Measuring perceived black economic empowerment in the South African wine industry

The aim of this study is to develop a scale to measure perceived black economic empowerment (BEE) as reported by beneficiaries themselves. Two scale development procedures were carried out on randomly selected samples of 213 and 322 previously disadvantaged individual respondents within 14 and 11wine business that cover the larger part of the wine industry chain. The results led to a 'feeling' self-report scale (5-dimensions) and an ‘evolution’ self-report scale (6-dimensions). The emerged dimensions are: Business ownership and control (BOC), Access to finance (ATF), Employment and Human Resources Management (EMP) [internal and external], Social capital/enabling environment (SOC) and Lobbying power and collective action (LOB). First measurement results indicate that respondents feel less empowered with respect to BOC and ATF as compared to EMP, SOC and LOB. There appears to be no gender or age differences, but there are geographical differences. The latter is mostly per farm, that is, a lot of variation in BEE is observed at the firm level. The scale can be used at the firm and industry level as a diagnostic tool to monitor BEE progress as a complementary and not a substitutive framework to the wine industry scorecard as an objective measure of BEE. Future research should focus on the gap between the two definitions and assessment tools in order to comprehensively capture BEE in its entirety. The scale can also be adapted to fit the context, for example, its use in the agricultural sector at large.Agribusiness,

The physical environment and plant communities of the Messina Experimental Farm

A description of the climate, geology and plant communities of the study area is presented. The result of a TWINSPAN classification of 149 relevés was refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. Eight plant communities of which one is divided into three variations, were distinguished. A hierarchical classification, ecological interpretation and vegetation map delineating the extent of the plant communities, are presented. An agro-ecological quantification of the woody vegetation was done in each plant community

Mysterious circles in the Namib Desert

AbstractThere is currently still no scientifically sound explanation as to the origin of the so-called “fairy circles” in the Namib. An in situ experiment was conducted in the NamibRand Nature Reserve to test the latest hypothesis that the circles are the result of a semi-volatile gas that inhibits plant growth. Stipagrostis ciliata grass plants were planted in containers filled with soil from the circle or from outside the circle. Some containers were sealed at the bottom, to prevent any gases from entering from below, while others were left open. Containers were placed both inside the circle as well as outside the circle. The origin of the soil, i.e. whether it came from inside or outside the circles, did not affect the performance of the plants when they were growing in the same position and container type. All plants growing outside the circle, irrespective of the origin of the soil or the container type, performed better than those growing inside the circle. It is concluded that there is a factor inhibiting plant growth in the circle and that this factor could possibly be a semi-volatile gas, because growth was more negatively affected in the open containers than in the sealed containers

The vegetation of the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve. III. Phenological observations

The phenology of a number of phanerophytes, chamaephytes, hemi-cryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes was studied over a three-year period and it was found that certain phanerophytes exhibited activity as early as the second half of July. Most other species commence growing and/or flowering only in September, while the flowering phase of a number of species commences only in late summer or early winter

Ordination of the herbaceous stratum of savanna in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, South Africa

The purpose of the study was to determine the ecological status of representative herbaceous species with respect to environmental factors and subhabitats of which the spatial and temporal pattern could be elucidated.The basal cover of the herbaceous vegetation was determined by means of the wheel-point method. Frequency data in each of 200 1 m2 contiguous quadrats were ordinated by means of detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA).The distribution of the species along the first axis is a function of conditions representing an open habitat with full sunlight and somewhat drier conditions to the left and a denser and/or shrub habitat with more shade and wetter, more favourable conditions to the right. The gradient along the second axis is that of undisturbed conditions with more perennials at the lower end to disturbed conditions with more annuals at the upper end. From the scatter diagrams it can be concluded that the herbaceous layer is functionally homogeneous, that it represents a seral stage and that Eragrostis pallens and Digitaria eriantha, both with the highest basal cover in the study area, are representative of a seral stage rather than of the climax. The lack of pattern in the herbaceous layer can be attributed mainly to the large number of annual and perennial pioneer and disturbance-indicating species. In a similar study Whittaker et al. (in press) concluded that the woody vegetation dominates the pattern

Wetland plant communities of the Verlorenvalei Nature Reserve in the North-eastern Sandy Highveld, Transvaal

As part of the formulation of a management policy for the Verlorenvalei Nature Reserve, a phytosociological study of the wetlands was initiated. The classification, by means of the PHYTOTAB computer program, revealed two plant communities with one of the communities divided into seven vegetation zones. A classification description and ecological interpretation as well as a DECORANA ordination is presented

The phytosociology of the grasslands of the Ba and Ib land types in the Pretoria–Witbank–Heidelberg area

An analysis of the plant communities of the grasslands of the Pretoria–Witbank–Heidelberg area is presented. Relevés were compiled in 148 stratified random sample plots. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed fourteen plant communities, and a hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of these plant communities are presented. Each of these plant communities may be regarded as an entity with a unique species composition, and with specific environmental relationships and an inherent forage production potential. The identification, classification and description of these plant communities are not only important for management purposes, but also for the preservation of biotic diversity

Phytosociology of the B land type in the Newcastle – Memel – Chelmsford Dam area

This study forms part of the Grassland Biome Project. The results of a numerical classification (Twinspan) of 74 relevés compiled in the Bb and Bd land types of the Newcastle – Memel – Chelmsford Dam area, were refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures. The analyses revealed five major plant communities which may be divided into seventeen plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities are presented

n Fenologiese studie van die plantegroei van die Roodeplaatdam-Natuurreservaat

The objective of this study, conducted in the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve (RDNR), was the classification of the vegetation and the analysis of the interaction between plant and environ=mental variables. The climate of the RDNR is seasonal, characterised by warm semi-humid summers and cold, dry winters. The mean annual rainfall and temperature are 650,1 mm and 18,2°c respectively. The vegetation was classified by means of the Braun-Blanquet method into six plant communities on the basis of their floristical composition. An additional seven variations were identified. The phenology of a number of phanerophytes, chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes was studied over a three year period and it was found that certain phanerophytes exhibited activity as early as the second half of July. Most other species commence growing or flowering only in September, whilst the flowering phase of a number of species commences only in late summer or early winter. Growth activity in woody species evidently takes place when the air temperature exceeds a certain threshold, in conjunction with an increase in photoperiod. Growth and reproduction are affected by rain only after certain threshold levels of air temperature and photoperiod have been exceeded. The phenomorphological description of a number of woody species was detailed with reference to, amongst others, the presence of dolichoblasts and brachyblasts. The life-span of the leaves was used to differentiate between deciduous and evergreen species. The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration as well as leaf diffusion resistance, chlorophyll concentration, leaf water content and leaf area of a number of woody species was studied on a daily or seasonal basis. The mutual dependence as well as the relationship with climatic conditions was investigated. The threshold levels, optimum values and maximum limits of environmental factors as related to the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration of Berchemia zeyheri and ulea europaea subsp. africana was established. The daily variation in the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration are influenced predominantly in the case of B. zeyheri by photosynthetically active radiation and wind speed. The seasonal variation in the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration of B. zeyheri and Olea europaea subsp. africana appears to be independent of photosynthetically active radia=tion whilst relatively low or high rainfall and relatively high air and leaf temperature appear to be influential. There appears to be no useful application of heat units in the study of woody species. There is virtually no relationship between seasonal variation in the rate of photosynthesis and chlorophyll concentration in B. zeyheri and O. europaea subsp. africana. In addition there is a strong positive relationship between seasonal change in the rate of transpiration and leaf water content in particularly the case of B. zeyheri. In an investigation of the spectral properties of the leaves of a diversity of woody species no meaningful variation in the absorptivity of the leaves was found which indicates that the spectral properties of leaves is not important in respect of the distribution of these species.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1984.Plant SciencePhDUnrestricte

The physical environment and major plant communities of the Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers area, northern Orange Free State

An analysis of the physical environment and associated major plant communities of the Heilbron–Lindley–Warden–Villiers area (northern Orange Free State) is presented. Relevés were compiled in 263 stratified random sample plots. Care was taken to avoid severely degraded areas. A Twinspan classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, revealed three distinct vegetation types. These vegetation types were subdivided into seven major plant communities. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the seven major plant communities are presented. The easily distinguishable major plant communities should be managed as separate ecological units in order to achieve optimal utilization and conservation of the vegetation of this part of the Grassland Biome