Article
Ecology
Joel O. Abraham, Emily R. Goldberg, Judith Botha, A. Carla Staver
Summary: The study found differences in the distribution of bull elephants and mixed herds in Kruger National Park, with bull elephants preferring sparsely treed basaltic sites near waterholes, while mixed herds tended to aggregate around permanent rivers. Surprisingly, the distribution of elephant impacts was largely unrelated to the distribution of elephants themselves, instead concentrating in densely treed areas and particularly on basaltic soils.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca Dwyer, Wynand Goosen, Peter Buss, Simon Kedward, Tebogo Manamela, Guy Hausler, Josephine Chileshe, Leana Rossouw, James H. Fowler, Michele Miller, Carmel Witte
Summary: Mycobacterium bovis infection was found in African rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The estimated prevalence of M. bovis was 15.4%. The study revealed a correlation between the increasing number of African buffalo herds and the probability of M. bovis infection in white rhinoceros. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of M. bovis infection in black rhinoceros during periods of intense drought.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ludzula Mukwevho, Tatenda Dalu, Frank Chidawanyika
Summary: Protected savannas play a crucial role in preserving biological diversity, but excessive grazing by mammals can have cascading effects on communities and disrupt ecosystem functioning. This study examined the abundance, species richness, and composition of arthropods in long-term grazing exclosures in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The results showed that Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Araneae were the most abundant orders of arthropods sampled. The abundance and species richness of certain orders, such as Diptera and Hymenoptera, varied significantly between exclosures. The study concludes that long-term mammal grazing can enhance species richness and niche composition, leading to the presence of unique and sparse arthropods in protected savannas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Beanelri B. Janecke
Summary: In a study of a catenal slope on granite geology, it was found that waterholes had the highest species richness of mammals, with small differences observed between zones and waterholes. Camera traps captured a total of 33 mammal species, indicating a variety in body size and feeding guilds that possibly suggests a functioning catenal ecosystem.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaylee van den Bosch, E. T. F. Witkowski, D. I. Thompson, G. V. Cron
Summary: Warburgia salutaris is an endangered species valued for its use in traditional medicine in South Africa. The study found that the species has low fruit production and a low proportion of juveniles in the population. It is likely self-incompatible and may rely on clonal reproduction, which could impair its ability to sexually reproduce.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Llewellyn C. C. Foxcroft, Desika Moodley, Geoff R. R. Nichols, Petr Pysek
Summary: Kruger National Park in South Africa is facing challenges with introduced and invasive plant species. This study provides an up-to-date inventory of alien plant species in the park, identifying 146 species that pose a potential threat to native biodiversity.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nikiwe Ndlovu, Frank H. Neumann, Michelle D. Henley, Robin M. Cook, Chevonne Reynolds
Summary: In melissopalynological studies, the pollen composition in honey samples can reveal the origin and climatic conditions of the samples. This study investigated the seasonal differences of pollen content in honey from beehives in the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. The results showed that there was a seasonal variation in pollen types, with bees foraging from fewer floral sources in summer and a higher diversity of floral resources in winter.
Article
Environmental Studies
Emre Ozsahin, Mehmet Ozdes, Audrey C. Smith, Di Yang
Summary: Termites are ecologically important soil biota in tropical and subtropical ecosystems, and this study examines the spatial distribution of termite mounds in Kruger National Park and its relationship with climate and environmental factors. The results indicate that suitable conditions for termite range and mound development are correlated with specific environmental attributes.
Article
Ecology
Thomas Clemen, Ulfia A. Lenfers, Janus Dybulla, Sam M. Ferreira, Greg A. Kiker, Carola Martens, Simon Scheiter
Summary: Conservation areas like national parks are complex systems that require support from simulation models for management activities. The study implemented a cross-scale and multi-modal base model MARS in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and developed an elephant movement model as a proof-of-concept for evaluating decision-support capabilities.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nabil Majdi, Lizaan de Necker, Hendrika Fourie, Ane Loggenberg, Edward C. Netherlands, Jasmine Bunte-Tschikin, Walter Traunspurger, Gerhard C. du Preez
Summary: Meiobenthos, or meiofauna, play an important role in linking microbial production to higher trophic levels in rivers. However, their communities in Africa remain poorly studied. This research sampled meio- and macrobenthic invertebrate communities along rivers in the Kruger National Park and found differences in community structure across rivers and along an upstream-downstream gradient. The results suggest that protected river reaches have a beneficial effect on benthic invertebrate diversity.
Article
Ecology
Matthew J. Burnett, Gordon C. O'Brien, Bayanda Sonamzi, Victor Wepener, Colleen T. Downs
Summary: The study used radio telemetry to analyze the movement of tigerfish and yellowfish in two river systems in Kruger National Park, South Africa, finding that they responded similarly to environmental factors but with differing significance. Flow and water temperature were key factors affecting the activity of the fish species.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Klara Pyskova, Petr Pysek, Llewellyn C. Foxcroft
Summary: The common myna, an invasive species, has been spreading in Kruger National Park in South Africa, with a dramatic increase in the rate of spread in the last three years. Thirty-two birds have been observed nesting or breeding. While the impact on native bird populations is not expected to be severe in the large natural savanna area, it is still recommended to monitor and control the common myna population to prevent further increase and spread.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kara du Plessis, Stefanie Birgit Ganswindt, Henk Bertschinger, Bruce Crossey, Michelle Deborah Henley, Mmatsawela Ramahlo, Andre Ganswindt
Summary: The foraging behavior of African savannah elephants is influenced by seasonal and social factors, allowing them to adjust their behavior to regulate temperature and meet nutritional requirements. Further research is needed to explore how reproductive activity impacts the foraging behavior of male elephants.
Article
Water Resources
Jordan K. Miller, Kate M. Rowntree, Ian D. L. Foster, Bastian Reinwarth, Jussi Baade
Summary: Sediment source fingerprinting using environmental magnetism has been successfully applied in South Africa to differentiate between sediment sources. This study applied the method to the natural landscape of Kruger National Park and determined sediment sources and yields based on lithology. The results showed that underlying lithology determined vegetation type and density, and vegetation played a crucial role in soil protection and erosion reduction.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michelle L. D'Souza, Michelle van der Bank, Zandisile Shongwe, Ryan D. Rattray, Ross Stewart, Johandre van Rooyen, Danny Govender, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: This study in Kruger National Park, South Africa, using DNA barcoding to analyze insect community structure, found that insect richness and composition are influenced by larger-scale processes such as ecoregions and rainfall. The results indicate that while there are some differences between vegetation types, the main factors organizing insect communities in the park are related to ecoregions and rainfall.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)