An evaluation of the conservation status of Aquatic Biotopes

The pursuit of an African Renaissance has become an important aspect of regional cooperation between South Africa and its neighbours. Transfrontier conservation areas, or ‘Peace Parks’ as they are popularly called, have been identified as key instruments to promote the African Renaissance dream, and are increasingly advocated and justified on this basis. By fostering joint conservation (and tourism) development in Southern Africa's marginalised border regions, Peace Parks are claimed to further international peace, regional cooperation and poverty reduction, and thus serve basic ideals of the African Renaissance. This article critically explores this assumption. Using the joint South African-Mozambican-Zimbabwean Great Limpopo Park as a case study, it argues that in reality the creation of Peace Parks hardly stimulates and possibly even undermines the realisation of the African Renaissance ideals of regional cooperation, emancipation, cultural reaffirmation, sustainable economic development and democratisation. So far, their achievement has been severely hindered by domination of national interests, insufficient community consultation, and sensitive border issues such as the illegal flows of goods and migrants between South Africa and neighbouring countries. Furthermore, exacerbation of inter-state differences induced by power imbalances in the region, and harmonisation of land use and legal systems across boundaries, are increasingly becoming sources of conflict and controversy. Some of these problems are so severe, we conclude, that they might eventually even undermine support for African Renaissance as a whole. Utmost care is thus required to optimally use the chances that Peace Parks do offer in furthering an African Renaissance.

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Trends in numbers of Cape gannets (Morus capensis), 1956/1957–2005/2006, with a consideration of the influence of food and other factors

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsl011 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 169-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Robert J. M. Crawford ◽

Benedict L. Dundee ◽

Bruce M. Dyer ◽

Norbert T. W. Klages ◽

Michael A. Meÿer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Fish Prey ◽

Management Measures ◽

Fur Seals ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

Influence Of Food ◽

Abundance And Distribution

Abstract Crawford, R. J. M., Dundee, B. L., Dyer, B. M., Klages, N. T., Meÿer, M. A., and Upfold, L. 2007. Trends in numbers of Cape gannets (Morus capensis), 1956/57–2005/06, with a consideration of the influence of food and other factors – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, 169–177. Cape gannets (Morus capensis) breed at six colonies in Namibia and South Africa. Population size averaged about 250 000 pairs over the period 1956/1957–1968/1969 and about 150 000 pairs from 1978/1979 to 2005/2006. Over the whole 50-y period, numbers at the three Namibian colonies fell by 85–98%, with greater proportional decreases in the south. There were increases at two South African colonies between 1956/1957 and 2005/2006. The colony at Lambert's Bay increased between 1956/1957 and 2003/2004, but attacks by Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) on birds at nests caused abandonment of the entire colony in 2005/2006. Long-term changes at colonies are thought to be largely attributable to an altered abundance and distribution of prey, especially sardine (Sardinops sagax) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). In both Namibia and South Africa, the numbers of Cape gannets breeding were significantly related to the biomass of epipelagic fish prey. Over the 50-y period, there was also a marked similarity in the proportions of gannets and epipelagic fish in the Benguela system, which were present in Namibia and South Africa. In the 2000s, there was an eastward shift in the distribution of sardine off South Africa and a large increase in the number of gannets breeding at South Africa's easternmost colony. When sardine were scarce off South Africa, gannets fed on anchovy, but off Namibia anchovy only temporarily and partially replaced sardine. Ecosystem management measures that might improve the conservation status of Cape gannets are considered.

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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 ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v58i1.1405-1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 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.

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Rhynchosia ngwenyii (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae), a new species of Rhynchosia from South Africa

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.468.2.6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 468 (2) ◽

pp. 221-225

Author(s):

ABDULWAKEEL AYOKUN-NUN AJAO ◽

THULISILE PRECIOUS JACA ◽

ANNAH NTSAMAEENG MOTEETEE

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

New Species ◽

South African ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

The Rich ◽

A New Species

During the examination of the rich collections of the genus, Rhynchosia housed in some South African herbaria (BNRH, NH, PRE), a new and yet to be described species was discovered. The species is similar to R. pauciflora in its erect habit, linear or oblong leaflets, and solitary flowers. The study is based on the examination of herbarium specimens. Measurements were taken from vegetative and reproductive parts. We describe here R. ngwenyii. The new species differs from R. pauciflora by its broader (24–38 mm), linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate terminal leaflets that are without conspicuous revolute margins, wing petals that lack sculpturing and shorter peduncles, (25)30–42 mm. It is distributed in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces in South Africa. The preliminary conservation status is evaluated as Endangered. A detailed description, illustration, distribution map, and the information on ecology, as well as phenology are also presented.

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The Conservation Status of Eagles in South African Law

Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad ◽

10.17159/1727-3781/2013/v16i4a2414 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 179

Author(s):

J C Knobel

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Protected Areas ◽

South African ◽

National Parks ◽

Legal Status ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Environmental Research ◽

Birds Of Prey ◽

Legal Provisions

This contribution is an introductory survey and preliminary evaluation of the conservation status of eagles in South African law. The methodology is primarily an interdisciplinary literature study of legal texts and texts from the natural sciences. Eagles are some of the largest and most powerful avian predators, and the human response to their presence is dualistic and polarised. At the one extreme, many people admire eagles, while at the other extreme they are perceived as a threat to economic and other interests, and may even be actively persecuted in a conviction that they are vermin. This duality in the human perception of eagles is also prevalent in South Africa and complicates their conservation. The mobility of eagles and other birds of prey means that they cannot be restrained by fencing national parks and other protected areas, and this heightens the likelihood of their entering into conflict with human interests. The conservation problems faced by eagles in South Africa can broadly be divided into direct and indirect threats. Direct threats include the intentional killing of eagles, and trade in eagles and their eggs. Indirect threats include non-targeted poisoning (where poisoned bait is used to control other predators, but eagles find the bait, feed on it, and succumb); habitat loss; mortality induced by dangerous structures; and disturbance. The legal status of eagles is influenced by a large body of legislative provisions, ranging from international and regional legal instruments, through national legislation, to provincial legislative measures. An overview of these provisions is given, with concise explanations of how they apply to the legal status of eagles and other birds of prey in South Africa. The conservation status of eagles in South African law is subsequently evaluated by considering the contribution of the applicable laws to three main types of conservation interventions. In respect of the first, habitat preservation, the relevant legal provisions contribute to an impressive array of conserved habitats in national parks and other protected areas. However, the mobility of eagles, and the fact that some species occur mainly outside protected areas, make it imperative for eagles also to be afforded legal protection outside of protected areas. In respect of the second type of intervention, namely management activities to conserve the species in their habitats, an inquiry is made into how the law addresses the threats of the intentional killing of eagles; trade in eagles and their eggs; non-targeted poisoning; mortality induced by dangerous structures; and disturbance. The protection is found to be sound in principle. In respect of the third and most intensive intervention, captive breeding, a regulatory framework is in place, but no such intervention on eagle species is known to be operative in South Africa. In conclusion a number of recommendations are made. The existing laws can be improved by aligning the legal status of species with their Red List status; listing all bird of prey species that are not Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable, as Protected for the purpose of national environmental legislation; and, in the medium rather than the short term, considering the imposition of legal obligations on electricity suppliers to implement measures that will mitigate mortalities on electricity structures. Better application of the existing laws could be achieved by improving compliance and enforcement, and by facilitating the optimal use of Biodiversity Management Plans, environmental research, and environmental education.

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Distribution of Burnupia capensis (Walker, 1912) and Burnupia stenochorias (Melvill & Ponsonby, 1903) (Gastropoda: Ancylidae) in South Africa

Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie ◽

10.4102/satnt.v28i3.59 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 220-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kenné De Kock ◽

Corrie Wolmarans

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Frequency Of Occurrence ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Freshwater Molluscs ◽

Rivers And Streams ◽

Mollusc Species ◽

Collection Sites

The presence of Ancylidae in South Africa was established as early as 1848 but the ﬁrst comprehensive study on this family was reported in 1923. This author came to the conclusion that extensive work still had to be done before it could be declared that knowledge pertaining to the South African representatives of this family could be considered as satisfactory. Another important contribution on South African Ancylidae was published in 1939. After a detailed morphological and histological study on Burnupia mooiensis three decades later the authors stated that the axonomy of the Ancylidae still remained unsatisfactory, a view that was supported by authors as recently as 2002. The National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) was established in 1956 but he oldest sample of Ancylidae on record dates back to 1954 and at present 14 species of Burnupia are represented in the database of the NFSC. This contribution deals with the geographical distribution and speciﬁc characteristics of the habitats of B. capensis and B. stenochorias the two most widespread species of this genus in South Africa. Very little is known of the conservation status of the Ancylidae of this country but some results pertaining to this subject are brieﬂy discussed. Burnupia species are relatively inconspicuous organisms that are usually attached to solid objects on the substratum or aquatic vegetation and need to be speciﬁ cally looked for during surveys. Personnel of government authorities and municipalities who made substantial contributions to the number of samples in the NFSC therefore received special training in sampling echniques during workshops. Identiﬁcation of the specimens was largely based on shell and radula characteristics and on he location of the site of collection. Only samples of which the sampling sites could be located on the 1:250 000 topo cadastral map series of South Africa were considered for further analysis. Respectively 702 and 435 samples of B. capensis and B. stenochorias met this requirement. The loci (1/16 th square degrees) in which the collection sites of these species were located, were distributed in pre-selected intervals of mean annual air temperature and rainfall, as well as ntervals of mean altitude, to illustrate the frequency of occurrence within speciﬁc intervals. A temperature index was calculated for all mollusc species in the database from their frequencies of occurrence within the selected intervals and the results used to rank them in order of their association with low to high climatic temperatures. Chi-square values were calculated to evaluate he signiﬁcance of the difference between frequencies of occurrence in, on, or at the various options or each parameter investigated and furthermore an effect size value was calculated to determine he contribution of each parameter towards establishing the geographical distribution of this species based on the data in the database. A multivariate analysis in the form of a decision tree was also constructed from the data which enabled the selection and ranking of those variables hat maximally discriminated between the frequency of occurrence of these two species in, on, or at the various options for each parameter as compared to all other mollusc species in the database. The majority of samples of both species were collected in rivers and streams and in habitats described as perennial with slow running and clear water. The presence of associated vegetation and a predominantly stony substratum was mentioned for the majority of sampling sites. The geographical distribution of these two species overlapped to a large extent and they were recorded together in 55 loci. However, the 257 loci from which B. capensis were collected covered a more extensive geographical area than the 108 loci from which B. stenochorias was recorded. Both species were poorly represented in the Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape province, a phenomenon that could probably be attributed to a paucity of perennial habitats and the fact that both species in question have poor abilities to overcome conditions of desiccation prevalent in seasonal habitats. Due to the fact that the majority of samples were collected in rivers and streams and on a stony substratum and also because of their largely sessile mode of existence, it is suggested that the feasibility to exploit these two species as indicators of heavy metal pollution should be investigated. It is a known fact that molluscs can accumulate heavy metals in their soft tissue and can also deposit organic substances in their shells. Large scale surveys for freshwater molluscs was terminated in the 1980’s and most of the collection sites recorded in the NFSC were not revisited since, therefore little is known of the conservation status of the freshwater molluscs of South Africa. A comparison of results of several surveys conducted in the Kruger National Park over a period of nearly four decades revealed a marked decline in the number of positive sites with regard to several mollusc species including representatives of the Ancylidae. The well documented geographical distribution of several species of Burnupia in the database of the NFSC could serve as a base of reference for an investigation of the conservation status of this genus of the Ancylidae in South Africa. The fact that these species are well represented in rivers and streams and on stony substratums could facilitate such an investigation in the sense that surveys could be focused on these types of water body. A comparison of the results of such surveys with the documented geographical distribution of all freshwater molluscs in the database of the NFSC could contribute substantially towards the knowledge currently available on the conservation status and species diversity of our indigenous molluscs.

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Review of available data for a South African Inventory of Inland Aquatic Ecosystems (SAIIAE)

Water SA ◽

10.4314/wsa.v44i2.05 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (2 April) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Heidi Van Deventer ◽

Lindie Smith-Adao ◽

Chantel Petersen ◽

Namhla Mbona ◽

Andrew Skowno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Aquatic Ecosystems ◽

Accuracy Assessment ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Biodiversity Assessment ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Wetland Ecosystem ◽

Inland Wetlands

The National Biodiversity Assessment of 2011 found freshwater ecosystems to be highly threatened and poorly protected. However, a number of studies have shown that the National Wetland Map (NWM) Version 4 represents less than 54% of wetlands mapped at a fine scale. A more comprehensive South African Inventory of Inland Aquatic Ecosystems (SAIIAE) would greatly improve the assessment of wetland ecosystem types and their condition and conservation status, and is crucial for monitoring trends to inform decision making and planning. In preparation for the third National Biodiversity Assessment of 2018, a review was undertaken to identify possible data sources that could contribute to the SAIIAE. The objectives of the study were to (i) assess which type of information is available for developing a SAIIAE; and (ii) list and understand the availability of fine-scale wetland data for updating the NWM. A variety of data related to species occurrence and distribution, extent and type of inland wetlands and rivers, as well as datasets which describe regional settings of inland aquatic ecosystems, were found across a number of institutions. Fine-scale spatial data amounted to more than double the extent of inland wetlands mapped by remote sensing at a country-wide scale. Nearly 5 million ha of fine-scale data were collected from a diverse number of institutions, with the majority (73%) of these data mapped by Government (3 681 503 ha or 3% of South Africa). It is estimated that < 8% of the sub-quaternary catchments of South Africa had complete wetland data sets, primarily in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces. Accuracy assessment reports and confidence ratings were however not consistently available for the wetland datasets. Inland wetlands in the majority of South Africa (84%) therefore remain poorly represented. We recommend future steps to improve the SAIIAE, including improving the representation of inland wetland ecosystem types and focusing on accuracy assessment.

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Reflections on the relationships between communities and conservation areas of South Africa: the case of five South African national parks

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v49i2.121 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

T.S. Simelane ◽

G.I.H. Kerley ◽

M.H. Knight

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

National Parks ◽

National Park ◽

Age Groups ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

Golden Gate ◽

Cultural Backgrounds ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Conservation And Management

An evaluation of the relationships between communities around Addo Elephant National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park, Karoo National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Vaalbos National Park shows that these communities have limited ecological knowledge and understanding of resources occurring within the parks. People within these communities rate relationships with their neighbouring parks as relatively poor. Despite this, these communities are keen to support conservation and management of biodiversity through national parks. The study further revealed that two types of communities occur around the national parks of South Africa. These are neighbouring and the distant communities. The distant communities are more urban in character than the neighbouring communities. These communities are heterogeneous with people from a variety of cultures. The varying lifestyle, age groups, cultural backgrounds and income levels lead to differences in expectations from the national parks by these communities. This, which is critical in determining the level of appreciation of conservation of biodiversity by communities around conservation areas, requires the attention of the park managers. They need to ensure that when distributing the benefits or opportunities linked to conservation, cultural, income and education differences among communities are considered and used as the basis for development and implementation of community development projects.

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

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v58i1.1405 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 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 ◽

Species Specific

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.

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EVALUATING CONSERVATION STATUS, THREATS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF LEUCADENDRON, A PLANT GENUS ENDEMIC TO THE CAPE REGION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Contribuţii Botanice ◽

10.24193/contrib.bot.56.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 ◽

pp. 45-52

Author(s):

Samuel O BAMIGBOYE ◽

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Endemic Species ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Red List ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Current Conservation ◽

Risk Of Extinction ◽

Global Extinction

Declines in endemic species have significant impact on global biodiversity loss. More efforts need to be harnessed to further protect endemic species from the current global extinction crisis. This study evaluated the current conservation status, factors responsible for risk of extinction and the trends in populations of Leucadendron, a plant genus endemic to the Cape region in South Africa. The SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red List was employed in this study. The results revealed that over 50% of taxa in this genus are threatened and most of the species are exposed to habitat destruction and the presence of invasive species. It was also discovered that two species of this genus are currently extinct, which implies this genus is facing a high risk of extinction. More efforts, such as designing effective methods of controlling forces responsible for the risk of extinction of taxa in this genus, should be put in place to prevent their complete extirpation in future.

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