Month: August 2018

The accumulated rainfall in the Western Cape is showing a decline as compared to previous years and as mentioned by the Western Cape government report (2017) it shows that in 2015/16, South Africa recorded its worst drought since 1904 and the impacts were very severe in the Western Cape province. The severe drought was a result of El Nino weather pattern which has led to rainfall variability and increased water scarcity. Predictions for the Western Cape province shows that the weather is still going to change for the worst in the coming years and this will require good management of water resources (Botai et al., 2017). The predicted decrease in precipitation in the Western Cape province will result in reduced runoff into rivers and reduce recharge of aquifers. Increased temperatures and evaporation rates will contribute to the yield reduction of surface water and groundwater systems

In trying to keep global temperatures below 2 °C, the world needs to minimize carbon emissions mostly from the energy, transport and agricultural sectors and promote mitigation practices such as to increase plantations that can decrease carbon concentrations in the atmosphere (Rogelj et al., 2011).

Planting more trees in South Africa especially in the Western Cape province might be a challenge since the province is still not water secured after the  water crisis that was experienced recently. it has also been reported that approximately 10 million hectares of land in South Africa has been invaded by invasive alien species that consume up to 50 l/day of water (Dzikiti et al., 2013).

Do you know what’s interesting about field work? You get to meet other species such as the angulate tortoise which  is endemic to Southern Africa. It has striking markings on its beautiful shell, which is used for protection and do you know what’s amazing? studies show they can live  up to 32 years.

Two parameters; stem diameter and tree height were measured at Atlantis  on the 22nd of June and 27th of July 2018 in a field of Acacia saligna, and this was done to compare the growth of trees over a short period of time. Based on the results it shows that the growth of the trees have increased slightly over a month’s period. The increase in growth was influenced by the climatic conditions in that area . NB: the trees were receiving enough rainfall during the month of June and July and they were exposed to enough sunlight to favor their growth.

The major questions are how much will these invasive alien trees grow over a year and how much of groundwater will they utilize during summer when less rainfall is received  in the Western Cape province?

Thank you so much to CSIR for welcoming me to do my research, I have learnt a lot from Dr Mark Gush and  Dr Richard Bugan . As the deadline approaches, it’s time to go back to Ireland and finish what I have started. it was a long long journey now its time to conclude my studies.