A spatio-temporal, landscape perspective on acacia dealbata invasions and broader land-use and cover changes in the Northern Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Gouws, Aidan John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Acacia -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Acacia -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62373 , vital:28161
- Description: Biological invasions are a wicked, social-ecological problem, interacting with numerous components within and across a range of spatio-temporal scales, with the potential to disturb broader socio-economic and ecological systems. Acacia dealbata is an invasive shrub in South Africa, widely naturalised across the grassland biome. Although the deployment of a biocontrol agent on A. dealbata is apparently justified considering its highly invasive and ecologically destructive nature, it should proceed with caution due to the integration of the species into the livelihoods of rural communities. This study sought to understand the nature and extent of the A. dealbata invasion in the northern Eastern Cape. Research was conducted in nine villages in rural Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear, selected for the pervasiveness of A. dealbata around these villages. A time-series of aerial photographs were systematically classified according to designated A. dealbata and land-use/land cover (LULC) categories in ArcGIS to track changes in the extent and rate of spread of A. dealbata, while standard vegetation surveying techniques were used to determine the current abundance and productivity of A. dealbata in selected areas. A high degree of spatial variability characterised the extent, density and biomass of A. dealbata, as well as the annual rate of spread and biomass production. The growth, productivity and spread of A. dealbata were significantly positive, and relatively few biophysical conditions correlated with the invasion. This was indicative of the broad range of invaded and potentially invasible habitats, suggesting that the extent and abundance of A. dealbata will likely continue to increase, barring deliberate intervention. Broader changes in LULC were also apparent, multidirectional and spatio- temporally variable. Despite a net increase in A. dealbata, the invasion was found to be highly dynamic, with various LULC transitioning to A. dealbata, but in turn A. dealbata transitioning to other LULC. Indeed, biological invasions are dynamic, context-specific phenomena, shaped by the heterogeneity of landscapes. Management interventions to limit or control A. dealbata should therefore consider the spatio-temporal dynamics of invaded landscapes, as well as the local-scale abundance, productivity and biophysical conditions of the area, while taking into consideration the livelihood requirements of the local communities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gouws, Aidan John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Acacia -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Acacia -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62373 , vital:28161
- Description: Biological invasions are a wicked, social-ecological problem, interacting with numerous components within and across a range of spatio-temporal scales, with the potential to disturb broader socio-economic and ecological systems. Acacia dealbata is an invasive shrub in South Africa, widely naturalised across the grassland biome. Although the deployment of a biocontrol agent on A. dealbata is apparently justified considering its highly invasive and ecologically destructive nature, it should proceed with caution due to the integration of the species into the livelihoods of rural communities. This study sought to understand the nature and extent of the A. dealbata invasion in the northern Eastern Cape. Research was conducted in nine villages in rural Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear, selected for the pervasiveness of A. dealbata around these villages. A time-series of aerial photographs were systematically classified according to designated A. dealbata and land-use/land cover (LULC) categories in ArcGIS to track changes in the extent and rate of spread of A. dealbata, while standard vegetation surveying techniques were used to determine the current abundance and productivity of A. dealbata in selected areas. A high degree of spatial variability characterised the extent, density and biomass of A. dealbata, as well as the annual rate of spread and biomass production. The growth, productivity and spread of A. dealbata were significantly positive, and relatively few biophysical conditions correlated with the invasion. This was indicative of the broad range of invaded and potentially invasible habitats, suggesting that the extent and abundance of A. dealbata will likely continue to increase, barring deliberate intervention. Broader changes in LULC were also apparent, multidirectional and spatio- temporally variable. Despite a net increase in A. dealbata, the invasion was found to be highly dynamic, with various LULC transitioning to A. dealbata, but in turn A. dealbata transitioning to other LULC. Indeed, biological invasions are dynamic, context-specific phenomena, shaped by the heterogeneity of landscapes. Management interventions to limit or control A. dealbata should therefore consider the spatio-temporal dynamics of invaded landscapes, as well as the local-scale abundance, productivity and biophysical conditions of the area, while taking into consideration the livelihood requirements of the local communities.
- Full Text:
The potential significance of refugia in safeguarding Non-Timber Forest products under Harvesting
- Authors: Mjoli, Nwabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Non-timber forest products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60596 , vital:27801
- Description: Many rural households living in and adjacent to forests in South Africa harvest a variety of NonTimber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as wild fruits, fibre, fuelwood, seeds, medicine and bush meat for domestic use, sale and maintaining cultural values. To promote the continued availability of these NTFPs it is important that NTFPs are well maintained and that harvest offtake is sustainable, because if it is not, then the important livelihood function that they fulfil will be jeopardized over time. The role of refugia in conserving pockets of threatened species from overharvesting has rarely been considered. Building on Shackleton et al. (2015), six applications of the concept are considered: size refugia, spatial refugia, cultural/spiritual refugia and physical/habitat refugia. I examined the prevalence and type of refugia for NTFPs at three coastal sites in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This was done via several community focus group discussions at each site. Here I report on the role of refugia in offering some safeguard to NTFPs by assessing harvested and non-harvested sites of refugia as well as individual plant species by measuring population density, harvest damage and size class profile. Respondents from the focus group discussions perceived a general decline in the abundance of common, widely used species over the past five decades. Decreasing rainfall and distant farming activities was reported consistently by the majority of the respondents. The most common form of refugia was spatial refugia, followed by cultural/spiritual refugia and physical/habitat refugia. Only six species were identified to be in refugia, namely Cyperus congestus, Cyperus textillis, Millettia grandis, Olea europaea subsp. africana, Phoenix reclinata, and Ptaeroxylon obliquum. Population inventories revealed that regeneration and population densities of some NTFP species in the non-refuge site were adversely affected by harvesting. Populations in refuge sites generally had the largest size classes indicating a regeneration potential but likely to impact regeneration over time if pressures are maintained. Therefore, if refuge sites keep larger individuals, NTFP populations can be maintained. Few studies have critically analyzed the concept of refugia in relation to how NTFPs can be safeguarded and the practical implication of the refuge concept needs to be considered in conservation and strategies and population models.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mjoli, Nwabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Non-timber forest products -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60596 , vital:27801
- Description: Many rural households living in and adjacent to forests in South Africa harvest a variety of NonTimber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as wild fruits, fibre, fuelwood, seeds, medicine and bush meat for domestic use, sale and maintaining cultural values. To promote the continued availability of these NTFPs it is important that NTFPs are well maintained and that harvest offtake is sustainable, because if it is not, then the important livelihood function that they fulfil will be jeopardized over time. The role of refugia in conserving pockets of threatened species from overharvesting has rarely been considered. Building on Shackleton et al. (2015), six applications of the concept are considered: size refugia, spatial refugia, cultural/spiritual refugia and physical/habitat refugia. I examined the prevalence and type of refugia for NTFPs at three coastal sites in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This was done via several community focus group discussions at each site. Here I report on the role of refugia in offering some safeguard to NTFPs by assessing harvested and non-harvested sites of refugia as well as individual plant species by measuring population density, harvest damage and size class profile. Respondents from the focus group discussions perceived a general decline in the abundance of common, widely used species over the past five decades. Decreasing rainfall and distant farming activities was reported consistently by the majority of the respondents. The most common form of refugia was spatial refugia, followed by cultural/spiritual refugia and physical/habitat refugia. Only six species were identified to be in refugia, namely Cyperus congestus, Cyperus textillis, Millettia grandis, Olea europaea subsp. africana, Phoenix reclinata, and Ptaeroxylon obliquum. Population inventories revealed that regeneration and population densities of some NTFP species in the non-refuge site were adversely affected by harvesting. Populations in refuge sites generally had the largest size classes indicating a regeneration potential but likely to impact regeneration over time if pressures are maintained. Therefore, if refuge sites keep larger individuals, NTFP populations can be maintained. Few studies have critically analyzed the concept of refugia in relation to how NTFPs can be safeguarded and the practical implication of the refuge concept needs to be considered in conservation and strategies and population models.
- Full Text:
Understanding the extension capacity needs of the CapeNature Stewardship Programme in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
- Coetzee, Johannes Christiaan
- Authors: Coetzee, Johannes Christiaan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Conservation projects (Natural resources) , Psychometrics , Adaptive natural resource management , Biodiversity conservation , CapeNature Stewardship Programme
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63220 , vital:28383
- Description: There is an increasing call for conservation programmes to provide sound evidence of effectiveness, and employing empirical evaluations can assist in the transition to evidence-based conservation practices. The objectives of this research were to develop a logic model for the CapeNature Stewardship Programme which would articulate the programme's theory of operation with respect to its Stewardship Programme landholders. The second major objective was to develop psychometric instruments for assessing the motivations and satisfactions of the programme's stewardship landholders. Both objectives included the aim to provide robust and repeatable instruments for exploring landholder's psychology, and developing a programme's theory of operation to understand the programme and improve with understanding the needs of the landowners. In this regard the processes and methodologies employed represent a major component of this research. A mixed methods approach was utilized, including stakeholder and volunteer surveys, conducted via mailing hardcopies and the internet, together with three focus groups held with the programme's management, extension staff and the stewardship landholders. Analysis of the data thus collected included both qualitative and quantitative approaches, specifically coding and content analysis, together with statistical tests of internal consistency, factor analysis and doubling correspondence analysis. Robust indices for example validity and internal consistency were developed for assessing landholder’s satisfaction with extension and level of satisfaction with the stewardship programme (Babbie 2007). These indices revealed that landholders in the Stewardship Programme are not satisfied with the programme, and exhibit behaviours suggesting they act as advocates for the programme. Demographic data and additional information provided further insights into the programme. The development of a method for articulating the programme's theory of operation is represented, together with four logic models which graphically illustrate this theory. This process and theory allowed for recommendations to be provided for the programme's improvement. A platform for adaptive management and further evaluations of this, and similar programmes, represents a major outcome of this research, understanding the extension capacity needs for the conservation of biodiversity in the CapeNature Stewardship Programme to function as a model for improving the implementation of the programme across the Western Cape, South Africa. This research feeds into an evaluation of CapeNature’s Biodiveristy Stewardship programme and demonstrates the importance of incorporating psychology into conservation interventions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Coetzee, Johannes Christiaan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Conservation projects (Natural resources) , Psychometrics , Adaptive natural resource management , Biodiversity conservation , CapeNature Stewardship Programme
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63220 , vital:28383
- Description: There is an increasing call for conservation programmes to provide sound evidence of effectiveness, and employing empirical evaluations can assist in the transition to evidence-based conservation practices. The objectives of this research were to develop a logic model for the CapeNature Stewardship Programme which would articulate the programme's theory of operation with respect to its Stewardship Programme landholders. The second major objective was to develop psychometric instruments for assessing the motivations and satisfactions of the programme's stewardship landholders. Both objectives included the aim to provide robust and repeatable instruments for exploring landholder's psychology, and developing a programme's theory of operation to understand the programme and improve with understanding the needs of the landowners. In this regard the processes and methodologies employed represent a major component of this research. A mixed methods approach was utilized, including stakeholder and volunteer surveys, conducted via mailing hardcopies and the internet, together with three focus groups held with the programme's management, extension staff and the stewardship landholders. Analysis of the data thus collected included both qualitative and quantitative approaches, specifically coding and content analysis, together with statistical tests of internal consistency, factor analysis and doubling correspondence analysis. Robust indices for example validity and internal consistency were developed for assessing landholder’s satisfaction with extension and level of satisfaction with the stewardship programme (Babbie 2007). These indices revealed that landholders in the Stewardship Programme are not satisfied with the programme, and exhibit behaviours suggesting they act as advocates for the programme. Demographic data and additional information provided further insights into the programme. The development of a method for articulating the programme's theory of operation is represented, together with four logic models which graphically illustrate this theory. This process and theory allowed for recommendations to be provided for the programme's improvement. A platform for adaptive management and further evaluations of this, and similar programmes, represents a major outcome of this research, understanding the extension capacity needs for the conservation of biodiversity in the CapeNature Stewardship Programme to function as a model for improving the implementation of the programme across the Western Cape, South Africa. This research feeds into an evaluation of CapeNature’s Biodiveristy Stewardship programme and demonstrates the importance of incorporating psychology into conservation interventions.
- Full Text:
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »