North-eastern Orange Free State Research Articles

The failure of ethnic nationalism: land, power and the politics of clanship on the South African high veld 1860–1990

AbstractDuring the 1980s a great deal was written about the role of missionaries, anthropologists, colonial officials and intellectuals in the ‘invention’ of ethnic and tribal categories in Africa. Today few scholars would question the complicity of colonial agents in the construction of ethnic or tribal identities. Despite these interventions, however, there is a growing realisation that processes of ethnicity formation are contingent on other factors as well. This article explores this proposition by investigating the role of the sub-ethnic politics of clanship in the north-eastern Orange Free State of South Africa over the past century and its specific contribution to thefailureof ethnic nationalism in the region. It concludes that, given the abuse of ethnicity by the South African state, there is an enormous temptation to over-determine the role of the state in ethnic formation in South Africa and to underplay the internal dynamics of ethnicity building.

The grassland communities of the slopes and plains of the north-eastern Orange Free State

The grassland communities of the slopes and plains of the north-eastern Orange Free State

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of southern African Anura: Polystoma claudecombesi n. sp. parasitic in Rana angolensis Bocage

Polystoma claudecombesi is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae (Monogenea) parasitic in the urinary bladder of the anuran host Rana angolensis. This parasite was collected at three localities in South Africa, namely Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve in Natal province, Witsieshoek Mountain Resort in the north-eastern Orange Free State and Bovenste Oog in the province of Transvaal. It is the largest African polystome described to date. Prevalence at Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve was 4.0% and 2.7% in two successive years, with a mean intensity of 1.0 (n=25 and 36, respectively). One of the two R. angolensis from Witsieshoek was infected with 5 parasites. The diversity and distribution of southern African polystomes is also discussed.

The grassland vegetation of the Low Drakensberg escarpment in the north-westernKwaZulu-Natal and north-eastern Orange Free State border area

This study of the grasslands of the Low Drakenberg escarpment in the Newcastle–Memel area forms part of theGrassland Biome Project. The 44 relevés compiled in the Fa land type which represents the escarpment, were numer-ically classified (Twinspan), and the results were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The analyses revealed nineplant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the nine plant communities are presented. Hierdie ondersoek van die grasvelde van die Lae Drakensberg platorand in die Newcastle–Memel gebied maak deeluit van die Grasveldbioomprojek. Die 44 relevés wat saamgestel is in die Fa landtipe wat die platorand verteenwoordig, is numeries geklassifiseer (Twinspan) en die resultate is met behulp van Braun-Blanquet prosedures verfyn. Nege plantgemeenskappe is onderskei. ’n Hiërargiese klassifikasie, beskrywing en ekologiese interpretasie van dienege plantgemeenskappe word aangebied.

The vegetation of the northeastern Orange Free State, South Africa: physical environment and plant communities of the Ea land type

The research was carried out in the Ea land type of the northeastern Orange Free State, with the objective of reclassifying and refining Acocks’s veld types. TWINSPAN classification results were further refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The 100 relev^s distributed over the Ea land type resulted in the recognition of four major vegetation types which may be divided into nine plant communities. The communities were hierarchically classified, described and ecologically interpreted. DECORANA ordination was used to determine vegetation/environmental gradients and relationships.

The plant communities of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the north-eastern Orange Free State

An analysis of the vegetation of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is presented. Releves were compiled in 90 stratified random sample plots. A T winspan classification, refined by applying Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed nine distinct plant communities. A hierarchical classification, a description and an ecological interpretation of the plant communities are presented.

The phytosociology of the thicket and woodland vegetation of the north-eastern Orange Free State

A vegetation survey was conducted in the north-eastern Orange Free State to investigate the woody plant communities occurring on the mountain slopes. Releves were compiled in 84 stratified random sample plots. Braun-Blanquet procedures were applied to refine a T winspan classification of the vegetation. Nine plant communities were identified. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation are presented.

An overview of the vegetation of the Vrede–Memel–Warden area, north-eastern Orange Free State

An analysis of the major plant communities of the north-eastern Orange Free State is presented. Releves were compiled in 264 stratified random sample plots. Refinement of a T winspan classification by Braun-Blanquet procedures revealed six major plant communities, for which a hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation are given. These major communities are large-scale ecological units, each having its own specific species composition and agricultural potential, and each requiring different management strategies for optimal utilization and conservation.

Use of Braun‐Blanquet data for the assessment of veld condition and grazing capacity in grassland

Abstract Braun‐Blanquet vegetation surveys are easier and quicker to undertake than point surveys. This paper reports on assessment of veld condition and calculation of grazing capacity of five plant communities of the Ea land type of the northeastern Orange Free State using Braun‐Blanquet data. Veld condition scores were obtained by substituting Braun‐Blanquet cover‐abundance values for point cover values as required by the ecological index method. Grazing capacity was calculated using published procedures. Results indicated that grazing capacities (0.2–0.3 LSU ha‐1, mean = 0.2) fall into the range of current recommendations, and that the condition of the five communities can be classified as fair. This method shows promise for application in the grassland biome for the assessment of veld condition and the estimation of grazing capacity.

RELATING PERCEPTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ECONOMIC CRITERIA TO ECONOMIC SURVIVAL IN COMMERCIAL DRYLAND FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA / Die rol van persepsies en ekonomiese kriteria tot die ekonomiese voortbestaan van kommersiële droëland boerdery in Suid-Afrika

Abstract Data from 100 commercial farmers in the Aberfeldy pedosystem (situated in the north-eastern Orange Free State, Republic of South Africa) were used to calculate suggested economic and perception criteria for each entrepreneur and to compare this data with actual success rates estimated individually for each case a decade later in 1991. Existing economics of scale means that optimal farm size is not the same for any two managers; the better the manager, the larger the optimum farm size. Furthermore, this commercial dryland study showed that better managers are more effective land users. Better managers farm bigger areas, have lower fixed improvements per hectare, higher income per hectare (both gross and net) and are more realistic in decision making, both with regard to financial goals as well as problem consciousness. The above has important implications for structural adjustment of South African agriculture and offers distinct possibilities when potential success ratings have to be estimated by ...

Alien InvasiveSalixspp. (Willows) in the Grassland Biome of South Africa

SYNOPSIS Roadside surveys of alien plant invaders in the grasslands of the Transvaal, Natal, Orange Free State and eastern Cape showed that several alien Salix species (willows) are naturalised along watercourses in these regions. Salix babylonica, the weeping willow, and S. fragilis, one of the basket willows, are the most prominent species. S. babylonica is the most widespread woody riverine invader in the grasslands of South Africa. S. fragilis (fide R.D. Meikle) is less widely distributed but prominent in the high grasslands of the north-eastern Orange Free State, southern Natal and north-eastern Cape. Both species have, in places, formed pure stands along whole river reaches. Although S. babylonica has been planted at dams and along riverbanks its extensive occurrence along watercourses is most likely due to self (vegetative) propagation and dispersal by floodwaters. It is probable that S. fragilis is propagated and dispersed in the same manner. Although aesthetically pleasing and having many beneficial qualities the alien willows also pose a potential threat to the conservation of indigenous riparian species and may alter the hydrology of the watercourses they invade.

Invasive alien woody plants of Natal and the north-eastern Orange Free State

The frequency and abundance of invasive alien woody plants were recorded along roadsides and at watercourse crossings in 87% (152/175) of the quarter degree squares in the study area. The survey yielded BO species of which the most prominent species (in order of prominence) in roadside and veld habitats were: Chromolaena odoruta, Solatium mauritianum, Psidium guajava, Rubus spp., Acacia meamsu and Lantana camara The most prominent species (in order of prominence) in streambank habitats were: Acacia dealbata, A. meamsii and Salix babylonica.The greatest intensity of invasion was recorded in the Natal midlands and in the coastal belt of southern Natal, including the metropolitan areas of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. There was relatively little invasion in the north-eastern lowlands of Natal but the potential for expansion is great. Little invasion was recorded in the north-eastern Orange Free State except along some watercourses.

Arboreal Coleoptera Associated with<i> Leucosidea sericea </i>(Rosaceae) at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park

An analysis was made of arboreal Coleoptera on Leucosidea sericea from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the north-eastern Orange Free State, Republic of South Africa. Five sites were selected from which samples were taken, using a beating technique, at equal intensity, during 13 consecutive months. A total of 117 species representing 35 families were recorded and allocated to four guilds, namely phytophages (47 species), predators (44 species), scavengers (16 species) and tourists (10 species). This diversity is attributed to the structural complexity and range of the host plant. The scarcity of a large number of these species is primarily ascribed to a high seasonal turnover rate. Species diversity and numbers of individuals were found to vary between the different study sites and are attributed to the growth stage and condition of the host plant, as well as the effect of sun and shade on activity cycles and the choice of feeding levels.

Slope Development on the Clarens Sandstone Formation in the Northeastern Orange Free State

Abstract The landscape on the Clarens Sandstone Formation in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (northeastern Orange Free State) is characterised by slope forms exhibiting rectilinear elements. In general, such slopes are of two types: cliff-talus slope combinations on which both elements are rectilinear, and bedrock slopes inclined at angles of 30°–35° which constitute entire valley sides. Vertical and near-vertical cliffs are strength eqUilibrium forms in that their gradients are in equilibrium with the mass strength of the sandstone. Lower-angled rectilinear bedrock slopes are not in strength equilibrium, and they are not structurally controlled. Consequently their forms are determined by the action of denudational processes. Analyses of slope forms, the mechanical characteristics of the bedrock, and the nature of debris on the slopes indicate that different forms reflect a sequence of stages in slope development, and that the rectilinear bedrock slopes are equilibrium transport slopes which have ...

A checklist of Pteridophyta of the north-eastern Orange Free State

A checklist of Pteridophyta recorded within a defined area of the north-eastern Orange Free State is presented. The geology, climate and vegetation of this area are discussed in brief.

Baselevel, Grade and Peneplain

Baselevel, Grade and Peneplain