Limpopo Leader - Spring 2005 - University of Limpopo

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Ecology: THE LEGACY OF ANTS Biological soil crusts comprise of micro-organisms that attach to grains of soil in the surface layer to form a dense crust on the surface that in Namaqualand and Namibia could be as large as several hectares. Biological soil crusts also occur frequently in Limpopo Province. Several species of cyano bacteria (commonly referred to as ‘black algae’ in swimming pools), algae, bacteria, fungi, and crust-like earthbound lichen species form part of such biological soil crusts. According to scientists, centimetre-deep layers of biological soil crusts may take more than 100 years to develop Cyano bacteria are ancient residents of our planet and the first species occurred 3.9 billion years ago. Lichens are commonly known as rock flowers or stonecrop [korsmosse] and consist of a fungus and species of algal that live together in a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship. More than a thousand lichen species that can live to ages of six thousand years or more are found in South Africa and Namibia. There can be no doubt that biological soil crusts are of international ecological importance. They prevent erosion, retard desiccation, contribute to organic sound material and the large-scale fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. ‘During the course of the team’s work on the biological soil crusts,’ says Wessels from his Turfloop office, ‘we were surprised to discover that the chlorophyll concentration in some of the crusts is comparable to chlorophyll concentrations in the Atlantic Ocean.’ He explained that chlorophyll is the green colouring found in plant leaves that is essential for photosynthesis, a light-driven process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide and water are transformed into sugars that are used as building blocks by plants. ‘The absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by biological soil crusts are of specific importance in P A G E 2 8 Douw Venter today’s world of higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere that cause the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect leads to higher temperatures that, in turn, can lead to large-scale climate change,’ Wessels points out. The rate at which Namaqualand’s soil crusts bind atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis is being researched by Professor Büdel and his group. Professor Wessels, on the other hand, is researching the ecology of biological soil crusts. This is done by an automatic weather station that monitors the microclimate of individual heuweltjies. Variations in soil temperature, soil moisture, total rainfall, rainfall intensity, light intensity, air temperature, air moisture and fog precipitation are measured every half hour on a continuous basis. The information is gathered and stored electronically, using a custom-made data logger designed and built by Douw Venter of the University of Limpopo. Eight months’ data were recently successfully downloaded from the data logger. This unique information will enable scientists accurately to clarify the complex ecological role of biological soil crusts on heuweltjies. They’ll also be able to compile a management plan for heuweltjie country that will ensure the conservation of the biodiversity of the veld type as well as better use of the veld by stock farmers in the future. So when next you marvel at the lavish springtime spectacle of the Namaqualand flowers, spare a thought for the termites and what they started underneath those normally arid landscapes up to thirty thousand years ago. • This article is closely based on a paper supplied by Professor Dirk Wessels.
Visual and dramatic arts: A PERMANENT HOME AT LAST Professor Salomi Louw tTHERE’S A PARTIALLY EMPTY OLD STOREROOM ON THE TURFLOOP CAMPUS THAT HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR REINCARNATION AS A CULTURAL CENTRE. Indeed, very recently, a small ceremony was held on campus when the keys to the building were handed over to Professor Salomi Louw, Director of the School of Languages and Communication Studies. ‘The project is now officially under way,’ says a jubilant Louw. ‘My first proposal for such a centre was dated 1983. So I can hardly believe that we are moving at last.’ The Cultural Centre will house a 220-seat theatre with ample back-stage facilities and storage. The seating will be moveable which means the theatre can be configured to suit the production – including an opportunity to present theatre-in-the-round. Leading off the foyer will be space to house indigenous music and oral literature collections – as well as local Limpopo Province art. In fact, there’ll be sculptures and paintings and other art objects everywhere. ‘We’ve been collecting for years,’ says Louw, indicating many beautiful pieces currently adorning her office and reception area. ‘Now we can give them all a permanent home and concentrate on enlarging our collection into something that people will travel long distances to come and see.’ Louw is now looking for sponsors who will buy individual pieces for a collection that aims fully to represent the rich artistic heritage existing in the province. ‘We are convinced that our fine art collection – not to mention the other activities and collections in the Cultural Centre – will attract not only students and researchers but also significant numbers of tourists onto the Turfloop campus. Although funding is still being sought for this exciting addition to university infrastructure, Louw is confident that interested parties will not be in short supply. She points to a recent visit by a deputation P A G E 2 9
Page 1 and 2: LIMPOPO NUMBER 5 SPRING 2005 LIMPOP
Page 3 and 4: News flash: THE LATEST ON MEDUNSA A
Page 5 and 6: IN THIS ISSUE cover picture: Geneti
Page 7 and 8: iIN THE 1980S THERE WERE MACHINEGUN
Page 9 and 10: Sky Mkuti, Goldmarks Makamure, Tapi
Page 11 and 12: orn in Harare (then Salisbury) in 1
Page 13 and 14: Ophthalmology: CRASHING AEROPLANES
Page 15 and 16: the Swiss instrument makers. They b
Page 17 and 18: Dr David Norris tTO WATCH DR DAVID
Page 19 and 20: Rural Community Empowerment: SMALL
Page 21 and 22: SMALL VERSUS BIG - AN IMPORTANT AGR
Page 23 and 24: Professor Ulrich Mennen a psycholog
Page 25 and 26: end of the life of OIP early in 200
Page 27 and 28: lecture room, the great advantage o
Page 29: Ecology: THE LEGACY OF ANTS fFEW TR
Page 33 and 34: Visual and dramatic arts: A PERMANE
Page 35 and 36: SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION THE Univ

Limpopo Leader - Spring 2005 - University of Limpopo

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?