Meet and Greet Evening Function featuring Symposium Poster Viewing and Book Launch

The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is the last remaining large predator in the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site (WHS) and is classified as Vulnerable by both the global and regional IUCN Red Lists. The Baviaanskloof WHS plays a significant role in the conservation of Leopard in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. Although previous studies have shown that Leopards occasionally use private land and prey on livestock, there have only been three leopard-related incidents in the Baviaanskloof WHS reported to the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) over the past three years. In 2017, a monitoring framework was developed for the Baviaanskloof WHS. We report on the initial implementation of this framework, which aims to support an understanding of the status of the population in the Baviaanskloof WHS. Images were collected from a paired array of camera traps placed in a 3km x 3km grid (40 cameras at 20 stations). Sightings from other camera trap deployments were also examined. Scat samples were collected in order to analyse diet composition and other signs (kills and spoor) were recorded to study habitat use. From the structured survey, we recorded Leopards at 13 out of the 20 stations. We experienced a high occurrence of camera trap failure and, as a consequence, our data are insufficient to determine density, but we were still able to add many new images to our Leopard profile database. Since 2011 to 2017 a total of 97 sightings have been recorded from other camera trap deployments in the Baviaanskloof WHS and, from these sightings, 20 individuals have been positively identified. We will track these individuals over time and we will repeat our structured surveys at regular intervals. Once sufficient scat samples have been collected, these will be analysed to develop an understanding of Leopard diet in the Baviaanskloof WHS.

Pennington’s protea butterfly Capys penningtoni is Endangered and only occurs in the midlands of central KwaZulu-Natal, between approximately 1000 and 2100m.a.s.l. Capys penningtoni depends on the flower buds of its host plant, the common sugarbush (Protea caffra subsp. caffra) for successful reproduction. Protea caffra survives fire by means of its thick bark and ability to resprout. However, adult P. caffra may eventually die if burnt often enough. Plants such as the American bramble Rubus cuneifolius and bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum that germinate in the suitable micro-habitat under the P. caffra canopies may cause fires to burn intensely under the proteas, causing their eventual death. Annual or biennial fires pose a threat to P. caffra as the seedlings need to grow for several years until they escape the fire trap. Resprouting juveniles are not very rare. However, whether the density and frequency of P. caffra are sustainable through mere persistence, or whether this species is recruiting (sexual reproduction via seeds) within the habitat of C. penningtoni and at a rate that will ensure the population remains viable or stable, is unknown. Casual observation led to the hypothesis that the P. caffra population within the distribution range of C. penningtoni is declining. To test this hypothesis, sampling plots were set up at 6 sites within the habitat of C. penningtoni. The P. caffra demographics are being monitored over two years. One aim is to determine whether the proportion of P. caffra seedlings and resprouting P. caffra juveniles, immatures and adults are stable and similar at the sites. Another aim is to determine whether there is a relationship between age of plants and ability to survive fire. The preliminary results from 6 plots indicate that the mere persisting of P. caffra may not be sufficient for the survival of C. penningtoni.

The biodiversity economy has become an important boost to the socio-economic development in many developing countries. Yet access and participation by previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) has been limited, particularly in South Africa. To address the said historical inequalities, the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (BES) was developed. Part of BES included a call for PDIs interested in starting game farms, and exploring businesses based on natural capital products. We aimed to determine critical factors that may influence success in implementing BES in the Eastern Cape province looking at the wildlife sector, and whether there are socioeconomic and conservation benefits. Out of 19 PDIs applicants, 47% had land ownership with verifiable title deeds, 11% relied on communal land, and 42% on the land leased from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). Only 21% of the primary land owners had essential game infrastructure. We identified three critical limiting factors: poverty, land ownership and wildlife farming skills. We suggest that low involvement of PDIs in the wildlife industry is attributed to high levels of poverty, and a BES implementing fund may offset impacts of this limitation. There is urgent need for an intervention of increasing land ownership by PDIs, since those leasing land from DRDLR were deemed ineligible for support. Limited wildlife farming skills in PDIs require integration of new farmers with experienced farmers to facilitate rapid skills transfer. All properties covered a total area of 30826ha. Using the farm size-job relationship, we predicted 117 job opportunities of which could be an artefact of underdevelopment of the properties. Seventy-four percent of properties were located in close proximity to several provincial critical biodiversity conservation areas. All properties contained 21 distinct vegetation units of which nine (9) are targeted for provincial conservation area expansion through the Biodiversity Conservation Stewardship Programme.

South Africa’s tenth national botanical garden, the Kwelera National Botanical Garden (KwNBG), was declared in July 2014 and officially opened in September 2014, in East London, Eastern Cape province. KwNBG was initially gazetted as a provincial nature reserve under the management of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). It covers about 170 hectares and is located on unique Eastern Cape vegetation units including the Albany Coastal Belt, Coastal Grassland and Thicket, Buffels Thicket, Albany Dune Strandveld, Southern Coastal Forest and transformed semi-natural habitat patches. Preliminary ecological risk analysis suggested that the human infrastructural developments and biological invasions (e.g. flora) constitute major threats to the local biodiversity. We documented an interspersion of 21 alien and invasive plant species with 71% of life forms being trees; 67% of the species comprised the prohibited 'category 1b' of national species invasion status, and 14% were in 'category 2'. Consequently, using the unified approach proposed by the National Department of Environmental Affairs, we developed a management plan to guide KwNBG custodial authorities on how to protect the biodiversity of the garden from negative impacts of alien and invasive plants. Based on the state of invasion of each species in KwNBG and its vicinity, suitable methods of control were identified and applied since the implementation of the management plan. Because of the significant role of humans in driving biological invasions and the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge systems in their management, the plan has maximised the involvement of various stakeholders. It is proposed that the management operations can be optimized through collective prior planning of activities and the application of lessons learnt from the eradication and monitoring of the alien and invasive plants.

The apparent population decline of the Endangered Pennington’s protea butterfly, Capys penningtoni, and the disappearance of the species from certain areas such as the Impendle Nature Reserve is of great concern. Capys penningtoni has a very restricted distribution, occurring only in the greater Mkhomazi river valley region of KwaZulu-Natal. The frequent burning of the host plant of C. penningtoni, the common sugarbush, Protea caffra, as well as the prevalence of the omnivorous alien invasive harlequin ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, in its habitat, are postulated to have caused the near extinction of the butterfly species. This study specifically focuses on estimating the density of the invasive ladybird beetle in parts of the temperate habitat of C. penningtoni. The beetle is known to feed on the eggs and larvae of certain Lepidoptera. Six sampling sites within the distribution range of C. penningtoni were chosen for the sampling of the beetle, namely in the Clairmont Mountain Nature Reserve, Impendle Nature Reserve, Lotheni Nature Reserve, Marwaqa Nature Reserve, Mkhomazi river valley area and Mt Le Sueur. A direct observation method will be used, individually counting the number of beetles per unit area of habitat, the protea savanna occupied by the butterfly species. The eventual aim of the study is to develop a mass trapping method for use in the habitat of C. penningtoni, to greatly reduce the numbers of the beetle there to a point where the species is no longer a threat to the existence of C. penningtoni.

As a result of the decrease of available land for wildlife and the exponential growth in human population and activities, an increasing number of elephants now survives in highly managed human-dominated landscapes. Alleviation of human-elephant conflicts (HEC) is one of the great challenges for the conservation of elephants worldwide.  An inclusive management procedure, that stimulates dialogue between stakeholders and promotes active community involvement, is a recommended strategy to reach supported and sustainable solutions at local levels.  In many HEC areas, the management and monitoring of ‘problem’ elephants lacks community engagement and scientific assessment. To advance the monitoring and management of elephants, two mobile applications have been developed by Elephants Alive and Bring the Elephant Home for scientists and practitioners working on human-elephant coexistence and communities living with elephants. The citizen science app HECTOR brings stakeholders together in the process of developing community-based mitigation methods and collects real-time data on HEC incidents. Data collected through HECTOR includes an examination of the reasons for elephants to break out/in, a quantification of the damage and the effectiveness of the applied deterrence methods. The mobile application DCAPP standardizes data collection on Damage Causing Animals (DCA). The app helps reserve managers, government officers, and conservationists to assess DCA cases, to determine the severity and to develop procedures that will best fit the local circumstances in which incidents occur. An HEC mitigation toolkit of practical community-based solutions will be deveped as a co-production project and shared within the citizen science network to aid in the planning of HEC prevention measures.

Estuaries have fluctuating physio-chemical conditions and are therefore very stressful environments. However, they are extremely productive systems as their biota (such as meiofauna) are still able to thrive. Meiofauna form integral parts of the estuarine food web. The aim of this study was to provide insight on the meiofauna assemblages in the Mlalazi estuary, as well as the spatial and temporal variability, and dynamics of these assemblages. The aims were achieved by analysing the community structure and spatial and temporal variability of the meiofauna assemblages along the estuary and at different times of the year. The impact of environmental factors on meiofauna was also assessed. It was hypothesised that the meiofauna community structure will be different along the estuary and at different times of the year. Samples were taken from four sites along the Mlalazi estuary, over the summer and winter period. During the sampling period, meiofauna samples were collected from the estuarine sediment, and environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen were recorded. Thereafter, meiofauna was extracted from the sediment and taxa were identified and counted. Meiofaunal densities differed along the four sites, as well as across the seasons. However, the most dominant taxa for most of the sites, and over time, were nematodes, followed by harpacticoids and foraminifera. Salinity and temperature may be the driving factors for the variability found within these meiofauna assemblages. Therefore, the meiofauna community in the Mlalazi estuary poses spatial and temporal variability that is similar to that of other estuaries in South Africa.

The Gauteng Province has committed to expanding the number of hectares of land under formal protection in 2018/2019 by 9,000 ha, and Biodiversity Stewardship has been identified as an effective mechanism by which to achieve this. The Gauteng Biodiversity Stewardship Programme (GBSP) is a collaboration between the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and WWF Nedbank Green Trust. The programme was formed to the implementation of biodiversity stewardship in Gauteng grasslands through the development of to support stewardship processes at all levels. The measurable target for this project is to publish the intent to declare 5,000 hectares of privately or communally owned land under Biodiversity Stewardship within three years. Since its inception in 2015, the project has made enormous progress streamlining and the processes necessary to ensure effective implementation of stewardship in the province going forward. We have had success garnering support from all of the landowners approached thus far, and are well on our way to surpassing our original target of 5,000 ha. There was much to do to lay the groundwork required and build institutional capacity within the GDARD, and we believe that the time spent laying these solid foundations and building strong relationships with stakeholders proven to be well worth it. The challenges we have faced and the lessons we have learned have placed the GDARD in good stead to continue to implement biodiversity stewardship after the lifespan of this project.

Rural communities in marginal circumstances depend on natural resources to supplement incomes and improve livelihoods. In Giyani, South Africa, villages adjacent to Man’ombi Nature Reserve (MNR) utilise a buffer of natural vegetation between the households and the reserve for important resources. The aim of the study was to determine the natural resources of significance to the ka-Homu community and to investigate their attitude toward conservation. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the following: resources used, attitude toward conservation, and the relationship between MNR and the ka-Homu community members. Ka-Homu residents rely heavily on natural resources in the buffer to meet their daily needs. Ninety-six percent of the ka-Homu respondents indicated that they collect natural resources in this zone with only 31% indicating they also utilise the MNR. The only natural resource they are permitted to collect in the reserve is thatching grass. Firewood, thatching grass, browsing vegetation, medicinal plants, grass pasture, fencing and hut poles, and edible fruits and insects as well as loam soil are extracted from the buffer zone. In terms of natural resources of significance to the ka-Homu community members, 87% of respondents indicated that they rely on firewood as their main source of fuel. In the past, communities were withheld from overutilisation by strong taboos and beliefs, however, this study found that taboos are not strictly observed, nor rules closely followed despite recognising the importance of sustainability. Resources are harvested, not only for household use but also for cash. The buffer is thus important to the livelihoods of people living between the town of Giyani and MNR. It is increasingly targeted for natural resource collection, most importantly for firewood, with little management of these resources. Firewood demand grows annually, despite electrification. With careful management, the MNR could form a reservoir for certain natural resources.

The Mhlathuze estuary is one of the most important estuaries in KwaZulu-Natal for biodiversity as it contains large and ecologically sensitive areas of mangrove and eelgrass (Zostera capensis) habitat which are known to support diverse estuarine faunal communities. These habitats also serve as important nursery areas for juveniles of many marine and estuarine organisms, including prawns. Recent data on the prawn community structure of the Mhlathuze estuary is limited, and the importance of habitat selection in prawns has never been studied. This study aimed to compare the prawn community structure of eelgrass and mangrove habitat in the estuary in order to better understand habitat preference and migration dynamics of juvenile prawns in the Mhlathuze estuary. Two eelgrass and two mangrove sites were sampled seasonally in 2016 and 2017 using a beam trawl and the small seine net. Collected samples were identified to species level and enumerated. A total of five prawn species were recorded in the system, including one caridea (Palaemon peringueyi) and three penaiedea (Penaeus monodon, Metapenaeus monoceros and Penaeus semisulcatus). There was also an unknown species which showed both caridea and penaiedea characteristics, which made it very difficult to classify as either a caridea or a penaiedea. Highest densities were recorded in eelgrass. Palaemon peringueyi showed the highest mean catch per unit effort, followed by Penaeus monodon. The highest prawn densities were recorded in winter followed by autumn. The results illustrate the importance of eelgrass for the life history of juveniles of marine prawn species.

The African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is endemic to southern Africa, and breeds in the narrow coastal zone and on the offshore islands from southern Namibia to southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Adults are monogamous and territorial, and will stay in their territory for life, but pre-breeding juveniles migrate between 150 and 2000 km during the first few years of their lives, after which they return to find a territory close to where they hatched. These juveniles aggregate into groups that feed and roost togeter, and it has been suggested that the locations of these roosts stays constant over time. The locations of groups of oystercatchers, as well as the overall numbers of oystercatchers in the Northern Cape were assessed in this study. Counts of the African black oystercatcher along the Northern Cape coastline, excluding the Namaqua National Park, were conducted during October and November of 2015, 2016 and 2017. An average of 387 oystercatchers was counted in this area, which is much greater than previously reported abundance estimates for this species between the Olifants and Orange Rivers. The largest group observed consisted of 44 individuals. Oystercatchers are not distributed evenly along the coast, with the area between Port Nolloth and Kleinsee accounting for 46% of oystercatchers counted, and this relatively undisturbed and remote area could be an important site for the conservation of oystercatchers in South Africa. The conservation status of African Black Oystercatchers has recently been upgraded from "Near Threatened" to "Least Concern", following an increase in numbers.

The suni antelope, Nesotragus moschatus, is an elusive inhabitant of the woodlands and forests of eastern Africa. In South Africa the species has a very limited distribution in the sand forests of Maputaland. Currently four subspecies are recognized based on morphological differences, but their distributions and the distinction between them remains questionable. A cytogenetic study on captive suni representing two subspecies indicated the potential existence of reproductive barriers. Limited behavioral ecology data are available and the IUCN status lacks accurate census information. Using largely non-invasive sampling of DNA from dung pellets, our aim was to assess the phylogenetic relationships between suni subspecies and, on a more local scale, investigate the connectivity between separated forest patches in northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences indicate high levels of differentiation between lineages from southern Africa, central Mozambique and East Africa. We propose the recognition of these lineages as Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), pending future assessments of reproductive barriers. The microsatellite markers and molecular sexing enable the identification of individual animals, and an initial assessment of population diversity and longer-term gene flow connections. Unique alleles and allele frequency differences support the ESU distinction. Structure analysis of southern African suni genotypes indicates separate conservation units in Maputaland and Mozambique. Thus far all individual genotypes within local populations are unique, indicating high levels of diversity. Future resampling would allow an assessment of movement patterns of individuals over ecological time-scales. Improved understanding of the secret lives of suni will contribute to the design of long-term conservation strategies for this species and their specialized habitat.

The seagrass, Zostera capensis, forms a vital component of southern African estuarine systems as it provides critical ecosystem services which support biodiversity, estuary functioning, and economically important fishery industries. This intertidal seagrass is restricted to estuaries and sheltered bays and appears to rely chiefly on vegetative reproduction, limiting its dispersal capacity along the often-harsh coastlines of southern Africa. As such, these isolated and highly clonal populations are likely to be more vulnerable to the impacts of global change, the effects of which are likely to cascade through the ecosystem. South African estuaries are both highly threatened and poorly protected, and little is known about the standing of the southern-east African coastline in this regard, increasing the urgency of assessing the status of this keystone estuarine species. Molecular tools are invaluable for characterising evolutionary potential and history. We used a genomic approach to evaluate the vulnerability, resilience and adaptive potential of Z. capensis throughout its range. Using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data, we mapped neutral and putatively adaptive genomic variation and differentiation of 12 Z. capensis populations in south and east Africa, tested anthropogenic drivers of genomic variation, and utilised a spatial planning approach to evaluate regions that protect genomic diversity and evolutionary resilience. Although loci under selection are shared across sites, differences in their observed frequencies differentiate sites into a west and an east coast cluster. Incorporating genomic variability in conservation planning is critical for increasing representativeness and persistence of marine protected areas (MPAs). Current and proposed habitat-based MPAs are insufficient and do not align with environmental pressures. However, by including any one measure of genomic diversity, distinctness or adaptive potential, conservation managers may sufficiently represent the evolutionary processes behind the patterns of variation, while simplifying the conservation prioritisation procedure.

Creating and maintaining spatial heterogeneity in grassland is increasingly being regarded as important for providing multiple habitats for biodiversity, ensuring stable forage production, and increasing ecosystem resilience to disturbance. However, grazing systems that employ concentrated livestock herds at a high stocking density to, amongst other things, graze grassland short and evenly have the potential to reduce the spatial heterogeneity of grass swards. We compared the variability of end-of-season sward heights (measured with a pasture disc meter) and species composition (dry weight rank method) in mesic sourveld in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands (around Nottingham Road) on a private property (Wakefield farm) that employs fire exclusion and relentless high density grazing (HDG) at high stocking rate and a conservation area (Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve) on which cattle were stocked at the recommended low density and rate (LDG) in a flexible rotational system with a full-season rest and spring burning. Mean residual biomass in autumn was 15% higher and almost twice as variable across the five LDG paddocks than the eight HDG paddocks. Although HDG paddocks were the most structurally uniform across the property, sward height was highly variable within many HDG paddocks because of selective grazing of some and avoidance of other species and patches. Species composition differed between properties and was most variable under HDG: palatable Decreaser species (e.g. Themeda triandra) were abundant under LDG (15-35%) but rare (<10%) under HDG, where Increaser I species were also prevalent. As expected, HDG tended to homogenise height structure, not composition, at a property scale but did not achieve uniform utilisation of paddocks in sourveld probably because of the absence of burning and selective defoliation. The implications for the diversity of plants and other biotas of large- and small-scale variability induced by different grazing approaches still need to be examined.

Structural complexity in savanna vegetation correlates positively with arthropod diversity. However, natural landscapes in South Africa are largely transformed as a result of residential development, conversion to agricultural landscapes and invasion of alien plants. Thus, we investigated the response of flightless arthropods to rockiness and disturbance in the savanna. Arthropods were collected over two seasons (summer and winter) using pitfall traps and active searching in 16 sites in the savanna biome. Study sites were divided into three categories: disturbed rocky, disturbed non-rocky, and pristine non-rocky sites. Our results showed that the effect of disturbance and rockiness on arthropods vary among diversity measures. For instance, rockiness and disturbance affected species composition but did not influence arthropod abundance. Rocky sites supported different arthropod assemblages from non-rocky sites. Furthermore, interaction between rockiness and disturbance revealed dissimilarities among all paired categories. However, the Jaccard index of similarity demonstrated similarities between disturbed sites (rocky and non-rocky) than other sites. Furthermore, there was an indicator species that was shared between disturbed sites. Greater plant heterogeneity in non-rocky sites may have contributed to the higher arthropod species richness compared to rocky sites. Although arthropod diversity was not lower in disturbed sites, we can conclude that disturbance alters arthropod community in the savanna because species composition differed between disturbed and undisturbed sites. Although species richness was greater in non-rocky sites, overall, our results highlighted the importance of habitat heterogeneity in arthropod conservation in the savanna.

Human-wildlife encounters in the City of Johannesburg (COJ) often end in conflict, particularly with species that are feared or disliked. To improve the nature of human-wildlife interactions, we must understand where wildlife occurs, types and locations of human-wildlife conflict, and motivations for how people engage with wildlife. Spatial analysis of sightings reports was conducted to understand wildlife distribution in the municipality, and to determine whether locations of reports were influenced by land-cover class, proximity to green spaces, or human population density. To understand the nature and causes of conflict in the COJ, we identified common types of human-wildlife conflict and where they occurred, and examined the influence of the aforementioned factors on these records as well. Spatial analysis suggested that reporting of wildlife presence and conflict incidents was higher in certain land-cover classes, such as residential areas with dense trees, and within 1 km of green spaces. To investigate potential underlying socio-demographic influences on human behaviour towards urban wildlife, we surveyed 416 adolescents from three schools in the COJ, and 779 adult residents. The surveys were designed to ascertain levels of basic knowledge about wildlife, attitudes towards wildlife, types of behaviour respondents are likely to show towards wildlife, and to reveal relationships between these measures. We found that respondents’ attitudes towards wildlife were significantly influenced by the extent of their knowledge, and that knowledge develops as a result of more than just formal education received. We also found that predicted behaviour towards wildlife was predominantly affected by both knowledge and attitude. Demographic variables did influence all measures but culture was the most significant of these. These findings indicate that human-wildlife interactions can be improved through education. However, both formal education and informal cultural teachings must be used to have significant impact, particularly regarding animals that have negative cultural associations.