Research studies currently underway at Dunefields
A comparison in diversity and composition of fynbos vegetation pre- and post-fire
With Dunefields being located on the highest vegetated fossilized sand dune system in South Africa, we find ourselves in a unique environment which should be managed in a way that will promote the populations of both faunal and floral species. With fire being excluded from this landscape for several decades, the vegetation is in dire need of a fire to spark germinations and to reduce the probability of senescence whereby ensuring the persistence of the populations of the plant species. Under permit we have done a small-scale ecological burn under controlled conditions to compare the pre- and post-fire vegetation composition. We are now awaiting the vegetation’s post-fire regeneration, and we are excited to share our results in due time.
The importance of the greater Wilderness waters as a feeding ground for adult and juvenile Cape gannets
Our research deck, being located at 150 meter above sea level, provides the perfect vantage point for our gannet surveys. Since the start of our research study in 2022, the maximum amount of gannets in the bay at one time was a whopping 703 individuals. This is a great amount of gannets in our waters especially because Dunefields is located hundreds of kilometers from the nearest Cape gannet breeding colony. Cape gannets are an Endangered species, endemic to southern Africa, and their breeding range only extends to 6 islands. It is therefore of utmost importance to ensure that we identify important feeding grounds and protect these areas that will benefit the gannet population. Our study has identified the greater Wilderness waters as an important year-round feeding ground for breeding adults, non-breeding adults and juveniles.
Occupancy and behavioural research of dolphins and whales in the greater Wilderness waters
With proposals for seismic surveys on the rise in the Garden Route waters, our marine life is becoming more threatened. In an attempt to be proactive, we started gathering data in 2022 on dolphins and whales which can be used as scientific evidence for the importance of our waters as a breeding ground, a feeding ground and a migration route. To give insight into the dolphin and whale numbers and activities in the greater Wilderness waters we have been conducting daily marine surveys on Humpback, Common and Bottlenose dolphins, and the Bryde’s, Humpback and Southern right whales. Humpback and Southern right whales migrate past Dunefields every year from Antarctica to give birth in South Africa’s warmer waters. Our research deck provides the ideal setup for behavioural data-capturing, not only with adults breaching the waters but their calves as well. From Dunefields we are fortunate to collect data on South Africa’s only Endangered marine mammal – the Humpback dolphin.
Caracal diet study
Using scat (droppings), we have been studying the diet of caracal. With Dunefields being located along the coast on this highest vegetated fossilized dune in South Africa, the caracal find themselves in a very unique environment. Previously it was unknown what the caracal feed on in this environment, and we are therefore proud to be conducting this novel research to add to our understanding of caracal in this landscape. We study the scale patterns on the hair in the scat, since the scale patterns of all mammal species look different.
Below follows the links to the botanical scientific research published by Tiaan:
Strydom et al. 2023 Effects of simulated fire and browsing on the resprouting of subtropical dune thicket shrubs in the southeastern Cape Floristic Region https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11258-023-01321-5
Strydom et al. 2022 Canopy plant composition and structure of Cape subtropical dune thicket are predicted by the levels of fire exposure https://peerj.com/articles/14310/
Strydom et al. 2021 Pre- and post-fire architectural guilds of subtropical dune thicket species in the southeastern Cape Floristic Region https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jvs.13079
Strydom et al. 2020 Fire severity effects on resprouting of subtropical dune thicket of the Cape Floristic Region https://peerj.com/articles/9240/
Strydom et al. 2019 The short-term response of coastal thicket bird communities to fire in the southeastern Cape, South Africa https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.3957/056.049.0167
Below follows the links to the ornithological scientific research published by Zanri:
Strydom et al. 2023 Age and sex-specific foraging movements and energetics in an endangered monomorphic seabird https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-023-04288-z
Strydom et al. 2022 Factors that influence Cape fur seal predation on Cape gannets at Lambert’s Bay, South Africa https://peerj.com/articles/13416/
Strydom et al. 2022 The influence of nest location and the effect of predator removal on Cape Gannet Morus capensis egg predation by Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus vetula https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/00306525.2022.2110535