwide. The CFR and most of the Succulent Karoo lie within South Africa. South Africa has ratified the Biodiversity Convention, and must accordingly safeguard its biodiversity. Environmental assessment (EA) can help to achieve this end. Environmental legislation in South Africa requires EA for activities at project, not strategic level. However, strategic environmental assessment has been mandatory since 2000 for preparing municipal spatial development frameworks (SDFs). By setting targets for ecosystem conservation and providing thresholds of significance, systematic conservation planning can make a significant contribution to the sound preparation of SDFs, and effective EA at planning and project levels. In South Africa, the integration of systematic conservation planning with spatial planning and EA is recent. Based on examples, the main challenges for the future are identified.

Biogeographv of Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) in South Africa: a preliminary study

Bothalia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Oberlander ◽  
L. L. Dreyer ◽  
K. J. Elser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Succulent Karoo ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Table Mountain ◽  
Northern Areas ◽  
Cape Peninsula ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Insight Into

Oxalis L ,  commonly called sorrel,is a large and cosmopolitan taxon that has undergone spectacular speciation within southern Africa (± 270 taxa). and more specifically within the winter rainfall regions of the western Cape Region (CR). The main objective of this study w as to analyse the geographical distribution of Oxalis in South Africa in relation to currently defined phytogeographic units. The observed patterns of biodiversity and endemism within South African members of the genus show interesting disjunctions and concentrations of species.  Oxalis is one of the few CR taxa that is shared between the core Fynbos and Succulent Karoo Biomes, and this study therefore provides a novel insight into evolutionary trends across, and not only w ithin. these phvtogeographic units. The major centre for diversity for Oxalis is situated on Table Mountain and the northern areas o f the Cape Peninsula (grid square 3318CD). Subsidiary centres are located in the Clanwilliam/Niewoudtville and Kamiesberg regions. The reported patterns in Western Cape suggest that  Oxalis species richness has been generated and retained in areas w hich have been identified as core Fynbos (Table Mountain), Fynbos refugia during interglacials (Kamiesberg). and an ecotonal region which might switch between the two biome types (Clanwilliam/ Niewoudtville). Presumably these three types of areas would provide interesting material for DNA-based phylogenetic work, and a test of the climate change 'species-pump' hypothesis proposed by Midgley et al. (2001).

Phytogeography of Pelargonium

Bothalia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 14 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 517-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. A. Van der Walt ◽  
P. J. Vorster
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Present Distribution ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Rainfall Region

The vast majority of the approximately 2(H) species of Pelargonium oeeurs in Africa. About SO per cent of the species are endemic to the winter rainfall region of the Cape Province, and the centre of distribution lies in the south-western Cape. The distribution of the individual sections are discussed with the aid of distribution maps. The centre of distribution of most sections is in the south-western Cape, hut a few sections are centred in the eastern and western Cape. Several sections are represented by a few species in the summer rainfall region of southern Africa. As no fossils of Pelargonium are known, deductions about the origin of the genus can only be based on the present distribution of species, according to which arguments in favour of both a northern and a southern origin can he supported.

scholarly journals A preliminary undifferentiated faecal egg count reduction test survey in the Caledon area

2002 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F.H. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Anthelmintic Resistance ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Therapeutic Dosage ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Reduction Test ◽  
Faecal Egg Count ◽  
Rainfall Region ◽  
Resistance Data

During October 1998 a study was performed in the Caledon area to determine the presence of anthelmintic resistance in the southern Western Cape, which falls within the winter rainfall region of South Africa. The study took the form of an undifferentiated faecal egg count reduction test (FECRt) survey. The predominant worm genera of the region are Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus, but Haemonchus causes occasional outbreaks in sheep. No resistance data for any area in the Western Cape Province are available at present. Resistance (<90 % FECR) was recorded on 73 % of the farms included in the study, with 46 %of these involving resistance to 1 drench, 36 % to 2 drenches and 18 % to 3 drenches. No moxidectin resistance was detected when it was administered at the therapeutic dosage of 0.2 mg/kg. The results of this study show clearly that resistance of nematodes to other anthelmintics occurs in the Caledon area.

Occurrence of putatively resistant plantago in the winter rainfall region of South Africa: a survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-415
Author(s):  
Vhuthu Ndou ◽  
Ethel E Phiri ◽  
Frederik H Eksteen ◽  
Petrus J Pieterse
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Region

scholarly journals Species turnover in plants does not predict turnover in flower-visiting insects

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6139 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Simaika ◽  
Michael Samways ◽  
Sven M. Vrdoljak
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Insect Diversity ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Distribution Shape ◽  
Flower Visiting

Congruence between plant and insect diversity is considered possibly useful in conservation planning, as the better known plants could be surrogates for the lesser known insects. There has been little quantification of congruence across space, especially in biodiversity rich areas. We compare here species richness, and turnover relationships between plants and flower-visiting insects across space (0.5–80 km) in natural areas of a biodiversity hotspot, the Greater Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. A total of 22,352 anthophile individuals in 198 species and 348 plant species were sampled. A comparison between the plants and anthophiles suggest significant concordance between the two assemblages. However, turnover was weaker in plants than in anthophiles. Plant turnover decreased with greater geographical distance between plot pairs. In contrast, insect turnover remained high with increasing geographical distance between plot pairs. These findings suggest that while patterns of plant diversity and distribution shape flower-visiting insect assemblages, they are not reliable surrogates. The conservation significance of these results is that specialist mutualisms are at greatest risk, and that set-asides on farms would help improve the functional connectivity leading to the maintenance of the full range of mutualisms.

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