Browsing by Author "Cupido, Clement"

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    The behaviour and feeding ecology of extralimital giraffe within Albany Thicket vegetation in the Little Karoo, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Paulse, Jamie; Couldridge, Vanessa; Cupido, Clement; Deacon, Francois
    Due to their popularity for tourism, giraffes are being introduced into Thicket areas within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape. However, information regarding the activity budgets and diet selection of these giraffes is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve three objectives; to determine the diurnal activity budget, diet composition and browsing levels, and the estimated browsing capacities of extralimital giraffe. The study was conducted on two privately owned farms, namely Kareesbos Private Game Reserve and Tsumkwe Private Game Reserves. Observations were completed on both study sites using the interval scan method, whereby observations were conducted on all visible individuals from 6 am – 6 pm for four days every 3 months (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Observations found browsing to be the most dominant activity displayed by both populations, with walking and rumination being the second and third most dominant activity. Females browsed more than males in both study sites. Dietary observations showed four species (Pappea capensis, Portulacaria afra, Euclea undulata and Searsia longispina) and five species (Searsia longispina, Euclea undulata, Pappea capensis, Vachellia karroo and Grewia robusta) to comprise approximately 90% and 80% of their diet in Kareesbos and Tsumkwe respectively. The importance of flower bearing species (Lycium spp. and Rhigozhum obovatum) increased during the spring and summer seasons in both study sites. In addition to the diet selection, browsing by both giraffe populations was shown to occur mostly below 2 m. Estimated browsing capacities for Kareesbos and Tsumkwe were 25 and 21, and 107 and 88 ha per giraffe, respectively, for the respective browse height strata of less than two metres and five metres. It is suggested that browsing capacities of less than two metres be considered when stocking giraffe and the number of individuals adjusted accordingly on each farm, due to the continuous low browsing of giraffe at less than two metres. Furthermore, results indicate that these giraffes have adapted to take advantage of forage available in ecosystems outside their natural ranges. Low foraging heights suggests possible niche overlap with other browsers, which may result in increased competition for food when it becomes limited. Long term ecological monitoring of extralimital populations and appropriate management procedures are therefore required to avoid the displacement and degradation of indigenous fauna and flora within the Little Karoo, and possible mortalities amongst the giraffe populations.
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    The diurnal activity budgets of extralimital giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
    (Wiley, 2023) Paulse, Jamie; Couldridge, Vanessa; Cupido, Clement
    Despite being an extralimital species in the region, South African giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Schreber 1784) are continuously being introduced into the Albany Thicket Biome of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the diurnal activity budgets of two extralimital giraffe populations in the Western Cape of South Africa. Diurnal activity budgets are important to provide baseline information on the adaptability of species in newly introduced areas and for more detailed ecological studies such as those relating to habitat suitability, animal–plant interactions and interactions with other resident animals.
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    Investigating the diet selection and genetic variation of small ruminants in a dryland pastoral system in South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2019) Schroeder, Amy; Engelbrecht, Adriaan; Samuels, Igshaan; Cupido, Clement
    Small ruminants found in pastoral dryland systems face many challenges regarding constant environmental and climate changes. These variable environments are home to many pastoralists who use the natural resources to sustain their livestock. Due to the prevailing environmental changes, these pastoralists require various adaptation strategies for the survival of their small ruminants. Adaptation is vital for all pastoralists globally, especially those living in semi-arid to arid regions as these areas are badly impacted by climate change. Farming with small ruminants that are able to constantly adapt to variable environments are a long-term and low cost resource strategy for farmers in these areas. Drought is a recurring challenge that farmers in dryland systems have to cope with and small ruminants are forced to adapt to food and water available to them as drought affects their survival, reproduction and production. This is because drought affects the environment directly as rainfall has an impact on all forage and water resources found in drylands. Thus available forage and the utilisation of this resource by small ruminants is essential for sheep and goat farmers who depend on these animals for their livelihoods. This thesis sets out to establish sheep and goat breeds found in a dryland pastoral system in South Africa focussing on their genetic differences and their diet selection during a drought period. The study was carried out in the 582 634 ha Steinkopf communal area located in the semi-arid to arid region of Namaqualand in South Africa. The dominant land use in this area is livestock farming where farmers utilise two biomes for grazing. Using mitochondrial DNA, genetic differences were investigated in small ruminants found in Steinkopf. The small ruminants that were studied were the Boer goats, Swakara sheep (Karakul) and cross-bred sheep. These were the most commonly farmed small ruminants in this area. Genetic differences and diversity found within the small ruminants in this area supports their ability to adapt to drought and changing environments. Diet selection of these small ruminants were assessed using direct forage observation during this drought period in both the Succulent and Nama Karoo biomes. Findings of the study indicate that small ruminants during a drought period will largely forage on what is available to them. Boer goats changed their diets from browser to grazers in the different biomes while sheep remained grazers in both biomes. This suggests that these animals are well adapted to changing forage availability and will adjust their feeding behaviours accordingly. Succulent plant species were utilised by all small ruminants and this can be regarded as new knowledge for small ruminants in dryland systems. Succulent species play a role in the diets of small ruminants in the Steinkopf rangeland and these animals have adapted traits that allow them to eat plants that contain high levels of phenolics and tannins, which show their high adaptability to this area. This study also revealed that indigenous and locally bred sheep in this area are crucial resources for livestock farming in this area. Swakara sheep in this area showed a low level of genetic variation while cross-bred sheep and the Boer goat had significant variation. With a long tradition of breeding small ruminants in the Steinkopf communal area that suit changing conditions, livestock keepers have accumulated detailed knowledge of their animals. Recommendations from this study were to do further studies regarding genetic variation within the cross-bred sheep as this information will be useful for breeding programs in dryland areas and it will add to the small ruminant genetics in South Africa. Because this study was conducted in a drought period, I recommend that diet selection should be observed during a regular wet and dry period as this would indicate how these animals adapt to what forage is available to them. These studies can act as management strategies for herders as it can provide information on how to use the natural resources sustainably.
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    Valuing the natural resources and ecosystem services of Leliefontein communal rangeland in Namaqualand, South Africa.
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Ogidan, Oluwagbenga Olaitan; Knight, Richard; Cupido, Clement
    Natural resources play important roles in ecosystem service delivery, more especially in rural households where livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources for the delivery of ecosystem services. The various benefits derived from provisioning, supporting, regulating and cultural services of natural ecosystems such as food, medicines, carbon sequestration, spiritual fulfilment all support human life and sustain its well-being. Research on valuation of natural resources suggest that the values derived mainly from non-marketed natural resources are insignificant and thus, not reflected in national accounts. Economic valuations have traditionally been concerned with the quantification of direct use values of ecosystem services that are marketed to produce tangible benefits. The scope of natural resource valuations have, however been broadened by scientists in recent years to consider passive or non-use values to reflect the total economic values of natural resources and ecosystem services to societies. In this study, I valued the streams of ecosystem services derived from natural resources in Leliefontein communal rangeland; an area of 192 000 hectares in the semi-arid region of Namaqualand in South Africa. Rangeland forage for livestock, medicinal plants, fuelwood, and water resources from the Communal Area were valuated for one production year between January and December 2012. Valuation was done to incorporate both marketed and non-marketed natural resources which were used within the production year. The total economic value for the area was estimated at R20 156 672 per annum. Value of rangeland forage was estimated at R61.92 ha-1 yr-1, fuelwood’s value was estimated at R25.04 ha-1 yr-1, value of medicinal plants was R2.26 ha-1 yr-1 and water resources valued at R9.45 ha-1 yr-1. The non-use value was estimated by eliciting the willingness to pay for the conservation of the natural resources using a contingent valuation method. Economic value of natural resources in Leliefontein increased to R105 per hectare from R99 when non-use value was added to reflect the total economic value of ecosystem services in the area. Household income level positively correlated with individual’s willingness to pay for ecosystem services. I recommend that decision making should take into account the socio-economic conditions of a community when determining the total economic value of ecosystem services. Non-use value of the ecosystems should be considered especially in rural areas where people depend on the natural environment for livelihoods and socio-cultural well-being. Sustainable and equitable utilisation of natural resources for the purpose of maintaining a sustainable flow of critical ecosystem services should form the basis for formulating policies on land use and sustainable development.