Patterns of vegetation and climate in the mediterranean zone of South Africa

Kruger, F. J.

doi:10.1080/01811789.1984.10826662

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…600 mm year −1 , Fynbos plant species are favoured on clay‐rich soils, replacing Renosterveld and Karroid veld types (Cowling & Holmes, 1992). This is attributed to the lower nutrient levels in the soil brought about by leaching (Kruger, 1984). The fairly constant, intermediate density of termite mounds associated with an increase in rainfall in Coastal Renosterveld and Fynbos vegetation suggests that such plant communities may not show the same productivity response to increasing rainfall as those in the more arid vegetation types, and that soil nutrients are a major determinant of Fynbos community structure and productivity (Campbell & Werger, 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Density of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) mounds in southern Africa in relation to rainfall and vegetative productivity gradients

2006

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Giant earth mounds (heuweltjies) formed by the southern harvester termite Microhodotermes viator occupy a large proportion of the land surface of the Succulent karoo, Nama-karoo and Fynbos biomes. Microhodotermes viator is associated with specific vegetation types and low winter rainfall, prompting the hypothesis that rainfall and vegetative productivity govern the distribution and population densities of M. viator. Using an analysis of aerial photographs, the density of termite mounds at 34 sites in 10 vegetation types was determined across the full range of their distribution. The number of mounds ranged from 143 to 704 km À2 with a mean of 297. When all sites were considered together, mound density was not related to temperature, altitude, rainfall and vegetative productivity [as measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)]. However, if the single Fynbos and five Coastal Renosterveld sites (with rainfall 4350 mm year À1 ) were excluded from the analysis, then mound density was significantly related to both rainfall and NDVI values. A separate analysis of the relationship between mound density, rainfall and soil fertility was undertaken. There was a significant relationship between rainfall and mound density for sites occurring on soils of high-fertility status but not for sites occurring on soils of lowfertility status. These results suggest that soil fertility and vegetation composition are parameters that influence the effect of rainfall and vegetative productivity on termite mound distribution and density. Finally, the positive relationship between rainfall and mound density in areas with o350 mm year À1 suggests that M. viator populations are in equilibrium with climatic conditions. This provides further evidence that heuweltjies are constructed by their current occupants, M. viator, and are not the product of an extinct termite species as has been suggested previously.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Density of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) mounds in southern Africa in relation to rainfall and vegetative productivity gradients

2006

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“…The Pacific Coast of North America from southern California to central Washington and inland into portions of the northern Great Basin Desert and north-eastern Oregon have hot-to cool-summer Mediterranean climates [32]. Central southern Chile, the Western Cape Region of South Africa [33], and southwestern and southern Australia make up the remaining three regions widely recognized as Mediterranean landscapes.…”

Section: Mcz Geographymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cultural Ecohydrogeology of Mediterranean-Climate Springs: A Global Review with Case Studies

Pascual,

Piana,

Bhat

et al. 2024

Environments

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Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the diversity and intensity of cultural and socio-economic relationships on spring ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on western and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats and cultures to harsh afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsistence water supplies to their roles in profound traditions such as Greco-Roman nymphalea as well as Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. The abandonment of traditional ways of life, such as rural livestock production, for urban ones has shifted impacts on aquifers from local to regional groundwater exploitation. The commoditization of water resources for regional agricultural, industrial (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban uses is placing ever-increasing unsustainable demands on aquifers and spring ecosystems. When the regional economic value of springs approaches or exceeds local cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic ecosystems are often degraded, over-looked, and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them is a poorly recognized but central conservation challenge for modern Mediterranean societies as they face impending impacts of global climate change. Solutions to this crisis require education, societal dialogue, and improved policy and implementation.

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“…The city shares the same climate as other parts of Western Cape and is characterized by four seasons according to the long-term climatology of South Africa (Tesfaye et al, 2011;SAWS, 2017) namely summer (December-February), autumn (March-May), winter (June -August) and Spring (September-November). The region also possesses a diverse climatography due to its exhibition of Mediterranean climate characteristic with cold, wet winter and hot, dry summer (Kruger, 1984).…”

Section: Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Optical properties of atmospheric aerosol over Cape Town, Western Cape of South Africa: Role of biomass burning

Yakubu¹,

Chetty²

2020

ATM

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The optical characteristics of atmospheric aerosol are vital in the determination of the regional climate trend. Biomass burning is typically known to influence aerosol optical characteristics. Following the incessant biomass burning and the recent drop in precipitation over Western Cape, the aerosol optical properties with a focus on the impact of biomass burning are studied over Cape Town using data from AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer). In general terms, measurements from both platforms significantly agree on the estimates of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and water vapor content (WVC). The mean AOD 0.075 (± 0.022) and Ångström exponent (AE) 0.63 (± 0.19) derived from AERONET demonstrate the dominance of coarse mode aerosol typical of maritime aerosol. Similarly, aerosol particle size distributions display the predominance of coarse mode particles. However, the derived refractive index is more representative of urban-industrial aerosol. Also, estimated back-trajectories show that more than 70% of the aerosol particles over the region originate over the ocean. Atmospheric vapor increases from winter to summer and mainly influenced by air temperature, supersaturation level, and absorbing aerosol. Furthermore, two significant sources accounted for biomass burning related to high AOD values: local biomass burning and regionally transported aged smoke majorly from elsewhere in Sothern Africa.

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Patterns of vegetation and climate in the mediterranean zone of South Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

Density of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) mounds in southern Africa in relation to rainfall and vegetative productivity gradients

Density of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) mounds in southern Africa in relation to rainfall and vegetative productivity gradients

The Cultural Ecohydrogeology of Mediterranean-Climate Springs: A Global Review with Case Studies

Optical properties of atmospheric aerosol over Cape Town, Western Cape of South Africa: Role of biomass burning

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