biological sciences 5
B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E S
their near-natural state. At the same time, South African wildlife management in for-
several iconic species (such as the square- mal protected areas was internationally
lipped rhino) were in imminent danger of admired for its efficiency, but the model
extinction. Expertise in the capture, trans- had severe limitations in the remainder of
location and veterinary care of large mam-
the landscape. For a range of reasons, wild-
mals became a national speciality. Research
life was becoming an important land use
into population biology, habitat needs and
outside of reserves. New approaches to
wildlife feeding patterns also proliferated
conservation, particularly on communal or
during the 1960s, leading to the establish-
private land, originated in Zimbabwe (then
ment of a research chair in wildlife manage-
Rhodesia) and came south, influencing
ment and a Mammal Research Institute at
management both inside and outside pro-
UP and the South African Journal of Wildlife
tected areas. Among the many innovations
Research.
was a view of managed natural ecosystems,
often wildlife-based, as opportunities for
By the early 1970s it became clear that
job creation and economic development;
some of the pressing problems (largely out-
a participatory approach to land manage-
side the protected area network) were not
ment; and the implementation of adaptive
amenable to a piecemeal approach. Strong-
management as a way to deal with variabil-
ly influenced by the International Biosphere
ity and uncertainty.
Programme experience in the emerging
field of ‘ecosystem research’, South Africa
The strong body of scientists with experi-
initiated a series of ecosystem programmes
which proved to be seminal in establishing
ence in interdisciplinary work and an ethos
both a collaborative approach to science
of sustainable use rather than strict preser-
and a cohort of ecologists whose influence
vation meant that South Africa (with Zim-
is still strongly felt. Brian Huntley was a key
babwe) was well positioned to enter the
figure in managing the Cooperative Scien-
field of ecosystem services (‘the benefits
tific Programmes, initially out of the CSIR
that people derive from nature’) when it
and later out of its offshoot, the Foundation
blossomed in the early years of the 21
st
for Research Development, now the NRF.
century. The Southern African Millennium
The first established was the South African
Ecosystem Assessment was an important
Savanna Ecosystem programme, based at
project in establishing this approach. The
Nylsvley, followed soon thereafter by the
experience gained in scientific assessments
Fynbos Biome Programme, the Benguela
fed back into wildlife management, for
Ecosystem Programme (in the marine en-
instance in the scientific assessment of el-
vironment) and eventually by programmes
ephant management in South Africa.
in the aridlands of the Karoo, the grasslands
and the forests. Brian Walker was attracted
from Zimbabwe, and had a lasting influence
on ecosystem science in South Africa.
161
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