The freshwater molluscs of the Kruger National Park

Most of the previous records of the freshwater molluscs from the Kruger National Park date back prior to and up to 1966. On account of several droughts between 1966 and 1995 it was decided to do a survey of the freshwater mollusc population in 1995 to evaluate the effect of these droughts. The traditional mollusc intermediate hosts were also screened for trematode parasites to establish whether or not they were infected. No infected molluscs were found. Eight of the 19 species reported up to 1966 were not found during the 1995 survey. Three new mollusc species were collected in 1995. The consequences of the drought are clearly visible when the species diversity found in the dams in the 1995 survey, is compared to what was previously recorded.

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Freshwater mollusc diversity in the Kruger National Park: a comparison between a period of prolonged drought and a period of exceptionally high rainfall

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v45i2.23 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K.N. De Kock ◽

C.T. Wolmarans ◽

L.H. Du Preez

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

National Park ◽

Freshwater Snail ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Snail Species ◽

High Rainfall ◽

Freshwater Molluscs ◽

Freshwater Mollusc ◽

Prolonged Drought ◽

Positive Effect

Most of the previous records of the freshwater molluscs from the Kruger National Park date back to 1966 and earlier. On account of several droughts between 1966 and 1995, a survey was done in 1995 to evaluate the effect of these droughts on the mollusc population. As a result of extensive rainfall between 1995 and 2000 another survey was conducted to establish the effect of a period of exceptionally high rainfall on the species’ diversity of the mollusc population. With the exception of three habitats, an increase in mollusc diversity was recorded for all the other habitats previously surveyed. One of the invader freshwater snail species, Aplexa marmorata, collected in only one habitat in 1995, was found in seven habitats located mainly in the south during the 2001 survey. Another interesting finding was that juvenile specimens of Lanistes ovum, of which large specimens were present prior to 1966 but none found in 1995, were present in the Sirheni Dam in 2001. From this study the positive effect of the high rainfall on the species’ diversity is highly evident.

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The current status of freshwater molluscs in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v49i2.122 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C.T. Wolmarans ◽

K.N. De Kock

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Current Status ◽

Freshwater Molluscs ◽

Freshwater Mollusc ◽

Current Survey ◽

Mollusc Species ◽

Flow Through ◽

Alien Invader

Surveys regarding the freshwater mollusc population of the Kruger National Park commenced before 1966 and was repeated in 1995, 2001 and recently in 2006. During this period the park was exposed to several droughts as well as floods, all of which could have had some influence on the various habitats in the park. Industrial developments and urbanisation near some of the major rivers outside the park, but which flow through the park, could also have a detrimental effect on the species diversity of the freshwater molluscs. The recent survey in 45 habitats included several dams and rivers. The survey was done to determine the current status of the mollusc species diversity. By comparing it with previous surveys, an attempt was made to establish the overall health of freshwater mollusc habitats. From the results it is clear that there was a drastic decrease in the mollusc species diversity in five of the habitats. Although there was a slight change in the species composition in some of the major rivers there was no difference in the number of species collected in these habitats. Tarebia granifera, an alien invader mollusc, was found in several rivers and dams. Gyraulus costulatus, Melanoides victoriae and Eupera ferruginea, which could not be found during the survey of 2001, were collected during the current survey.

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SAFARI 2000 METEOROLOGICAL TOWER MEASUREMENTS, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, 2000-2002

ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center Datasets ◽

10.3334/ornldaac/761 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

M. COUGHENOUR ◽

N. HANAN ◽

R. J. SCHOLES

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Meteorological Tower

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Managing rivers for conservation and ecotourism in the Kruger National Park

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1995.0610 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 32 (5-6) ◽

pp. 227-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. J. Venter ◽

A. R. Deacon

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Good Condition ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Natural Environments ◽

The West ◽

The Past ◽

Management Actions ◽

Flow Through ◽

Three Rivers

Six major rivers flow through the Kruger National Park (KNP). All these rivers originate outside and to the west of the KNP and are highly utilized. They are crucially important for the conservation of the unique natural environments of the KNP. The human population growth in the Lowveld during the past two decades brought with it the rapid expansion of irrigation farming, exotic afforestation and land grazed by domestic stock, as well as the establishment of large towns, mines, dams and industries. Along with these developments came overgrazing, erosion, over-utilization and pollution of rivers, as well as clearing of indigenous forests from large areas outside the borders of the KNP. Over-utilization of the rivers which ultimately flow through the KNP poses one of the most serious challenges to the KNP's management. This paper gives the background to the development in the catchments and highlights the problems which these have caused for the KNP. Management actions which have been taken as well as their results are discussed and solutions to certain problems proposed. Three rivers, namely the Letaba, Olifants and Sabie are respectively described as examples of an over-utilized river, a polluted river and a river which is still in a fairly good condition.

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