The role of agricultural co-operatives in food security in the Eastern Cape, Province of South Africa: the case of the Nkonkobe Local Municipality
- Authors: Dyalvane, Ncumisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2867 , vital:28110
- Description: This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. The qualitative methodology was used because it seeks to dig out in-depth information so as to understand the causes of food insecurity despite agricultural co-operatives and government assistance being in place. The food security situation was analysed using the sustainable livelihoods and basic needs approaches. The findings of the study reveal that agricultural co-operatives face a number of challenges. These include inadequate funds, poor market places, transport problems, shortage of farming equipment and insufficient water supply. In addition, the ability of agricultural co-operatives to make a worthy contribution to food security is being adversely hindered by poor implementation capacity and financial management. This in turn makes them unable to strengthen and expand their business operations. The study suggests that the government or the municipality should build sustainable water sources like dams as well as provide taps in the community to boost productivity all year round in the agricultural cooperatives hence guaranteeing food security in Nkonkobe Local Municipality,the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dyalvane, Ncumisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2867 , vital:28110
- Description: This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. The qualitative methodology was used because it seeks to dig out in-depth information so as to understand the causes of food insecurity despite agricultural co-operatives and government assistance being in place. The food security situation was analysed using the sustainable livelihoods and basic needs approaches. The findings of the study reveal that agricultural co-operatives face a number of challenges. These include inadequate funds, poor market places, transport problems, shortage of farming equipment and insufficient water supply. In addition, the ability of agricultural co-operatives to make a worthy contribution to food security is being adversely hindered by poor implementation capacity and financial management. This in turn makes them unable to strengthen and expand their business operations. The study suggests that the government or the municipality should build sustainable water sources like dams as well as provide taps in the community to boost productivity all year round in the agricultural cooperatives hence guaranteeing food security in Nkonkobe Local Municipality,the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
- Full Text:
Through the Burtonesque looking-glass : interrogating the psychoanalytic in Tim Burton's adaptation of selected children's texts
- Authors: Van Zyl, Simone
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Burton, Tim, -- 1958 Children's literature Psychoanalysis and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12304 , vital:39251
- Description: The primary aim of this thesis is to interrogate existing psychoanalytical theory, as well as to conduct research on ‘the Burtonesque’ in order to examine two of Tim Burton's filmic adaptations of classic literary works for children, namely: Alice in Wonderland (2010), an adaptation inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice books, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same title. Firstly, the chapters will explore the psychological elements found in the original texts, which Burton amplifies in his onscreen adaptations by means of various stylistic and thematic techniques that have become known as ‘the Burtonesque’. Secondly, the ‘Burtonesque’ itself will be explored, and thirdly, by means of comparative analysis, the investigation will focus on the manner in which such aesthetics aid Burton in highlighting psychological concerns in his films, as well as interrogate his cinematic alterations to existing texts in order to further his purpose. As a keen enthusiast of psychology and having won awards within the field, Tim Burton, a foremost contemporary Hollywood filmmaker, in his adaptations of children’s classics, deliberately magnifies the psychoanalytic components that are often found in the tales. Through his unique interpretation, Burton brings the psychoanalytic approach to children’s stories to a new level. He explores certain themes such as death, childhood fantasies, psychological development and parental relationships, and makes use of specific artistic techniques that create a sense of the uncanny and defamiliarisation in the viewer. Due to his gothic cinematic approach, Burton is one of the most recognisable artists in his field, with a consistent vision that is concerned with cinematic and thematic aspects of his work, branding his films with a unique ‘Burtonesque’ quality that has become instantly identifiable. As a result of Burton’s psychological interest in children’s stories, Tim Burton’s film adaptations of the Dahl and Carroll classic children’s stories can be interrogated under a psychoanalytic lens. Psychoanalytic literary criticism is a method of literary analysis that is informed by the tradition of psychoanalysis established by Freud. In Burton scholarship, critical exploration should take the form of not only a close reading of the original text and analysis of the film version in order to come to a psychoanalytic interpretation, but by means of comparison of film and text, highlight the methods applied by psychoanalytic theory. A close comparative analysis of original literary works by Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll, and Tim Burton’s filmic adaptations will be conducted in this study. Thereby, the manner in which Tim Burton employs specific techniques in order to emphasise the stories’ psychological components will be explored. Biographical information of Dahl and Lewis, as well as a short synopsis of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for psychoanalytical criticism. A discussion of ‘the Burtonesque’ will be provided, as well as a brief exploration of his adaptation history and Burton’s specific interest in psychology. Research methods to be applied in the analysis of the original texts and their film versions are psychoanalytic literary theory, drawing predominantly on the work of theorists: Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan and Carl Jung. A close examination of auteur theory, the unique voice Burton has established through his iconic cinematic techniques, now coined ‘the Burtonesque’, will also be applied to provide a fuller and rounder interrogation. The focus of this project is to investigate thempsychoanalytical elements found in the texts and films, in order to clearly illustrate how Tim Burton’s cinematic approach serves to highlight a psychoanalytic interpretation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Zyl, Simone
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Burton, Tim, -- 1958 Children's literature Psychoanalysis and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12304 , vital:39251
- Description: The primary aim of this thesis is to interrogate existing psychoanalytical theory, as well as to conduct research on ‘the Burtonesque’ in order to examine two of Tim Burton's filmic adaptations of classic literary works for children, namely: Alice in Wonderland (2010), an adaptation inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice books, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same title. Firstly, the chapters will explore the psychological elements found in the original texts, which Burton amplifies in his onscreen adaptations by means of various stylistic and thematic techniques that have become known as ‘the Burtonesque’. Secondly, the ‘Burtonesque’ itself will be explored, and thirdly, by means of comparative analysis, the investigation will focus on the manner in which such aesthetics aid Burton in highlighting psychological concerns in his films, as well as interrogate his cinematic alterations to existing texts in order to further his purpose. As a keen enthusiast of psychology and having won awards within the field, Tim Burton, a foremost contemporary Hollywood filmmaker, in his adaptations of children’s classics, deliberately magnifies the psychoanalytic components that are often found in the tales. Through his unique interpretation, Burton brings the psychoanalytic approach to children’s stories to a new level. He explores certain themes such as death, childhood fantasies, psychological development and parental relationships, and makes use of specific artistic techniques that create a sense of the uncanny and defamiliarisation in the viewer. Due to his gothic cinematic approach, Burton is one of the most recognisable artists in his field, with a consistent vision that is concerned with cinematic and thematic aspects of his work, branding his films with a unique ‘Burtonesque’ quality that has become instantly identifiable. As a result of Burton’s psychological interest in children’s stories, Tim Burton’s film adaptations of the Dahl and Carroll classic children’s stories can be interrogated under a psychoanalytic lens. Psychoanalytic literary criticism is a method of literary analysis that is informed by the tradition of psychoanalysis established by Freud. In Burton scholarship, critical exploration should take the form of not only a close reading of the original text and analysis of the film version in order to come to a psychoanalytic interpretation, but by means of comparison of film and text, highlight the methods applied by psychoanalytic theory. A close comparative analysis of original literary works by Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll, and Tim Burton’s filmic adaptations will be conducted in this study. Thereby, the manner in which Tim Burton employs specific techniques in order to emphasise the stories’ psychological components will be explored. Biographical information of Dahl and Lewis, as well as a short synopsis of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for psychoanalytical criticism. A discussion of ‘the Burtonesque’ will be provided, as well as a brief exploration of his adaptation history and Burton’s specific interest in psychology. Research methods to be applied in the analysis of the original texts and their film versions are psychoanalytic literary theory, drawing predominantly on the work of theorists: Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan and Carl Jung. A close examination of auteur theory, the unique voice Burton has established through his iconic cinematic techniques, now coined ‘the Burtonesque’, will also be applied to provide a fuller and rounder interrogation. The focus of this project is to investigate thempsychoanalytical elements found in the texts and films, in order to clearly illustrate how Tim Burton’s cinematic approach serves to highlight a psychoanalytic interpretation.
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Tillage effects on the aggregate-associated organic carbon and bulk density in some South African soils with different texture
- Authors: Njeru, Sarah Kangai
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Soil management Tillage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2512 , vital:27881
- Description: Tillage operations disrupt the soil structure resulting in aggregates of various sizes and altered bulk density. Moreover, tillage influences soil carbon pools and many other soil physical properties. The objectives of this study were to determine, in various South African soils under different tillage systems, the following. (1) Amount of aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC), (2) soil compressibility, and (3) relationship between compressibility, texture and the aggregate-associated SOC. The soil samples used in this study were collected from six different sites in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Soil samples were taken from conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) land. To keep the soil aggregates intact sampling was done using a spade and carefully carried to the laboratory in rigid containers. For SOC determination, treatments were the two tillage systems, CT and NT, and four aggregate sizes. The experimental design was completely randomized design with a factorial layout and was replicated three times. Aggregate-associated SOC was determined using Walkley-Black method. Proctor compaction test was used determine the dry bulk density with varying moisture content and consequently the maximum bulk density (MBD) and critical water content (CWC). The aggregate-associated SOC content differed with tillage system and was significant higher (p < 0.05) in CT than NT. The amount of aggregate-associated SOC was 1.67 times higher in CT than NT plots. The MBD ranged between 1.77 g/cm3 and 10.27 g/cm3 and the CWC ranged from 9.1 percent to 10.3 percent. The higher amounts of SOC in CT were attributed to the annual crop residue returns while the lower amounts of SOC in the NT fields were due to grazing. Therefore, tillage influenced the amount of aggregate-associated organic carbon irrespective of the resulting size of the aggregate. The positive relationship between tillage and aggregate-associated SOC challenges the conversion of land to no-till for carbon sequestration. The overall gradient for correlation between the MBD and CWC was negative with r2 = 0.23 and a p value of 0.0076. The compressibility curves indicated higher values under CT if the texture class was silt clay.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Njeru, Sarah Kangai
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Soil management Tillage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2512 , vital:27881
- Description: Tillage operations disrupt the soil structure resulting in aggregates of various sizes and altered bulk density. Moreover, tillage influences soil carbon pools and many other soil physical properties. The objectives of this study were to determine, in various South African soils under different tillage systems, the following. (1) Amount of aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC), (2) soil compressibility, and (3) relationship between compressibility, texture and the aggregate-associated SOC. The soil samples used in this study were collected from six different sites in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Soil samples were taken from conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) land. To keep the soil aggregates intact sampling was done using a spade and carefully carried to the laboratory in rigid containers. For SOC determination, treatments were the two tillage systems, CT and NT, and four aggregate sizes. The experimental design was completely randomized design with a factorial layout and was replicated three times. Aggregate-associated SOC was determined using Walkley-Black method. Proctor compaction test was used determine the dry bulk density with varying moisture content and consequently the maximum bulk density (MBD) and critical water content (CWC). The aggregate-associated SOC content differed with tillage system and was significant higher (p < 0.05) in CT than NT. The amount of aggregate-associated SOC was 1.67 times higher in CT than NT plots. The MBD ranged between 1.77 g/cm3 and 10.27 g/cm3 and the CWC ranged from 9.1 percent to 10.3 percent. The higher amounts of SOC in CT were attributed to the annual crop residue returns while the lower amounts of SOC in the NT fields were due to grazing. Therefore, tillage influenced the amount of aggregate-associated organic carbon irrespective of the resulting size of the aggregate. The positive relationship between tillage and aggregate-associated SOC challenges the conversion of land to no-till for carbon sequestration. The overall gradient for correlation between the MBD and CWC was negative with r2 = 0.23 and a p value of 0.0076. The compressibility curves indicated higher values under CT if the texture class was silt clay.
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WISC-IV test performance of grade 3 Xhosa-speaking children : an extension of a prior South African normative database
- Authors: Bickell, Alexa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Children -- Intelligence testing -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5730 , vital:29368
- Description: Introduction. A well-recognized problem exists when commonly employed tests developed in the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK) are accepted unconditionally for use on local relatively disadvantaged populations, as these tests have questionable validity and therefore incur a high risk of misdiagnosis. Cross-cultural normative research has been conducted in South Africa on some of the Wechsler intelligence scales with respect to participants stratified for level and quality of education, age, race and language, including a study on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) for learners with Grade 7 education (age 12 to 23). The aim of the current study was to conduct a partial duplication of the earlier WISC-IV South African norming study that specifically targeted a younger group of educationally disadvantaged children at a lower level of education. Method. Participants were Black Xhosa-speaking Grade 3 learners in the age range 8 to 9 (N =32 ), who were being schooled in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (former-DET) schools. The WISC-IV results of the current study were statistically compared with the WISC-IV results from Shuttleworth-Edwards, Van der Merwe et al. (2013) study. Results. There was a significant lowering of between 20 to 30 IQ points relative to the UK standardisation on WISC-IV scores for this sample of Grade 3 Xhosa-speaking learners, replicating the earlier outcome for Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners relative to the UK standardisation. No differences were in evidence within the WISC-IV sample for the female and male participants on any of the indices. There was equivalence between the Grade 3 and Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners on all subtest and Index scores with the exception of the Digit Span subtest. Conclusions. The results confirm prior research indications of the negative impact of educational disadvantage on IQ test results and the need for this to be taken into account by the availability of socio- culturally relevant norms.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bickell, Alexa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Children -- Intelligence testing -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5730 , vital:29368
- Description: Introduction. A well-recognized problem exists when commonly employed tests developed in the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK) are accepted unconditionally for use on local relatively disadvantaged populations, as these tests have questionable validity and therefore incur a high risk of misdiagnosis. Cross-cultural normative research has been conducted in South Africa on some of the Wechsler intelligence scales with respect to participants stratified for level and quality of education, age, race and language, including a study on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) for learners with Grade 7 education (age 12 to 23). The aim of the current study was to conduct a partial duplication of the earlier WISC-IV South African norming study that specifically targeted a younger group of educationally disadvantaged children at a lower level of education. Method. Participants were Black Xhosa-speaking Grade 3 learners in the age range 8 to 9 (N =32 ), who were being schooled in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (former-DET) schools. The WISC-IV results of the current study were statistically compared with the WISC-IV results from Shuttleworth-Edwards, Van der Merwe et al. (2013) study. Results. There was a significant lowering of between 20 to 30 IQ points relative to the UK standardisation on WISC-IV scores for this sample of Grade 3 Xhosa-speaking learners, replicating the earlier outcome for Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners relative to the UK standardisation. No differences were in evidence within the WISC-IV sample for the female and male participants on any of the indices. There was equivalence between the Grade 3 and Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners on all subtest and Index scores with the exception of the Digit Span subtest. Conclusions. The results confirm prior research indications of the negative impact of educational disadvantage on IQ test results and the need for this to be taken into account by the availability of socio- culturally relevant norms.
- Full Text:
Woody encroachment and plant-root soil interactions in a semi-arid savanna
- Authors: Gusha, Bukho
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pastures -- Management Weeds Invasive plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12139 , vital:39174
- Description: Savannas occupy 1/8 of the global land surface, support a large proportion of the world’s human population and the majority of its rangeland and livestock. Woody encroachment has been reported as the major challenge in these landscapes. This study describes the differences between three contrasting tree density classes in a semi- arid savanna with the view to developing an improved understanding of woody encroachment which is prevalent in this region. The study attempted to determine if there was a relationship between lateral root distributions at varying soil depths with increasing levels of woody encroachment, and to compare species composition and soil water profiles in these rangelands. Three homogeneous vegetation units, namely: sparsely encroached (HVU1), grassland (HVU2) and Albany thicket (HVU3) were identified for the study sites. A Trench method was used determine root biomass and a step point method was used to determine herbaceous species composition in all the HVUs. The results showed that more Decreaser species (especially Themeda triandra) were recorded in a sparsely encroached site (HVU1) and grassland site (HVU2), while Cynodon dactylon was mostly recorded in the thicket site (HVU3). Acacia karroo was mostly recorded in HVU1 while in HVU2 other woody species such as Coddia rudis and Grewia occidentalis were also recoded. HVU3 had the poorest basal cover (point to tuft distance) (22.60 cm) while HVU1 (9.93 cm) and HVU2 (7.73 cm) had moderate basal cover. The herbaceous standing biomass was significantly different across the HVUs. HVU3 was higher (1206.15 kg ha-1) than HVU1 (942.43 kg ha-1) and HVU2 (677.10 kg ha-1). The soil moisture content was significantly different between the HVUs, but was not significantly different between the depths (p< 0.05). High soil moisture content was recorded in HVU3 compared to other HVUs. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that soil depth and the type of homogenous vegetation unit (HVU) had significant effects (p<0.01) on root biomass. The pair wise t-test showed that there were no significant difference in root biomass between sparsely encroached (HVU1) and grassland (HVU2) sites (p>0.05), but there were significant differences in root biomass between grassland (HVU2) and thicket (HVU3) site (p<0.05). The mean for total root biomass found in the study was 2.66 kg m-2. In all the trenches most of the root biomass was found in depth 1 (0-30 cm) which was 2.43 kg m-2followed by 1.32 kg m-2 in depth 2 (30-60 cm) and 0.49 kg m-2 in depth 3 (60-90 cm). According to the results on species composition, herbaceous biomass, basal cover, soil moisture content and the root biomass, Kwezana communal rangeland has a potential of running a sustainable livestock production enterprise if proper management practices can be implemented. To improve the rangelands of Kwezana communal rangelands, management such as proper resting, burning, proper stocking rates and physically clearing of bushes should be considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gusha, Bukho
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pastures -- Management Weeds Invasive plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12139 , vital:39174
- Description: Savannas occupy 1/8 of the global land surface, support a large proportion of the world’s human population and the majority of its rangeland and livestock. Woody encroachment has been reported as the major challenge in these landscapes. This study describes the differences between three contrasting tree density classes in a semi- arid savanna with the view to developing an improved understanding of woody encroachment which is prevalent in this region. The study attempted to determine if there was a relationship between lateral root distributions at varying soil depths with increasing levels of woody encroachment, and to compare species composition and soil water profiles in these rangelands. Three homogeneous vegetation units, namely: sparsely encroached (HVU1), grassland (HVU2) and Albany thicket (HVU3) were identified for the study sites. A Trench method was used determine root biomass and a step point method was used to determine herbaceous species composition in all the HVUs. The results showed that more Decreaser species (especially Themeda triandra) were recorded in a sparsely encroached site (HVU1) and grassland site (HVU2), while Cynodon dactylon was mostly recorded in the thicket site (HVU3). Acacia karroo was mostly recorded in HVU1 while in HVU2 other woody species such as Coddia rudis and Grewia occidentalis were also recoded. HVU3 had the poorest basal cover (point to tuft distance) (22.60 cm) while HVU1 (9.93 cm) and HVU2 (7.73 cm) had moderate basal cover. The herbaceous standing biomass was significantly different across the HVUs. HVU3 was higher (1206.15 kg ha-1) than HVU1 (942.43 kg ha-1) and HVU2 (677.10 kg ha-1). The soil moisture content was significantly different between the HVUs, but was not significantly different between the depths (p< 0.05). High soil moisture content was recorded in HVU3 compared to other HVUs. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that soil depth and the type of homogenous vegetation unit (HVU) had significant effects (p<0.01) on root biomass. The pair wise t-test showed that there were no significant difference in root biomass between sparsely encroached (HVU1) and grassland (HVU2) sites (p>0.05), but there were significant differences in root biomass between grassland (HVU2) and thicket (HVU3) site (p<0.05). The mean for total root biomass found in the study was 2.66 kg m-2. In all the trenches most of the root biomass was found in depth 1 (0-30 cm) which was 2.43 kg m-2followed by 1.32 kg m-2 in depth 2 (30-60 cm) and 0.49 kg m-2 in depth 3 (60-90 cm). According to the results on species composition, herbaceous biomass, basal cover, soil moisture content and the root biomass, Kwezana communal rangeland has a potential of running a sustainable livestock production enterprise if proper management practices can be implemented. To improve the rangelands of Kwezana communal rangelands, management such as proper resting, burning, proper stocking rates and physically clearing of bushes should be considered.
- Full Text:
Woody encroachment and plant-root soil interactions in a semi-arid savanna
- Authors: Gusha, Bukho
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pastures -- Management Weeds Invasive plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12053 , vital:39131
- Description: Savannas occupy 1/8 of the global land surface, support a large proportion of the world’s human population and the majority of its rangeland and livestock. Woody encroachment has been reported as the major challenge in these landscapes. This study describes the differences between three contrasting tree density classes in a semi- arid savanna with the view to developing an improved understanding of woody encroachment which is prevalent in this region. The study attempted to determine if there was a relationship between lateral root distributions at varying soil depths with increasing levels of woody encroachment, and to compare species composition and soil water profiles in these rangelands. Three homogeneous vegetation units, namely: sparsely encroached (HVU1), grassland (HVU2) and Albany thicket (HVU3) were identified for the study sites. A Trench method was used determine root biomass and a step point method was used to determine herbaceousspecies composition in all the HVUs. The results showed that more Decreaser species (especially Themeda triandra) were recorded in a sparsely encroached site (HVU1) and grassland site (HVU2), while Cynodon dactylon was mostly recorded in the thicket site (HVU3). Acacia karroo was mostly recorded in HVU1 while in HVU2 other woody species such as Coddia rudis and Grewia occidentalis were also recoded. HVU3 had the poorest basal cover (point to tuft distance) (22.60 cm) while HVU1 (9.93 cm) and HVU2 (7.73 cm) had moderate basal cover. The herbaceous standing biomass was significantly different across the HVUs. HVU3 was higher (1206.15 kg ha-1) than HVU1 (942.43 kg ha-1) and HVU2 (677.10 kg ha-1). The soil moisture content was significantly different between the HVUs, but was not significantly different between the depths (p< 0.05). High soil moisture content was recorded in HVU3 compared to other HVUs. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that soil depth and the type of homogenous vegetation unit (HVU) had significant effects (p<0.01) on root biomass. The pair wise t-test showed that there were no significant difference in root biomass between sparsely encroached (HVU1) and grassland (HVU2) sites (p>0.05), but there were significant differences in root biomass between grassland (HVU2) and thicket (HVU3) site (p<0.05). The mean for total root biomass found in the study was 2.66 kg m-2. In all the trenches most of the root biomass was found in depth 1 (0-30 cm) which was 2.43 kg m-2followed by 1.32 kg m-2 in depth 2 (30-60 cm) and 0.49 kg m-2 in depth 3 (60-90 cm). According to the results on species composition, herbaceous biomass, basal cover, soil moisture content and the root biomass, Kwezana communal rangeland has a potential of running a sustainable livestock production enterprise if proper management practices can be implemented. To improve the rangelands of Kwezana communal rangelands management such as proper resting, burning, proper stocking rates and physically clearing of bushes should be considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gusha, Bukho
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pastures -- Management Weeds Invasive plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12053 , vital:39131
- Description: Savannas occupy 1/8 of the global land surface, support a large proportion of the world’s human population and the majority of its rangeland and livestock. Woody encroachment has been reported as the major challenge in these landscapes. This study describes the differences between three contrasting tree density classes in a semi- arid savanna with the view to developing an improved understanding of woody encroachment which is prevalent in this region. The study attempted to determine if there was a relationship between lateral root distributions at varying soil depths with increasing levels of woody encroachment, and to compare species composition and soil water profiles in these rangelands. Three homogeneous vegetation units, namely: sparsely encroached (HVU1), grassland (HVU2) and Albany thicket (HVU3) were identified for the study sites. A Trench method was used determine root biomass and a step point method was used to determine herbaceousspecies composition in all the HVUs. The results showed that more Decreaser species (especially Themeda triandra) were recorded in a sparsely encroached site (HVU1) and grassland site (HVU2), while Cynodon dactylon was mostly recorded in the thicket site (HVU3). Acacia karroo was mostly recorded in HVU1 while in HVU2 other woody species such as Coddia rudis and Grewia occidentalis were also recoded. HVU3 had the poorest basal cover (point to tuft distance) (22.60 cm) while HVU1 (9.93 cm) and HVU2 (7.73 cm) had moderate basal cover. The herbaceous standing biomass was significantly different across the HVUs. HVU3 was higher (1206.15 kg ha-1) than HVU1 (942.43 kg ha-1) and HVU2 (677.10 kg ha-1). The soil moisture content was significantly different between the HVUs, but was not significantly different between the depths (p< 0.05). High soil moisture content was recorded in HVU3 compared to other HVUs. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that soil depth and the type of homogenous vegetation unit (HVU) had significant effects (p<0.01) on root biomass. The pair wise t-test showed that there were no significant difference in root biomass between sparsely encroached (HVU1) and grassland (HVU2) sites (p>0.05), but there were significant differences in root biomass between grassland (HVU2) and thicket (HVU3) site (p<0.05). The mean for total root biomass found in the study was 2.66 kg m-2. In all the trenches most of the root biomass was found in depth 1 (0-30 cm) which was 2.43 kg m-2followed by 1.32 kg m-2 in depth 2 (30-60 cm) and 0.49 kg m-2 in depth 3 (60-90 cm). According to the results on species composition, herbaceous biomass, basal cover, soil moisture content and the root biomass, Kwezana communal rangeland has a potential of running a sustainable livestock production enterprise if proper management practices can be implemented. To improve the rangelands of Kwezana communal rangelands management such as proper resting, burning, proper stocking rates and physically clearing of bushes should be considered.
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