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Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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CHANGES IN GRASS SPECIES COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTION IN TWO RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: A LANDCARE INITIATIVE IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
(North-West University, 2002) Van Heerden, Marina; Kellner, K.; Jordaa, F.P
Land degradation is worldwide in geographic extent, global in its environmental and socio-economic impacts and it leaves no continent unaffected. It is thus a matter of urgent priority that ways be found to prevent and even reverse, the degradation of the natural resources. This is also true for the North West Province of South Africa. An enormous challenge faces this Province: that of protecting and sustainably managing the natural resource base, even under the present condition of population growth and rising unemployment. It is the intention of the Province to ensure that the natural resources are wisely and carefully managed, utilized and improved. Various LandCare programs, initiatives of the South African National Government, has been implemented in order to encourage and support sustainable land use practices, raising awareness and promoting a resource conservation ethic. LandCare is a sustainable resource utilization program, based in the community and driven by both the public and private sectors through partnerships and co-operation. The purpose of this project was to develop a baseline study in order to establish and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to monitor progress and assess emerging and changing needs on an ongoing basis. Determining the changes in the grass species composition and production at eighteen different benchmark sites, in three magisterial districts, namely Ganyesa, Kudumane and Taung, of the western region in the North West Province, was used to achieve this goal. The changes in the grass species composition and production were monitored in the communal grazing (Austrey, Maketlele and lpelegeng study sites) and Morafe ranch management systems (Waterfouche, Heuningvlei and Orange Grove study sites). The Morafe ranch management system and some strategies to evaluate the effect of resting in communally managed systems were implemented at these study sites since January 2001. The study sites are situated in different Agricultural Development Centers (ADC's), which in turn are divided into different Field Service Units (FSU's). Benchmark sites representing different conditional states, were identified in selected areas in both the Morafe ranch and communal managed systems in collaboration with extension officers of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment. Exclosures, used to exclude any grazing by cattle and goats, were erected inside the benchmark sites. The main purpose of erecting the exclosures was to demonstrate the advantages of resting the rangeland. In order to achieve the aims of the project, the grass species composition and production of the rangeland were determined with the help of the agricultural extension officers and the local land users at each of the study sites. The grass species composition was determined inside and outside the exclosures, by means of the line transect method, where the nearest perennial and annual grass species was recorded in a radius of 30 cm at 1 meter intervals along two transects of 1 OOm each. The grass production was only determined inside the exclosures by means of the quadrat method. Two replications of twenty-five lm2 quadrats were alternately placed at four meter intervals, along the two 1 00m transects. The grass was cut per species at a height of 3cm above the ground, dried (24 hours at 60°C) and weighed. The classification of the grass species into highly desirable, desirable, less desirable and non desirable classes for grazing, according to Van Oudtshoorn ( 1999) and the expert knowledge of technicians and researchers of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, were used for the purpose of this study. Soil samples were taken on the inside and outside of each exclosure. Although results from the soil analyses can be used to explain changes in the grass species composition and production, drastic changes in the soil characteristics usually only take place over the long-term. These results thus mainly serve as baseline data for the monitoring of these benchmark sites in future. The frequency at which the different grass species, forbs and bare ground occurred inside and outside the exclosures at the different benchmark sites, were calculated by determining the percentage that each species composed of the total amount of species, recorded during a specific species compositional survey. The Z-index (%) of agreement, or similarity (Du Toit, 1998), was applied in order to determine if changes in the grass species composition between the inside and outside of the exclosures did occur during the study period of two years (during the years 2001 and 2002). The concept of a large stock unit (LSU), (Tainton, 1999), was used to establish the current seasonal grazing capacity of the rangeland by means of the formula proposed by Moore et al. (1985). By appointing different utilization factors (Smit, 2002) to the proportional production (kg/ha) of the grass species, divided into the different desirability classes, the seasonal grazing capacities of the different benchmark sites were determined. Three different approaches in calculating the seasonal grazing capacities were used and compared with each other. The high Z-index values at all the benchmark sites, indicates that the similarity between the grass species composition inside and outside the exclosure is still very high. This signifies that the study period was too short for definite changes to occur between the grass species composition inside and outside the benchmark sites, due to the rest (applied inside the benchmark sites) and different management systems applied. The slight changes that occurred could mainly be attributed to the rainfall variability at each specific study site. O'Connor (1994) also stated that population dynamics of important savanna grass species appears to be more dependent upon rainfall variability than upon grazing. However, the availability of seed in the soil seed bank is an important constraint on seedling recruitment in years of suitable rainfall. Consequently, it is very important that rangelands should be very carefully managed, especially during periods of low rainfall. The rangeland at each benchmark site could be classified into a good, moderately good, moderate, or poor rangeland condition mainly according to its grass species composition, which in turn has a decisive influence on the productivity and eventually on the seasonal grazing capacity expected from grasslands (Snyman, 2000). The grass species, Schmidtia pappophoroides, Eragrostis lehmanniana and Aristida stipitata, were identified as good indicators of the rangeland condition in the Ganyesa and Kudumane magisterial districts, indicating a good, moderately good and moderate rangeland condition, respectively. The grass species composition at the benchmark sites situated in the Taung magisterial district however differed from those in the Ganyesa and Kudumane districts, due to differences in the topography, soil and geology at the three magisterial districts. Even though some benchmark sites in the same study area were characterized by the same soil type, and were subjected to the same rainfall pattern and management system, their responses to a higher rainfall, in terms of grass species composition and production changes, differed to a greater extent. This could mainly be attributed to the fact that these sites were subjected to different grazing pressures during the past. The historical grazing regime that was followed over many years in the past, will still have a great impact on the results which are and will be monitored in future. A plant's particular strategy, or life history traits, thus determines its success at a particular region of any environmental gradient (McCook, 1994). Even though it was not the objective of this study to compare the Morafe ranch and communal management systems, some differences were observed. It was evident that the benchmark sites managed by the Morafe ranch system (the Waterfouche, Heuningvlei and Orange Grove benchmark sites), were generally in a better condition than the communally managed benchmark sites (the Austrey, Maketlele and Ipelegeng benchmark sites). This was deduced from the fact that they consisted of a more desirable grass species composition, higher total production figures and better seasonal grazing capacities than most of the communally managed benchmark sites. Seeing that the Morafe ranch management system was only recently implemented and could therefore not have led to such an improvement in the rangeland condition, the better condition could mainly be attributed to the limited availability of watering points at these sites in the past. It can therefore be concluded, that these benchmark sites were not subjected to overgrazing in the past, due to the low livestock densities and water resource constraints. In conclusion it can be said that although the timespan of two years is too short for vegetation dynamic studies to detect species compositional changes, these preliminary results can already be used as baseline data to establish and implement a long-term monitoring system. The results will also assist to further improve the environmental awareness of land users and agricultural extension officers, which was already initiated by means of this project, with regard to sustainable management practices. As a consequence a very positive collaboration between the academic institution (Potchefstroom University for CHE) and the agricultural extension officers and land users were created.
THE POTENTIAL USE OF COLEOPTERA AS BIO-INDICATOR OF ECOLOGICAL CHANGES ON REHABILITATED ASH DAMS AT THE HENDRINA POWER STATION IN MPUMALANGA
(North-West University, 2002) Van Heerden, Dalene; Van Hamburg, H; Terblanche, R.F
This study was conducted on the ash dams of the Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga, South Africa and gives an evaluation of the insect order Coleoptera as possible indicators of environmental change associated with rehabilitated ash dams. The study deals with the possibility of using certain Coleoptera species as indicators of environmental changes as well as changes in the composition and diversity of Coleoptera assemblages. A two year sampling period was undertaken during which insects were collected by means of pitfall traps and sweepnets both on ash dams and in natural veld. A total of 191 Coleoptera morphospecies were caught of which 67 were found in natural veld and 175 on the ash dams. From the 191 species 126 morphospecies were only found on ash dams and 19 were only found in natural veld. The coleopteran families Anthicidae, Chrysomelidae and Tenebrionidae were most abundant on the ash dams while Tenebrionidae, Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae were most abundant in natural veld. Species diversity, equitability and species richness were higher for rehabilitated than for unrehabilitated ash dams and natural veld. The latter is because insects with lower abundance is less trappable in pitfall traps. Because predatory insects are opportunistic, mobile and good hunters they tend to quickly colonise unrehabilitated and newly rehabilitated ash dams to exploit the few prey insects which already colonised these areas. As the areas became more stable (at the older rehabilitated ash dams) the numbers of predators decreased. This tendency was also clear in the succession of individuals of the families Carabidae and Anthicidae. As soon as the area became more stable (stable plant communities occured with a high organic matter content) the numbers of these families decreased and numbers of other functional groups such as phytophagous insects increased. Statistical significant positive correlation was found between Coleoptera species diversity and -richness with the percentage organic matter in the soil. Species richness was negatively correlated with soil pH and percentage clay. The study therefore proved that certain beetle assemblages, especially those of the families Carabidae and Anthicidae, could be considered as indicators of disturbance. The abundance of individuals in these families tends to increase with an increase in disturbance. Abundance of the predatory beetles generally tend to increase with an increase in disturbance.
DIE TOEPASSING VAN 'N HANDELSMERKSTRATEGIE: 'n Veldfocus gevallestudie
(North-West University, 1998) Van Eeden, Conrad (D.C.B.); Bisschoff, C.A
A product is something that is made in a factory; a brand is something that is bought by a customer. A product can be copied by a competitor; a brand is unique. A product can be quickly outdated; a successful brand is timeless" (Aaker, 1991 :1 ). The relevant question however is: What was done in creating the success of the brand? Although the initial reason for creating a brand is to identify a product or service and to distinguish it from the competitors, in time the brand develops a specific character and personality. Research has shown that this added value that exists in the mind of the consumer needs to be determined in the development stage and needs to be managed as part of a total brand strategy. Only then will a long term benifit be derived that can even be added to the company's bottom line. Kapferer (1992) developed such a model which gives clear guidance in creating a total brand concept through a brand prism and platform. The aim of this study is to discuss Kapferers' brand prism and then to evaluate the Veldfocus brand against this model with specific referance to the printed advertising material. Employing a qualitative research methodology, validated through the process of data triangulation, certain recommendations were made regarding the application of the Veldfocus brand. Kapferers' brand prism consist of six elements which are divided into three external (left) and three internal (right) aspects of a brand. The communication of a brand is part of a process which begins with the creation of the brand identity and through various mediums being received as the brand image by the consumer. Only when all six elements are communicated as part of a total brand strategy can long term success be guaranteed, subject to sound brand management principles being applied. Agrinet, a wholesale supplier to 500 retail stores, got the marketing rights from the SABC to use the television programme name to develop a bush wear range of clothing with the Veldfocus brand as its label. Although there is no definite guidelines to good design and layout, print advertising needs to be evaluated in term of its verbal, visual and design elements, as these three elements form a total image. Although it was clear that there was a clear effort to visually create the ideal brand identity, concerns raised were a lack of a consistent look throughout the total print campaign. The researcher suggested that a consistent slogan needs to be developed in order to clearly position the brand in the mind of the consumer. The Veldfocus brand logo application need to be used consistently in all advertising material. Suggestions on the use of the background images were made to make the product more visible, to create a visual focus on the products and to make the copy more readable. In closing the researchers suggested that Agrinet should look for more above the line marketing opportunities in order to build a strong brand by means of joint promotions with brands that target the same market segment. The focus of further advertising should aim at differentiating the Veldfocus brand through investment in more corporate advertising based on the brand prism.
Die Akkadies van Hatti: 'n Grammatikale studie met besondere verwysing na die Akkadiese tekste gevind by Ugarit
(North-West University, 1991) Van Deventer, Hendrik Johannes Marthinus; Van Huyssteen, P.J.J; Dreyer, H.J
In this investigation the Akkadian dialect of Jjatti, the country of the Hittites, has been studied in the form in which this dialect can be retrieved through Akkadian texts excavated since 1929 at Ugarit (at present Ras Shamra). Out of a total of about 71 texts which came into being in Jjatti and which were excavated at Ugarit, 21 well-preserved texts were chosen to base the study on. All these texts have been published by Nougayrol (1956) and Nougayrol et al. (1968). The Akkadian dialect which was used in tfatti is one of the so-called Western peripheral dialects of the language Akkadian, the cradle of which is Mesopotamia. Scientists are at the moment engaged in doing research on all the peripheral dialects in order to define and compare the different .dialects with one another. It will then become apparent how the various dialects developed in the areas in which they were found, and which influences were exercised on them by neighbouring languages. In this respect this study follows that of Durham (1976) in the description of the Akkadian language of tJatti. This study has, however, bearing only on the texts which were found at U garit. This study, for the sake of easy re_ference and comparison, structurally follows closely Huehnergard's studies (1979, 1989) with reference to the Akkadian dialects of Ugarit and Carchemish. The results of this study have been represented by means of a comparison between the Akkadian dialect of ijatti and the Akkadian dialects of a number of other areas. From this it is clear thet the Akkadian dialect of tfatti definitely reveals distinctive characteristics, although it has much in common with other Akkadian dialects which are derived from a number of border areas.
PERCEPTIONS OF BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH OF A GROUP OF FARM WORKERS IN THE NORTHWEST PROVINCE
(North-West University, 2002) Van der Westhuizen,Talita; BOTHA, K. F. H
The purpose of this study was to determine the biopsychosocial health perceptions of a group of farm workers and the relationship between these perceptions and their health status. An availability sample of 52 male and female Setswana-speaking fann workers, 18-60 years old, was used. Data were obtained with five empirical questionnaires: SRQ, GHQ, HBQ, MHLOCS, SOC. A qualitative study was done in the form of semi-structured interviews. It was found that farm workers' biopsychosocial health perceptions are characterized by physical vulnerability, low sense of coherence and non-committal health beliefs. They tend to focus more on the physical aspects of biopsychosocial health and factors that restrict rather than contribute to or enhance health. It is recommended that all related variables, especially worker/manager relationships, land-ownership issues and health literacy be investigated.