Masters Degrees (Ecology)
Recent Submissions
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Assessing the trade of reptile species in the South African pet trade.
(2021)Despite the negative impacts that the pet trade has on the native and non-native biodiversity, economy and human health, the research suggests that the demand for pets and the extent of trade in live animals as pets has ... -
Development and application of novel ornithological survey methods for the detection of cryptic avian indicator species that predict grassland health.
(2021)The anthropogenic pressure on South African grasslands to meet the needs of the burgeoning human population has exposed them to extensive permanent transformation and degradation. Indicator species may identify changes ... -
Interactive effects of fire history and elevated 2 temperature on aboveground productivity in a high 3 altitude mesic grassland in South Africa.
(2021)Abstract available in PDF. -
Role and effects of wild southern African ungulates on seed dispersal of selected alien invasive plants.
(2021)Abstract available in PDF. -
The contribution of goats to household food security in selected communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2021)The growth of the human population in the world has been occurring at a rapid rate. This presents a challenge of how the world food demands will be met. These challenges are always felt the most in developing countries, ... -
Ant community responses to fertiliser application and disturbance in a mistbelt grassland, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2021)Abstract available in PDF. -
Protected area management and planning challenges: sustainability and integrity – a cursory investigation of the role of the management plan.
(2021)Formally established protected areas in South Africa date back to the turn of the 19th century, yet requirements for protected area management plans only became mandatory approximately a century later. Before the ... -
Influences of bush encroachment and intensity on small mammals in a mesic savanna, Pretoria, South Africa.
(2021)Abstract available in pdf. -
Aspects of the urban ecology of the Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)
(2021)Abstract available in PDF. -
Ecology of the South African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) across a land-use gradient in central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2020)Abstract available in pdf. -
Parthenium hysterophorus distribution and efficacy of control in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
(2020)Abstract available in pdf. -
Impacts of foraging behavior [sic] by Cape porcupines and their effects on nutrient cycling in mesic savannas.
(2021)Through feeding and associated activities, herbivores play a major role in determining the structure of savannas. The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) is a semi-fossorial, large (ca. 12 kg) herbivorous rodent ... -
Effects of increased temperature on growth and nutritional value of mesic grasslands, with or without woody legume seedling competition.
(2020)Mesic grasslands are complex ecosystems covered in grasses and other graminoid vegetation. The species composition varies due to variation in rainfall and temperature; these grasslands are climatically supported. They ... -
Fleshy-fruited invasive plant species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: native avian seed dispersal and impact assessment.
(2019)Globally, alien plant species have been recognised as a major threat to biodiversity. The increased global trade and travel have resulted in the increased introduction of new species. Direct or indirect introductions of ... -
Assessment of the current ecological integrity of the uMngeni River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using fish community structures and attributes of the Labeobarbus natalensis (Castelnau, 1861) populations.
(2019)Rivers are the main source of freshwater water for human communities and provide people with numerous ecosystem services such as water purification, transportation, power generation, food supply, and water for domestic, ... -
The effects of Chromolaena odorata on tree growth dynamics at Buffelsdraai Landfill site.
(2019)Ecological restoration is a process which assists the recovery of an ecosystem which was previously disturbed or degraded. Through continuous disturbances, invasive alien plants (IAPs) are able to successfully spread and ... -
The breeding system and demography of the Transvaal Sesame-bush, Sesamothamnus lugardii (Pedaliaceae)
(2019)The aim of this research was to assess the breeding system, pollination relationship and demography of the Transvaal Sesame-bush, Sesamothamnus lugardii N. E. Br. Ex Stapf. (Pedaliaceae). S. lugardii is an arid savanna ... -
Snake population declines and conservation: a global synthesis, and perspectives from southern Africa, based on long-term field observations.
(2018)Amphibian and reptile declines have been documented from across the globe in recent decades. This is a result of anthropogenically driven effects including transformation of the landscape, habitat destruction, environmental ... -
Management of multiple stressors to the lower reach of the Thukela River ecosystem.
(2019)South Africa is a water scarce country which is experiencing an increase in the demand and development of water resources. The Thukela River in KwaZulu-Natal is the second largest river in South Africa and the largest in ... -
Assessment of spatial and temporal variation in water quality of the Pienaars River, Limpopo water management area.
(2018)Abstract available in pdf.