Browsing by Subject "Namaqualand"
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- ItemOpen AccessFlowering phenology in the arid winter rainfall region of southern Africa(1994) Struck, MThe impact of physical factors on the flowering phenology of a succulent karroid community in the winter rainfall region of the northwestern Cape, South Africa, based upon a three year study on permanent plots, is examined, (in the permanent plots, flowering of the shrubby species extended over a period of 4 to 4'/i> months each year, while blooming ot the therophytes peaked m the first half of the flowering season. Species composition and numbers of individuals in the therophytes and geophytes offering flowers varied greatly according to the pattern and amount of seasonal precipitation. Despite these variations a consistent flowering sequence between the years was observed. Possible relations between the flowering phenology and the climatic variables are discussed in detail. The present data suggest that the onset of flowering is determined indirectly by the first drop in temperature in autumn, indicating the beginning of the rainy season and presumably the start of the growing period, and/or by the increase of temperatures in the beginning of spring. The pattern and amount of rainfall within a given season mainly influenced the duration of anthesis and the number of flowers produced.
- ItemRestrictedThe phenological pattern of vegetation in Namaqualand, South Africa and its climatic correlates using NOAA-AVHRR NDVI Data(Taylor & Francis, 2005) Fox, S C; Hoffman, M T; Hoare, DRemote sensing techniques were used to reveal the vegetation patterns in the greater Namaqualand area and to relate them to climatic variables. We related the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) to a range of different rainfall and temperature indices. Mean annual NDVI is significantly related to precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (PET). A multiple regression model explains 52% of the variance when Mean Annual NDVI is related to climatic variables. Mean NDVI in August (the month of maximum NDVI in most of Namaqualand) is significantly related to PET and the current plus two previous months of precipitation. A multiple regression model for mean NDVI in August and climatic variables explains 57% of the variance. We also assessed the annual and seasonal NDVI pattern exhibited within seven different vegetation types. The climatic variables influencing the summer rainfall and winter rainfall vegetation types differ significantly from each other. All vegetation types have a peak NDVI signal in August although Mountain Fynbos and North Western Mountain Renosterveld values are significantly higher than the rest. Upland, Lowland and Strandveld Succulent Karoo exhibit similar NDVI responses while the two summer rainfall vegetation types (Bushmanland and Orange River Nama Karoo) have a very low NDVI signal throughout the year. The results suggest that NDVI can be used successfully to detect growth and phenology patterns within different vegetation types in Namaqualand.
- ItemRestrictedShell middens in Namaqualand: Two Later Stone Age sites at Rooiwalbaai, Northern Cape Province, South Africa(South African Archaeological Society, 2005) Orton, J; Hart, T J; Halkett, D JThis paper contributes to the very limited body of archaeological knowledge from the Northern Cape Namaqualand coastline. Excavations at two Later Stone Age open shell middens from this area are described and discussed. Both sites have finely crafted lithic assemblages and, although one contains possible cow bones, their faunal remains indicate a subsistence strategy consistent with a foraging economy. Although the bead and pottery samples are small, provisionally they may indicate a different interpretation to that offered for similar materials from the Western Cape. The spatial patterning among the shellfish at one of the sites supports our suggestion that the archaeological content of deflation hollows generally represents palimpsests of occupation. It is clear that further research will be required before significant patterns can be described for the Later Stone Age of Namaqualand
- ItemOpen AccessThe men who would not march: the surrender of Concordia Namaqualand April 1902(2011) Von Zeil, A G; Thomas, David GThose texts which have paid any attention to the surrender of the copper mining centre of Concordia in Namaqualand to General Smuts in April 1902, invariably blame this 'disgrace' on the cowardice of the elderly commandant, Captain F. Phillips, manager of the Concordia mine. Using documents retrieved from the South African National Archives, the authors argue that in fact the main reason for the surrender was a mutiny by the 100-odd coloured members of the Town Guard, who defied an order to abandon Concordia and march to O'okiep, since that would have meant leaving their families at the mercy of the Boers. However, the Town Guard had little chance of holding Concordia and when Smuts offered to spare it from destruction in exchange for its surrender, Phillips accepted. It is argued that this decision was commonsensical rather than cowardly. In advancing an alternative narrative to that of 'cowardly capitulation', the article also emphasises the unique nature of the Concordia mutiny as an act of resistance to what today would be considered white racism.