M T Hoffman
Biographic Data
| ID | 179780 |
|---|---|
| NAME | M T Hoffman |
| GIVEN NAMES | M T |
| FAMILY NAME | Hoffman |
| SIGNATURE | HOFFMAN M T |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Cape Town |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5843-2397 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 54 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1978 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Regional vegetation and climate changes are inconsistent with global trends, but what now
Global greening is a trend attributed to rising atmospheric CO 2 , warming and land-use change. However, certain regions may diverge from this pattern. South Africa, which occupies 0.82% of the global terrestrial surface area with ca. 10% of global Plantae species, is considered especially vulnerable to climate change. We analysed enhanced vegetation indices (EVI) from 1984 to 2021 across protected areas, correlating this with climate data from g…
Late-Holocene fynbos-forest dynamics in Orange Kloof, Table Mountain National Park, South Africa
Fynbos and afrotemperate forest exist as alternate stable states in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. In parts of Table Mountain National Park, afrotemperate forest has expanded in recent decades. The aim of this project was to explore the drivers of this change and distinguish whether this expansion represents a recovery of forest after previous clearance during the 18th century or is a novel expansion of forest range that resulted from…
Regional land degradation assessment for dryland environments: The Namaqualand Hardeveld bioregion of the Succulent Karoo biome as a case‐study
There is growing consensus that land degradation assessments should occur at local to regional scales, as global assessments fail to capture the complexity of land degradation processes, and how they manifest in different social‐ecological contexts. We have tested a statistically rigorous method for regional land degradation assessment in drylands, using fuzzy classification theory and techniques, that results in the creation of a habitat conditi…
Transition from subsistence grazing to nature-based recreation: A nuanced view of land abandonment in a mountain social-ecological system, southwestern Cape, South Africa
Further comments on analysing trajectories of vegetation and landscape change in southern Africa from historical field photographs
Between- and within-biome resistance and resilience at the fynbos-forest ecotone, South Africa
In the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, afrotemperate forest islands persist within a broader landscape of Mediterranean-type fynbos shrubland. The co-existence of these contrasting vegetation types in the same climate space suggests interactions between broad-scale climatic parameters and localised variables (notably local disturbance regimes and catchment hydrology). In this study, palaeoecological data from a fynbos-forest…
Deactivation of field cultivation in communal areas of South Africa: Patterns, drivers and socio-economic and ecological consequences
Rethinking catastrophe? Historical trajectories and modelled future vegetation change in southern Africa
Shifting baselines in a changing world: Identifying management targets in endangered heathlands of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Climatic buffering and anthropogenic degradation of a Mediterranean-type shrubland refugium at its semi-arid boundary, South Africa
The mega-diverse, Mediterranean-type fynbos biome may be vulnerable to future changes in climate and associated fire regimes, in particular to increasing summer-drought intensity and associated potential expansion of adjacent semi-arid vegetation types. Studying Holocene vegetation dynamics at the fynbos–succulent karoo boundary may provide insights into the resilience or sensitivity of fynbos to climate change. In this study, fossil pollen, non-…
Site Distribution and Chronology at Soutpansklipheuwel, a Rocky Outcrop on the West Coast of South Africa
Archaeological research along the West Coast of South Africa has unveiled a diversity of Holocene adaptive strategies as shown by the different type, size, composition, and distribution of sites and their faunal and artifactual contents. Some differences and similarities are apparent between the northerly semi-desert of Namaqualand and the more central Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay areas. On first impression, this archaeological variability seems r…
Changing Patterns of Rural Land Use and Land Cover in South Africa and their Implications for Land Reform
Land use and land cover have changed significantly in South Africa since the 1913 Natives Land Act, in response to a wide range of political, social, cultural and environmental influences. This review examines the response of the vegetation of three biomes to these changing patterns. Vegetation change over the last 100 years is described along an aridity gradient from the arid Succulent Karoo biome in the west, across the wide expanses of the sem…
A tenfold increase in the Orange River mean Holocene mud flux: Implications for soil erosion in South Africa
Soil erosion poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture in southern Africa but is difficult to quantify. One measure of soil erosion is the sediment flux of rivers. The Orange River is the principal source of sediment to the western margin of South Africa with an estimated mean mud flux over the last 11 500 years (the Holocene epoch) of 5.1 (3.2—7.4) million metric tons/year (Mt/yr). A total of 43 gigatons (Gt; 10 15 g) representing 72% of t…
One Hundred Years of Separation: The Historical Ecology of a South African 'Coloured Reserve
During the twentieth century, the 20,000 hectares commons surrounding the village of Paulshoek as well as the neighbouring privately-owned farms have been significantly influenced by evolving land-use practices driven largely by socio-economic and political change in the broader Namaqualand and South African region. Land-use practices in the communal lands of Namaqualand were based initially on transhumant pastoralism, then on extensive dryland c…
Dynamics of grazing policy and practice: Environmental and social impacts in three communal areas of southern Africa
Managing Variability: Herding Strategies in Communal Rangelands of Semiarid Namaqualand, South Africa
The nature, extent and causes of land degradation in South Africa: Legacy of the past, lessons for the future
The aim of this paper is to reassess the land degradation and desertification problem in South Africa. The country has a wide range of interrelated environmental and development challenges existing in a socio–political context recently subject to substantial change. The paper outlines the fundamental environmental constraints and opportunities that underlie degradation phenomena and illustrates the nature, extent and geographical distribution of …
A National Review of Land Degradation in South Africa: The Influence of Biophysical and Socio-economic Factors
Studies of land degradation in South Africa have seldom addressed the issue for the whole country. As part of the first step in developing a National Action Programme to combat desertification, a national review of the soil and veld degradation problem was conducted in 1997 and 1998. The results are based on the perceptions of agricultural extension workers and resource conservation technicians from the Department of Agriculture. They indicate th…
Women's health status and use of health services in a rapidly growing peri-urban area of South Africa
Research and productivity in wheat in Israel
The introduction of the new Green Revolution wheat varieties to Israel is reviewed and analysed. It was found that the first stage varieties (developed from local Mexican wheats) did not have a significant impact on yields in Israel. Dwarf varieties and new crosses bred in Israel from Mexican genetic material contributed significantly to yield increases. Returns to local research are estimated. Conclusions about the role of the International Rese…
Dynamics of grazing policy and practice: Environmental and social impacts in three communal areas of southern Africa
Deactivation of field cultivation in communal areas of South Africa: Patterns, drivers and socio-economic and ecological consequences
One Hundred Years of Separation: The Historical Ecology of a South African 'Coloured Reserve
During the twentieth century, the 20,000 hectares commons surrounding the village of Paulshoek as well as the neighbouring privately-owned farms have been significantly influenced by evolving land-use practices driven largely by socio-economic and political change in the broader Namaqualand and South African region. Land-use practices in the communal lands of Namaqualand were based initially on transhumant pastoralism, then on extensive dryland c…
Managing Variability: Herding Strategies in Communal Rangelands of Semiarid Namaqualand, South Africa
Women's health status and use of health services in a rapidly growing peri-urban area of South Africa
Shifting baselines in a changing world: Identifying management targets in endangered heathlands of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Changing Patterns of Rural Land Use and Land Cover in South Africa and their Implications for Land Reform
Land use and land cover have changed significantly in South Africa since the 1913 Natives Land Act, in response to a wide range of political, social, cultural and environmental influences. This review examines the response of the vegetation of three biomes to these changing patterns. Vegetation change over the last 100 years is described along an aridity gradient from the arid Succulent Karoo biome in the west, across the wide expanses of the sem…
The nature, extent and causes of land degradation in South Africa: Legacy of the past, lessons for the future
The aim of this paper is to reassess the land degradation and desertification problem in South Africa. The country has a wide range of interrelated environmental and development challenges existing in a socio–political context recently subject to substantial change. The paper outlines the fundamental environmental constraints and opportunities that underlie degradation phenomena and illustrates the nature, extent and geographical distribution of …
Transition from subsistence grazing to nature-based recreation: A nuanced view of land abandonment in a mountain social-ecological system, southwestern Cape, South Africa
Between- and within-biome resistance and resilience at the fynbos-forest ecotone, South Africa
In the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, afrotemperate forest islands persist within a broader landscape of Mediterranean-type fynbos shrubland. The co-existence of these contrasting vegetation types in the same climate space suggests interactions between broad-scale climatic parameters and localised variables (notably local disturbance regimes and catchment hydrology). In this study, palaeoecological data from a fynbos-forest…
Rethinking catastrophe? Historical trajectories and modelled future vegetation change in southern Africa
Climatic buffering and anthropogenic degradation of a Mediterranean-type shrubland refugium at its semi-arid boundary, South Africa
The mega-diverse, Mediterranean-type fynbos biome may be vulnerable to future changes in climate and associated fire regimes, in particular to increasing summer-drought intensity and associated potential expansion of adjacent semi-arid vegetation types. Studying Holocene vegetation dynamics at the fynbos–succulent karoo boundary may provide insights into the resilience or sensitivity of fynbos to climate change. In this study, fossil pollen, non-…
Site Distribution and Chronology at Soutpansklipheuwel, a Rocky Outcrop on the West Coast of South Africa
Archaeological research along the West Coast of South Africa has unveiled a diversity of Holocene adaptive strategies as shown by the different type, size, composition, and distribution of sites and their faunal and artifactual contents. Some differences and similarities are apparent between the northerly semi-desert of Namaqualand and the more central Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay areas. On first impression, this archaeological variability seems r…
A tenfold increase in the Orange River mean Holocene mud flux: Implications for soil erosion in South Africa
Soil erosion poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture in southern Africa but is difficult to quantify. One measure of soil erosion is the sediment flux of rivers. The Orange River is the principal source of sediment to the western margin of South Africa with an estimated mean mud flux over the last 11 500 years (the Holocene epoch) of 5.1 (3.2—7.4) million metric tons/year (Mt/yr). A total of 43 gigatons (Gt; 10 15 g) representing 72% of t…
Research and productivity in wheat in Israel
The introduction of the new Green Revolution wheat varieties to Israel is reviewed and analysed. It was found that the first stage varieties (developed from local Mexican wheats) did not have a significant impact on yields in Israel. Dwarf varieties and new crosses bred in Israel from Mexican genetic material contributed significantly to yield increases. Returns to local research are estimated. Conclusions about the role of the International Rese…
Women's health status and use of health services in a rapidly growing peri-urban area of South Africa
A National Review of Land Degradation in South Africa: The Influence of Biophysical and Socio-economic Factors
Studies of land degradation in South Africa have seldom addressed the issue for the whole country. As part of the first step in developing a National Action Programme to combat desertification, a national review of the soil and veld degradation problem was conducted in 1997 and 1998. The results are based on the perceptions of agricultural extension workers and resource conservation technicians from the Department of Agriculture. They indicate th…
The nature, extent and causes of land degradation in South Africa: Legacy of the past, lessons for the future
The aim of this paper is to reassess the land degradation and desertification problem in South Africa. The country has a wide range of interrelated environmental and development challenges existing in a socio–political context recently subject to substantial change. The paper outlines the fundamental environmental constraints and opportunities that underlie degradation phenomena and illustrates the nature, extent and geographical distribution of …
Dynamics of grazing policy and practice: Environmental and social impacts in three communal areas of southern Africa
Managing Variability: Herding Strategies in Communal Rangelands of Semiarid Namaqualand, South Africa
One Hundred Years of Separation: The Historical Ecology of a South African 'Coloured Reserve
During the twentieth century, the 20,000 hectares commons surrounding the village of Paulshoek as well as the neighbouring privately-owned farms have been significantly influenced by evolving land-use practices driven largely by socio-economic and political change in the broader Namaqualand and South African region. Land-use practices in the communal lands of Namaqualand were based initially on transhumant pastoralism, then on extensive dryland c…
A tenfold increase in the Orange River mean Holocene mud flux: Implications for soil erosion in South Africa
Soil erosion poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture in southern Africa but is difficult to quantify. One measure of soil erosion is the sediment flux of rivers. The Orange River is the principal source of sediment to the western margin of South Africa with an estimated mean mud flux over the last 11 500 years (the Holocene epoch) of 5.1 (3.2—7.4) million metric tons/year (Mt/yr). A total of 43 gigatons (Gt; 10 15 g) representing 72% of t…
Site Distribution and Chronology at Soutpansklipheuwel, a Rocky Outcrop on the West Coast of South Africa
Archaeological research along the West Coast of South Africa has unveiled a diversity of Holocene adaptive strategies as shown by the different type, size, composition, and distribution of sites and their faunal and artifactual contents. Some differences and similarities are apparent between the northerly semi-desert of Namaqualand and the more central Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay areas. On first impression, this archaeological variability seems r…
Changing Patterns of Rural Land Use and Land Cover in South Africa and their Implications for Land Reform
Land use and land cover have changed significantly in South Africa since the 1913 Natives Land Act, in response to a wide range of political, social, cultural and environmental influences. This review examines the response of the vegetation of three biomes to these changing patterns. Vegetation change over the last 100 years is described along an aridity gradient from the arid Succulent Karoo biome in the west, across the wide expanses of the sem…
Climatic buffering and anthropogenic degradation of a Mediterranean-type shrubland refugium at its semi-arid boundary, South Africa
The mega-diverse, Mediterranean-type fynbos biome may be vulnerable to future changes in climate and associated fire regimes, in particular to increasing summer-drought intensity and associated potential expansion of adjacent semi-arid vegetation types. Studying Holocene vegetation dynamics at the fynbos–succulent karoo boundary may provide insights into the resilience or sensitivity of fynbos to climate change. In this study, fossil pollen, non-…
Shifting baselines in a changing world: Identifying management targets in endangered heathlands of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa
Between- and within-biome resistance and resilience at the fynbos-forest ecotone, South Africa
In the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, afrotemperate forest islands persist within a broader landscape of Mediterranean-type fynbos shrubland. The co-existence of these contrasting vegetation types in the same climate space suggests interactions between broad-scale climatic parameters and localised variables (notably local disturbance regimes and catchment hydrology). In this study, palaeoecological data from a fynbos-forest…
Deactivation of field cultivation in communal areas of South Africa: Patterns, drivers and socio-economic and ecological consequences
Rethinking catastrophe? Historical trajectories and modelled future vegetation change in southern Africa
Further comments on analysing trajectories of vegetation and landscape change in southern Africa from historical field photographs
Regional land degradation assessment for dryland environments: The Namaqualand Hardeveld bioregion of the Succulent Karoo biome as a case‐study
There is growing consensus that land degradation assessments should occur at local to regional scales, as global assessments fail to capture the complexity of land degradation processes, and how they manifest in different social‐ecological contexts. We have tested a statistically rigorous method for regional land degradation assessment in drylands, using fuzzy classification theory and techniques, that results in the creation of a habitat conditi…
Transition from subsistence grazing to nature-based recreation: A nuanced view of land abandonment in a mountain social-ecological system, southwestern Cape, South Africa
Late-Holocene fynbos-forest dynamics in Orange Kloof, Table Mountain National Park, South Africa
Fynbos and afrotemperate forest exist as alternate stable states in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. In parts of Table Mountain National Park, afrotemperate forest has expanded in recent decades. The aim of this project was to explore the drivers of this change and distinguish whether this expansion represents a recovery of forest after previous clearance during the 18th century or is a novel expansion of forest range that resulted from…
Regional vegetation and climate changes are inconsistent with global trends, but what now
Global greening is a trend attributed to rising atmospheric CO 2 , warming and land-use change. However, certain regions may diverge from this pattern. South Africa, which occupies 0.82% of the global terrestrial surface area with ca. 10% of global Plantae species, is considered especially vulnerable to climate change. We analysed enhanced vegetation indices (EVI) from 1984 to 2021 across protected areas, correlating this with climate data from g…
Geography (18 works) · Ecology (16 works) · Environmental Science (10 works) · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology (9 works) · Biology (8 works) · Land use (8 works) · Agriculture (7 works) · Agroforestry (7 works) · Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies (7 works) · Economics (7 works)