Vhembe Biosphere Reserve Research Articles

Soutpansberg Mountain: a spider hotspot in the Limpopo Province of South Africa (Arachnida, Araneae)

The Soutpansberg Mountain (SM) range in the northern part of the Limpopo Province within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, is a refuge for high diversity of organisms due to its geological history and location. As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), the spider diversity of the Soutpansberg Mountain was determined over 27 years: 58 families, 293 genera, and 585 species were recorded. The Salticidae with 85 species, followed by Thomisidae (81 species), Araneidae, and Gnaphosidae, with 45 species each, are the most species-rich, while 11 families are represented by single species. Global distributions, endemicity, and conservation assessment are provided for each species using IUCN criteria. Most species (516, 88.1%) are widely distributed with no known threats and are of Least Concern, whereas eight species (1.4%) are of special concern. Of these, five species are Rare and one each is Critically Rare, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened. Twenty-five new species have been described from the SM since 1997, but 17 species (2.9%) are still Data Deficient, and 44 species were not evaluated due to unresolved taxonomy. The SM represents a spider biodiversity hotspot in the Limpopo Province, representing 25.4% of the total spider fauna of South Africa and 64.3% of the known spider fauna of the Limpopo Province.

Perceptions, Knowledge, and Invasion Extent of Lantana camara on Household Yards in Rural Communities in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Studies on human perceptions of Lantana camara invasion are needed to inform management. This study used a two-pronged approach to assess perceptions, knowledge, and uses of L. camara in rural communities as well as evaluate its invasion extent in household yards of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo province of South Africa. Results from 300 face-to-face household interviews and household ecological surveys showed that most villagers know of L. camara but are not aware that it is an invasive alien plant. Both people’s responses and ecological household yard surveys show that the plant is on properties and is expanding. Few benefits compared to negative impacts were mentioned. Local communities are implementing control measures; however, they need assistance from the government. The results highlight the need to incorporate local and individual clearing initiatives into the current broader national control programmes, such as the Working for Water clearing programme.

Perceptions on utilization, population, and factors that affecting local distribution of Mimusops zeyheri in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Abstract. Lubisi NP, Ramarumo LJ, Manyaga M, Mbeng WO, Mokgehle S. 2023. Perceptions on utilization, population, and factors that affecting local distribution of Mimusops zeyheri in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Biodiversitas 24: 6432-6439. Mimusops zeyheri Sond., was once an important plant species to local communities in Southern Africa but nowadays is considered as underutilized plant. Undoubtedly, the neglect of indigenous knowledge associated with M zeyheri could lead to its gradual disappearance. This study aimed to evaluate local people‘s perceptions about the contribution of M. zeyheri to their livelihoods, population status and factors affecting its local distributions in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Semi-structured research questionnaires were administered to 52 randomly selected respondents. The majority of respondents (67.31%) perceived the decline in the population of M. zeyheri within the studied sites. More than three-quarters of laypeople (78.6%), two-thirds of farmers (66.7%), and 57.1% of environmentalists stated that M. zeyheri possessed more economic benefits than other livelihood benefits. A total percentage of 44.20% of participants perceived fire as the main factor that negatively affects the distribution of M. zeyheri in the studied regions. Documenting information about people's perceptions regarding the contributions of M. zeyheri to local livelihoods and assessing factors that affect its local distribution is a fundamental step toward understanding its associated sociocultural values, socio-economic, and threats. Future studies should incorporate both ethnobotanical and ecological data-gathering methods and validations.

A review of threatened plant species utilization, conservation status and distribution in the Vhembe biosphere reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa

A review of threatened plant species utilization, conservation status and distribution in the Vhembe biosphere reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa

Harvesting distance effect on tree species diversity in traditional agroforestry landscape: a case of Vhembe Biosphere Reserve in South Africa

AbstractTraditional agroforestry has been recognised to contribute to biodiversity conservation; however, biodiversity strategies often lack information about drivers of tree species diversity loss, which is crucial for decision-making. Anthropogenic disturbance has positive and negative effects on tree species richness and diversity. This study was conducted in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, and used distance from the nucleus of the community to the forest as a parameter to assess tree species richness and diversity. Vegetation data were collected using three transects of 150 m in each distance level and sampled a total area of 1000 m2by sampling five rectangular plots of 20 m2 × 10 m2(200 m2). Data analysis was conducted using Chao1, PERMANOVA,nMDS, PERMDISP, DISTLIM,dbRDA and SIMPER. The findings are in consonant with distance decay of community similarity hypotheses, with estimated tree species richness of 76, 93 and 95 species in an immediate distance, intermediate distance and far distance, respectively. Moreover, the highest species variation was observed at an intermediate distance, which indicates that there is greater species composition at an intermediate distance compared to immediate and far distances. The results confirm that the distance and associated factors have major detrimental effects on tree species richness and biodiversity in traditional agroforestry landscapes. Harvesting of provisioning ecosystem services is found and known to be extremely high in the study area. Effective interventions such as planting indigenous trees and conserving the existing vegetation must be implemented to reduce and halt overexploitation.

Comparison of Satellite Platform for Mapping the Distribution of Mauritius Thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) and River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve

Mapping and tracking invasive alien plant species (IAPS) and their invasiveness can be achieved using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS). Continuous monitoring using RS, GIS and modelling are fundamental tools for informing invasion and management strategies. Using systematic comparisons, we look at three remote sensing imagery platforms and how accurately they can be classified within the Vhembe biosphere reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Supervised classification of National Geospatial Information Colour Digital Aerial Imagery, DigitalGlobe Worldview 2 and CNES SPOT 6 was performed. The Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm was used to identify the best satellite for species-level classification. The accuracy of the classifications produced an overall accuracy (OA) of 71% with a Kappa coefficient (KC) of 0.76 for CDA photographs, an OA of 81% and a KC of 0.80 for Worldview 2, and an OA of 89% with a KC of 0.86 for SPOT 6 imagery. Therefore, SPOT 6 imagery came out as the most suitable for species-level classification. The classification results from the SPOT 6 imagery were used as input data for further species distribution modelling of Mauritius Thorn and River Red Gum in the VBR.

Conservation of Tree Species Richness in a Traditional Agroforestry Landscape in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Tree species richness is a critical element concerning trees on farms, on communal land and in protected areas to support biodiversity and socio-economic livelihoods in traditional agroforestry landscapes. Tree species richness is directly linked to the use of provisioning ecosystem services and to management practices in traditional agroforestry landscapes. The study aimed to investigate the link between socio-ecological and conservation strategies regarding tree species richness in traditional agroforestry landscapes. The study was conducted in the Damani, Thenzheni, Tshiombo and Tshipako villages located in Thulamela Municipality of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. The data were collected using a mixed method approach combining forestry inventory and focus group discussion. The study recorded a total number of 126 tree species: 83 communal-land-hosted species, 68 species of trees on farms and 81 species in the protected areas. The indigenous species Englerophytum magalismontanum (Sond.) T.D.Penn. was the most cited (62%) by interviewees, with a primary use for wild fruits, followed by Pteleopsis myrtifolia (M.A. Lawson) Engl. & Diels. (57%) for fuelwood, Combretum molle R.Br. ex G.Don (36%) for traditional medicine and Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F.Wight (12%) for fodder. Species richness was found to be commonly driven by provisioning ecosystem services with trees on farms and on communal land. Distance was found to be major driving factor of species richness in protected areas. This study found that the local people have no conservation strategy and practices targeting the enhancement of tree species richness in the traditional agroforestry landscape. This study advocates for the establishment of a conservation strategic framework for restoring tree species richness by targeting traditional agroforestry landscapes.

An inventory of amphibian roadkill in the western Soutpansberg, Limpopo province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Increasing linear infrastructure development often impacts habitats and wildlife negatively. Roads, in particular, have numerous threats to wildlife with the most noticeable direct impact being roadkill, and this requires urgent conservation interventions. To assess amphibian roadkill, driven surveys were conducted on three regional roads around the western Soutpansberg in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, an important area for biodiversity conservation in South Africa. Six habitat types were identified along the monitored road stretches and their influence on the occurrence of amphibian roadkill was determined. The results comprised an inventory of 248 roadkill specimens, belonging to eight species and six families, and one unidentified specimen. Roadkill was strongly influenced by season, with the greatest roadkill rate recorded in the early wet season (0.051 roadkill km–1 day–1) compared to the late wet season (0.019 roadkill km–1 day–1). Amphibian roadkill patterns were related to roadside habitat. Of the roadside habitat types identified, road sections adjacent to waterbodies had the highest number of roadkill, followed by road sections closer to open savanna bushland. Roadkill frequency was low in areas that were partly located in human modified habitats (residential and agricultural areas) but highest in natural landscapes (near waterbodies and savanna bushland). The study provides baseline data that confirms the potential threat of roads and their users on the persistence of amphibians in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and presents the first systematic inventory of amphibian roadkill in the western Soutpansberg, South Africa.

Understanding communities’ perceptions, demographics and uses of wetlands in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Understanding communities’ perceptions, demographics and uses of wetlands in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Assessing human perceptions towards large wood in river ecosystems following flooding experiences

AbstractLarge wood deposited in rivers provides ecological benefits for multiple trophic groups, but public perceptions of these deposits can be varied. In particular, flooding experiences linked to large wood debris could influence how the public and stakeholders view large wood deposited into the river ecosystem. Here, we assessed the perceptions towards large wood using groups of undergraduates, postgraduates and staff from a local university in Limpopo Province of South Africa. A survey was conducted using questionnaires, which were distributed online to a sample of 104 participants across these groups, using both visual (i.e. paired photographs of different river scenarios) and categorical questions. Large shares of respondents regularly used river systems recreationally (62.9%), with woodless systems perceived as being significantly more aesthetic, less dangerous and least in need of improvement. These perceptions, however, differed among university groups, with staff having stronger perceptions of aesthetics (median = 5.5, mean 5.4 ± 2.8), less dangerousness (median = 3.0, mean 4.2 ± 3.0) and naturalness (median = 6.0, mean 5.8 ± 2.6) towards systems with large wood. Correlation analyses indicated significant interrelatedness among perceptions of aesthetics, naturalness, danger and improvement needs. However, negative perceptions towards large wood in the river were generally not determined by any recent experience of flooding in the area, with large wood‐related dangers rather associated with leisure activities in rivers by students. These results highlight a need for passing on the knowledge of natural river systems with wood to people in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and communities' scientists and assessing wider perceptions outside of the university context.

A Systematic Study Site Selection Protocol to Determine Environmental Flows in the Headwater Catchments of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.

Developing nations will be worst hit by the impacts of climate change because limited resources hinder the spatial reach of climate studies, effort, and subsequent implementation to help with the improvement of livelihoods. Therefore, finding the best-case study is an essential undertaking in environmental assessments. This study explains one systematic approach to selecting a study site for an environmental assessment project. A desktop review of relevant literature, a simple factor scoring assessment process, reliance on expert opinion, and a field survey for ground-truthing were conducted. The desktop review showed the most critical factors to site selection. The scoring of these factors selected those that were crucial for the study. Experts validated the results and suggested the best study site among the ones identified. While the design is simplified, the proposed approach selects the most appropriate study site for environmental assessments.

People’s perceptions and uses of invasive plant Psidium guajava in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province of South Africa

ABSTRACT Human perceptions and knowledge of invasive alien plant species are increasingly recognised as important in the management of biological invasions, but there is limited research focus on the social dimensions of plant invasion. Using household surveys, this study assessed the perceptions, knowledge, and uses of Psidium guajava Linn. to rural communities in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Results showed that most respondents are aware of P. guajava and perceive it to be spreading in their locality but do not consider it an invasive alien plant species. Psidium guajava is perceived to have a dual purpose and most respondents are aware of its benefits including fruit consumption, medicinal purposes, shading and firewood provisioning and costs such as attraction of problematic animals, displacement of native plants, and reduction of grazing and agricultural space. The benefits associated with use of P. guajava are considered greater than the costs, therefore most participants do not implement any control measures. These results highlight the need to incorporate rural community perceptions, knowledge, and uses of P. guajava in developing effective management plans that avoid conflicts between stakeholders. To improve the efficacy of managing biological invasions more research is required to understand how communities relate to invasive alien plant species.

Contribution of Natural Forest Products to Rural Livelihoods at Mavunde and Sambandou Villages, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

With ~70% of the sub-Saharan population living in rural areas, more than 90% of rural African households depend on natural forest products. Although several studies in other parts of South Africa have looked into the use of natural forest products in poverty alleviation, little is known on the roles and relative contribution of natural forest products as daily and safety nets specifically within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. This study assessed the different roles played by natural forest products in households and the patterns of their relative contribution to households both as sources of income and direct consumption within differing household compositions as well as socio-economic factors. These included employment and income diversification role and the monetised value of natural resources in the rural livelihoods of households in Sambandou and Mavunde, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study inter alia compared a wide use of natural resources by two villages and determined on which forest products they most relied for their economic welfare. Their relative contributions to livelihoods were assessed by identifying factors that affected their contributions. Findings of the study showed that Sambandou had a high number of people with formal jobs and females, and fewer old-age pensioners. Differences in employment and education between villages were observed. In all villages, the most frequently used or harvested resource was fuelwood, wild edible fruits, herbs, grass/shrub hand sweepers, insects for food, thatch grass/reeds and poles for fencing and housing. Overall, Mavunde village households were found to be more dependent on natural resource harvesting both for income and subsistence substitution. Findings suggest that this may have been a consequence of socio-economic factors such as income and employment, as well as general underdevelopment in the village. This study’s findings could contribute to further studies into how these results compare to other parts of the country and region, as well as their respective developmental implications.

Effects of Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (bugweed) invasion on soil and vegetation in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

AbstractThis study examined the effects of Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (bugweed) invasion on soil properties and vegetation diversity and cover on three paired invaded and uninvaded sites in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Soils were analysed for pH, total P, C, N and exchangeable cations of Na, K, Ca and Mg. In addition, soil moisture content, penetration resistance levels and soil water repellency were measured over three months. Vegetation diversity and cover were surveyed in plots measuring 10 × 10 m in both invaded and uninvaded sites. Results showed that soil pH, nutrient concentrations of total P, N, C, cations of K, Ca and Mg, soil penetration resistance levels and water repellency were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the invaded than uninvaded sites. Soil moisture were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the uninvaded than invaded sites. Vegetation diversity and cover were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the invaded than uninvaded sites. Results indicate that bugweed invasion alters some soil properties and negatively impact native species diversity and cover. These results provide the first evidence in South Africa that bugweed invasion contributes to soil changes and vegetation displacement, therefore, the need to manage it through clearing.

Effects of Lantana camara invasion on vegetation diversity and composition in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province of South Africa

Although the effects of invasive alien plants on natural ecosystems are widely acknowledged, the effects of specific plant species can be context dependent. The study examined changes in native vegetation diversity and composition following Lantana camara invasion at different cover conditions in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Using a comparative approach, native vegetation diversity, cover, and composition were compared in L. camara high and low cover and uninvaded conditions, on three replicated sites, each with five 10 × 10 m plots. Results show that vegetation diversity (species richness, Shannon-Wiener, and evenness index) were significantly higher in the uninvaded condition than in the L. camara high and low invasion conditions. Species relative cover was significantly higher in uninvaded condition than in L. camara high and low invasion conditions, though it decreased gradually along the invasion cover gradient for trees and shrubs as well as forbs. Analysis of similarities showed significant separations in vegetation composition among the three invasion conditions for all the growth forms, with most woody alien plants, e.g. Acacia mearnsii, Rubus rigidus, and Caesalpinia decapetala being associated with L. camara high and low invasion conditions. The study concludes that invasion by L. camara was associated with changes in native vegetation diversity, cover, and composition, with observed changes being more visible under L. camara high as compared to low invasion condition. The presence of L. camara at high cover condition significantly decreased native species diversity and composition, an indication that impacts of L. camara invasion are cover dependent. From a management standpoint, the study suggests the removal of L. camara, however such removal should consider protecting the co-occurring native species. This study offers a baseline for further research to determine mechanisms responsible for native vegetation change associated with L. camara invasion.

Lantana camara invasion along road–river interchanges and roadsides in Soutpansberg, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve in South Africa

Roads and rivers act as conduits of alien plant invasion; however, little is known regarding the abundance and invasion extent of Lantana camara, an invasive shrub, along road–river interchanges and roadsides in South Africa. We assessed the effects of road–river interchanges and roadsides as invasion corridors that facilitate L. camara invasion. A road survey method was used to measure the invasion extent of L. camara along road–river interchanges and roadsides from national and regional roads covering 446 km in Soutpansberg, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. L. camara occurred along 21 of the 48 surveyed road–river interchanges and its abundance and cover were similar between road–river interchanges and roadsides, although height and diameter of L. camara were greater along road–river interchanges than roadsides. Other alien species that dominated road–river interchanges were Solanum mauritianum, Caesalpinia decapetala and Rubus rigidus. Our results indicate that L. camara dominates both road–river interchanges and roadsides, therefore roads and bridges should be considered important targets for L. camara control.
 Significance:
 
 Despite the huge efforts by the South African government to control invasive alien plants, roads and rivers continue to act as important conduits for invasion and therefore there is a need to manage them.
 We propose that South African roads be considered important targets for efforts to control invasive alien plants.
 A policy and legislative framework around invasive alien plant removal during routine road maintenance operations is required.

Checklist of the pimeliine darkling beetles of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae)

A checklist of genera and species of the Pimeliinae (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera) of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve is provided. A total of 36 species are recorded. We provide brief biological notes on the tribes recorded from the Vhembe Region.

Tracking conservation effectiveness in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve in South Africa using Landsat imagery.

Biosphere reserves (BRs) seek to reconcile a sustainable relationship between human welfare and environmental integrity by adopting a landscape model that distinguishes between three interdependent management zones (core, buffer, transition). Considering the increasing human influence on landscapes in BRs, the tracking land use-land cover (LULC) dynamics is crucial for the development and planning of efficient management strategies for specific management zone. This study aimed at (i) assessing biodiversity protection around the core zones to highlight the threats facing the core zones and (ii) tracking the effect of the proclamation of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR) on the LULC dynamics in the management zones through spatio-temporal analysis using Landsat imagery acquired from1999 to 2018. Six LULC categories (water body, forest/bush, shrubs/grass, agricultural land, bare soil, and built-up/mines) were identified and mapped using the support vector machine (SVM) classification to address both objectives. Assessment of threats around the core zones using artificial buffers (0-5, 10-15, and 15-20km radius) created around them showed agricultural activities in the most immediate buffers (0-5km radius). The LULC dynamics showed vegetation increase in all the management zones evidenced by the reduction of bare soil as well shrub/grass lands, and by the corresponding increase in foliage-richer forest/bush lands since the proclamation of the reserve in 2009. The findings might signify a positive outcome of vegetation increase as a consequence of the proclamation of the VBR. However, firmer conservation measures must be adopted and priority must be given to the arrangement of the management zones to strengthen biodiversity protection in the core zone.

An inventory of useful threatened plant species in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract. Ramarumo LJ, Maroyi A. 2020. An inventory of useful threatened plant species in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 2146-2158. Scientists and conservation managers are seeking to understand and monitor plant species that are likely to be on the verge of extinction risk. Monitoring of threatened plants’ extinction risk can be better achieved through insights about indigenous knowledge dynamics associated with those species. This study aimed to document detailed information about useful threatened plant species in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data was collected through interviews with 203 participants and literally counting of individuals as per the IUCN’s Red List Criteria. A total of 13 useful and native threatened plants belonging to 12 families were recorded. The majority of the threatened plant species were being used for medicinal purposes only (46.0%) followed by the mixture of medicinal and ornamentals (23.0%). The frequently cited useful threatened species with UV > 0.024, RFC > 0.059 and FL > 5.911%, includes Asparagus sekukuniensis, Bowiea volubilis, Brackenridgea zanguebarica, Ocotea bullata, Rhynchosia vendae, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Warburgia salutaris. About 47.0% of the recorded useful threatened plants were distributed in remote areas of the Thathe Vonḓo and its surroundings. Threatened plants with the population size < 100 adult individuals constitute an overall of 61.54% of all the recorded species. The current study provides substantial information about useful threatened plant species in the studied region. Detailed information about threatened plant species remains fundamental for making informed decisions that are important for managing species of conservation concern.

Plant species used for birdlime-making in South Africa

Plants used for making birdlime and indigenous knowledge associated with the practice in Soutpansberg region, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa have been documented. Twelve birdlime-making plant species belonging to Apocynaceae, Celastraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Loranthaceae, Moraceae and Sapotaceae families were recorded. The common species included Maytenus peduncularis (Sond.) Loyes cited by 23.6% informants, Euphorbia pulvinata Marloth (17.2%) and Landolphia kirkii Dyer (12%). Plant parts used were latex (50%), fruit (34%), root (8) and the mixture of latex and fruit (8%). Documentation of plant species used for birdlime-making is of great interest, not only for preservation of the Vhavenḓa's traditional culture, but also for promoting economic subsistence, nutritional value and livelihood amongst poor and marginalized people.