Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

Notes : In brief, this journal contains the following: (1) A summary of the

first Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification held

on 29 September - 10 October 1997; (2) Desertification / land degradation and

its control; (3) Implementation of the CCD; (4) Social and economic aspects of

desertification control; (5) Saving the drylands: successful initiatives; (6)

News from UNEP; (7) Book review; and (8) News of interest.

Ref ID : 950

1623. Powrie, L.W. Responses of Karoo plants to hail damage near Williston, Cape

Province. South African Journal of Botany 59(1):65-68, 1993.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : CLIMATE; NAMA KAROO; RAINFALL

Abstract : Although hail contributes occasionally to the water budet in the

Karoo, it may also cause localized, extensive damage to plants. A comparison

was made between damaged and undamaged vegetation to assess the recovery of

species, growth forms and palatability classes following a hail event during

autumn (April 1988) in natural veld on a farm near Williston, Cape Province.

Grazing stock had been withdrawn for the fourteen months between the time of the

damage and the study. There was no significant long-term reduction in species

diversity, growth form richness, percentage plant cover and growth form richness

in the hail-damaged vegetation. There was a significantly lower cover of

palatable plants in the hail-damaged area. It is concluded that the supposed

long-term effects of hail damage on vegetation composition may be seriously

overstated and that alleviating grazing pressure during the year following hail

damage may contribute greatly to successful recovery.

Ref ID : 2061

1624. Poynton, R.J. Tree planting in southern Africa. Volume 1. The

Pines.Anonymous Pretoria:Department of Forestry. , 1979.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOUTHERN AFRICA

Ref ID : 2062

1625. Poynton, R.J. Tree planting in southern Africa. Volume 1. The

Eucalyptus.Anonymous Pretoria:Department of Forestry. , 1979.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOUTHERN AFRICA

Ref ID : 399

1626. Prendini, L., Theron, L.J., Van der Merwe, K., and Owen-Smith, N.

Abundance and guild structure of grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) in

communally grazed and protected savanna. South African Journal of Zoology

31(3):120-130, 1996.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : GRAZING EFFECTS; COMMUNAL AREA; SAVANNA; MPUMALANGA

Abstract : This study was conducted to determine how savanna grass sward

modifications caused by heavy grazing pressure influenced the abundance and

guild structure of grasshoppers. Heavily grazed communal land was compared with

a lightly grazed area and a mowed airstrip, in adjacent protected land, in the

Mpumalanga lowveld, SA. Plant species composition, height, aerial cover and

greenness of grass in the herbaceous stratum were measured in representative

sites. Total grasshopper abundance and relative abundance of grasshopper

species were also assessed in each site. Grasshoppers were assigned to feeding

and habitat functional groups for comparison among the three areas. The heavily

grazed area, characterised by short vegetation and low aerial cover, high

greenness of grass, and high frequency of forbs, was inhabited by grasshopper

species associated with bare ground or short and/or sparse grass, that were non-

graminivorous or soft grass feeders. The lightly grazed area, characterised by

tall vegetation and high aerial cover, low greenness of grass, and low frequency

of forbs, was inhabited by grasshopper species associated with long and/or thick

grass, that were mixed feeders or tough grass feeders. The mowed area,

characterised by short vegetation and low aerial cover, low greenness of grass,

and low frequency of formbs, exhibited lower grasshopper abundance, species

richness, and diversity than either of the grazed areas.

Ref ID : 205

1627. Preston, G.R., Fuggle, R.F., and Siegfried, W.R. Environmental issues in

South Africa: Perceptions of professional ecologists and business leaders. South

African Journal of Wildlife Research 19(4):145-155, 1989.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT; POLICY; ENVIRONMENTAL

POLICY; POPULATION; HYDROLOGY; RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract : Human population growth is rated by both professional ecologists and

business leaders as the most serious environmental issue facing South Africa.

Other issues which emerged as very important are water availability, soil

erosion, rural development, urbanization, desertification, and distribution of

wealth. However, education, job creation, housing and health and welfare are

regarded by both groups to be more pressing issues facing South Africa at

present, as well as in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, both groups believe

that environmental conservation should be receiving greater funding from the

state, particularly at the expense of defence spending, the costs of

'apartheid', and perceived bureaucratic excesses. The overriding impression from

these results is that both professional ecologists and business leaders agree

that the key issues facing environmental conservation are of a social, economic

and political nature. Whereas the professional ecologists would like to see the

Department of Environment Affairs have the power to override the decisions of

other government departments, the business leaders do not favour it having such

a veto vote.

Ref ID : 1219

1628. Preston-Whyte, E.M. Land and development at Indaleni: A historical

perspective. Development South Africa 4(3):394-407, 1987.

Reprint : In File,

Ref ID : 1811

1629. Pretorius, D.J. The development of land degradation monitoring and

auditing techniques with the aid of remote sensing and GIS technology.Anonymous

Pretoria:Agricultural Research Council Institute for Soil, Climate and Water.

GW/A/98/27, 1998.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : LAND DEGRADATION; MONITORING; AID; REMOTE SENSING; MAPS; SOUTHERN

AFRICA; RAINFALL; RAINFALL EROSIVITY; EROSION; MODELS

Notes : The specific objectives of this study were to (1) integrate the Sediment

Delivery Potential Map for southern Africa, rainfall erosivity data, and NOAA

satellite data in a GIS environment to produce qualitative erosion potential and

erosion prediction maps for SA at a 1:2 500 000 scale; and (2) investigate the

production of qualitative erosion potential and predicted erosion maps at a

1:250 000 scale by integrating landtype, rainfall, digital terrain, satellite,

and other relevant data in a GIS environment. From the results, the following

recommendations were made: (a) the Predicted Water Erosion Map (PWEM) for SA

can definitely be used by decision-makers as a tool to determine priorities for

soil degradation management in SA; (b) the PWEM for SA at a scale of 1:2,5

million must not be regarded as a final product. The SOTER database needs

serious attention and with that the implementation of erosion models that were

developed by ISRIC.; (c) Land-cover data produced by means of remote sensing

data can be integrated in GIS based erosion models to identify areas of erosion

risk at a 1:250 000 scale; (d) results for GIS based erosion models at a

national and provincial level should be interpreted qualitatively; and (e) more

research should be devoted to integrate geology information in soil erodibility

assessments and the automatic extraction of LS factor data from digital

elevation models.

Ref ID : 2063

1630. Pysek, P. and Prach, K. Plant invasions and the role of riparian habitats:

a comparison of four species alien to central Europe. Journal of Biogeography

20:413-420, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 658

1631. Rabie, A. 'n Pionier vir bewaring/A pioneer for conservation. Conserva

:16-17, 1991.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SOIL CONSERVATION; CONSERVATION

Notes : This article can be viewed as a tribute to Dr. Ross, a well-known

campaigner for environmental conservation, who died in October 1977. His work

mainly took the form of fighting soil degradation, which is fundamental in

environmental conservation, before the concept 'environmental conservation'

became fashionable. This article reviews his work.

Ref ID : 332

1632. Rabie, A.L. Sediment gradering en digtheid studies van Rynevelds Pas en

Grassridge Damme.Anonymous Pretoria:Department of Water Affairs. 45, 1968.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENTATION; EASTERN CAPE; HYDROLOGY

Ref ID : 2174

1633. Ractliffe, S.G. and Brown, C.A. Molenaars River, south-western Cape:

situation assessment of the riverine ecosystem.Anonymous Cape Town:University of

Cape Town, Freshwater Research Unit. , 1994.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2175

1634. Ractliffe, S.G., Snaddon, K., and Brown, C. The Riviersonderend: situation

assessment, with specific reference to the effects of Theewaterskloof Dam on the

riverine ecosystem.Anonymous Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. , 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FORESTRY

Notes : Report produced by Southern Waters Ecological Research and Consulting,

for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

Ref ID : 863

1635. Ramokgopa, R. Assessment of soil erosion in the Mfolozi catchment, KwaZulu

Natal - implications for land reform.University of Durban-Westville. , 1996. The

Mfolozi, the second largest catchment in KwaZulu Natal, is already severely

degraded over substantial areas. Its mean annual sediment load is extremely

high and deposits on its floodplain have caused very serious financial losses.

Previous studies in the catchment have attributed its soil loss to poor landuse

practices by peasant farmers. There is a concern that this production will be

substantially increased by landuse changes incumbent on the land reform

programme. In order to ensure that this programme does not lead to increased

degradation and exacerbate associated environmental and socio-economic problems,

this study identified both subcatchments and landtypes that are highly

susceptible to erosion and/or are already highly eroded. An unpublished map

showing the location of 19 categories of erosional forms and three categories of

extreme relief features were available for use. The density (and areal extent

in the case of badlands) of each of these forms within each of the 16 possible

landtypes within each of the 43 subcatchments, was obtained and related to their

dominant physiographic variables. The findings revealed that the catchment is

not as severely or extensively eroded as suggested by previous studies. A

substantial portion of the former Natal areas, mostly targeted for reallocation,

have however, been shown to be unsuitable for this purpose.Master of Arts.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; KWAZULU NATAL; DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT;

CONSERVATION; COMMUNAL AREA; KWAZULU; LAND REFORM; EROSION; MAPS

Ref ID : 864

1636. Rampedi, I.T. Soil erosion in and adjacent to the Pilanesberg Nature

Reserve.Rand Afrikaans University. , 1995. Master of Science.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; CONSERVATION; COMMUNAL AREA

Ref ID : 779

1637. Randall, L.A. The use of satellite data and geographic information systems

for mapping sediment production areas. Part I: Spectroradiometry and satellite

data interpretation.Anonymous Department of Water Affairs and Forestry:Pretoria.

N/W200/00/EQ/2193, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SATELLITE IMAGERY; SEDIMENTATION; METHODOLOGIES; KWAZULU; FOREST;

EROSION

Notes : The aim of this study was to investigate the use of satellite data for

delineating sediment production areas. The study area was in the north-eastern

part of the Mfolozi catchment in northern Natal. The area incorporates parts of

KwaZulu, tribal trustlands, Ngome State Forest, the Umfolozi Game Reserve and

game corridor with Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Three types of commercially available

satellite data were compared: LANDSAT Thematic Mapper, SPOT High Resolution

Video multispectral and panchromatic. These differed in both spatial and

spectral resolution with LANDSAT Thematic Mapper having the highest spectral

resolution and the lowest spatial resolution (30 m) and SPOT panchromatic having

the lowest spectral and the highest (10 m) spatial resolution. Feature

extraction techniques were tested for classifying eroded land. A subset of

techniques comprising those which could classify one or more soil colour, was

extracted. This subset included visual interpretation and levelslices of single

multiband images. Ratios using infra-red and visible bands were particularly

effective in classifying bare and eroded soils. The results show that satellite

imagery can be used to identify and classify eroded areas. Spatial accuracy, or

the total area correctly classifed compared to ground survey, was estimated at

45%. Numerical accuracy or the number of eroded features correctly classified,

was 32%. Omissions in the classifications were mainly small or narrow gully and

sheet erosion features or due to highly variable soil and subsoil colours. The

results of the spectroradiometry study corroborated those of the image

processing. The spectral discrimination of soil colour was maximal in the

infra-red art of the electro-magnetic spectrum. This suggested that the high

spectral resolution of LANDSAT Thematic Mapper would best classify bare and

eroded land. The proposed LANDSAT-6 satellite and sensors, due for launch in

late 1993, will have increased spatial resolution (a nominal pixel size of 15 m

as well as 7 spectral bands and should increase the classification accuracy of

small areas of erosion. The recommendations arising from this study are that:

(1) LANDSAT Thematic Mapper should be used for large-scale mapping of eroded

land; and (2) identification of sheet and gully erosion is best performed by

visual analysis of satellite data.

Ref ID : 2550

1638. Rawlins, D. and Westaway, A. Thornhill land administration case study. BRC

Research Report.Anonymous East London:Border Rural Committee. , 1998.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : LEGISLATION; CISKEI; LAND TENURE

Notes : The purpose of this study was to describe land ownership and land

administration functions, both at a de facto and de jure level, in Thornhill.

The case study method was used. In this study, regulators and physical

functions of land administration were considered. The study found a number of

problems with regard to ownership, and land administration functions.

Allocations, transfers and subdivisions are not being recorded. Disputes to

land rights are not resolved by the owner through the adjudication process and

the parcel boundaries are not being respected by the owner. There is also a

problem of local capacity to administer land effectively. The study has shown

that legislation is vague with regard to land administration functions. The

authors made a number of recommendations to minimize the problem related to land

administration and land ownership functions in the study area. This report is

obtainable from the Border Rural Committee, East London. See also ID ref. no.

2339.

Ref ID : 1949

1639. Reij, C., Scoones, I., and Toulmin, C. Sustaining the soil,

London:Earthscan, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2064

1640. Rejmanek, M. and Richardson, D.M. What attributes make some plant species

more invasive? Ecology 77:1655-1661, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 1842

1641. Rethman, N.F.G. and Kotze, G.D. Veld condition in the south-eastern

Transvaal and its effect on grazing capacity. Journal of the Grasslands Society

of Southern Africa 3(4):134-140, 1986.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD CONDITION; CONSERVATION

Abstract : A survey conducted on sites throughout the south-eastern Transvaal,

representing 1,4 million hectares of natural veld has confirmed the parlous

state of composition, cover and vigour. The implications which these conditions

hold, not only for conservation of soil and water resources, but also for the

livestock industry in this area, with specific reference to the current grazing

capacity of the veld, are discussed.

Ref ID : 2065

1642. Richardson, D.M. Studies on aspects of the integrated control of Hakea

sericea in the south-western Cape Province, South Africa.University of Cape

Town. , 1985.

Reprint : Not in File,

Notes : M.Sc. Thesis.

Ref ID : 2066

1643. Richardson, D.M. Forestry trees as invasive aliens. Conservation Biology

12:18-26, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FORESTRY

Ref ID : 2067

1644. Richardson, D.M. and Brown, P.J. Invasion of mesic mountain fynbos by

Pinus radiata. South African Forestry Journal 56:529-536, 1986.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS

Ref ID : 2069

1645. Richardson, D.M. and Cowling, R.M. Why is mountain fynbos invasible and

which species invade? In: Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos: Species,

community and ecosystem response in Swartboskloof, edited by Van Wilgen, B.W.,

Richardson, D.M., Kruger, F.J., and Hensbergen, H.J.Heidelberg:Springer-Verlag,

1992,p. 161-181.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS; FIRE

Ref ID : 2070

1646. Richardson, D.M., Macdonald, I.A.W., and Forsyth, G.G. Reductions in plant

species richness under stands of alien trees and shrubs in the fynbos biome.

South African Forestry Journal 149:1-8, 1989.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS

Ref ID : 250

1647. Richardson, D.M., Macdonald, I.A.W., Hoffmann, J.H., and Henderson, L.

Alien plant invasions. In: Vegetation of Southern Africa. edited by Cowling,

R.M., Richardson, D.M., and Pierce, S.M.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,

1997,p. 535-570.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : ALIEN PLANTS; VEGETATION CHANGE; SOUTHERN AFRICA; FYNBOS

Notes : The recent reviews and the considerable advances made in understanding

processes of plant invasion allow for improved management of the problem. This

chapter draws on this literature to review the problem and to assess the current

level of understanding of the processes involved in alien plant invasions in

southern Africa. The authors first summarize the history of the introduction of

alien plants to the region and of the appreciation of the problem. Next, they

determine which species have invaded, where they came from, why they were

introduced and whether they share any features that can explain their success in

particular biomes. They then review the extent of invasions by the most

important species in each biome. Patterns and proceses of invasion are

described for some prominent categories of invaders. The range of impacts of

plant invasions are then assessed. They then survey the various methods and

strategies that have been used to combat invasive alien plants. They also

attempt to define trends in the invasion of southern African biomes by alien

plants and consider the prospects for dealing with the current invaders and for

screening potential invaders. Finally, they discuss whether recent research on

plant invasions in southern Africa has shed light on any of the major questions

that emerged from the recent SCOPE synthesis. The review is biased in favour of

examples from SA and the fynbos biome in particular, where most research has

been done and where most progress has been made towards gaining a predictive

understanding of invasions.

Ref ID : 2071

1648. Richardson, D.M., Macdonald, I.A.W., Holmes, P.M., and Cowling, R.M. Plant

and animal invasions. In: The ecology of fynbos: nutrients, fire and diversity,

edited by Cowling, R.M.Cape Town:Oxford University Press, 1992,p. 271-308.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS; FIRE

Ref ID : 2068

1649. Richardson, D.M. and Van Wilgen, B.W. Factors affecting the regeneration

success of Hakea sericea. South African Forestry Journal 131:63-68, 1984.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2072

1650. Richardson, D.M., Van Wilgen, B.W., Higgins, S.I., Trinder-Smith, T.H.,

Cowling, R.M., and McKelley, D.H. Current and future threats to plant

biodiversity on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Biodiversity and Conservation

5:607-647, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : BIODIVERSITY

Ref ID : 1319

1651. Rimmer, M. Debt relief and the South African drought relief programme: an

overview.Anonymous Johannesburg:Land and Agriculture Policy Centre. 1:1-27,

1993.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : DROUGHT; LAND REFORM; SUBSIDIES

Notes : Over the 1992/1993 fiscal year the government implemented a massive

assistance programme of well over R3 billion for the commercial farming sector

in the name of drought relief. The programme raises important questions which

this report addresses, including (1) whether such a large scheme can be

justified in terms of drought relief (2) what will be the impact of the scheme

on land markets and the prospects for land reform and (3) whether this is an

efficient and equitable use of public resources. In the final section, the

following issues are discussed: as a form of drought relief, how effective has

the carry-over debt subsidy been?; what has been the impact of the programme on

land markets and the prospect for land reform?; what has been the impact of the

scheme on the co-operatives and the Land Bank?; and what has been the impact of

the scheme on equity and efficiency in the agricultural sector?.

Ref ID : 2452

1652. Ristow, W.E. Veld management in the King William's Town and Komga

Districts.University of Fort Hare. , 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; CISKEI; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; AGRICULTURAL

EXTENSION; GRAZING EFFECTS

Notes : The aim of the study was to investigate veld management practices

applied by farmers in the King William's Town and Komga districts. Data was

collected from 68 farmers by means of personal interviews. The findings showed