Articles

Permanent URI for this collection

https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2143

Browse

Browsing Articles by Subject "Conservation"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Detecting threats to Encephalartos transvenosus (Limpopo cycad0 in Limpopo province, South Africa through indigenous knowledge
    (2016-08-09) Bamigboye, Samuel O.; Tshisikhawe, Peter M.; Taylor, Peter J.
    Indigenous knowledge contains valuable information which is often essential to biodiversity and species conservation. The traditional knowledge of people in local communities can enhance conservation policies and planning and also reveal local perspectives in relation to endangered species. Cycads as a vascular plant group contain the highest percentage of threatened plant species, at global, regional, national and community levels. In this study we focused on Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy, a cycad species endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa. Despite every effort to conserve this highly endangered species the threats keep increasing and the population keep decreasing. Through indigenous knowledge, we discovered a location of this species not yet conserved within Vhembe district on the Soutpansberg mountain range in Limpopo province, South Africa. Practices such as bark harvesting, and uprooting of young seedlings were discovered at this population. All these practices noticed at this location are detrimental to in situ conservation of the cycads. This study hereby revealed that indigenous knowledge has a great role in cycads’ conservation. Through the local communities, factors that are threatening cycads existence can be determined and the local community can also be integrated in effective conservation plan that discourage illegal harvesting of cycads.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    A Review on Yellow Peeling Plane (Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv.): A Critically Endangered Endemic Plant Species
    (2018-12-06) Tiawoun, M. A. P.; Tshisikhawe, M. P.; Gwata, E. T.
    Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv. is among the most popular and frequently used tree species in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. However, the increasing illegal overexploitation coupled with the reproductive inefficiency have caused a severe depletion of this plant population bringing the species on the verge of extinction. B. zanguebarica, commonly known as “yellow peeling plane” and locally known as “Mutavhatsindi” is an important tree usually used both for medicinal and magico religious purposes in the region. This most sought after species is a critically endangered species with its distribution in South Africa restricted to Thengwe village in Vhembe District municipality. It is therefore crucial to develop various propagation protocols in order to increase the availability of this species and expand its distribution area in the region. Despite therisk of extinction and the multipurpose uses, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about many aspects of this plant species. This study revealed that mostly bark is being collected for medicinal use. The aim of the current study was to compile up-to-date scientific information about this critically endangered plant species to promote its conservation. In view of the importance of conservation of such a red-listed plant species, the present review focused on various aspects necessary in strengthening its conservation strategies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment of Securidaca Longerpedunculata (Polygalaceae)
    (2017) Tiawoun, M. A. P.; Tshisikhawe, M. P.; Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M. H.
    Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) is a multipurpose tree valued for its medicinal uses in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hence, it is threatened due to human pressure which affects its regeneration potential since it is uncultivated. This poses a challenge in efforts aimed at its conservation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the germination potential of Securidaca longepedunculata seeds which have a very low and erratic germination under natural conditions. Seeds were collected in Nylsvley Nature Reserve and a number of pre-treatments, namely seed coat removal, sulfuric acid, gibberellic acid, boiled water, cold water and control were tested for their efficiency to improve germination under field, laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The results showed that some of pre-treatments have a stimulating effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Removal of the seed coat resulted in the highest germination percentage. This pre-treatment gave 90% seed germination under greenhouse conditions, while it was 63.3% for those grown in the laboratory, whereas untreated seeds under field conditions showed 0% germination. Boiled and cold water pre-treatments did not improve seed germination. The average heights of seedlings from different pre-treatments ranged from 4.5 cm to 22 cm with the highest seedling (22 cm) obtained in seed pre-treated with 400mg/l of gibberellic acid. It is concluded that removal of the seed coat is the most effective pre-treatment
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Use, conservation and present availability status of ethnomedicinal plants of Matebele-Village in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (Academic journals, 2013-04-12) Semenya, S. S.; Potgieter, M. J.; Tshisikhawe, M. P.
    Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out between January 2011 and April 2012 to compile an inventory of plants used medicinally by people of the Matebele village. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the species used by the villagers. The results show that 65 species (86.1% indigenous and 13.8% exotics) from 36 families, mostly the Asteraceae (13.8%) and Fabaceae (10.7%), are being used to treat 28 ailments or conditions. To the best of our knowledge, 24.4% of the species were recorded for the first time as medicinal. The most widely used species were Terminalia sericea (43.3%), followed by Acacia senegal, Eucomis pallidiflora (36.6% each), Drimia elata (26.6%), Warburgia salutaris (19.9%) and Artemisia afra (16.6%). Roots (39.1%), leaves (21.6%) and stem bark (10.8%) were the most frequently used parts. The heavy dependence on wild medicinal plants and utilization of threatened (E. pallidiflora, D. elata and W. salutaris) and protected (Sclerocarya birrea) species by inhabitants of Matebele village calls for urgent conservation intrusion.