An investigation of the influence of knowledge-production and learning processes on complex practices in a community-driven citizen science initiative: A nature conservation case study
- Authors: Alexander, Jaclyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Science -- Citizen participation , Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee , Environmental education , Frogs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138173 , vital:37603
- Description: Community-driven citizen science initiatives have become an increasingly popular tool for combating social-ecological challenges that arise within communities. Scientific protocols have been designed to strengthen and support the accuracy and reliability of data collection and information sharing; however, little is understood of the dynamic social processes that reinforce and co-ordinate such community-driven action. This qualitative case study was undertaken to identify and understand complex organisational, political and socio-cultural processes (in particular knowledge-production and learning processes) that have guided, sustained and informed complex practices in a community driven citizen science initiative. The study aimed to inform the development of a social protocol that might be transferable to other citizen science contexts. The study drew on the theory of ‘Landscapes of Practice’, which highlights how multiple communities of practice overlap, interrelate, share knowledge and cross boundaries to create potential learning across a landscape. Additionally, ideas and typologies in recent citizen science literature offered perspective on the community-driven citizen science practices. This qualitative case study focused on the bounded case of the Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee. Specific data generation tools (interviews, observations, document analysis and diagrams) were used from multiple perspectives over time to provide rigor and depth to the data. The study demonstrated how multiple ‘nexes of practice’ co-engaged in collective knowledge creation practices, which helped to enhance ‘knowledgeability’ across the landscape. This coordinated effort, however, was sporadic and inconsistent. Recommendations are made for the development of social protocols that could assist collaborators in citizen science initiatives to scrutinise and rethink their practices and to examine both their successes and shortfalls towards their shared interest.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Alexander, Jaclyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Science -- Citizen participation , Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee , Environmental education , Frogs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138173 , vital:37603
- Description: Community-driven citizen science initiatives have become an increasingly popular tool for combating social-ecological challenges that arise within communities. Scientific protocols have been designed to strengthen and support the accuracy and reliability of data collection and information sharing; however, little is understood of the dynamic social processes that reinforce and co-ordinate such community-driven action. This qualitative case study was undertaken to identify and understand complex organisational, political and socio-cultural processes (in particular knowledge-production and learning processes) that have guided, sustained and informed complex practices in a community driven citizen science initiative. The study aimed to inform the development of a social protocol that might be transferable to other citizen science contexts. The study drew on the theory of ‘Landscapes of Practice’, which highlights how multiple communities of practice overlap, interrelate, share knowledge and cross boundaries to create potential learning across a landscape. Additionally, ideas and typologies in recent citizen science literature offered perspective on the community-driven citizen science practices. This qualitative case study focused on the bounded case of the Western Leopard Toad Conservation Committee. Specific data generation tools (interviews, observations, document analysis and diagrams) were used from multiple perspectives over time to provide rigor and depth to the data. The study demonstrated how multiple ‘nexes of practice’ co-engaged in collective knowledge creation practices, which helped to enhance ‘knowledgeability’ across the landscape. This coordinated effort, however, was sporadic and inconsistent. Recommendations are made for the development of social protocols that could assist collaborators in citizen science initiatives to scrutinise and rethink their practices and to examine both their successes and shortfalls towards their shared interest.
- Full Text:
Assessing community structure and trophic interrelationships in three differently impacted headwater streams in the AmatholeWinterberg freshwater ecoregion, South Africa
- Authors: Matomela, Nonjabulo Happy
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Stream ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater animals -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Kat River (South Africa) -- , Lushington River (South Africa) , Elands River (South Africa) , Eyre River (South Africa) , Food chains (Ecology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147653 , vital:38658
- Description: Afromontane regions represent some of the highly threatened ecosystems on the planet as they harbour endemic and often relic freshwater fauna. These ecologically sensitive ecosystems have been altered by multiple impacts, including invasion by non-native fishes, replacement of diverse indigenous vegetation with monoculture plantations, agricultural and mining activities, hydrological modifications, and degradation of instream habitats, with potential detrimental effects on aquatic community structures and food web dynamics. The aim of the present study was to compare spatio-temporal patterns of macroinvertebrate and fish communities as well as food web dynamics in three differently impacted headwater tributaries of the Kat River in the Amathole-Winterberg freshwater ecoregion in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The upper Kat River catchment was the ideal model for purposes of the present study as it contains streams with varying degrees of human impact. The streams considered in the present study were (i) the Eyre River which was considered to closely represent near-natural conditions as it is the least impacted stream in this catchment, with the riparian zone dominated by relatively intact and diverse native woody vegetation, (ii) the Elands River whose catchment has been altered by agricultural activities, and (iii) the Lushington River, whose riparian zone has been heavily invaded by black wattle. The three headwater streams were generally distinguished based on the physical-chemical variables. The Elands River was characterised by high conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). In addition, the Elands River was more alkaline and relatively warmer than the other two rivers. This suggested the negative influence of agriculture activities on the water quality in the Elands River. In general, the Lushington and Eyre rivers had comparable physical and chemical variables. However, the Lushington River was generally characterised by low streamflow, likely as a consequent of black wattle which is known for altering hydrological regimes of streams .The Eyre River and Lushington River were comparable in terms of macroinvertebrate richness and diversity, whereas the Elands River was characterised by low macroinvertebrate diversity and richness. Redundancy analysis indicated that the macroinvertebrate communities were mostly influenced by seasonality, with land-use accounting for a small but significant difference in community composition. In comparison, the generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) showed that chubbyhead barb abundance was significantly influenced by land-use patterns. Evaluation of food web dynamics using stable isotope analysis revealed that the food web structure in the three rivers differed substantially as a result of land-use. Specifically, the Eyre River was characterised by less variation in stable isotope values of basal food sources and consequently, the consumer groups had a narrow isotopic breadth. In contrast, the Elands River was characterised by a wide variation in basal food sources and therefore, a wider isotopic breadth for consumers. The Lushington River was spatially variable in terms of basal sources and isotopic breadth for consumers. The study concluded that food webs and trophic interrelationships were a more informative indicator of land-use than community structure was in evaluating the impact of land-use patterns on aquatic communities. In addition, future studies should seek to investigate food webs interrelationships in addition to community structure to infer a more conclusive river assessment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matomela, Nonjabulo Happy
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Stream ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Freshwater animals -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Kat River (South Africa) -- , Lushington River (South Africa) , Elands River (South Africa) , Eyre River (South Africa) , Food chains (Ecology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147653 , vital:38658
- Description: Afromontane regions represent some of the highly threatened ecosystems on the planet as they harbour endemic and often relic freshwater fauna. These ecologically sensitive ecosystems have been altered by multiple impacts, including invasion by non-native fishes, replacement of diverse indigenous vegetation with monoculture plantations, agricultural and mining activities, hydrological modifications, and degradation of instream habitats, with potential detrimental effects on aquatic community structures and food web dynamics. The aim of the present study was to compare spatio-temporal patterns of macroinvertebrate and fish communities as well as food web dynamics in three differently impacted headwater tributaries of the Kat River in the Amathole-Winterberg freshwater ecoregion in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The upper Kat River catchment was the ideal model for purposes of the present study as it contains streams with varying degrees of human impact. The streams considered in the present study were (i) the Eyre River which was considered to closely represent near-natural conditions as it is the least impacted stream in this catchment, with the riparian zone dominated by relatively intact and diverse native woody vegetation, (ii) the Elands River whose catchment has been altered by agricultural activities, and (iii) the Lushington River, whose riparian zone has been heavily invaded by black wattle. The three headwater streams were generally distinguished based on the physical-chemical variables. The Elands River was characterised by high conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). In addition, the Elands River was more alkaline and relatively warmer than the other two rivers. This suggested the negative influence of agriculture activities on the water quality in the Elands River. In general, the Lushington and Eyre rivers had comparable physical and chemical variables. However, the Lushington River was generally characterised by low streamflow, likely as a consequent of black wattle which is known for altering hydrological regimes of streams .The Eyre River and Lushington River were comparable in terms of macroinvertebrate richness and diversity, whereas the Elands River was characterised by low macroinvertebrate diversity and richness. Redundancy analysis indicated that the macroinvertebrate communities were mostly influenced by seasonality, with land-use accounting for a small but significant difference in community composition. In comparison, the generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) showed that chubbyhead barb abundance was significantly influenced by land-use patterns. Evaluation of food web dynamics using stable isotope analysis revealed that the food web structure in the three rivers differed substantially as a result of land-use. Specifically, the Eyre River was characterised by less variation in stable isotope values of basal food sources and consequently, the consumer groups had a narrow isotopic breadth. In contrast, the Elands River was characterised by a wide variation in basal food sources and therefore, a wider isotopic breadth for consumers. The Lushington River was spatially variable in terms of basal sources and isotopic breadth for consumers. The study concluded that food webs and trophic interrelationships were a more informative indicator of land-use than community structure was in evaluating the impact of land-use patterns on aquatic communities. In addition, future studies should seek to investigate food webs interrelationships in addition to community structure to infer a more conclusive river assessment.
- Full Text:
Attentive amelioration: developing and evaluating an applied mindfulness programme for psychologists
- Authors: McGarvie, Susan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Attentive Amelioration Programme , Mindfulness (Psychology) , Psychotherapy -- Practice , Counseling -- Practice , Medical professionals -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166186 , vital:41336
- Description: It is readily accepted that healthcare in many third world countries is in crisis, but interestingly, even in wealthy first world countries, many healthcare systems are stretched to their limits, as fewer people choose to follow a career in healthcare and more staff members struggle under the pressures of an overextended system (Krasner, et al., 2009). Ways to improve healthcare practitioner wellbeing is thus a relevant and widely investigated topic (McCann et al., 2013), which has, until recently, been aimed at reducing the negative symptoms associated with poor wellbeing, such as stress and burnout. More recently, there has been burgeoning interest in the effects and potential benefits of mindfulness practice to wellbeing, especially in developed English-speaking countries like the UK, Canada, USA, Australia, as well as in Europe. The aim of this study was to contribute to this body of literature by proposing a more personalised and person-centred means to support and improve wellbeing. It was guided by an overarching research question, about the benefits of a mindfulness-based wellness course for practicing psychologists. This study is a mixed-methods narrative inquiry which employs both Action Research (AR) and Programme Evaluation methods. It involved the design, implementation and evaluation of a mindful-wellness programme, subsequently named the Attentive Amelioration programme. Ten participants were purposively recruited and enrolled in the programme, which ran over eight weeks and included coaching and blended learning facilitation methods, including: an introductory workshop (with a pedagogical mix of lecture, group discussion, practical activities, learners manual and YouTube clips), individual and group coaching sessions, and an online learning programme. The findings suggest that psychologists do experience a great deal of stress and perceived levels of burnout are high, even if the scores on the pre- and post- intervention self-assessment scales do not entirely support this perception. This study found that participants were open to and engaged with mindfulness training and practice and sustained that practice for several months post-intervention. Finally, overall findings suggest that while the Attentive Amelioration programme was effective as a means to cultivate and develop mindfulness, self-compassion and overall wellbeing in the short-term, further investigation is required to determine the sustainability of the effects over the long-term. The findings of this study support the overall aims of the study in that it has found that the participating psychologists found the Attentive Amelioration programme to be beneficial, supportive and even therapeutic. By contributing to and supporting findings of existing research, that suggest that a mindfulness-based coaching programme would be beneficial to psychologist wellbeing and therapeutic proficiency, it serves to advocate for mindfulness as a means to improve and sustain psychologist wellbeing..
- Full Text:
Attentive amelioration: developing and evaluating an applied mindfulness programme for psychologists
- Authors: McGarvie, Susan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Attentive Amelioration Programme , Mindfulness (Psychology) , Psychotherapy -- Practice , Counseling -- Practice , Medical professionals -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166186 , vital:41336
- Description: It is readily accepted that healthcare in many third world countries is in crisis, but interestingly, even in wealthy first world countries, many healthcare systems are stretched to their limits, as fewer people choose to follow a career in healthcare and more staff members struggle under the pressures of an overextended system (Krasner, et al., 2009). Ways to improve healthcare practitioner wellbeing is thus a relevant and widely investigated topic (McCann et al., 2013), which has, until recently, been aimed at reducing the negative symptoms associated with poor wellbeing, such as stress and burnout. More recently, there has been burgeoning interest in the effects and potential benefits of mindfulness practice to wellbeing, especially in developed English-speaking countries like the UK, Canada, USA, Australia, as well as in Europe. The aim of this study was to contribute to this body of literature by proposing a more personalised and person-centred means to support and improve wellbeing. It was guided by an overarching research question, about the benefits of a mindfulness-based wellness course for practicing psychologists. This study is a mixed-methods narrative inquiry which employs both Action Research (AR) and Programme Evaluation methods. It involved the design, implementation and evaluation of a mindful-wellness programme, subsequently named the Attentive Amelioration programme. Ten participants were purposively recruited and enrolled in the programme, which ran over eight weeks and included coaching and blended learning facilitation methods, including: an introductory workshop (with a pedagogical mix of lecture, group discussion, practical activities, learners manual and YouTube clips), individual and group coaching sessions, and an online learning programme. The findings suggest that psychologists do experience a great deal of stress and perceived levels of burnout are high, even if the scores on the pre- and post- intervention self-assessment scales do not entirely support this perception. This study found that participants were open to and engaged with mindfulness training and practice and sustained that practice for several months post-intervention. Finally, overall findings suggest that while the Attentive Amelioration programme was effective as a means to cultivate and develop mindfulness, self-compassion and overall wellbeing in the short-term, further investigation is required to determine the sustainability of the effects over the long-term. The findings of this study support the overall aims of the study in that it has found that the participating psychologists found the Attentive Amelioration programme to be beneficial, supportive and even therapeutic. By contributing to and supporting findings of existing research, that suggest that a mindfulness-based coaching programme would be beneficial to psychologist wellbeing and therapeutic proficiency, it serves to advocate for mindfulness as a means to improve and sustain psychologist wellbeing..
- Full Text:
Attitudinal difference surveys perpetuate harmful tropes: A comment on Nattrass
- Rosenberg, Eureta, Le Grange, Lesley
- Authors: Rosenberg, Eureta , Le Grange, Lesley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370129 , vital:66300 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8469"
- Description: We reply to the article, ‘Why are black South African students less likely to consider studying biological sciences?’, authored by University of Cape Town (UCT) researcher Nicoli Nattrass1 and published in the South African Journal of Science on 27 May 2020. At the time of writing our reply the article had already received sharp criticism from the Black Academic Caucus at UCT and in a statement released on 5 June 2020, the UCT executive distanced itself from the content of the paper, inviting rigorous, respectful review of the published research. Nattrass’ article1 follows two papers published in 2019 by scholars associated with South African universities, both of which were widely denounced for the racist undertones of their content. The first article was authored by Stellenbosch University researchers who reported on low cognitive functioning of coloured women linked to education levels and lifestyles2 ; see comment by Le Grange3 . The second article was co-authored by an adjunct professor at UCT and examined the role of cognitive ability or intelligence on slave exports from Africa4 . These publications gave rise to a broader debate on enduring racism in science and the re-ascendency of race science internationally. In this reply, we focus on the methodology of attitudinal survey used for the study reported by Nattrass (and by many other scientists). There are two lines of argument that we weave together: the quality of the research as reported, and problems inherent to comparative attitudinal survey research (regardless of how well it is executed). It should be noted that the Black Academic Caucus at UCT has also critiqued the research design, identifying many of the points we make here, and they have additionally included a discourse analysis of the paper (circulated via e-mail). To demonstrate how problematic a survey design can be, particularly when it is not rigorously executed, we share data and observations that counter the apparent findings of Nattrass’ study. We then argue that the publication of this research, in this manner, is detrimental to the biodiversity sector in which the tropes being perpetuated, can cause enormous harm. In the process we hope to encourage scientists to be more reflexive about their methodology, and we encourage the South African Journal of Science to publish works that are worthy of the young people of this country - research in which they can recognise themselves, rather than being forced to look at reductionist portrayals, legitimised under the banner of science.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rosenberg, Eureta , Le Grange, Lesley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370129 , vital:66300 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8469"
- Description: We reply to the article, ‘Why are black South African students less likely to consider studying biological sciences?’, authored by University of Cape Town (UCT) researcher Nicoli Nattrass1 and published in the South African Journal of Science on 27 May 2020. At the time of writing our reply the article had already received sharp criticism from the Black Academic Caucus at UCT and in a statement released on 5 June 2020, the UCT executive distanced itself from the content of the paper, inviting rigorous, respectful review of the published research. Nattrass’ article1 follows two papers published in 2019 by scholars associated with South African universities, both of which were widely denounced for the racist undertones of their content. The first article was authored by Stellenbosch University researchers who reported on low cognitive functioning of coloured women linked to education levels and lifestyles2 ; see comment by Le Grange3 . The second article was co-authored by an adjunct professor at UCT and examined the role of cognitive ability or intelligence on slave exports from Africa4 . These publications gave rise to a broader debate on enduring racism in science and the re-ascendency of race science internationally. In this reply, we focus on the methodology of attitudinal survey used for the study reported by Nattrass (and by many other scientists). There are two lines of argument that we weave together: the quality of the research as reported, and problems inherent to comparative attitudinal survey research (regardless of how well it is executed). It should be noted that the Black Academic Caucus at UCT has also critiqued the research design, identifying many of the points we make here, and they have additionally included a discourse analysis of the paper (circulated via e-mail). To demonstrate how problematic a survey design can be, particularly when it is not rigorously executed, we share data and observations that counter the apparent findings of Nattrass’ study. We then argue that the publication of this research, in this manner, is detrimental to the biodiversity sector in which the tropes being perpetuated, can cause enormous harm. In the process we hope to encourage scientists to be more reflexive about their methodology, and we encourage the South African Journal of Science to publish works that are worthy of the young people of this country - research in which they can recognise themselves, rather than being forced to look at reductionist portrayals, legitimised under the banner of science.
- Full Text:
Bat species richness and community composition along a mega-transect in the Okavango river basin:
- Weier, Sina M, Keith, Mark, Neef, Götz G, Parker, Daniel M, Taylor, Peter J
- Authors: Weier, Sina M , Keith, Mark , Neef, Götz G , Parker, Daniel M , Taylor, Peter J
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149264 , vital:38820 , https://doi.org/10.3390/d12050188
- Description: The Okavango River Basin is a hotspot of bat diversity that requires urgent and adequate protection. To advise future conservation strategies, we investigated the relative importance of a range of potential environmental drivers of bat species richness and functional community composition in the Okavango River Basin. During annual canoe transects along the major rivers, originating in the central Angolan highlands, we recorded more than 25,000 bat echolocation calls from 2015 to 2018. We corrected for possible biases in sampling design and effort.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Weier, Sina M , Keith, Mark , Neef, Götz G , Parker, Daniel M , Taylor, Peter J
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149264 , vital:38820 , https://doi.org/10.3390/d12050188
- Description: The Okavango River Basin is a hotspot of bat diversity that requires urgent and adequate protection. To advise future conservation strategies, we investigated the relative importance of a range of potential environmental drivers of bat species richness and functional community composition in the Okavango River Basin. During annual canoe transects along the major rivers, originating in the central Angolan highlands, we recorded more than 25,000 bat echolocation calls from 2015 to 2018. We corrected for possible biases in sampling design and effort.
- Full Text:
Biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods across four nature reserves in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Striving towards a balance between livelihoods and conservation
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
Body mass and condition of a fynbos bird community investigating impacts of time, weather and raptor abundance from long-term citizen-science datasets
- Lee, Alan T K, Barnard, Phoebe, Fraser, Mike, Lennard, Chris, Smit, Ben, Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Authors: Lee, Alan T K , Barnard, Phoebe , Fraser, Mike , Lennard, Chris , Smit, Ben , Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441546 , vital:73897 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1683093
- Description: Variation in body size, especially mass, is a function of local environmental conditions for any given species. Recent recorded decreases in body size of endotherms have been attributed to climate change in some cases. This prediction is based on the trend of smaller body size of endotherms in warmer climates (Bergmann’s rule) and it implies genetic responses rather than phenotypic flexibility. Alternatively, selection for smaller body size or lower mass could be explained by the starvation-predation hypothesis, where lighter individuals have a higher probability of escaping pursuing predators, such as raptors. Evidence that climate warming is driving patterns of size selection in birds in recent times has been mixed. We inspected data on 40 bird species contributed by bird ringers to the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRING) for changes in body mass and condition as a function of time (year), minimum temperature of the day of capture, maximum temperature of the previous day, and rainfall data in the south-western Cape Floristic Region (fynbos) around Cape Town, South Africa, for the period 1988–2015. The region shows a warming trend over the study period (0.035 °C yr−1). Interannual body mass and condition change were poorly explained by year or temperature. High daily minimum temperature explained loss of body condition for four species, whereas evidence from recaptured birds indicated negative effects of increasing maximum daily temperature, as well as rain. For the alternative hypothesis, because raptor abundance is stable or only weakly declining, there is little evidence to suggest these as a driver influencing mass trends. Any decrease in body mass over the study period that we observed for birds appear more likely to be plastic responses to stress associated with temperature or rainfall at this time, rather than systematic selection for smaller body size, as predicted by Bergmann’s Rule.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lee, Alan T K , Barnard, Phoebe , Fraser, Mike , Lennard, Chris , Smit, Ben , Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441546 , vital:73897 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1683093
- Description: Variation in body size, especially mass, is a function of local environmental conditions for any given species. Recent recorded decreases in body size of endotherms have been attributed to climate change in some cases. This prediction is based on the trend of smaller body size of endotherms in warmer climates (Bergmann’s rule) and it implies genetic responses rather than phenotypic flexibility. Alternatively, selection for smaller body size or lower mass could be explained by the starvation-predation hypothesis, where lighter individuals have a higher probability of escaping pursuing predators, such as raptors. Evidence that climate warming is driving patterns of size selection in birds in recent times has been mixed. We inspected data on 40 bird species contributed by bird ringers to the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRING) for changes in body mass and condition as a function of time (year), minimum temperature of the day of capture, maximum temperature of the previous day, and rainfall data in the south-western Cape Floristic Region (fynbos) around Cape Town, South Africa, for the period 1988–2015. The region shows a warming trend over the study period (0.035 °C yr−1). Interannual body mass and condition change were poorly explained by year or temperature. High daily minimum temperature explained loss of body condition for four species, whereas evidence from recaptured birds indicated negative effects of increasing maximum daily temperature, as well as rain. For the alternative hypothesis, because raptor abundance is stable or only weakly declining, there is little evidence to suggest these as a driver influencing mass trends. Any decrease in body mass over the study period that we observed for birds appear more likely to be plastic responses to stress associated with temperature or rainfall at this time, rather than systematic selection for smaller body size, as predicted by Bergmann’s Rule.
- Full Text:
Body mass and condition of a fynbos bird community investigating impacts of time, weather and raptor abundance from long-term citizen-science datasets
- Lee, Alan T K, Barnard, Phoebe, Fraser, Mike, Lennard, Chris, Smit, Ben, Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Authors: Lee, Alan T K , Barnard, Phoebe , Fraser, Mike , Lennard, Chris , Smit, Ben , Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448383 , vital:74726 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1683093
- Description: Variation in body size, especially mass, is a function of local environmental conditions for any given species. Recent recorded decreases in body size of endotherms have been attributed to climate change in some cases. This prediction is based on the trend of smaller body size of endotherms in warmer climates (Bergmann’s rule) and it implies genetic responses rather than phenotypic flexibility. Alternatively, selection for smaller body size or lower mass could be explained by the starvation-predation hypothesis, where lighter individuals have a higher probability of escaping pursuing predators, such as raptors. Evidence that climate warming is driving patterns of size selection in birds in recent times has been mixed. We inspected data on 40 bird species contributed by bird ringers to the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRING) for changes in body mass and condition as a function of time (year), minimum temperature of the day of capture, maximum temperature of the previous day, and rainfall data in the south-western Cape Floristic Region (fynbos) around Cape Town, South Africa, for the period 1988–2015.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lee, Alan T K , Barnard, Phoebe , Fraser, Mike , Lennard, Chris , Smit, Ben , Oschadleus, Hans-Dieter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/448383 , vital:74726 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1683093
- Description: Variation in body size, especially mass, is a function of local environmental conditions for any given species. Recent recorded decreases in body size of endotherms have been attributed to climate change in some cases. This prediction is based on the trend of smaller body size of endotherms in warmer climates (Bergmann’s rule) and it implies genetic responses rather than phenotypic flexibility. Alternatively, selection for smaller body size or lower mass could be explained by the starvation-predation hypothesis, where lighter individuals have a higher probability of escaping pursuing predators, such as raptors. Evidence that climate warming is driving patterns of size selection in birds in recent times has been mixed. We inspected data on 40 bird species contributed by bird ringers to the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRING) for changes in body mass and condition as a function of time (year), minimum temperature of the day of capture, maximum temperature of the previous day, and rainfall data in the south-western Cape Floristic Region (fynbos) around Cape Town, South Africa, for the period 1988–2015.
- Full Text:
Carnivore intra-guild competition in Selati Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Comley, Jessica
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hyenas -- Behavior -- South Africa , Hyenas -- South Africa , Hyenas -- Ecology -- South Africa , Top predators -- South Africa , Top predators -- Ecology -- South Africa , Animal communities -- South Africa , Animal behavior -- South Africa , Mutualism (Biology) -- South Africa , Coexistence of species -- South Africa , Game farms -- South Africa , Selati Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115558 , vital:34163
- Description: Carnivore intra-guild interactions can be important drivers of carnivore community composition and ecosystem functioning. Large carnivores are particularly important since they occupy the highest trophic levels and can exert extensive influences on subordinate carnivores and prey species. Given Africa’s rapidly expanding human population, enclosed reserves such as those found in South Africa, may become increasingly important for carnivore conservation. A major concern, however, is that the interactions and co-existence of multiple carnivores in these systems is poorly understood. Additionally, the majority of reserves in South Africa are small ( 400km²), potentially increasing the likelihood of competition. My research aimed to provide insight into the interactions and co-existence of a multi-carnivore community within a small, enclosed reserve in South Africa (Selati Game Reserve). I tackled this task by using a combination of field techniques including camera trap surveys, ungulate transect surveys, aerial count surveys, location data collected from collared large carnivores and scat and kill site analyses. I found that carnivore-carnivore interactions, and their associated impacts, varied within the carnivore guild and that co-existence may be due to trade-offs between various risks (i.e. interference and exploitative competition) and benefits (i.e. resources such as food and space). My findings also revealed that large carnivores, such as lions (Panthera leo), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) and leopards (Panthera pardus) do not have homogenous effects and that site-specific research on multiple-carnivores is integral for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Lions were the dominant large carnivore (in terms of intra-guild predation, space use and resource use) despite being outnumbered seven to one by spotted hyaenas. Leopard occupancy was negatively influenced by lions and leopard diet overlapped almost completely (91%) with spotted hyaenas, suggesting increased kleptoparasitism of leopard kills by spotted hyaenas. While my study provides valuable insight into the complexity of carnivore intra-guild competition in a small, enclosed reserve it also highlights major research gaps and emphasises the need for ecosystem-based research throughout southern Africa to fully understand how multiple sympatric carnivores co-exist in these systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Comley, Jessica
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hyenas -- Behavior -- South Africa , Hyenas -- South Africa , Hyenas -- Ecology -- South Africa , Top predators -- South Africa , Top predators -- Ecology -- South Africa , Animal communities -- South Africa , Animal behavior -- South Africa , Mutualism (Biology) -- South Africa , Coexistence of species -- South Africa , Game farms -- South Africa , Selati Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115558 , vital:34163
- Description: Carnivore intra-guild interactions can be important drivers of carnivore community composition and ecosystem functioning. Large carnivores are particularly important since they occupy the highest trophic levels and can exert extensive influences on subordinate carnivores and prey species. Given Africa’s rapidly expanding human population, enclosed reserves such as those found in South Africa, may become increasingly important for carnivore conservation. A major concern, however, is that the interactions and co-existence of multiple carnivores in these systems is poorly understood. Additionally, the majority of reserves in South Africa are small ( 400km²), potentially increasing the likelihood of competition. My research aimed to provide insight into the interactions and co-existence of a multi-carnivore community within a small, enclosed reserve in South Africa (Selati Game Reserve). I tackled this task by using a combination of field techniques including camera trap surveys, ungulate transect surveys, aerial count surveys, location data collected from collared large carnivores and scat and kill site analyses. I found that carnivore-carnivore interactions, and their associated impacts, varied within the carnivore guild and that co-existence may be due to trade-offs between various risks (i.e. interference and exploitative competition) and benefits (i.e. resources such as food and space). My findings also revealed that large carnivores, such as lions (Panthera leo), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) and leopards (Panthera pardus) do not have homogenous effects and that site-specific research on multiple-carnivores is integral for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Lions were the dominant large carnivore (in terms of intra-guild predation, space use and resource use) despite being outnumbered seven to one by spotted hyaenas. Leopard occupancy was negatively influenced by lions and leopard diet overlapped almost completely (91%) with spotted hyaenas, suggesting increased kleptoparasitism of leopard kills by spotted hyaenas. While my study provides valuable insight into the complexity of carnivore intra-guild competition in a small, enclosed reserve it also highlights major research gaps and emphasises the need for ecosystem-based research throughout southern Africa to fully understand how multiple sympatric carnivores co-exist in these systems.
- Full Text:
Chasing Eden: Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy and the value of reading in a technological age
- Authors: Bosman, Zoë June
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Atwood, Margaret, 1939- MaddAddam trilogy , Speculative fiction -- History and criticism , Capitalism in literature , Dystopias in literature , Science fiction -- History and criticism , Technology in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145796 , vital:38467
- Description: This thesis is focussed on Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy: Oryx and Crake (2003) The Year of the Flood (2009) and MaddAddam (2013). Detailing Atwood’s own specifications as to why these texts should be categorised as works of speculative fiction, the thesis examines how this literary genre, and Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy in particular, is uniquely capable of encouraging readers to interrogate critically the socio-economic, environmental, and ethical problems to which she, and the contemporary reader, bear witness in the present technological age. With reference to Atwood’s essays and critical writings, Darko Suvin’s Metamorphoses of Science Fiction, and Wolfgang Iser’s The Act of Reading, this project explores the value of reading speculative fiction and details how Atwood has constructed the fictional, yet plausible, possible future world of her trilogy by extrapolating our current scientific capabilities, environmental challenges, and political configurations to their logical conclusions. It explores the close relationship that exists between the near-future world of Atwood’s texts and the contemporary context from which she has drawn her subject matter, and argues that the trilogy demonstrates graphically the long-term consequences of capitalism, sustainability, and the doctrine of human exceptionalism, which this project, following Yuval Harari, defines as orthodox guiding narratives: fictions that humanity has created, and which structure our perception of reality and guide our behaviour. The project maintains that Atwood’s trilogy presents the reader with a hypothetical future that looks towards and beyond the end of contemporary technological society in order to urge her reader to imagine, and actualize, alternatives to the scenarios that these texts depict. The most significant question Atwood’s texts ask is whether contemporary technological society is willing and able to transform in order to avert the ecological apocalypse that is the logical conclusion to the Anthropocene?
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bosman, Zoë June
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Atwood, Margaret, 1939- MaddAddam trilogy , Speculative fiction -- History and criticism , Capitalism in literature , Dystopias in literature , Science fiction -- History and criticism , Technology in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145796 , vital:38467
- Description: This thesis is focussed on Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy: Oryx and Crake (2003) The Year of the Flood (2009) and MaddAddam (2013). Detailing Atwood’s own specifications as to why these texts should be categorised as works of speculative fiction, the thesis examines how this literary genre, and Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy in particular, is uniquely capable of encouraging readers to interrogate critically the socio-economic, environmental, and ethical problems to which she, and the contemporary reader, bear witness in the present technological age. With reference to Atwood’s essays and critical writings, Darko Suvin’s Metamorphoses of Science Fiction, and Wolfgang Iser’s The Act of Reading, this project explores the value of reading speculative fiction and details how Atwood has constructed the fictional, yet plausible, possible future world of her trilogy by extrapolating our current scientific capabilities, environmental challenges, and political configurations to their logical conclusions. It explores the close relationship that exists between the near-future world of Atwood’s texts and the contemporary context from which she has drawn her subject matter, and argues that the trilogy demonstrates graphically the long-term consequences of capitalism, sustainability, and the doctrine of human exceptionalism, which this project, following Yuval Harari, defines as orthodox guiding narratives: fictions that humanity has created, and which structure our perception of reality and guide our behaviour. The project maintains that Atwood’s trilogy presents the reader with a hypothetical future that looks towards and beyond the end of contemporary technological society in order to urge her reader to imagine, and actualize, alternatives to the scenarios that these texts depict. The most significant question Atwood’s texts ask is whether contemporary technological society is willing and able to transform in order to avert the ecological apocalypse that is the logical conclusion to the Anthropocene?
- Full Text:
Chirema Chine Mazano Chinotamba Chakazendama Madziro
- Authors: Mapondera, Wallen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Art, Zimbabwean , Art -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe , Artists -- Zimbabwe , Takadiwa, Moffet , Nyandoro, Gareth , Clottey, Serge Attiku , Mapondera, Wallen -- Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147457 , vital:38638
- Description: This mini-thesis has developed as a practice-based supporting document to the exhibition Chirema Chine Mazano Chinotamba Chakazendama Madziro. The exhibition responds to how people become innovative in finding alternative means of survival and staying relevant in an economically depressed country. Zimbabwe is often the first country that comes to mind when people talk about hyperinflation; the situation was and still is intolerable, but somehow its citizens find means to pull through. Unemployment and poverty are the main causes of physical and mental problems for an individual. With this thesis, I highlight the innovations employed by Zimbabweans as a way of keeping themselves busy. I approach this through analysing the Zimbabwean general public’s creative reactions, and by tracing Zimbabwean visual artists’ use of found objects as a reaction to the country’s economic hardships. As people have been pushed to find alternative ways of survival, Zimbabwean artists in particular also shifted from using conventional art materials due to their unavailability. They began to redefine what art material is by employing objects in their artworks that previously had a non-art function. As such, there is a growing need to recognise, classify and document the shifts and establish platforms to generate growth of these innovations. In this minithesis I discuss my own practice, and I analyse the works of Moffat Takadiwa, Gareth Nyandoro and Serge Attiku Clottey.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mapondera, Wallen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Art, Zimbabwean , Art -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe , Artists -- Zimbabwe , Takadiwa, Moffet , Nyandoro, Gareth , Clottey, Serge Attiku , Mapondera, Wallen -- Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147457 , vital:38638
- Description: This mini-thesis has developed as a practice-based supporting document to the exhibition Chirema Chine Mazano Chinotamba Chakazendama Madziro. The exhibition responds to how people become innovative in finding alternative means of survival and staying relevant in an economically depressed country. Zimbabwe is often the first country that comes to mind when people talk about hyperinflation; the situation was and still is intolerable, but somehow its citizens find means to pull through. Unemployment and poverty are the main causes of physical and mental problems for an individual. With this thesis, I highlight the innovations employed by Zimbabweans as a way of keeping themselves busy. I approach this through analysing the Zimbabwean general public’s creative reactions, and by tracing Zimbabwean visual artists’ use of found objects as a reaction to the country’s economic hardships. As people have been pushed to find alternative ways of survival, Zimbabwean artists in particular also shifted from using conventional art materials due to their unavailability. They began to redefine what art material is by employing objects in their artworks that previously had a non-art function. As such, there is a growing need to recognise, classify and document the shifts and establish platforms to generate growth of these innovations. In this minithesis I discuss my own practice, and I analyse the works of Moffat Takadiwa, Gareth Nyandoro and Serge Attiku Clottey.
- Full Text:
Combination ecosystem green engineering and early life history processes to enhance the intertidal biodiversity in the Port of East London
- Authors: Mafanya, Sandisiwer
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biotic communities -- South Africa -- East London , Perna -- Ecology --South Africa -- South Africa-- East London , Mexilhao mussel -- Ecology -- South Africa -- East London , Habitat (Ecology) -- Modification -- South Africa -- East London , Benthic animals -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- East London , Harbors -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166376 , vital:41357
- Description: Marine coastal ecosystems are highly impacted by anthropogenic activities, including the development of, and practices within, harbours and/or ports. Artificial structures associated with harbours have a different chemical composition, texture and orientation than that of the natural benthic habitats they have replaced, and are therefore not generally favourable for the settlement and occurrence of indigenous species. Attempts are being made to identify what structures and materials can be used to aid in the rehabilitation of native species within harbours. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of utilising environmentally-friendly artificial structures (tiles) with varying complexity (crevices and ridges with different depths) with ecological engineers (the indigenous bivalve Perna perna), on the associated benthic biodiversity within an international port in South Africa (Port of East London). The objectives of the study were to test the effects of artificial habitat complexity and the presence of bivalves on 1) the growth, mortality and biomass of a selected model species of ecosystem engineer (P. perna), and 2) the associated intertidal biodiversity. Tiles seeded with bivalves (P. perna) were deployed at two sites in the Port of East London and monitored monthly over a period of 12 months (November 2016-October 2017) to assess survival, growth and associated biodiversity. Environmental variables were also measured every month. The results of the three-way repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that tile treatment (especially high complexity of 2.5 and 5 cm) had an effect on the diversity of mobile species, length, height and biomass of the bivalves used as model ecosystem engineer, indicating the potentials for protection from wave dislodgement and refuge provision. Treatment (especially flat tiles) also had an effect on sessile/sedentary species diversity, indicating the greater proportion of space provided by these non-complex tiles. In addition, month had an effect on the mortality, height and biomass of the bivalves. Mortality was highest in October 2017, while the growth in height and biomass of P. perna were largest in January and October 2017 respectively. The use of artificial tiles also had a positive effect on the survival, growth, and biomass of bivalves (especially the length, weight and dry weight in 2.5 cm and 5 cm complexity). Additionally, this research investigated patterns of settlement and recruitment of the local bivalve population (P. perna) in the Port of East London and adjacent natural coastline to understand the early life history temporal and spatial dynamics of this model ecosystem engineer species. Settlement and recruitment were assessed every month by deploying and replacing artificial collectors for a total period of 19 months (November 2016-May 2018). The results of the two-way ANOVAs indicated that month and site (port vs natural) had an effect on settlement and recruitment of bivalves. Settlement and recruitment of bivalves were highest in July 2017 (port) and March 2018 (natural rocky shore). This study has highlighted that the use of artificial concrete tiles with increased complexity, as well as the investigation of the early stages of mussel populations could be important to consider in a framework of rehabilitation of urban coastal environments such as the Port of East London. Ecological engineering (in terms of increased complexity and heterogeneity) has indeed the potentials to be incorporated in South African programmes aiming at improving natural biodiversity in coastal urban environments. Nonetheless, the spatio-temporal variability of early driver of mussel populations (settlement and recruitment) is also an important feature to be closely monitored if biodiversity in South African coastal armouring is to be enhanced effectively and in the long term.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mafanya, Sandisiwer
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biotic communities -- South Africa -- East London , Perna -- Ecology --South Africa -- South Africa-- East London , Mexilhao mussel -- Ecology -- South Africa -- East London , Habitat (Ecology) -- Modification -- South Africa -- East London , Benthic animals -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- East London , Harbors -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166376 , vital:41357
- Description: Marine coastal ecosystems are highly impacted by anthropogenic activities, including the development of, and practices within, harbours and/or ports. Artificial structures associated with harbours have a different chemical composition, texture and orientation than that of the natural benthic habitats they have replaced, and are therefore not generally favourable for the settlement and occurrence of indigenous species. Attempts are being made to identify what structures and materials can be used to aid in the rehabilitation of native species within harbours. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of utilising environmentally-friendly artificial structures (tiles) with varying complexity (crevices and ridges with different depths) with ecological engineers (the indigenous bivalve Perna perna), on the associated benthic biodiversity within an international port in South Africa (Port of East London). The objectives of the study were to test the effects of artificial habitat complexity and the presence of bivalves on 1) the growth, mortality and biomass of a selected model species of ecosystem engineer (P. perna), and 2) the associated intertidal biodiversity. Tiles seeded with bivalves (P. perna) were deployed at two sites in the Port of East London and monitored monthly over a period of 12 months (November 2016-October 2017) to assess survival, growth and associated biodiversity. Environmental variables were also measured every month. The results of the three-way repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that tile treatment (especially high complexity of 2.5 and 5 cm) had an effect on the diversity of mobile species, length, height and biomass of the bivalves used as model ecosystem engineer, indicating the potentials for protection from wave dislodgement and refuge provision. Treatment (especially flat tiles) also had an effect on sessile/sedentary species diversity, indicating the greater proportion of space provided by these non-complex tiles. In addition, month had an effect on the mortality, height and biomass of the bivalves. Mortality was highest in October 2017, while the growth in height and biomass of P. perna were largest in January and October 2017 respectively. The use of artificial tiles also had a positive effect on the survival, growth, and biomass of bivalves (especially the length, weight and dry weight in 2.5 cm and 5 cm complexity). Additionally, this research investigated patterns of settlement and recruitment of the local bivalve population (P. perna) in the Port of East London and adjacent natural coastline to understand the early life history temporal and spatial dynamics of this model ecosystem engineer species. Settlement and recruitment were assessed every month by deploying and replacing artificial collectors for a total period of 19 months (November 2016-May 2018). The results of the two-way ANOVAs indicated that month and site (port vs natural) had an effect on settlement and recruitment of bivalves. Settlement and recruitment of bivalves were highest in July 2017 (port) and March 2018 (natural rocky shore). This study has highlighted that the use of artificial concrete tiles with increased complexity, as well as the investigation of the early stages of mussel populations could be important to consider in a framework of rehabilitation of urban coastal environments such as the Port of East London. Ecological engineering (in terms of increased complexity and heterogeneity) has indeed the potentials to be incorporated in South African programmes aiming at improving natural biodiversity in coastal urban environments. Nonetheless, the spatio-temporal variability of early driver of mussel populations (settlement and recruitment) is also an important feature to be closely monitored if biodiversity in South African coastal armouring is to be enhanced effectively and in the long term.
- Full Text:
Come listen quickly
- Authors: Gouws, Leigh-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141559 , vital:37985
- Description: Creative work portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gouws, Leigh-Anne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141559 , vital:37985
- Description: Creative work portfolio.
- Full Text:
Commonplaces
- Authors: Orsmond, Joseph Granger
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144061 , vital:38307
- Description: My thesis is a collection of short to medium length poems. All of the subject matter is sustained by reflections, anecdotes or stories. The pieces in the collection are concerned with experiences linked to the seemingly ordinary and mundane. In this regard, I am inspired by how Alan Ziegler (in “Tales of Teaching” and Love at First Sight) and Raymond Carver (All of Us: The collected Poems) find stories in subject matter which is so commonplace, that it is often ignored creatively. Likewise, the lyricism and modes of expression of William Carlos Williams, Federico García Lorca and Luis Cernuda have informed how I write and structure my poetry.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Orsmond, Joseph Granger
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144061 , vital:38307
- Description: My thesis is a collection of short to medium length poems. All of the subject matter is sustained by reflections, anecdotes or stories. The pieces in the collection are concerned with experiences linked to the seemingly ordinary and mundane. In this regard, I am inspired by how Alan Ziegler (in “Tales of Teaching” and Love at First Sight) and Raymond Carver (All of Us: The collected Poems) find stories in subject matter which is so commonplace, that it is often ignored creatively. Likewise, the lyricism and modes of expression of William Carlos Williams, Federico García Lorca and Luis Cernuda have informed how I write and structure my poetry.
- Full Text:
Conserving land for people: transformative adaptive co-management of sustainable protected areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Kalyongo, Kujirakwinja Deo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Protected areas -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Government policy -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Conservation of natural resources -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165912 , vital:41296
- Description: Conservation practices and approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as in other parts of the world, have evolved from traditional to fortress and collaborative contemporary approaches such as adaptive co-management. These approaches aim to include multiple decision-makers using diversified resources and, existing formal and informal governance structures. Collaborative approaches also consider conflict resolution and external factors that can influence conservation outputs and outcomes. In the DRC context, conflicts over resources are related not only to resource access and power but also to the ineffectiveness of collaborative approaches that exclude stakeholders such as local communities. These conflicts have negatively affected protected areas and weakened the management and governance of protected areas. Therefore, evolving approaches such as adaptive co-management that consider power relations, the multi-scaled involvement of actors and learning loops to adjust strategies are seen as better options to improve the governance of protected areas and minimise the degradation of key ecosystems. My research explored the gazettement processes of three protected areas in the eastern DRC (Itombwe, Kabobo and Okapi Reserves). I focused on the influence of social-political, historical and psychological factors on the management and governance of protected areas in the DRC. In addition, the research reveals the inclusive gazettement processes of protected areas is the foundation of successful co-management approaches. I found that values and good governance practices play a key role in influencing local perceptions and support to conservation interventions. Whilst some conservation practitioners believe that economic benefits to communities are the most predominant motivating factor, I found that good conservation management practices can motivate communities to support protected area management. Bad management practices were related not only to inadequate conservation approaches and practices but also to factors such as corruption, inadequate law enforcement and the inappropriate equipment of rangers. Therefore, I suggest that long term protected area management in DRC should consider how the value of resources for communities and protected areas have been changing throughout the history of conservation, and how to best share power and responsibilities with local resource users and stakeholders. This is only possible if conservation practices and approaches, governance process and institutions are transformed at multiple levels.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kalyongo, Kujirakwinja Deo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Protected areas -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Government policy -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Conservation of natural resources -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165912 , vital:41296
- Description: Conservation practices and approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as in other parts of the world, have evolved from traditional to fortress and collaborative contemporary approaches such as adaptive co-management. These approaches aim to include multiple decision-makers using diversified resources and, existing formal and informal governance structures. Collaborative approaches also consider conflict resolution and external factors that can influence conservation outputs and outcomes. In the DRC context, conflicts over resources are related not only to resource access and power but also to the ineffectiveness of collaborative approaches that exclude stakeholders such as local communities. These conflicts have negatively affected protected areas and weakened the management and governance of protected areas. Therefore, evolving approaches such as adaptive co-management that consider power relations, the multi-scaled involvement of actors and learning loops to adjust strategies are seen as better options to improve the governance of protected areas and minimise the degradation of key ecosystems. My research explored the gazettement processes of three protected areas in the eastern DRC (Itombwe, Kabobo and Okapi Reserves). I focused on the influence of social-political, historical and psychological factors on the management and governance of protected areas in the DRC. In addition, the research reveals the inclusive gazettement processes of protected areas is the foundation of successful co-management approaches. I found that values and good governance practices play a key role in influencing local perceptions and support to conservation interventions. Whilst some conservation practitioners believe that economic benefits to communities are the most predominant motivating factor, I found that good conservation management practices can motivate communities to support protected area management. Bad management practices were related not only to inadequate conservation approaches and practices but also to factors such as corruption, inadequate law enforcement and the inappropriate equipment of rangers. Therefore, I suggest that long term protected area management in DRC should consider how the value of resources for communities and protected areas have been changing throughout the history of conservation, and how to best share power and responsibilities with local resource users and stakeholders. This is only possible if conservation practices and approaches, governance process and institutions are transformed at multiple levels.
- Full Text:
Crossing shades
- Authors: Singh, Shareen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145049 , vital:38404
- Description: This collection of stories draw on culture, history, memory, musings and imagination. The stories are set primarily in South Africa but includes travels to other countries. I explore journeys to different worlds and minds. I challenge the reader to see how place and time influence our ways of seeing, living and evolving. I use different forms and tones that resonate with the subjective nature of each creative piece. My writing includes formal prose as well as works that experiment with fragments, vignettes and flash fiction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Singh, Shareen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145049 , vital:38404
- Description: This collection of stories draw on culture, history, memory, musings and imagination. The stories are set primarily in South Africa but includes travels to other countries. I explore journeys to different worlds and minds. I challenge the reader to see how place and time influence our ways of seeing, living and evolving. I use different forms and tones that resonate with the subjective nature of each creative piece. My writing includes formal prose as well as works that experiment with fragments, vignettes and flash fiction.
- Full Text:
Decent work and informal employment: the case of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province (Central Business District) Zimbabwe
- Authors: Bob, Shaka Keny
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor -- Zimbabwe , Informal sector (Economics) -- Zimbabwe , Job creation -- Zimbabwe , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Employment , Labor policy -- Zimbabwe , Football coaches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115241 , vital:34104
- Description: Zimbabwe, similar to other developing countries experiences a high level of informal employment. However, most informal jobs are situated in very poor working conditions and are characterised by decent work deficits. Despite the fact that various studies have shown the importance of the informal economy in that it provides livelihood earning opportunities for the majority of people in the Global South, it has remained a largely forgotten sector in policy making in most countries. It is, therefore, important that informal work be taken seriously and efforts must be made to improve working conditions for the urban working poor in the developing world. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the self-reported experiences of informal workers to understand their perspectives surrounding the concept of decent work in the Zimbabwean context. The case study is the Bulawayo metropolitan province, and this study targeted informal workers who trade within the central business district. The study also aimed to measure the decent work deficit scores between two economic sectors (food and clothing traders). This was done by testing the suitability of the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index as a methodology of measuring decent work at a micro level. The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which was carried out through the use of a semi-structured survey. The study revealed that decent work for the sampled informal workers meant work related improvements, insurances and risk management, right of expression and business advancement skills which closely resembles the International Labour Organisation's conceptualisation of decent work. The study also highlighted that childcare assistance and disability insurance are concepts which remained excluded in the current conceptualisation of decent work. The thesis offers a new policy angle which shows that to promote decent work the concept of heterogeneity must be adopted because inequalities persist within the informal economy. The study also suggested that the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index can be used as an appropriate methodology of monitoring the progress towards achieving decent work at the micro level i.e. industry or individual level. This is because since the formation of the decent work concept; the International Labour Organisation has only provided a methodology of how to measure the progress of decent work at the county level. The survey findings revealed that food vendors scored more poorly on the decent work deficit index compared to the clothing traders. The study also identified that food vendors and clothing traders are faced with different challenges which suggests that policy makers must take that into consideration when attempting to design policies or programmes which are aimed at assisting informal workers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bob, Shaka Keny
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor -- Zimbabwe , Informal sector (Economics) -- Zimbabwe , Job creation -- Zimbabwe , Poor -- Zimbabwe -- Employment , Labor policy -- Zimbabwe , Football coaches -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115241 , vital:34104
- Description: Zimbabwe, similar to other developing countries experiences a high level of informal employment. However, most informal jobs are situated in very poor working conditions and are characterised by decent work deficits. Despite the fact that various studies have shown the importance of the informal economy in that it provides livelihood earning opportunities for the majority of people in the Global South, it has remained a largely forgotten sector in policy making in most countries. It is, therefore, important that informal work be taken seriously and efforts must be made to improve working conditions for the urban working poor in the developing world. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the self-reported experiences of informal workers to understand their perspectives surrounding the concept of decent work in the Zimbabwean context. The case study is the Bulawayo metropolitan province, and this study targeted informal workers who trade within the central business district. The study also aimed to measure the decent work deficit scores between two economic sectors (food and clothing traders). This was done by testing the suitability of the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index as a methodology of measuring decent work at a micro level. The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which was carried out through the use of a semi-structured survey. The study revealed that decent work for the sampled informal workers meant work related improvements, insurances and risk management, right of expression and business advancement skills which closely resembles the International Labour Organisation's conceptualisation of decent work. The study also highlighted that childcare assistance and disability insurance are concepts which remained excluded in the current conceptualisation of decent work. The thesis offers a new policy angle which shows that to promote decent work the concept of heterogeneity must be adopted because inequalities persist within the informal economy. The study also suggested that the Edward Webster Decent Work Deficit Index can be used as an appropriate methodology of monitoring the progress towards achieving decent work at the micro level i.e. industry or individual level. This is because since the formation of the decent work concept; the International Labour Organisation has only provided a methodology of how to measure the progress of decent work at the county level. The survey findings revealed that food vendors scored more poorly on the decent work deficit index compared to the clothing traders. The study also identified that food vendors and clothing traders are faced with different challenges which suggests that policy makers must take that into consideration when attempting to design policies or programmes which are aimed at assisting informal workers.
- Full Text:
Detecting change in local ecological knowledge: An application of an index of taxonomic distinctness to an ethnoichthyological classification in the Solomon Islands
- Aswani, Shankar, Ferse, Sebastien C, Stäbler, Moritz, Chong-Montenegro, Carolina
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Ferse, Sebastien C , Stäbler, Moritz , Chong-Montenegro, Carolina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406521 , vital:70282 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106865"
- Description: The global accelerating loss of biodiversity is having immediate repercussions for ecosystems and human wellbeing, particularly in areas where people depend intimately on their natural environment for their livelihoods. Dovetailing this loss is the demise of local/traditional knowledge systems resulting from factors such as changing lifestyle and the transformation of local belief systems. While the importance of local ecological knowledge (LEK) for documentation of biodiversity and environmental change and development of management responses is well established, quantitative tools to analyze and systematically compare LEK are scarce. In this research, we analyze the complexity of local ecological knowledge used by respondents to classify locally-recognized marine species. We do so by applying a modified index of taxonomic distinctness to an ethnoichthyological classification in coastal communities in the Solomon Islands. In addition, we assess simple taxonomic diversity (richness in locally-recognized species names) by comparing taxonomies collected in 1992–1995 and 2014–2015. Results indicate that both endogenous (gender, age) and exogenous (proximity to market) factors have discernible effects on folk taxonomic knowledge in the region, with younger respondents and communities closer to a regional market center displaying a significantly lower richness of local species names. Folk taxonomic distinctness was significantly reduced closer to the regional market. The modified index of taxonomic distinctness applied in this research provides a useful tool to explore facets of local ecological knowledge in addition to simple richness of terms, and to compare across different regions and cultural backgrounds. Understanding changes in LEK is important because such knowledge enables communities who are highly dependent on living natural resources to harvest and manage resources more efficiently and also to detect and react to environmental change.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Ferse, Sebastien C , Stäbler, Moritz , Chong-Montenegro, Carolina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406521 , vital:70282 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106865"
- Description: The global accelerating loss of biodiversity is having immediate repercussions for ecosystems and human wellbeing, particularly in areas where people depend intimately on their natural environment for their livelihoods. Dovetailing this loss is the demise of local/traditional knowledge systems resulting from factors such as changing lifestyle and the transformation of local belief systems. While the importance of local ecological knowledge (LEK) for documentation of biodiversity and environmental change and development of management responses is well established, quantitative tools to analyze and systematically compare LEK are scarce. In this research, we analyze the complexity of local ecological knowledge used by respondents to classify locally-recognized marine species. We do so by applying a modified index of taxonomic distinctness to an ethnoichthyological classification in coastal communities in the Solomon Islands. In addition, we assess simple taxonomic diversity (richness in locally-recognized species names) by comparing taxonomies collected in 1992–1995 and 2014–2015. Results indicate that both endogenous (gender, age) and exogenous (proximity to market) factors have discernible effects on folk taxonomic knowledge in the region, with younger respondents and communities closer to a regional market center displaying a significantly lower richness of local species names. Folk taxonomic distinctness was significantly reduced closer to the regional market. The modified index of taxonomic distinctness applied in this research provides a useful tool to explore facets of local ecological knowledge in addition to simple richness of terms, and to compare across different regions and cultural backgrounds. Understanding changes in LEK is important because such knowledge enables communities who are highly dependent on living natural resources to harvest and manage resources more efficiently and also to detect and react to environmental change.
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Detecting the transnational space: metaphysical detecting in Kazuo Ishiguro’s When we were orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost ground, and Amitav Gosh’s The Calcutta chromosome
- Authors: Botes, Niki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literature and transnationalism , Detective and mystery stories -- History and criticism , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- -- When we were orpahns , Heyns, Michiel , Heyns, Michiel -- Lost ground , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- -- The Calcutta chromosome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140971 , vital:37933
- Description: The transnational detectives in the three primary texts under scrutiny—Kazuo Ishiguro’s When We Were Orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost Ground, and Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome—are regarded as metaphysical detectives in this thesis. As transnational figures, they criss-cross physical and national borders, but their investigations also often require the crossing of epistemological and ontological borders, as well as thinking outside of binaries. The fictional transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in these texts all feature a lack of change and the persistence of the socio-economic inequalities and discriminations of the colonial or, in the case of Lost Ground, the apartheid past. This thesis will argue that the three texts foreground the inability to break free from conceptual frameworks and a lack in human relationships as two possible reasons why the communities and societies in question have not been able to affect change. To solve the various mysteries in the texts, the transnational detectives need to find new ways of knowing and being. The lessons that these detectives learn and the personal changes they experience serve as synecdoche for how a better tomorrow for the transnational, postcolonial world could possibly be achieved. The methodology employed in this thesis involves a comparative reading of the three primary texts. To analyse and interpret these texts, this thesis draws on the philosophies of postmodern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as postcolonial theorists like Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi K. Bhabha. The thesis will contend that especially Derrida’s work on deconstruction, which forms the conceptual basis for Bhabha’s notion of the ‘third space,’ as well as Levinas’s anti-totalitarian approach with regard to the ethical relationship between the self and the other, are viable better ways of knowing and being in the transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in the texts. Derrida’s notion of différance and the trace, as well as Bhabha’s third space, this thesis contends, completely destabilises binary thinking and offers ways to think outside of the limited frameworks of ideological discourse. This thesis also posits that Levinas’s metaphysical and pluralistic interpretation of how the self should, and can, relate to the other, presents a better way of forming human relationships and has the potential to affect positive change.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Botes, Niki
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Literature and transnationalism , Detective and mystery stories -- History and criticism , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- , Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- -- When we were orpahns , Heyns, Michiel , Heyns, Michiel -- Lost ground , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- , Ghosh, Amitav, 1956- -- The Calcutta chromosome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140971 , vital:37933
- Description: The transnational detectives in the three primary texts under scrutiny—Kazuo Ishiguro’s When We Were Orphans, Michiel Heyns’s Lost Ground, and Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome—are regarded as metaphysical detectives in this thesis. As transnational figures, they criss-cross physical and national borders, but their investigations also often require the crossing of epistemological and ontological borders, as well as thinking outside of binaries. The fictional transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in these texts all feature a lack of change and the persistence of the socio-economic inequalities and discriminations of the colonial or, in the case of Lost Ground, the apartheid past. This thesis will argue that the three texts foreground the inability to break free from conceptual frameworks and a lack in human relationships as two possible reasons why the communities and societies in question have not been able to affect change. To solve the various mysteries in the texts, the transnational detectives need to find new ways of knowing and being. The lessons that these detectives learn and the personal changes they experience serve as synecdoche for how a better tomorrow for the transnational, postcolonial world could possibly be achieved. The methodology employed in this thesis involves a comparative reading of the three primary texts. To analyse and interpret these texts, this thesis draws on the philosophies of postmodern philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as postcolonial theorists like Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi K. Bhabha. The thesis will contend that especially Derrida’s work on deconstruction, which forms the conceptual basis for Bhabha’s notion of the ‘third space,’ as well as Levinas’s anti-totalitarian approach with regard to the ethical relationship between the self and the other, are viable better ways of knowing and being in the transnational, postcolonial worlds presented in the texts. Derrida’s notion of différance and the trace, as well as Bhabha’s third space, this thesis contends, completely destabilises binary thinking and offers ways to think outside of the limited frameworks of ideological discourse. This thesis also posits that Levinas’s metaphysical and pluralistic interpretation of how the self should, and can, relate to the other, presents a better way of forming human relationships and has the potential to affect positive change.
- Full Text:
Developing macroinvertebrate trait- and taxonomically-based approaches for biomonitoring wadeable riverine systems in the Niger delta, Nigeria
- Authors: Edegbene, Ovie Augustine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Water – Pollution -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream health -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water -- Pollution -- Measurement , Environmental monitoring -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water quality -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water quality biological assessment -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Aquatic invertebrates -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream restoration -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Urban agriculture -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream ecology -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140660 , vital:37907
- Description: Riverine systems are increasingly subjected to pollution due to rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and agricultural activities. Increasing pollution in freshwater systems impairs water quality, causes biodiversity loss and impairs aquatic ecosystem functionality and supply of ecosystem services. Rivers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to urban pollution and agricultural activities as natural forests are increasingly replaced by urbanisation and agriculture. The differential effects of these pressures on the ecological processes of these river systems are poorly explored, as is the development of appropriate biomonitoring tools for routine monitoring of river health. In this study, a physico-chemically-based approach and macroinvertebrate trait- and taxonomic- approaches were developed to better understand the effects of multiple pressures on riverine systems, while developing multimetric indices to enable sustainable management of rivers within the region. Sixty-six stations in 20 river systems within the Edo and Delta States of the Niger Delta ecoregion were monitored seasonally for a period of five (2008–2012) years. The physico-chemically based approach makes apparent the extent of degradation of rivers and streams in the Niger Delta. For each dominant land use type, river stations were classified into least impacted stations (LIS), moderately impacted stations (MIS) or heavily impacted stations (HIS). Of 11 stations within urban catchments, only two were considered least impacted, suggesting that urgent measures are necessary to revise the current trajectories of urban rivers within the region. Most of the stations designated as MIS and HIS in the urban and urban-agriculture catchments were found to be significantly correlated with increased nutrients, EC and BOD5. Characteristics of most of the MIS and HIS within rivers in urban catchments evidenced the so-called urban stream syndrome, a state of persistent degradation of urban streams. The results of the traits and ecological preferences approach showed traits sensitive to urban and urban-agriculture pollution. Traits and ecological preferences that were associated with the LIS include the possession of hardshell, moderate and high sensitivities to oxygen depletion, very large body sized individuals (>20-40mm), swimmers, flattened body shape, a preference for temporary attachment, crawling, respiration with aerial/vegetation, possession of breathing tubes, possession of strap or other apparatus for respiration, streamlined body, and a high sensitivity to oxygen depletion. Permanent attachment as an ecological preference associated with LIS was also positively correlated with increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) and was deemed a pollution sensitive ecological preference. The possession of very small body size (<5mm), associated with HIS, was deemed a pollution-tolerant trait and was negatively correlated with DO, confirming the deteriorating state of the urban and urban-agricultural rivers. The impact of urban-forestry pollution on the distribution pattern of macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences was also explored in the selected rivers. Traits and ecological preferences such as possession of hard-shell, large body size, and grazing as a feeding preference which were significantly positively associated with the LIS, were also either significantly positively correlated with DO, or significantly negatively correlated with increasing any two of flow velocity, water temperature, BOD5 and nutrient. These traits and ecological preferences were deemed sensitive in forested rivers receiving urban pollution. Further, burrowing, the pupa aquatic stage, and predation which were significantly positively associated with HIS on the RLQ ordination, were also significantly negatively associated with DO. These traits were deemed tolerant of forested systems receiving urban pollution. Multimetric indices (MMI) were developed, validated and applied for urban, urban-agriculture and urban-forested (MMI-urban, MMI-urban-agric and urban-forest) areas. Of the 26 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban, only five metric were retained for integration into MMI-urban, they are log VeL, Hemiptera abundance, % Coleoptera + Hemiptera, % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta and Evenness index. Further, of the 18 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban-agric, only 12 metrics were retained and nine proved to be redundant. The nine metrics represent different measures; two of them were retained in addition to Chironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness. The two metrics selected in addition to the hironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness were the Margalef index and the logarithm of relative abundance of sprawler. For the MMI-urban-forest, 14 metrics satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS, and 12 metrics were retained and 11 proved to be redundant. The non-redundant metric was Trichoptera abundance. Three metrics were further selected in addition to the Trichoptera abundance which include % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta, Coleoptera + Hemiptera richness and Shannon diversity. The MMI-urban and MMI-urban-agric indices performed better for LIS designated stations compared to the MIS and HIS deignated stations. The developed indices proved effective as biomonitoring tools for assessing the ecological health of rivers in the urban and urban-agriculture catchments within the Niger Delta. Overall, the results of the macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences, and taxonomic approaches showed the strength in the complementarity of both approaches in developing biomonitoring tools for assessing levels of deterioration in riverine systems. The study contributes significantly to understanding the ecology of riverine systems in the Niger Delta, particularly those subject to urban stresses, agricultural activities and urban pollution in forested systems, and thus makes an important contribution to the science and practice of biomonitoring in Nigeria where such studies are sparse.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Edegbene, Ovie Augustine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Water – Pollution -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream health -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water -- Pollution -- Measurement , Environmental monitoring -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water quality -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Water quality biological assessment -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Aquatic invertebrates -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream restoration -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Urban agriculture -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Stream ecology -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140660 , vital:37907
- Description: Riverine systems are increasingly subjected to pollution due to rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and agricultural activities. Increasing pollution in freshwater systems impairs water quality, causes biodiversity loss and impairs aquatic ecosystem functionality and supply of ecosystem services. Rivers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to urban pollution and agricultural activities as natural forests are increasingly replaced by urbanisation and agriculture. The differential effects of these pressures on the ecological processes of these river systems are poorly explored, as is the development of appropriate biomonitoring tools for routine monitoring of river health. In this study, a physico-chemically-based approach and macroinvertebrate trait- and taxonomic- approaches were developed to better understand the effects of multiple pressures on riverine systems, while developing multimetric indices to enable sustainable management of rivers within the region. Sixty-six stations in 20 river systems within the Edo and Delta States of the Niger Delta ecoregion were monitored seasonally for a period of five (2008–2012) years. The physico-chemically based approach makes apparent the extent of degradation of rivers and streams in the Niger Delta. For each dominant land use type, river stations were classified into least impacted stations (LIS), moderately impacted stations (MIS) or heavily impacted stations (HIS). Of 11 stations within urban catchments, only two were considered least impacted, suggesting that urgent measures are necessary to revise the current trajectories of urban rivers within the region. Most of the stations designated as MIS and HIS in the urban and urban-agriculture catchments were found to be significantly correlated with increased nutrients, EC and BOD5. Characteristics of most of the MIS and HIS within rivers in urban catchments evidenced the so-called urban stream syndrome, a state of persistent degradation of urban streams. The results of the traits and ecological preferences approach showed traits sensitive to urban and urban-agriculture pollution. Traits and ecological preferences that were associated with the LIS include the possession of hardshell, moderate and high sensitivities to oxygen depletion, very large body sized individuals (>20-40mm), swimmers, flattened body shape, a preference for temporary attachment, crawling, respiration with aerial/vegetation, possession of breathing tubes, possession of strap or other apparatus for respiration, streamlined body, and a high sensitivity to oxygen depletion. Permanent attachment as an ecological preference associated with LIS was also positively correlated with increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) and was deemed a pollution sensitive ecological preference. The possession of very small body size (<5mm), associated with HIS, was deemed a pollution-tolerant trait and was negatively correlated with DO, confirming the deteriorating state of the urban and urban-agricultural rivers. The impact of urban-forestry pollution on the distribution pattern of macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences was also explored in the selected rivers. Traits and ecological preferences such as possession of hard-shell, large body size, and grazing as a feeding preference which were significantly positively associated with the LIS, were also either significantly positively correlated with DO, or significantly negatively correlated with increasing any two of flow velocity, water temperature, BOD5 and nutrient. These traits and ecological preferences were deemed sensitive in forested rivers receiving urban pollution. Further, burrowing, the pupa aquatic stage, and predation which were significantly positively associated with HIS on the RLQ ordination, were also significantly negatively associated with DO. These traits were deemed tolerant of forested systems receiving urban pollution. Multimetric indices (MMI) were developed, validated and applied for urban, urban-agriculture and urban-forested (MMI-urban, MMI-urban-agric and urban-forest) areas. Of the 26 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban, only five metric were retained for integration into MMI-urban, they are log VeL, Hemiptera abundance, % Coleoptera + Hemiptera, % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta and Evenness index. Further, of the 18 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban-agric, only 12 metrics were retained and nine proved to be redundant. The nine metrics represent different measures; two of them were retained in addition to Chironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness. The two metrics selected in addition to the hironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness were the Margalef index and the logarithm of relative abundance of sprawler. For the MMI-urban-forest, 14 metrics satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS, and 12 metrics were retained and 11 proved to be redundant. The non-redundant metric was Trichoptera abundance. Three metrics were further selected in addition to the Trichoptera abundance which include % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta, Coleoptera + Hemiptera richness and Shannon diversity. The MMI-urban and MMI-urban-agric indices performed better for LIS designated stations compared to the MIS and HIS deignated stations. The developed indices proved effective as biomonitoring tools for assessing the ecological health of rivers in the urban and urban-agriculture catchments within the Niger Delta. Overall, the results of the macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences, and taxonomic approaches showed the strength in the complementarity of both approaches in developing biomonitoring tools for assessing levels of deterioration in riverine systems. The study contributes significantly to understanding the ecology of riverine systems in the Niger Delta, particularly those subject to urban stresses, agricultural activities and urban pollution in forested systems, and thus makes an important contribution to the science and practice of biomonitoring in Nigeria where such studies are sparse.
- Full Text: