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Shilongo, S.M.S. Relative abundance and habitat preference of Stipagrostis lutescens around Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) office area. Bachelor of Natural Resource Management, Polytechnic of Namibia

Description:

Relative abundance and habitat preference of Stipagrostis lutescens around Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) office area.

Summary / Notes:

The Namib Desert has different vegetation, with different organisms adapted to live in these vegetation. This study concentrated entirely on grass species especially Stipagrotis lutescens with regards to its distribution and relative abundance around Namib Desert Environmental Trust (NaDEET). The study was suggested by NaDEET management because of the change in distributions and an increase in number of S. lutescens in the area. The study was carried out on an area of about 10 km (5km north and 5km south) of NaDEET base area. Systematic random sampling was used and a 100 m transect was laid in every 400 m measured with global positioning system (GPS). Grasses which were in contact with the measuring tape were recorded from the first point it get in contact with the tape to the last point of contact. The average percentages of canopy cover for each grass in each habitat was determined. Notes were also done regard the utilisation of each grass by small or large herbivores. The study found out that S. lutescens is only occurring on the dunes habitat but not on sandy plains. Canopy covers of each habitat were also determined and the results showed that plains habitat had the highest canopy cover of 8 % but had less species richness. Dunes and inter-dunes were the most represented when it comes to species richness. S. cilita was the dominating species on sandy plains and inter-dunes while Claradoraphis spinosa was the dominating species on the dunes vegetation. Stipagrostis lutescens also appeared to be utilised by large herbivores; 40 % of the recorded individuals were utilised.

Type: Thesis

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