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

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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Delivering community benefits acts as insurance for the survival of small protected areas such as the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v54i1.1043 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Susan J. Taylor ◽

Doreen Atkinson

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Urban Poverty ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Project Managers ◽

Biological Integrity ◽

Community Benefits ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Outreach Programme

The Abe Bailey Nature Reserve (ABNR) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa is largely unknown and offers little to attract visitors. The biological integrity of the ABNR is challenged by the urban poverty in Khutsong, the reserve’s immediate neighbour. Relations between Khutsong and the nature reserve had been hostile for decades as a result of the ‘fortress’ style of conservation protection used for the ABNR. However, this situation provided the Gauteng Directorate of Nature Conservation with an opportunity to experiment with identifying and transferring benefits to the community, as well as establishing an effective buffer zone between the nature reserve and the informal settlements of Khutsong. Following an initial rapid rural appraisal and ongoing liaison through specifically appointed project managers, an outreach programme containing two natural resource-based projects was developed. As a result, better relations were established between the ABNR and its neighbouring community for the first time since the nature reserve was established in 1977. This acted as ‘insurance’ during violent public protests and vandalism in the Khutsong border demarcation dispute (2005–2007), but may not be enough to secure the nature reserve into the future. Conservation implications: Small protected areas may not be effective in ensuring their biological integrity in the long term, but working cooperatively with existing and future neighbours is an essential strategy to optimise conservation activities in small reserves such as the ABNR.

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Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the vegetation layer of the Mkambati Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v53i1.1058 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anna S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽

Michelle Hamer ◽

Charles R. Haddad

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

New Records ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Additional Species ◽

Biodiversity Survey ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Invertebrate Diversity ◽

Risk Of Extinction ◽

Vegetation Layer

The Pondoland region of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa is very poorly studied with regard to invertebrate diversity, particularly in the case of arachnids. Accordingly, and in view of proposed infrastructural and mining developments in this ecologically sensitive area of high plant endemism, baseline data are provided on spiders (Araneae) of the vegetation layer (i.e. excluding the ground-dwelling fauna) of the Mkambati Nature Reserve (MNR). Spiders were collected at 26 sites (six forest and 20 grassland sites) in the MNR over an eight-day period, using sweep sampling and active searching of flowers in grassland and tree beating in forests, as part of a broader biodiversity survey. Additional specimens were collected with Malaise and pan traps. A total of 1275 specimens were sampled, representing 132 species (6.6% of the total number recorded in South Africa) in 103 genera and 29 families. Theridiidae and Araneidae were the most diverse spider families in the reserve, represented by 22 species each (16.7% of the total), followed by Thomisidae with 19 species (14.4%) and Salticidae with 18 species (13.6%). Grassland and forest had distinct spider faunas, with only 24.2% of species being recorded from both biomes. The average number of species sampled per site in grassland and forest was 26 species for both habitats, although values for the two biomes are not directly comparable because different sampling methods were used. All 132 species are new records for the reserve, of which 20 were new records for the Eastern Cape and at least eight spider species may be new to science. The spider diversity captured despite temporal and methodological limits indicates that many additional species are likely to occur in the reserve. Conservation implications: If the MNR is not adequately conserved at least five new species, which may be confined to the area, would be at high risk of extinction and 15 other species endemic to the Pondoland and KwaZulu-Natal region would have their risk of extinction increased.

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Online appendix 1:Is the present Brackenridgea Nature Reserve large enough to ensure the survival of Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv.?

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v55i1.1072-1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Milingoni P. Tshisikhawe ◽

Magaretha W. Van Rooyen ◽

Jerome Y. Gaugris

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Development Environment ◽

Potential Habitat ◽

Online Appendix ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

The Status ◽

Species Population ◽

Reserve Size

The Brackenridgea Nature Reserve is a 110 ha protected area established by the provincial Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism as a way of protecting the population of Brackenridgea zanguebarica, a species classified as critically endangered in South Africa. In the whole of South Africa, the species is found in only one small area around Thengwe–Mafukani in Venda. It is threatened with extirpation due to high demand for its medicinal bark. This study investigated the adequacy of the reserve to conserve the species using a method established in 2001 by Burgman et al. This method involves 12 steps to quantify the risk of the decline or possible extinction of the species and takes current human activities, disturbances and the viability of the population into consideration for setting a conservation target. From the results, it was clear that more area is needed for the current population to survive beyond 50 years. Assuming the status quo, it will require 410 ha to maintain the population, whereas a 50% reduction in human-related activities, such as cultivation, harvesting and livestock grazing, will lower the required potential habitat to 203 ha and a conservation option, which allows for bark harvesting, will require 179 ha. Conservation implications: The results of this study will have conservation implication on management of viable species population within a nature reserve. It will require managers to take into consideration the reserve size in relation to potential habitats for the development of species under their management.

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A brief account of coast vegetation near Port Elizabeth

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v13i3/4.1358 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 13 (3/4) ◽

pp. 519-525 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H. C. Taylor ◽

J. W. Morris

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Themeda Triandra ◽

North East ◽

Pioneer Vegetation ◽

Port Elizabeth ◽

Acacia Cyclops

The environment and vegetation of an area of coast north-east of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, are briefly described. Five major vegetation categories are recognized. These are: 1. Scaevola thunbergii Pioneer Vegetation of littoral dunes and Ficinia lateralis Sedgeland of calcrete gravel; 2. Olea exasperata Bush, Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus Bushclumps and Dune Woodland; 3. Sundays River Scrub; 4. Fynbos of calcrete areas; and 5. Themeda triandra Grassland. Invasion of the area by Acacia cyclops (Australian W'attle) is described. A recommendation for the conservation of the area as a nature reserve is made.

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Is the present Brackenridgea Nature Reserve large enough to ensure the survival of Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv.?

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v55i1.1072 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Milingoni P. Tshisikhawe ◽

Magaretha W. Van Rooyen ◽

Jerome Y. Gaugris

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Development Environment ◽

Potential Habitat ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

The Status ◽

Species Population ◽

Potential Habitats ◽

Reserve Size

The Brackenridgea Nature Reserve is a 110 ha protected area established by the provincial Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism as a way of protecting the population of Brackenridgea zanguebarica, a species classified as critically endangered in South Africa. In the whole of South Africa, the species is found in only one small area around Thengwe–Mafukani in Venda. It is threatened with extirpation due to high demand for its medicinal bark. This study investigated the adequacy of the reserve to conserve the species using a method established in 2001 by Burgman et al. This method involves 12 steps to quantify the risk of the decline or possible extinction of the species and takes current human activities, disturbances and the viability of the population into consideration for setting a conservation target. From the results, it was clear that more area is needed for the current population to survive beyond 50 years. Assuming the status quo, it will require 410 ha to maintain the population, whereas a 50% reduction in human-related activities, such as cultivation, harvesting and livestock grazing, will lower the required potential habitat to 203 ha and a conservation option, which allows for bark harvesting, will require 179 ha. Conservation implications: The results of this study will have conservation implication on management of viable species population within a nature reserve. It will require managers to take into consideration the reserve size in relation to potential habitats for the development of species under their management.

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