Ms Maxine Manickum assessed tree diversity in urban parks in the eThekwini Municipality for her Master’s in Biological Sciences to inform management of these critical green spaces in residential areas.
Manickum said according to research, low-income households and low-income residential areas are likely to have less access to urban green spaces, with a detrimental effect on communities already impacted by discriminatory apartheid-era urban planning and poor land conditions. Additionally, poor soil conditions and limited urban green spaces result in disproportionate suffering for poorer areas from the urban heat island effect, storm runoffs, degraded air quality, groundwater depletion and more.
In South Africa, these challenges are exacerbated by the lack of management plans, inadequate tree planting, management and maintenance policies, and the absence of systematic monitoring of urban trees and green spaces. National environmental policies and legislation do not always translate to implementation at the local level.
Cognisant of the advantages of green spaces and natural areas in urban areas, as well as their benefits for urban wildlife as corridors for movement and improved biotic diversity, Manickum sought to contribute to knowledge of the condition and composition of these spaces.
To preserve green spaces and wildlife corridors, practical and proactive clearing of invasive alien plant species (IAP), habitat restoration and replanting of indigenous trees must be carried out. In a municipality with constrained resources, these activities are not prioritised, threatening adverse ecological, economic and social consequences of the proliferation of IAPs.
Few studies have been done on the tree diversity of urban green spaces in the eThekwini Municipality, where there is a strong presence of IAPs and a decline in coastal terrestrial vegetation where forest flora and trees are an important component – only 26% of its land is in a natural, non-degraded state.
Manickum determined that the elimination and substitution of IAPs with indigenous trees – especially those in legislated categories 1 to 3 that must be removed and destroyed, only grown with a permit, or may not be planted – is an urgent priority. All 13 urban parks she surveyed contained IAPs, which Manickum called a worrying trend.
Manickum works full-time for the Natural Science Collection Facility in a job with demanding travel commitments, making juggling her studies while prioritising work achievements a challenge. She worked on her research in the evening and on weekends, taking a toll on her physically, but Manickum made sure to pace herself and focus on self-care when she needed to.
Manickum completed all of her studies from undergraduate to master’s level at UKZN’s Westville campus, drawn to the University for its high academic standards and reputation. Having always loved Biology in high school, enrolling for biological sciences was a natural fit.
Manickum looks forward to publishing her thesis and taking time to focus on work without the additional pressure of studying but is considering further study in the future.
She credited her faith in Jesus Christ for providing the strength for her to succeed in her studies. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her parents and sister for their invaluable support, saying a solid support system is essential for attaining a postgraduate degree.
Manickum thanked her supervisors, Dr Syd Ramdhani and Professor Serban Proches, for the advice and guidance that shaped her research aptitude. She also thanked Mr Teddy Govender for his support and the South African National Biodiversity Institute for funding her research.
Manickum advised those wanting to advance in life never to limit themselves in terms of what they can achieve through focus and self-belief.
‘Take a chance on yourself,’ said Manickum. ‘It doesn’t mean that the road ahead will be easy, but through all the ups and downs, obstacles and challenges you will have to overcome, you will be a better person as everything you go through will shape you into your future self; there are things we can only learn from venturing into the unknown.’
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
