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REM611S- RANGELAND ECOLOGY MANAGEMENT - 1st Opp- JUNE 2022 |
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nAm I BIA unlVERSITY
OF SCIEnCE Ano TECHnOLOGY
Faculty of Health, Applied Science and Natural Resources
Department Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences
QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Natural Resource Management (Nature Conservation)
QUALIFICATION CODE: 07BNRS
LEVEL: 6
COURSE: Rangeland Ecology and
Management
COURSE CODE: REM611S
DATE: June 2022
SESSION: June
DURATION: 3 (three) hours
MARKS: 150
EXAMINER(S)
MODERATOR:
FIRST OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
Ms. E. N. Nghalipo
Mr. R. Kavari
INSTRUCTIONS
l. Answer ALL eleven (11) questions.
2. Read all questions carefully before answering.
3. Number your answers clearly.
4. Make sure your student number appears on the answering script.
PERMISSIBLE MATERIALS
1. Examination paper
2. Examination script
3. Calculator
THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF 3 PAGES (Excluding this front page)
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QUESTION 1
Describe the following terms and phrases fully, as applied to Rangeland Ecology and
Management, using a relevant example for each.
1.1 Rangelands
(2)
1.2 Rangeland Monitoring
(2)
1.3 Ecological status of a grass
{2)
1.4 Carrying capacity
(2)
1.5 Landscape Function Analysis
(2)
1.6 Fire regime
(2)
1.7 Bush encroachment
{2)
1.8 Plant Succession
(2)
1.9 Adaptive management
{2)
1.10 Root cause analysis
(2)
[20]
QUESTION 2
2.1. Describe the four principles of sustainable rangeland management.
{10)
[10]
QUESTION 3
3.1 Discussthe current status and trends of the Namibian rangelands, giving relevant
examples, explain factors contributing to its state.
3.2 What does the current status of the Namibian rangelands mean in terms of the
socio-economic aspect of the country?
{10)
{10)
[20]
QUESTION 4
4.1 You are the newly appointed Warden of Mahango National Park. You are given three {15)
years of veld monitoring data for one habitat type and you are required to interpret
them.
The data you have are as follows:
Results of 200 point step-point survey for the tree and woodland Savanna habitat
type:
Year
2016
2017
2018
Decreaser Increaser I
90
50
80
70
100
60
Increaser II
a
20
30
20
2
Increaser II
b
20
10
10
Increaser II c
20
10
10
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Use the Ecological Index Method to compare veld condition for the tree and
woodland savanna between 2016-2017-2018.
[15]
QUESTION 5
You are the newly appointed Warden for NamibRand Nature Reserve; you are to rent a 3000 ha
portion of the reserve for the following year and want to know how many springboks can
sustainably be stocked on this portion. A grass biomass assessment indicated that the farm has
on average 600 kg dry grass material per ha. An average springbok on this reserve eats 2 kg of
dry grass per day.
5.1 Assuming a utilization factor of 0.35, how many hectares are required per springbok {4}
on this farm?
5.2 How many springboks can be stocked sustainably on this reserve?
(2)
5.3 A new private game reserve has been established in Omaheke region, as a recent
{4}
NRM graduate, you have been asked to assist in setting up the stocking rate for the
game reserve.
What factors do you need to consider when setting up a stocking rate?
[10]
QUESTION 6
6.1 Grazing value refers to the quantity and quality of grazing material. Name and clearly {12}
describe the six aspects of the grazing val1.,1e.
6.2 What can be concluded regarding the grazing status of a rangeland if you find a
{2}
substantial abundance of?
{a} Decreaser grasses
{b} Increaser I grasses
6.3 Name 6 grass species that make up the "Namibian six-pack" grasses.
{6}
QUESTION 7
7.1 Landscape Function Analysis {LFA} is a widely recommended approach for
rehabilitation work in rangelands, mining industry and conservation. Explain why
this approach is recommended.
7.2 What aspects does LFAassess?
[20]
(8)
{2}
[10]
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QUESTION 8
8.1 Fire is an important factor to consider in the management of a park or farm. Explain (5)
the importance of prescribed fire in the rangeland.
8.2 Mention five factors that influence fire behavior.
(5)
[10]
QUESTION 9
9.1 Bush encroachment and thickening is one of the major environmental problems in
(5)
Namibia.
What are the ecological consequences of bush encroachment and thickening?
9.2 Name 5 woody species responsible for bush encroachment in Namibia.
(5)
[10]
QUESTION 10
10.1 Game count activities are an important part of wildlife management in national
(10)
parks, conservancies and game reserves that must be conducted annually. Discuss
why information from the game count is important in wildlife management.
10.2 Mention five ground game count methods.
(5)
[15]
QUESTION 11
11.1 National Parks are vital tools for conserving Namibia's biodiversity. It is therefore
(10)
important that parks have management plans that guide their operations. Explain
the objectives of park management plans in Namibia.
[10]
Total marks: 150
The END
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