Summary We present evidence of trade‐offs in competitive ability among five perennial C 4 grass species at different levels soil fertility and disturbance a garden experiment KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Our goals were to examine plant strategy theory, using that differed widely various traits their response environmental influences. More specifically, we wished whether the importance competition was less low or regularly disturbed environments (stressed environments) than more fertile...

Abstract. Disturbance may be an important determinant of plant community composition and diversity owing to its effects on competitive interactions, resources, dominance vigour. The effect type, timing frequency disturbance grass forb species richness was examined using data from a long‐term (> 50 yr) grassland burning mowing experiment in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Grass declined considerably 50%) the absence disturbance, whereas unaffected. Annual sites not mown summer tended increase...

Disturbance may be an important determinant of plant community composition and diversity owing to its effects on competitive interactions, resources, dominance vigour. The effect type, timing frequency disturbance grass forb species richness was examined using data from a long-term (> 50 yr) grassland burning mowing experiment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Grass declined considerably 50%) the absence disturbance, whereas unaffected. Annual sites not mown summer tended increase relative...

Forbs constitute over 80% of the species richness mesic grassland but their response to grazing is largely unknown. The influence on forb composition, and diversity two species-rich grasslands in coastal hinterland midlands KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa was examined plots subject intensities ranging from lightly grazed nature reserves through heavily stocked communal areas commercial ranches. Grazing altered composition considerably reduced Shannon both grasslands. Mean declined by 64–84%,...

"Grasslands and Climate Change." African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 36(3), pp. 167–168

The effect of long-term exclusion fire and herbivory, as mediated by aspect, on soils the structure, composition, diversity vegetation was investigated in Döhne Sourveld (34 years), Piet-Retief (45 years) Southern Tall Grassveld (49 years). Exclusion had no soil chemistry surface 15 cm Dohne Piet Retief Sourveld. promoted ingress woody elements, including heath-like species, but extent related to water availability (rainfall, aspect), proximity propagules, duration protection, accidental...

Question: Following the framework of Suding et al. (2003), we examined whether morphological traits (organismal response), tolerance and competitive effect (specific process response) were associated with grass dominance (abundance on burning, mowing, fertilization soil depth gradients in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Location: University KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Methods: Using several pot experiments involving 29 species total, determined vegetative traits, response, to shading...

Based on a study for master’s dissertation, this article reports an investigation of the information seeking behaviour blind and visually impaired students. It investigated whether services provided by University KwaZulu-Natal its Pietermaritzburg campus (hereafter UKZN-PMB) accommodated students those with visual impairments. The theoretical framework was Wilson’s (1996) Model Information Behaviour, Belkin’s (1982) Anomalous Stat Knowledge approach Oliver’s Social Disability. Blind...

Abstract Question: What is the long‐term compositional response of grass and forb species to various combinations burning mowing? Can these responses be predicted from simple plant traits? Location: Ukulinga research training farm (24°24′E, 30°24′S), Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Methods: Grass relative abundance in 1996 mowing treatments a (> 50 a) experiment was calculated data obtained using point sampling method, whereas 1999 determined importance score method. The...

Abstract Flow patterns in the Great Fish River Eastern Cape province of South Africa have changed from being seasonal, with predictable no‐flow periods during winter, to perennial following completion an inter‐basin transfer scheme 1977 provide a regular supply irrigation water. Simulium chutteri (Diptera: Simuliidae) consequently became problem species pestilential proportions, due increased flow volumes and current velocities favouring this species. In study, aquatic invertebrates were...

The mesic montane grasslands of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, which produce cured flammable fuel, have evolved under and are sustained by recurrent fires. Brotherton burning trial (12 replicated treatments) was established at Cathedral Peak (1 890 m asl) in 1980 to understand how burn season frequency control composition diversity catchment grassland. Multivariate methods were used examine long-term (almost 40 years). compositional stability different regimes. species deviated steadily...

Forbs are important contributors to species diversity and ecosystem functions in low-latitude grasslands, where they support diverse herbivore communities millions of people. Native forb assemblages tolerate disturbances physiological stressors (fire, herbivory, drought, frost) that together have shaped their exceptional functional diversity. Yet, compared trees grasses, forbs received much less attention grassland studies until recently. Here, we review forb-centric literature illustrate...

Abstract Black wattle ( Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) is a key tree crop in South Africa, valued for its bark and timber, both of which contribute significantly to export revenue. Wattle harvesting begins with the rainy season September extends May. During this time, harvested transported three processing facilities. The journey, includes stripping transit lasts several days, exposes varying environmental conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, light, all can influence quality bark....

Two of the oldest grassland experiments in world began 1950 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The Burning and Mowing Trial (BMT) tests how summer mowing dormant-season burning or regimes affect mesic grassland. Veld Fertiliser (VFT) examines nitrogen, phosphorus fertilisers lime influence productivity, composition, diversity. Seventy-five years later, their impact was assessed through research output value for education networking. All published papers citations were identified, with key...

Question: What is the long-term compositional response of grass and forb species to various combinations burning mowing?Can these responses be predicted from simple plant traits?Location: Ukulinga research training farm (24°24'E, 30°24'S), Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: Grass relative abundance in 1996 mowing treatments a (> 50 a) experiment was calculated data obtained using point sampling method, whereas 1999 determined importance score method.The consisted...

An ability to tolerate recurrent defoliation likely plays a role in the compositional shift from decreaser increaser species with overgrazing of mesic grassland, but grazing tolerance local has not been extensively studied. The growth response two decreasers, three Increaser II grasses, and an III frequent, severe under levels competition neighbours soil nutrients was examined pot trial. effects especially markedly modified different species, groups varied manner which their responses were...

"Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data Using Canoco 5, 2nd Edition." African Journal Range & Forage Science, 32(4), pp. 289–290