Bibliography: Land Degradation in South Africa project

change. Stocking rate significantly affected cow performance and consequently

calf performance. An energy lick supplement, as opposed to a mineral lick

supplement, was beneficial at the 1,0 LSU/ha stocking rate. The composition of

the veld in the low to moderately stocked treatments changed relatively little,

over the recording period, whilst the very high stocking rate treatments showed

a rapid decline in veld composition score.

Ref ID : 1428

2020. Van Niekerk, D. Voorlopige verslag oor Weiveld evaluasie en 'n strategie

vir veldverbetering in S.O. Transvaalsubstreek.Anonymous Transvaal:1-64, 1984.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VELD MANAGEMENT; LAND USE

Notes : The aim of this project was to assist farmers in the South-eastern

Transvaal, by placing them in a position to reverse soil and veld degradation.

In addition, it seeks to improve the conditions of soil and veld and to use

these resources in an optimal manner so that the strategy which is developed and

refined in this report can later be used nationally to achieve the same goals.

It is hoped that this goal can be accomplished within a specified time frame,

according to an orderly, well-strategised programme.

Ref ID : 2267

2021. van Niekerk, J.P. Die plek en rol van chemiese bestryding van bos met

ekonomiese implikasies. Proceedings of a workshop on bush encroachment and bush

thickening held in Pretoria. Pienaar, A.J.Anonymous Pretoria:Department of

Agriculture and Fisheries. :E1-E21, 1980.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : BUSH ENCROACHMENT

Ref ID : 2188

2022. Van Niekerk, P.H., Van Rooyen, J.A., Stoffberg, F.A., and Basson, M.S.

Water for South Africa into the 21st Century.Anonymous Sun City: 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Notes : Paper presented at the IAHR Bi-ennial Congress, Sun City, SA.

Ref ID : 370

2023. Van Niekerk, R.J. Bewaring as sedelike prinslepe in die Suid-Afrikaanse

bodembenuttingsituasie.University of Pretoria. , 1981. Doctoral Dissertation.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SOIL CONSERVATION

Ref ID : 1742

2024. Van Onselen, C. The seed is mine: the life of Kas Maine, A South African

sharecropper 1894-1985, Cape Town:David Philip, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY;

POLITICAL ASPECTS

Notes : Kas Maine lived out his long life as a black sharecropper on the South

African highveld, witness to the turbulent days of the Anglo-Boer War and to the

coming of Sun City. Of his life there is almost no official record. Now the

author has written an extraordinary biography, restoring Kas Maine to the

historical record and, in so doing, greatly enhancing our understanding of the

social and economic dynamics that shaped South Africa's plattelend. Across the

farms of the western Transvaal, from one harvest to another, Van Onselen

retraces a century of one family's experience. It is a story of ploughs and

oxen and tractors, of praise songs and healing plants, of independent churches

and political movements, of landlords, both black and white, of diamonds and

dust storms and highveld rain. Above all, it is the story of one family and its

patriarch, a family complicated as families are, and battling against

disintegration under the twin pressures of South Africa's racial politics and

rapidly modernising world.

.

Ref ID : 1487

2025. Van Reenen, J. A resume of the drought problem in the Union of South

Africa. South African Journal of Science 20:178-192, 1923.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOUTHERN AFRICA; DROUGHT

Ref ID : 876

2026. Van Rensburg, H. Soil is life. South African Panorama :80-83, 1992.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION

Ref ID : 1447

2027. Van Rensburg, L. Evaluation of three ways to grow indigenous trees for

fuelwood. South African Journal of Science 93:269-271, 1997.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : DEFORESTATION; AGROFORESTRY; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT; RESTORATION; CLIMATE; GEOMORPHOLOGY; CLIMATE CHANGE; DISASTER

MITIGATION; PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS; SOIL PROPERTIES; IRRIGATION

Notes : Because of the general lack of information regarding the multiplication

of indigenous trees, and to gain information about the most useful way to

overcome this problem in a cost-effective and sustainable way, the authors have

evaluated three possible propagation methods for indigenous tree species, which

were indicated by the local community as being used for fuelwood. Indigenous

species were used for variation in morphology, physiology, adaptation to climate

and soil, as well as resistence to diseases and insects that may exist, and that

represent specific ecotypes which characterise a particular locality. The

experimental plantings are located at Bewaarkloof and at the Institute for

Reclamation Ecology at Potchefstroom. Overall, propagation by means of seed

proved to be the easiest for many species with the prerequistie that some

consideration be given to limitations regrding the availability and viability of

seed (which might be impaired by unfavourable climatic conditions before and

during harvest). These limitations might include seed predation and pathogenic

infections, physical difficulties experienced by the seed during germinatioin,

and the pre-treatment of seeds for fast and easy germination. In the present

investigation only a limited amount of seed could be collected for certain

species, because of predation by apes, baboons, rodents and insects, whilst the

seeds collected on the ground were mostly damaged and rotten. Furthermore, it

was observed that when the soil surface was too clayey, the germinating

seedlings found it difficult to emerge and often died back in the process. In

some cases not even daily watering could overcome the problem, though a layer of

sand did prove useful in some instances. Of the various pre-treatments, soaking

hard-coated seeds in cold water overnight proved advantageous in most cases. It

should be noted, however, that although local seed sources can produce the best-

adapted plants for a given site, particular trees may be necessary as sources of

seeds that grow as trees with the desirable combination of properties.

Ref ID : 497

2028. Van Rheede Van Oudtshoorn, P. Afsettings in die Bossieslaagtekom oos van

Aliwal Noord, en die verbind daarvan met erosie.University of South Africa. ,

1986. Master of Science.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENTATION; EASTERN CAPE

Ref ID : 371

2029. Van Rheede Van Oudtshoorn, P.W. Sediment properties as a factor in soil

erosion. In: Geomorphological studies in southern Africa, edited by Dardis, G.F.

and Moon, B.P.Rotterdam:Balkema, 1988,p. 277-284.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENTATION

Ref ID : 1178

2030. Van Riet, W., Claassen, P., Van Rensburg, J., Van Viegen, T., and Du

Plessis, L. Environmental potential atlas for South Africa, Pretoria, South

Africa:J.L. van Schaik Publishers, 1997.pp. ii-60.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; MAPS; PRODUCTION POTENTIAL

Ref ID : 1432

2031. Van Rooyen, A. Rehabilitasie van duine in die Kalahari. Grootfontein

Nuusbrief 1:12-13, 1998.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : NAMIBIA; LAND DEGRADATION; STATISTICS; KAROO DESERTIFICATION

Notes : In the past, degradation of sand dunes has been seen as an inexorable

process of progressive destruction. According to the author, research is

showing, however, that this may not necessarily be the case. At the time of

this article, the author was in the process of doing research in the Mier area,

where he was attempting to determine to what extent it is possible to halt the

process of degradation and so be in a position to prevent the Kalahari from

becoming a desert of red sand dunes. The Mier area is that location where the

borders of South Africa, Namibia and the Kalahari Gemsbok Park coincide.

Ref ID : 1270

2032. Van Rooyen, C. Damara help teen bosindringing. Landbouweekblad :26-27,

1997.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : BUSH ENCROACHMENT; CARRYING CAPACITY; PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS

Notes : In this article, the author narrates the unusual story of a farmer who

has found the means to fight bush encroachment and at the same time to farm with

Damara sheep. Thorn bushes are used as a diet for the sheep. Consequently,

area is cleared to make way for the growth of grazing for cattle grazing.

Ref ID : 1325

2033. Van Rooyen, J. Comments on (small) farmer support programme: seven years

of implementation. 1993.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : POLICY; AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract : The Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA's) effort to introduce a

small holder farmer support system through its funding programme (FSP) was

partly motivated as a response to the ineffective but costly large scale project

approach in black agriculture. The aim was to construct a paradigm shift in

policy thinking as well as to institute a shift in investment to provide access

to support services to large numbers of small holders in homelands. It was

further argued that such an approach constitutes a normalisation of an

agricultural support system which could provide a basis for integrating black

and white agricultural services and for policy reform in SA. The programme

approach also provided the basis to support farming within an integrated rural

context. The FSP approach to agricultural development achieved the status of an

important strategy for rural development in SA's homeland areas and it is

estimated that 55 000 people are presently directly supported by 35 FSPs. Its

application is characterised by a flexible "learning-by-doing" and "user

friendly" approach. This philosophy largely explains the expansion and related

changes in the implementation of FSPs. It is expected that FSPs will expand

into a major development strategy in South African agriculture, especially in

the rural sector in the homeland areas. This paper firstly describes past

approaches to farming in white and black areas as a background to the motives

and considerations that led to the introduction of the farmer support programme

in 1986 by the DBSA. In section three the design of FSPs, as concenived by the

DBSA, is provided. The extent of the programme is briefly described and

analysed and changes adopted to DBSAs approach to FSPs is described in Section

4. Comments on FSP and agricultural restructuring is made in Section 5. Brief

conclusions are drawn in Section 6.

Ref ID : 1498

2034. Van Rooyen, J. and Prinsloo, W.O. Review of agriculture in the Union of

South Africa. Farmers' Weekly 99:16-20, 1960.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; SOUTHERN AFRICA

Ref ID : 997

2035. Van Rooyen, N., Bezuidenhout, D., Theron, G.K., and Bothma, J.D.

Monitoring of the vegetation around artificial watering points (windmills) in

the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Koedoe 33(1):63-88, 1990.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : VEGETATION CHANGE; MONITORING; VEGETATION DYNAMICS; RAINFALL; GRAZING

EFFECTS

Abstract : Vegetation changes around artificial watering points were monitored

in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park from 1978 to 1989. Both rainfall and

grazing influenced the vegetation but rainfall appeared to be the more

significant factor. The above-average rainfall during the years preceding 1978

contributed to a relatively high basal cover in 1978. Since 1978, however,

below-average rainfall was recorded resulting in a decline in basal cover,

presence, frequency and density of most of the plant species. It seems likely

that a wet cycle commenced in 1988, which is reflected in higher rainfall and an

increase in basal cover, presence and density. Some species maintained a

relatively constant presence, some increased, and some declined during the study

period. The monitoring is being continued.

Ref ID : 1727

2036. Van Rooyen, N., Bredenkamp, G.J., and Theron, G.K. Kalahari vegetation:

veld condition trends and ecological status of species. Koedoe 34(1):61-72,

1991.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VELD CONDITION; MONITORING; NATURE RESERVES; GRAZING EFFECTS

Abstract : Grazing intensity gradients were determined in the duneveld, river

terrace and river bed habitats of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Under

increased grazing, a species composition characterised mostly by annual forbs

and grasses results. In all three habitats the relatively heavily grazed areas

were closest to the watering points, although this was less evident in the river

terrace and river bed habitats. Monitoring degradation at a watering point over

the long term, produced results similar to those observed from a single sampling

period. The identification of grazing gradients within homogenous habitats, is

a prerequisite for the classification of plant species into different

categories. The allocation of a species to a category is based on the changes

in frequency along this grazing gradient and this approach is more acceptable

than the classification of species commonly used. The use of terminology such

as Decreasers and Increasers is discussed.

Ref ID : 1729

2037. Van Rooyen, N., Theron, G.K., and Bredenkamp, G.J. Long-term vegetation

dynamics in the semi-arid Kalahari. Koedoe 34(1):91-92, 1991.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : VEGETATION DYNAMICS; CONSERVATION; FARMING SYSTEMS; BOTANICAL SURVEY;

STATISTICS; MONITORING; NATURE RESERVES; VELD CONDITION

Abstract : Seasonal and medium-term vegetation dynamics have been monitored in

the semi-arid Kalahari but little information is available on longer-term

trends. For conservation areas such as the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

(KGNP), which is largely protected from the over-utilisation commonly observed

in adjacent livestock farming systems, it is of particular importance to have

data of such nature. An opportunity to gather information on longer-term

vegetation dynamics in the KGNP occurred when vegetation surveys in the Park

were repeated after 33 years in 1990. Brynard used the wheel-point method to

determine the percentage basal cover and species composition of the vegetation

at five different localities along the Nossob River. Three of the surveys were

done in the dune veld near Grootkolk, Rooikop and Kij-kij, five kilometres

perpendicular to the road at the watering points. One survey was done in the

immediate vicinity of the watering point at Kaspersdraai in the dry Nossob

River, and the other about 1,5 km from the watering point, on the river terrace.

During 1990 these surveys were repeated during May at approximately the same

localities. The significance of differences (P = 0,05) was obtained from graphs

supplied by Tidmarsh & Havenga (1955) (Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South

Africa 29: 1 - 49).

Ref ID : 2270

2038. Van Staden, J. Degradation of vegetation resources. Report on the extent

of natural resource degradation in South Africa. A contribution to the "Policy

on Sustainable Resource Use". Newby, T. Pretoria:Agricultural Research Council.

, 1997.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : POLICY

Notes : Unpublished report.

Ref ID : 1370

2039. Van Vegten, J.A. Thornbush invasion in a savanna ecosystem in eastern

Botswana. Vegetatio 56:3-7, 1983.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SAVANNA; BOTSWANA; BUSH ENCROACHMENT; RESTORATION; ENVIRONMENTAL

HISTORY

Abstract : This paper describes the thornbush invasion (bush encroachment) found

in the savanna at Olifants Drift in eastern Botswana. Overgrazing by cattle is

responsible for the opening up of the grass sward and has enabled woody species

to establish. A quantification of this process between 1950 and 1975 inan area

of ca. 100 km2 is given in terms of plant density as well as aboveground

biomass. The loss of herbaceous biomass which generally accompanies bush

encroachment and the possibilities for pasture restoration are mentioned.

Ref ID : 2376

2040. Van Vuuren, C.J. Community gardens as food producing units. Development of

Southern Africa 5(1), 1988.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : POVERTY; CISKEI; SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; POLITICAL

ASPECTS

Notes : The purpose of the study was to review and explain the often "not so

ambitious" projects - the community gardens - which are essential nutritional

sources to rural communities. The study was conducted through case studies. The

study revealed that agricultural officers often neglected community gardens.

These community gardens which are indigenous and acceptable to the people are

indeed producing food with the display of a great deal of local expertise, which

can be acknowledged and developed by agencies. The author suggested that the

local authority, whether it is tribal, community or a landowner, and its office

bearers, should play an important productive and co-ordinating role in the

community gardens. The idea of stalls and markets away from the gardens should

be avoided, as consumers are willing to buy directly from the producing units.

Without huge capital and running expenditure, community gardens could well be a

way in which the ever-increasing cycle of poverty could be broken, so working

towards improving the quality of life. This article can be found in the main

library at the University of Fort Hare. See ref. I.D. no: 2339.

Ref ID : 2090

2041. Van Wilgen, B.W., Bond, W.J., and Richardson, D.M. Ecosystem management.

In: The ecology of fynbos: nutrients, fire and diversity, edited by Cowling,

R.M.Cape Town:Oxford University Press, 1992,p. 345-371.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS; FIRE

Ref ID : 2091

2042. Van Wilgen, B.W., Cowling, R.M., and Burgers, C.J. Valuation of ecosystem

services. A case study from South African fynbos ecosystems. BioScience 46:184-

189, 1996.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FYNBOS

Ref ID : 2092

2043. Van Wilgen, B.W., Le Maitre, D.C., and Cowling, R.M. Ecosystem services,

efficiency, sustainability and equity: South Africa's working for water

programme. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 13:378, 1998.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2093

2044. Van Wilgen, B.W., Little, P.M., Chapman, R.A., Gorgens, A.H.M., Willems,

T., and Marais, C. The sustainable development of water resources: history,

financial costs, and benefits of alien plant control programmes. South African

Journal of Science 93:404-411, 1997.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; ALIEN PLANTS

Ref ID : 2089

2045. Van Wilgen, B.W. and Richardson, D.M. The effects of alien shrub invasions

on vegetation structure and fire behaviour in South African fynbos shrublands: a

simulation study. Journal of Applied Ecology 22:955-966, 1985.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FIRE; FYNBOS

Ref ID : 498

2046. Van Wyk, D.B. Water quality of manipulated mountain catchments in the

Western Cape. In: Workshop on effects of rural land use on water

resources,Anonymous Pretoria: 1980,

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; HYDROLOGY; LAND USE

Ref ID : 499

2047. Van Wyk, D.B. The effects of catchment management on sediment and nutrient

exports in the Natal Drakensberg. Proceedings of the 2nd South African National

Hydrology Symposium, Pietermaritzburg.Anonymous Anonymous :266-274, 1985.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; LAND USE; HYDROLOGY; SEDIMENTATION; KWAZULU NATAL

Ref ID : 2190

2048. Van Wyk, D.B., Lesch, W., and Stock, W.D. Fire catchment chemical budgets.

In: Fire in South African mountain fynbos: ecosystem, community and species

response at swartboskloof, edited by Van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M., Kruger,

F.J., and Van Hensbergen, H.J.Berlin:Springer-Verlag, 1992,p. 240-257.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : FIRE; FYNBOS

Ref ID : 101

2049. Van Zijl, G.A. Boesmanland sal nooit 'n woestyn word nie/(Bushmanland will

never become a desert). Landbouweekblad (25 Jun):25, 1951.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : KAROO DESERTIFICATION; NAMA KAROO; VEGETATION CHANGE

Ref ID : 1482

2050. Van Zyl, G.A. Boesmanland sal nooit 'n woestyn word nie. Lanbouweekblad

(June):25, 1951.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : RAINFALL; LAND DEGRADATION; GRAZING EFFECTS; NAMA KAROO; FARMING

SYSTEMS; DESERTIFICATION CONTROL

Notes : This article describes how, despite 'outsiders'' fear that Bushmanland

will become a desert due to low rainfall, no true veteran resident fears this

eventuality. As those experienced in living in this area see it, the only real

danger lies in desertification of the land due to overgrazing. This knowledge

has spurred farmers into demarcating different areas of their farms into proper

camps and taking certain measures to counteract desertification.

Ref ID : 644

2051. Van Zyl, H. The new soil conservation act. Farmer's Weekly :63-65, 1969.

Reprint : In File,

Keywords : SOIL EROSION; POLICY; GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES; SOIL CONSERVATION;

CONSERVATION

Notes : This article describes how the New Soil Conservation Act will influence

the role of the soil considervation committee member in our conservation effort.

The author answers some pertinent questions in this regard.

Ref ID : 2217

2052. Vegter, J.R. Effect of clearing arid sweet bushveld vegetation on

groundwater, north-western and northern Transvaal.Anonymous Department of Water

Affairs and Forestry. GH 3811, 1993.

Reprint : Not in File,

Ref ID : 2218

2053. Vegter, J.R. Map of groundwater resources of the Republic of South

Africa.Anonymous Water Research Commission. , 1995.

Reprint : Not in File,

Keywords : MAPS

Ref ID : 1880

2054. Veld Trust Veld trust conference on the conservation status of

agricultural resources in the RSA. Du Preez, J.F.De Lange JP, Erasmus T, Roux PW