scholarly journals Conservation of fishes in the Elands River, Mpumalanga, South Africa: Past, present and future

Koedoe ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon C. O’Brien ◽  
Nico J. Smit ◽  
Victor Wepener

In an isolated reach, between two large natural waterfalls in the Elands River in Mpumalanga, populations of a critically endangered Kneria sp., the endangered Chiloglanis bifurcus and a genetically unique population of Labeobarbus polylepis occur. The aim of this article was to evaluate past efforts to conserve these fishes, describe the current status and propose future conservation and management actions. The population status assessments were based on a series of fish community composition and population structure evaluations from surveys undertaken at 22 sites during seven surveys from 2002 to 2006. Although water-use activities have continued to increase in the area, impacts have been offset by conservation efforts initiated almost 30 years ago. The existing C. bifurcus population appears to be stable, which is reflected in the downgrading of the conservation status of the species from critically endangered to endangered. The abundance of the kneriid population appears to be increasing and spreading to other tributaries in the study area. The abundance of L. polylepis appears to be increasing but has still not reached historical levels.Conservation implications: Continued conservation efforts are required to protect these fishes. This case study presented a rare example of how the impacts associated with the use of aquatic resources in South Africa can successfully be offset by conservation efforts.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Vandra Kurniawan ◽  
Dwinda Mariska Putri ◽  
Muhammad Imam Surya

One of the main task of Cibodas Botanical Garden (CBG) is to conserve the Indonesian plants species. Moreover, the preservation and enrichment of threatened plant collections based on IUCN red list categories became an important programme for plants conservation in CBG. The aims of this study are to inventory threatened plant collections and to review the status of CBG threatened plant collections. List of threatened plant collections was gathered from SINDATA, a system developed by CBG. The collection, was reviewed by inspecting current collections in CBG. Literature study was done to review the conservation status of the threatened plant collections. The conservation status was checked in IUCN red list website. The results shown that CBG had collected 86 species of threatened plants, which is 13 Critically Endangered (CR) species, 39 Endangered (EN) species, and 34 Vulnerable (VU) species. Critically endangered category consists of 13 species belong to 8 families and 10 genus. Endangered category consists of 39 species belong to 17 families and 34 genus. Vulnerable category consists of 34 species belong to 27 families and 28 genus. The largest collections of threatened species was genus Nepenthes, which is 16% (14 species) from the total threatened species in CBG. Furthermore, CBG had succeeded in collecting 40 species of Indonesian native plants in which Dipterocarpaceae species were dominate the collection with 7 species. These species are listed as critically endangered (3 species) and endangered (4 species).


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-115
Author(s):  
Nazmul Islam ◽  
M Firoj Jaman ◽  
Md Mokhlesur Rahman ◽  
Md Mahabub Alam

Wildlife diversity (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) of Kashimpur Union in Gazipur Sadar Upazila under Gazipur district was studied from May, 2015 to March, 2016. A total of 110 species of wildlife belonging to 58 families under 19 orders were recorded. Among them, 6 (5.45%) species were amphibians, 14 (12.72%) reptiles, 72 (65.45%) birds and 18 (16.38%) were mammals. Among the amphibians, 5 (83.33%) species were frogs and only one (16.67%) was toad; of reptiles, 7 (50%) species were lizards, 5 (35.71%) snakes and 2 (14.29%) were tortoises. Of the birds, 39 (54.16%) species were passerines and remaining 33 (45.84%) were non-passerines. Resident status shows that 66 (91.62%) species were resident, 5 (7.00%) migrants and 1 (1.38%) species were vagrant. Among the mammals, 8 (44.45%) species were rodents, 4 (22.22%) flying mammals and 6 (33.33%) species were carnivorous mammals. The relative abundance shows that 10 (9.09%) species were very common, 24 (21.81%) common, 31 (28.19%) fairly common and 45 (40.91%) species were few. Considering the conservation status, 5 species were near threatened and 105 were the least concern nationally. According to Shannon-Wiener (H = 3.287) and Simpson's (D = 0.942) diversity indices, diversity of birds was higher than the other wildlife observed. Some potential threats on wildlife diversity were identified such as habitat degradation and fragmentation, expansion of agricultural lands and urbanization. Therefore, conservation and management are necessary in order to protect the diversity of existing wildlife and their population in the study area. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 44(2): 101-115, December 2018


Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 272 (1) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES W. BYNG ◽  
FAREIZA R. PAHLADSINGH

A new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae), S. komatiense, is described from the Komatipoort area of Mpumalanga, South Africa. This species is endemic to the Komati River system on the South Africa-Mozambique border and differs from any other species in the region by its combination of terete branchlets, petiole length, often asymmetric or oblique leaf base, few-flowered inflorescence, persistent bracts and bracteoles and pseudostalk absent. Syzygium komatiense is known only from the Komati River and merits the conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR C2a(i, ii); D).


2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffry R. Cole ◽  
J. C. Z. Woinarski

At the time of European entry, 18 species of rodent occurred in the arid zone of the Northern Territory, including two endemic species, Zyzomys pedunculatus and Pseudomys johnsoni. The tally is somewhat inflated, as the arid Northern Territory is on the margins of the distribution for seven of these species. The historical record for this fauna is generally reasonably good, due to important collections around the end of the nineteenth century, some landmark studies (notably by H.H. Finlayson) earlier this century, documentation of Aboriginal knowledge, and the recent discovery and analysis of fossil and sub-fossil deposits. Notwithstanding this good historical baseline, recent research has added three native species to the fauna, and re-discovered one species, Z. pedunculatus, earlier feared extinct. Over the last 200 years, four species (Leporillus apicalis, Notomys amplus, N. longicaudatus and Pseudomys fieldi) have disappeared, and a further five species (N. cervinus, N. fuscus, P. australis, Rattus tunneyi and Z. pedunculatus) have declined considerably, with several of these perhaps no longer present in the area. The decline in this rodent fauna is matched, or indeed surpassed, by declines in the arid-zone bandicoots, small macropods and large dasyurids. But notably the small dasyurids have generally suffered few declines. There has been differential decline within the rodent fauna, with declines mainly affecting larger species, species with the most idiosyncratic diets, and species occurring mainly in tussock grasslands and gibber plains. The main conservation and management actions required to safeguard what is left of this fauna are carefully targetted studies examining the effect of threatening processes, complemented by landscape-wide amelioration of these threats. Additional autecological studies are also needed for some species, and some exceptionally poorly known areas should be surveyed. Current work examining the distribution, ecology and management requirements of the endangered Z. pedunculatus is a major priority.


Author(s):  
John Woinarski ◽  
Andrew Burbidge ◽  
Peter Harrison

The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 is the first review to assess the conservation status of all Australian mammals. It complements The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010 (Garnett et al. 2011, CSIRO Publishing), and although the number of Australian mammal taxa is marginally fewer than for birds, the proportion of endemic, extinct and threatened mammal taxa is far greater. These authoritative reviews represent an important foundation for understanding the current status, fate and future of the nature of Australia. This book considers all species and subspecies of Australian mammals, including those of external territories and territorial seas. For all the mammal taxa (about 300 species and subspecies) considered Extinct, Threatened, Near Threatened or Data Deficient, the size and trend of their population is presented along with information on geographic range and trend, and relevant biological and ecological data. The book also presents the current conservation status of each taxon under Australian legislation, what additional information is needed for managers, and the required management actions. Recovery plans, where they exist, are evaluated. The voluntary participation of more than 200 mammal experts has ensured that the conservation status and information are as accurate as possible, and allowed considerable unpublished data to be included. All accounts include maps based on the latest data from Australian state and territory agencies, from published scientific literature and other sources. The Action Plan concludes that 29 Australian mammal species have become extinct and 63 species are threatened and require urgent conservation action. However, it also shows that, where guided by sound knowledge, management capability and resourcing, and longer-term commitment, there have been some notable conservation success stories, and the conservation status of some species has greatly improved over the past few decades. The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 makes a major contribution to the conservation of a wonderful legacy that is a significant part of Australia’s heritage. For such a legacy to endure, our society must be more aware of and empathetic with our distinctively Australian environment, and particularly its marvellous mammal fauna; relevant information must be readily accessible; environmental policy and law must be based on sound evidence; those with responsibility for environmental management must be aware of what priority actions they should take; the urgency for action (and consequences of inaction) must be clear; and the opportunity for hope and success must be recognised. It is in this spirit that this account is offered. Winner of a 2015 Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation for Zoological Resource.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phan Duy Thuc ◽  
Greg Baxter ◽  
Carl Smith ◽  
Dao Ngoc Hieu

The Southwest China Serow is a browsing caprine that, although found in Myanmar, Cambodia, northern Thailand, Laos, central and southwest China and Vietnam, is listed as near threatened and is in decline throughout its range. This animal also lives in an isolated population on the Cat Ba Archipelago in northern Vietnam. Anecdotal reports suggest that it is declining rapidly in that location and there is little chance that natural immigration will sustain the population. This study applied a systematic approach to provide a holistic view of conservation status of the Southwest China Serow in its range and determine the number of serow that may currently live in Cat Ba national park, and to quantify the factors that affect its distribution. There are no estimates of the population size and status of the Southwest China Serow over its range so far. A comprehensive census survey was initially conducted in Cat Ba Archipelago. Only 26–28 serows were found in the archipelago and these were clustered close to ranger stations and further from villages as a result of high hunting pressure. This suggests that poaching is an important determinant of the distribution and survival of this species on Cat Ba Archipelago. It also supports the deployment of more rangers to protect the remaining serows from hunting. These findings also suggest it is necessary to improve farming practices for local people through financial and technical support so they have no need to exploit wild serows. Key words: Cat Ba Archipelago, conservation planning, isolated population, karst landscape, poaching, population status, threatened species, Vietnam.


Koedoe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy M. Dzerefos ◽  
Ed T.F. Witkowski

The implementation gap between science, policy and practice has led to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout Africa and is described in a case study from Limpopo Province, South Africa. In 2006, the South African National Biodiversity Institute first highlighted the Woodbush Granite Grassland (WGG) in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality as the only Critically Endangered ecosystem in Limpopo Province. Five years later (2011), the Critically Endangered listing was published in the Government Gazette No. 34809. After repeated and sustained efforts for many years from volunteers of a local environmental group – currently known as the Friends of the Haenertsburg Grassland (FroHG) – in 2015 the intent to formally protect 126 ha was published in the Government Gazette No. 2609. Unfortunately, the proposed protected area accounts for only 66% of the largest remaining fragment of WGG, which excludes an important colony of medicinal plants. Considering that only 6% of the original extent of WGG remains in an untransformed state the whole fragment should be conserved. Non-alignment of municipal spatial priorities, as in the Haenertsburg town plan from 1896, to provincial and national environmental priorities has resulted in numerous incidents that have degraded what little remains of the WGG ecosystem. Failure of the provincial authorities to act timeously to enforce environmental regulations resulted in the FroHG successfully involving national authorities to stop illegal land occupation while another incident involving an illegal fence was resolved 9 years after erection. A strengthened relationship with Lepelle Northern Water has resulted in better planning of activities in relation to an existing pipeline. This case study shows various avenues available to environmental volunteer groups in South Africa and suggests that long-term lobbying can yield positive results.Conservation implications: Formal conservation of WGG through the intended nature reserve proclamation represents application of environmental legislation (notably Listing Notice 3, National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014), scientific recommendations and policy. Better cooperation between provincial administration and FroHG will benefit the protection and management of WGG.


Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.


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