The Ecology Of South African Watering Holes

African ecosystems display high biodiversity and complex interactions between species at all levels. These interactions are not yet fully understood and the ecology of African water holes is an area where collative study would be useful - especially for the effective implementation of conservation management plans.

At a basal level plants are the most important element in the understanding of ecosystems as they provide resources for all animal life including food, predator cover and nesting. They are foraging sites for both primary consumers and predators. It is of high importance therefore, that the dynamics of plant populations be fully understood.

The project has shown that plant species in the GFRR are remarkably hardy and despite drought conditions, still provide an adequate habitat for many forms of animal life. The study may have had too large a focus on spiny plant species though, disregarding the interactions between animal species and euphorbia vegetation.

The effect of drought conditions on plant encroachment needs to be fully understood. Changes in plant diversity and frequency could have long reaching implications on animal life. Similarly the effect that animals have on plant life through both foraging and seed dispersal could be a cause of major changes in the dynamics of plant populations.

The presence of water is arguably the most important factor in both the abundance of plant life and the subsequent abundance and diversity of animal life. In arid and semi-arid environments it is a scarce resource and the impact of in presence needs to be fully understood if biological interactions are to be fully understood.