Seed dispersal and seed banks in Aloe marlothii (Asphodelaceae)

AbstractAloe marlothii flowers during dry winter months (July–September) and produces large numbers of wind dispersed seeds. Fire disturbance in a population of several thousand A. marlothii plants at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng, permitted a series of seed dispersal experiments to be conducted. Germination trials indicated that seedling emergence decreased with increased distance from a well defined aloe stand and burn area margin, with seeds dispersed up to 25m. Flowering frequency and total seed production were positively correlated with plant height, with seed production estimated to range from 26,000 to 375,000 seeds/plant. Although a large number of seeds are produced by flowering plants the survival rate of seeds did not extend beyond the following flowering season

Fruiting in two afromontane forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: the habitat type of the endangered Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus

Monthly fruiting data including general fruit-fall of species fruiting, and stage of fruit development and quantity of Podocarpus spp. were collected for two southern African afromontane forests, Hlabeni and Ingeli, over a period of three years. Fruits of the dominant Podocarpus species were the most abundant fruit resource at Hlabeni. The percentage of species fruiting (fruit-fall) differed significantly between months for each study site. Peak fruiting period, expressed as a percentage of species in fruit, occurred during winter months (June – August) and was lowest during spring (September – November). Peak fruiting production occurred during winter at Ingeli, but was not significantly different between months at Hlabeni. Most of the dominant canopy fruiting species, particularly the Podocarpus spp., showed unpredictable fruiting patterns. Fruiting periods were extended (greater than 2 months) in some species including the Podocarpus spp. However, total fruit production of some canopy fruiting species differed monthly rather than seasonally. During periods of low fruit production, spring, Kiggelaria africana and Ptaeroxylon obliquum were available. However, these are not keystone species as they are not a food source for avian frugivores, including Cape Parrots Poicephalus robustus

Abundance and activity patterns of the Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) in two afromontane forests in South Africa

Behaviour, movements and numbers of the rare Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) were investigated at two study sites to assess its conservation status and as the basis for an action plan for their conservation. Birds flew regularly to and from nearby forests and were observed arriving at a feeding site (Hlabeni) from roosting sites in the morning. Numbers varied monthly and seasonally between the sites. Mean monthly (±SE) number of birds observed daily was 21.8 ± 2.5 (n = 45) but ranged from 0–80. Activity was bimodal: it commenced at sunrise, lasted several hours, and was followed by inactivity through mid-day; activity recommenced a few hours before sunset and continued until sunset. Activity reflected changing day length. Causes of localized movements included food and water availability, and in summer some birds fed in fruit orchards. The relevance of counts of Cape parrots for the conservation of this species is reviewed.Key words: daily activity, parrot conservation

Risk management Practical techniques to minimise exposure to accidental losses

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Lending Division - LD:85/06905(Risk) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo