The influence of size and density of the Camelthorn (Acacia erioloba Meyer) on its keystone role in the Xeric Kalahari
Doctoral Thesis
2006
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University of Cape Town
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Within the savannas of the southern Kalahari, land use practices can change habitat structure profoundly, so that rangelands either became densely wooden through bush thickening or are cleared completely using arboricides or manual tree felling and bush clearance, or are at some stage in between. Demands for the wood of camelthorn trees (Acacia reioloba), (the largest tree species growing on semi-arid and arid Kalahari sands) for firewood has also impacted habitat structure. Large trees are important in the Kalahari ecosystem because they provide shade, nesting and foraging sites for birds and mammals, as well as microhabitats that facilitate the existence of a suite of subcanopy plants. Indeed, large A. erioloba tress have been mooted as a context-depend keystones species, important to other biota and ecological prcesess. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the importance of A. erioloba to biodiversity, focusing on plants and birds.
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Seymour, C. 2006. The influence of size and density of the Camelthorn (Acacia erioloba Meyer) on its keystone role in the Xeric Kalahari. University of Cape Town.