The Leliefontein communal area in Namaqualand is grazed by mixed species herds that have multiple benefits for pastoralists. This study assessed how the management (herding and free-ranging) of different livestock affects their feeding ecology during wet dry seasons a semi-arid shrubland. By using direct observations grazing field, we established habitat preferences, diet selection resources overlap. Results indicate all free-ranging can be considered grazers with cattle being selective....

Abstract C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a widely recognized biomarker for early myocardial infarction (MI) detection, released into the bloodstream during heart inflammation. Traditional assays CRP like ELISA and immunoradiometric assays, are costly, time‐consuming, require large sample volumes. Aptasensors becoming increasingly popular MI diagnosis due to their affordability, simplicity, potential point‐of‐care use. In this study, an electrochemical aptasensor incorporating mercaptosuccinic...

In this paper the use of fenced grazing camps to manage rangeland commons is challenged. A historical perspective presented on fencing and rotational in South Africa. Two case studies KwaZulu-Natal Northern Cape illustrate factors that influence management rangelands under communal land tenure without fences. It argued herding preferred over fencing. The reintroduction could reap multiple benefits such as improving rural livelihoods, reviving customary practice, reducing stock theft,...

Calobota sericea is a perennial legume species from South Africa that has the potential to be implemented as fodder crop in water-limited agro-ecosystems. Apart dormancy breaking requirements, no information regarding germination and seedling establishment requirements of C. currently available. Therefore, aim this study was determine abilities at different temperatures, water potentials seed burial depths. In first trial seeds were incubated constant temperatures 5–30 °C 5 increments second...

Calobota sericea is being evaluated as a forage for drought stressed areas. The nutritional quality of C. from native populations are poor, and this believed to be due poor soil fertility. Therefore, greenhouse trial was established determine the impact N-fertilization level (0, 25, 50, 75 100 kg/ha) on growth plants. Three-month-old plants were harvested root shoot length, well branching intensity each plant determined. Thereafter, shoots separated into leaves stems all parts oven dried dry...

Abstract Nonsustainable ostrich farming practices have degraded large areas of the Little Karoo, a semiarid region in South Africa. The Karoo lies within Succulent biome, recognized biodiversity hotspot. A financial feasibility analysis was undertaken from private landowner’s perspective to examine costs and benefits rehabilitating thereby allowing farmers shift their production focus sheep farming, financially stable relatively conservation‐compatible land use. Our aim raise awareness, at...

Access to good-quality forages is one of the major limitations livestock production in semi-arid pastoral systems. This study aimed determine whether there are differences nutritional quality diets selected by herded and free-ranging goat sheep flocks utilising Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld vegetation during wet dry seasons. Plant samples collected along grazing routes were dried analysed for their fibre, condensed tannin, total phenolic mineral nutrient contents. The showed that a large...

Agriculture is an essential production system used to feed the growing human population, but at same time has become a major driver of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Employing methods that restore degraded landscapes can have positive impact on biodiversity, whilst improving food production. We assessed how mammalian specifically richness their relative abundances varied five Karoo farms in South Africa had been amalgamated subjected transition from traditional livestock...

Climate change has brought about credible changes in arid landscapes which have resulted further challenges for pastoralists who require good quality rangeland resources to sustain their livestock. This study assessed local level coping and adaptive management strategies by Namibia South Africa using a capital assets approach, also explored non-climate related barriers that increase vulnerability climate change. A case approach was used, included focus group discussions semi-structured...

Abstract Despite being an extralimital species in the region, South African giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa , Schreber 1784) are continuously introduced into Albany Thicket Biome of Western Cape Province Africa. This study aimed to determine diurnal activity budgets two giraffe populations Diurnal important provide baseline information on adaptability newly areas and for more detailed ecological studies such as those relating habitat suitability, animal–plant interactions with...

Drought is a frequent occurrence in the arid and semi-arid Karoo rangelands of South Africa. Rangeland productivity expected to decline with drought thereby reducing livestock consequently livelihoods farmers. This study aimed document effects on farming region Africa strategies used by farmers reduce risks drought. A semi-structured questionnaire was collect data from random sample 35 The analysed using SPSS. Most had over 20 years experience 60% them have tertiary qualification. Profit...

Native forages have been proposed as a plausible alternative to the use of exotic forage germplasm due their adaptation surrounding bioclimatic and edaphic conditions, reduced risk becoming weedy or invasive. Calobota sericea Lessertia frutescens are two perennial legume species from semi-arid rangelands Namaqualand currently under investigation fodder crops for within these agro-ecosystems. These display physical seed dormancy, therefore, we aimed investigate methods break dormancy ensure...

Pastoral areas around the world, including South Africa, are resource poor and external development interventions to improve conditions have largely been unsuccessful. It has advocated that focus should shift from stakeholders local pastoralists by incorporating latter's landscape ethno-ecological knowledge (LEEK) in future management policy planning. Through use of participatory methodologies, this study gazed through lens Namaqualand herders Africa reflect their specific needs what they...

Following a field campaign to determine the species composition, canopy cover, aboveground annual production and leaf area index (LAI) of semi-arid savanna north-western Namibia, we present model that can be used by graziers livestock carrying capacity. The predicts net primary (ANPP) from regression equations cover fraction for plant functional classes. We tested output against another fully independent (NPP) model, namely MODIS NPP product. mean 29 sites was 343 ± 22 kg dry matter (DM)...

This study aimed to provide preliminary information regarding the nutritional quality of Calobota sericea, a preferred perennial legume forage species from water-limited rangelands South Africa. sericea plant samples were collected Namaqualand in wet and dry season analysed for secondary compounds, fibre, protein mineral nutrient content. The results fibre analyses used determine digestibility energy content fodders. Preliminary indicate that C. fodders are better content, is sufficient...

Calobota sericea (Thunb.) Boatwr. & B.-E.van Wyk (Fabaceae) is a native legume from the semi-arid rangelands of South Africa. The species has been prioritised as forage for water-limited agro-ecological areas. No information regarding nutritional quality C. harvested at different phenological stages currently available, limiting our knowledge to best time harvest forage. aim this study was determine five stages. Results show that crude protein, fibre, energy and digestibility decreased with...

Climate change in the Mediterranean-like regions of South Africa has resulted increased rainfall variability, a delayed start to wet winter season, and occurrences out-of-season summer events. These changes bioclimatic conditions are predicted become more pronounced and, therefore, could result poor seedling establishment false breaks from soil seed bank, followed by desiccation annual medic clover pastures. This study therefore aimed quantify compare responses three Medicago species five...

Brachiaria forages are known to be drought-tolerant as mature plants, but no information about drought tolerance at the seed germination stage is currently available. This study aimed determine impacts of different temperature and moisture conditions on characteristics five genotypes. seeds were germinated under constant temperatures 5 °C–45 °C increments °C. Within each treatment, osmotic treatments (0 MPa, −0.1 −0.3 −0.5 −0.7 MPa) applied, was recorded daily for 20 days. The results showed...