Abstract
M.A. (Environmental Management)
Reptiles are internationally one of the least studied taxa compared to all other
vertebrates, and even less is known about the large arachnids. This proves
problematic as the environmental management of reptile and large arachnid species
is generally neglected or only partially considered in environmental impact studies
and conservation. Consequently, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the
ecological requirements (dietary and habitat requirements) of reptiles and
invertebrates. Furthermore, the environmental management of reptiles and large
arachnids in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve is restricted as no data exists on
the assemblage of these taxa in the study area.
A model based approach was used to examine the ecology of species of reptiles and
large arachnids (scorpions and baboon spiders) that were found in the Leeuspruit
Private Nature Reserve during this study. The study proposes a baseline analysis
between the species found in the study area and the suitability and availability of the
ecological requirements necessary to their survival. The ecological requirements of
each species were noted and utilised as the variable input categories in a scoring
model developed for this study. Each species identified in the study area was
allocated points from the scoring model based on favourable ecological requirements
for that particular species.
Field work was conducted in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve in the northern
Free State Province (March 2012 – March 2013) to do a survey on reptile and large
arachnid diversity and to record the habitats in which they occur.
A list of the reptiles and large arachnids found in the Leeuspruit Private Nature
Reserve was compiled. One of the significant results which came to light during this
study is that the diversity and abundance of reptiles and large arachnids are
dependent on the availability and diversity of habitats with the necessary ecological
requirements for those species. For example, the distribution of snake species was
largely dependent on the abundance of amphibians and birds for food which
coincided with a seasonal wetland in the study area; while rocks and detritus proved
imperative to the seasonal functionality of the reptiles.