Advancing urban ecology in the global south: emerging themes and future research directions
- du Toit, Marie J, Shackleton, Charlie M, Cilliers, Sarel S, Davoren, Elandre
- Authors: du Toit, Marie J , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cilliers, Sarel S , Davoren, Elandre
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433713 , vital:72996 , ISBN 978-3-030-67650-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67650-6_17
- Description: The rapid growth in urban ecological research and application has been led by countries of the Global North, particularly Europe and the USA, albeit not restricted to them. However, this belies that most urban growth is currently in the Global South, with the differential set to increase in the future. Thus, there is an imbalance between where the bulk of urban ecological research and framings are developed and where the majority of urban citizens globally live, work and seek to meet their aspirations. This chapter illustrates how this book addressed the identified research gaps in the Global South. We also highlight dominant recurring themes in Global South research discourse and importantly, where future research efforts over the next decade should be focussed. Eight themes are considered, namely: inequality; informality; urban–rural links; small and medium-sized towns and cities; urban green infrastructure, biodiversity and ecosystem services; understanding and accommodating multiple worldviews of urban nature; human health and urban nature; and specific research approaches.
- Full Text:
- Authors: du Toit, Marie J , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cilliers, Sarel S , Davoren, Elandre
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433713 , vital:72996 , ISBN 978-3-030-67650-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67650-6_17
- Description: The rapid growth in urban ecological research and application has been led by countries of the Global North, particularly Europe and the USA, albeit not restricted to them. However, this belies that most urban growth is currently in the Global South, with the differential set to increase in the future. Thus, there is an imbalance between where the bulk of urban ecological research and framings are developed and where the majority of urban citizens globally live, work and seek to meet their aspirations. This chapter illustrates how this book addressed the identified research gaps in the Global South. We also highlight dominant recurring themes in Global South research discourse and importantly, where future research efforts over the next decade should be focussed. Eight themes are considered, namely: inequality; informality; urban–rural links; small and medium-sized towns and cities; urban green infrastructure, biodiversity and ecosystem services; understanding and accommodating multiple worldviews of urban nature; human health and urban nature; and specific research approaches.
- Full Text:
The social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa
- Shackleton, Ross T, Novoa, Ana, Shackleton, Charlie M, Kull, Christian A
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Novoa, Ana , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176285 , vital:42681 , DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: This chapter examines current knowledge relating to the human and social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa. We do so by advancing 12 propositions and examining the evidence for or against each using South African literature. The propositions cover four broad issues: how people cause invasions; how they conceptualise them; effects of invasive species on people; and peoples’ responses to them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Novoa, Ana , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176285 , vital:42681 , DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: This chapter examines current knowledge relating to the human and social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa. We do so by advancing 12 propositions and examining the evidence for or against each using South African literature. The propositions cover four broad issues: how people cause invasions; how they conceptualise them; effects of invasive species on people; and peoples’ responses to them.
- Full Text:
The social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa
- Shackleton, Ross T, Novoa, A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Novoa, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434000 , vital:73020 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: This chapter examines current knowledge relating to the human and social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa. We do so by advancing 12 propositions and examining the evidence for or against each using South African literature. The propositions cover four broad issues: how people cause invasions; how they conceptualise them; effects of invasive species on people; and peoples’ responses to them. The propositions we assess include:(1) intentional introductions were and continue to refiect the social ethos of the time;(2) people go to great lengths to ensure that newly introduced species establish themselves;(3) human-mediated modifications help invasive species to establish;(4) how people think about and study invasive species is strongly shaped by social-ecological contexts;(5) knowledge and awareness of invasive species is low amongst the general public;(6) personal values are the primary factor affecting perceptions of invasive alien species and their control;(7) specific social-ecological contexts mediate how invasive species affect people;(8) research on social effects of invasive species primarily focuses on negative impacts;(9) the negative social impacts of invasive species on local livelihoods are of more concern to people than impacts on biodiversity;(10) people are less willing to manage species regarded as ‘charismatic’;(11) social heterogeneity increases confiicts around the management of biological invasions; and (12) engagement with society is key to successful management. By advancing and questioning propositions, we were able to determine what is known, provide evidence for where gaps lie, and thus identify areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Novoa, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434000 , vital:73020 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: This chapter examines current knowledge relating to the human and social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa. We do so by advancing 12 propositions and examining the evidence for or against each using South African literature. The propositions cover four broad issues: how people cause invasions; how they conceptualise them; effects of invasive species on people; and peoples’ responses to them. The propositions we assess include:(1) intentional introductions were and continue to refiect the social ethos of the time;(2) people go to great lengths to ensure that newly introduced species establish themselves;(3) human-mediated modifications help invasive species to establish;(4) how people think about and study invasive species is strongly shaped by social-ecological contexts;(5) knowledge and awareness of invasive species is low amongst the general public;(6) personal values are the primary factor affecting perceptions of invasive alien species and their control;(7) specific social-ecological contexts mediate how invasive species affect people;(8) research on social effects of invasive species primarily focuses on negative impacts;(9) the negative social impacts of invasive species on local livelihoods are of more concern to people than impacts on biodiversity;(10) people are less willing to manage species regarded as ‘charismatic’;(11) social heterogeneity increases confiicts around the management of biological invasions; and (12) engagement with society is key to successful management. By advancing and questioning propositions, we were able to determine what is known, provide evidence for where gaps lie, and thus identify areas for future research.
- Full Text:
The importance of dry woodlands and forests in rural livelihoods and poverty alleviation in South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Shackleton, Sheona E, Buiten, Erik, Bird, Neil
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E , Buiten, Erik , Bird, Neil
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007066
- Description: Indigenous forests and savannas, along with plantation forests, offer numerous benefits to rural communities and society at large. Yet, the role of forests and forestry in contributing to sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation are widely debated. However, much of the debate pertains to lessons from the humid tropics, with little consideration of the widespread dry forests and savannas. This paper considers the role of dry forest types, including savannas, using South Africa as a case example. It concludes that a large proportion of the population makes use of forests and the resources from them. These are vital components of local livelihoods, which probably prevent people from slipping into deeper poverty. Moreover, for a measurable proportion, engagement in informal forest activities, as well as the formal forestry sector, has resulted in them being able to move out of poverty. Additionally, the generally dry nature of forests in South Africa, coupled with the high unemployment rate, limit the extent of alternative locally based livelihood options, thereby magnifying the contributions from forests and forest products. The depressing effects of widespread HIV/AIDS on labour availability, economic activities and livelihoods has exacerbated peoples' dependence on forest products.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E , Buiten, Erik , Bird, Neil
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007066
- Description: Indigenous forests and savannas, along with plantation forests, offer numerous benefits to rural communities and society at large. Yet, the role of forests and forestry in contributing to sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation are widely debated. However, much of the debate pertains to lessons from the humid tropics, with little consideration of the widespread dry forests and savannas. This paper considers the role of dry forest types, including savannas, using South Africa as a case example. It concludes that a large proportion of the population makes use of forests and the resources from them. These are vital components of local livelihoods, which probably prevent people from slipping into deeper poverty. Moreover, for a measurable proportion, engagement in informal forest activities, as well as the formal forestry sector, has resulted in them being able to move out of poverty. Additionally, the generally dry nature of forests in South Africa, coupled with the high unemployment rate, limit the extent of alternative locally based livelihood options, thereby magnifying the contributions from forests and forest products. The depressing effects of widespread HIV/AIDS on labour availability, economic activities and livelihoods has exacerbated peoples' dependence on forest products.
- Full Text:
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