Abstract
M.Sc.
This study examined the disturbance and recovery patterns and processes of a subtropical
dry forest in Southern Maputaland, South Africa in an attempt to determine how the forest
areas interact with non-forest areas in the presence of human-induced disturbances. The
KwaNibela Peninsula is an outcrop of land at the northern reaches of Lake St Lucia with
patches of forest interspersed in a woodland matrix. The peninsula is inhabited by the local
KwaNibela community who utilise the forest resources for a variety of purposes and the
question is: how do the vegetation communities and species respond to these
disturbances? The forest has increased in extent over the last 71 years; however the
degree of forest patch fragmentation has also increased as a result of clearcutting areas of
forest for homesteads, kraals, cropland and infrastructure. The floristic and structural
changes from areas of core forest to the open woodland show that forest regeneration is
taking place, particularly within the young, re-growth stages and certain shade-intolerant
species only occur within the forest as mature individuals, with no recruitment under the
forest canopy. The presence of open areas/gaps in and around the forest allows the
recruitment of shade-intolerant species and this drives forest succession in a woodland
environment. The resource use by the local community contributes toward the relatively
high levels of regeneration and the forest in KwaNibela can be described as a young and
dynamic KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forest with affinities to related forest types. The vernacular
names and uses of 82 plant species and eight animal species were recorded and
compared to previously-recorded Zulu knowledge, as well as uses recorded elsewhere in
Africa. A considerable number of species were found to have uses and vernacular names
that are new to our current recorded knowledge and this study, therefore, reveals that the
ethnobotanical knowledge of the Zulu ethnic group in Maputaland is incompletely recorded.
A framework for sustainable resource use management was provided, based on the
information collated during this study and it was ascertained that managerial efforts should
focus on encouraging responsible resource use practices and promoting income and
resource alternatives in the attempt to relieve pressure on forest resources while ensuring
the long-term sustainability of forest-based livelihoods in this area.