Browsing by Author "McKune, Craig"

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    An analysis of subtidal seaweed communities on a depth gradient at Sodwana Bay, on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa
    (2002) McKune, Craig; Bolton, John J; Anderson, Robert J
    The subtidal seaweed communities of the KwaZulu-Natal coast are poorly understood. A recent collaborative research project between Belgian and South African phycologists, however, is currently investigating the diversity and biogeographical affinities of the marine benthic algal flora of this region. The newest leg of the project is focusing on correlating biogeographic patterns with abiotic factors in the area between the St. Lucia estuary and Sodwana Bay, where it has become evident that there is a huge turnover in species composition. The present study examines seaweed community change along a depth gradient (1-30 m depth) at Sodwana Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast, South Africa. All seaweed cover within 25 x 25 cm quadrats was collected, identified and weighed. The environmental variables, depth and % sand cover, were also measured. Both biomass and presence/absence data were ordinated to show community differentiation related to the environmental variables. The seaweed communities are largely red turfs, with a total of 82 Rhodophyte, 14 Chlorophyte, and 8 Phaeophyte taxa recorded. These turf communities showed exceptional diversity with 105 taxa (>25 % of recorded KZN flora) occurring in the total sample area of 1.56m². Seaweed communities clearly change with depth, but the biggest change occurs between the shallow subtidal zone (approx 1 m depth) and deeper waters (>5 m depth), mostly likely due to the effects of wave action; thereafter communities do change with depth, but the effects are less pronounced. Biomass (p=0.049, significant) and seaweed diversity (p=0.078, not significant) were both shown to decrease, and % bare (seaweed-free) cover (p=0.002, significant) increased, with increasing depth. It is likely that these changes with increased depth can be attributed to the effects of increased light attenuation on ecological functioning in the subtidal communities. Sand inundation patterns are shown to be important in determining seaweed community structure, but do not appear to be predictable along a depth gradient (p=0.544, not significant).
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    Rangeland condition in the Ceres Karoo: the importance of long-term studies
    (2002) McKune, Craig; Hoffmann, Timm
    The impact of the small stock industry on Succulent Karoo vegetation has long been acknowledged, and there is a need for researchers and managers to better understand the dynamics and processes leading to vegetation degradation and recovery. Despite the fact that these arid systems tend to hold high demographic inertia, as well as being prone to sudden and unpredictable events, there are few data-sets that are long enough (>50 yrs) to adequately distinguish 'noise' from true changes. This study examines an extensive data set of plant % cover, recorded using a rapid transect step-point technique, for the period between 1971 and 2002 throughout the Ceres Karoo. Correspondence analysis (CA) ordinations were used to show plant community changes from year to year at two sites: one that has been rested for many decades, and one that has used the Group Camp system since 1970. CA ordinations were also used to depict changes between 1992 and 2002 on three farms using different grazing systems. Results are discussed against the backdrop of the Stock Reduction Scheme initiated in the 1970's. Of the two farms examined from 1971 to 2002, the one using the group camp approach has shown an initial lag-period of about 10 years, and a subsequently steady and directional turnover of plant communities, increasing in cover of desirable species, until 2002. The rested farm showed no identifiable change. Of the farms studied between 1992 and 2002, a clear separation was found between the one using the Group Camp system and the others that are only grazed in winter. The former farm appeared to be showing the greatest amount of change. These results challenge the opinion that rested arid region veld is unlikely to recover. On the contrary, there has been a move toward more desirable veld since the 1970's in land that has not even been rested, but has had relatively reduced stock numbers. The more rested lands appear to be healthier than those that have been more frequently grazed, but they are not showing clear signs of change, supporting theories that arid region vegetation dynamics are characterised by a state and transition type of model. An important pattern to note is that changes from a degraded to a more desirable veld are characterised by a long lag period of more than 10 years, with subsequent changes occurring throughout a 20-year period. Thus the importance of allowing rangelands sufficient time to recover is highlighted, as is the importance of establishing, and continuing existing, long-term data sets.