Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorKruger, Laurenceen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorBond, William Jen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorMidgley, Jeremy Jen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHempson, Garethen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-10T06:34:52Z
dc.date.available2017-11-10T06:34:52Z
dc.date.issued2004en_ZA
dc.date.updated2017-03-10T14:51:00Z
dc.description.abstractThe effectiveness of the structural defences of Acacias vary within and between species as a result of differences in thorn type (hooks versus spines) and branching architecture. This study aims to develop methods for quantifying the effectiveness of defences, thereby allowing for comparisons between individuals and localities. Measurements of a range of thorn and branching parameters of eight Acacia species were used to calculate three indices (stripping, biting and branching) describing different components of Acacia structural defences. These were combined to form an overall defence index that was tested against the results of three feeding simulation tests as well as actual animal feeding rates obtained from trials using nyala held in bomas. The stripping, biting and branching indices were shown to provide a good measure of the different components of a structural defence, although the scaling of their contribution to an overall defence index is complicated by variation in the suite of browsers and the resources available at a locality. The indices developed in this study provide a useful tool for assessing the role of large mammal herbivory in different environments when attempting to understand variation in the life history strategies of Acacias.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationHempson, G. (2004). <i>Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26121en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHempson, Gareth. <i>"Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26121en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHempson, G. 2004. Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Hempson, Gareth AB - The effectiveness of the structural defences of Acacias vary within and between species as a result of differences in thorn type (hooks versus spines) and branching architecture. This study aims to develop methods for quantifying the effectiveness of defences, thereby allowing for comparisons between individuals and localities. Measurements of a range of thorn and branching parameters of eight Acacia species were used to calculate three indices (stripping, biting and branching) describing different components of Acacia structural defences. These were combined to form an overall defence index that was tested against the results of three feeding simulation tests as well as actual animal feeding rates obtained from trials using nyala held in bomas. The stripping, biting and branching indices were shown to provide a good measure of the different components of a structural defence, although the scaling of their contribution to an overall defence index is complicated by variation in the suite of browsers and the resources available at a locality. The indices developed in this study provide a useful tool for assessing the role of large mammal herbivory in different environments when attempting to understand variation in the life history strategies of Acacias. DA - 2004 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2004 T1 - Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture TI - Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26121 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/26121
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHempson G. Quantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architecture. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2004 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26121en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherSystematics and Biodiversity Sciencesen_ZA
dc.subject.otherPlant Ecologyen_ZA
dc.titleQuantifying Acacia defences : understanding the role of hooks, spines and architectureen_ZA
dc.typeBachelor Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelHonours
dc.type.qualificationnameBSc (Hons)en_ZA
uct.type.filetype
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Hempson_Quantifying_Acacia_2004_1.pdf
Size:
849.19 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Other Theses