The photo-physicochemical properties and in vitro photodynamic therapy activity of differently substituted-zinc (II)-phthalocyanines and graphene quantum dots conjugates on MCF7 breast cancer cell line
- Nene, Lindokuhle C, Managa, Muthumuni E, Oluwole, David O, Mafukidze, Donovan M, Sindelo, Azole, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle C , Managa, Muthumuni E , Oluwole, David O , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Sindelo, Azole , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187449 , vital:44653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2019.01.012"
- Description: Several differently substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) were prepared and conjugated to GQDs. The photophysical properties were determined for both the Pcs and their respective conjugates including the fluorescence/triplet quantum yields and lifetimes as well as the singlet oxygen generating abilities. Upon conjugation to GQDs, the fluorescence of the Pcs decreased (insignificant decrease in some cases), with an increase in the triplet quantum yields. However, the singlet quantum yields of the Pcs in the conjugates did not show an increase with the increase in the triplet quantum yields, this is suspected to be due to the screening effect. The cytotoxicity of the complexes in vitro decreased upon conjugation, as a result of the reduced actual number of Pcs units provided in the conjugate for therapy. Upon introduction of cationic charges, the photodynamic therapy activity of the complexes increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle C , Managa, Muthumuni E , Oluwole, David O , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Sindelo, Azole , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187449 , vital:44653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2019.01.012"
- Description: Several differently substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) were prepared and conjugated to GQDs. The photophysical properties were determined for both the Pcs and their respective conjugates including the fluorescence/triplet quantum yields and lifetimes as well as the singlet oxygen generating abilities. Upon conjugation to GQDs, the fluorescence of the Pcs decreased (insignificant decrease in some cases), with an increase in the triplet quantum yields. However, the singlet quantum yields of the Pcs in the conjugates did not show an increase with the increase in the triplet quantum yields, this is suspected to be due to the screening effect. The cytotoxicity of the complexes in vitro decreased upon conjugation, as a result of the reduced actual number of Pcs units provided in the conjugate for therapy. Upon introduction of cationic charges, the photodynamic therapy activity of the complexes increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of phenyldiazenyl phenoxy substituted phthalocyanines when incorporated into Pluronic® F127 micelles
- Motloung, Banele M, Sekhosana, Kutloano E, Managa, Muthumuni, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Motloung, Banele M , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Managa, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186769 , vital:44532 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.114157"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of 4(4-phenyldiazenyl) phenoxy substituted indium (III) (InPc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines when alone or incorporated into Pluronic_ F127 micelles are presented in this study. The InPc exhibited higher singlet oxygen (UD) at 0.47 compared to the ZnPc at 0.20 in dimethylsulfoxide. The UD values in the presence of Pluronic_ F127 and in water, were 0.32 for InPc and 0.09 for ZnPc. The triplet quantum yields (UT) were 0.92 for InPc and 0.32 for ZnPc in DMSO. The PDT activity followed the same trend as the singlet oxygen quantum yields. At the highest concentration, InPc in Pluronic_ F127 gave 22% cell viability compared to 34% for complex ZnPc. The partition coefficient Kp values were determined using the water and octanol system. InPc had a larger Kp suggesting that it is more likely to be taken up by the cancer cells, hence it exhibited better PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Motloung, Banele M , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Managa, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186769 , vital:44532 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.114157"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of 4(4-phenyldiazenyl) phenoxy substituted indium (III) (InPc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines when alone or incorporated into Pluronic_ F127 micelles are presented in this study. The InPc exhibited higher singlet oxygen (UD) at 0.47 compared to the ZnPc at 0.20 in dimethylsulfoxide. The UD values in the presence of Pluronic_ F127 and in water, were 0.32 for InPc and 0.09 for ZnPc. The triplet quantum yields (UT) were 0.92 for InPc and 0.32 for ZnPc in DMSO. The PDT activity followed the same trend as the singlet oxygen quantum yields. At the highest concentration, InPc in Pluronic_ F127 gave 22% cell viability compared to 34% for complex ZnPc. The partition coefficient Kp values were determined using the water and octanol system. InPc had a larger Kp suggesting that it is more likely to be taken up by the cancer cells, hence it exhibited better PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relative representation of ecosystem services and disservices in South African newspaper media
- Mclellan, V, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mclellan, V , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179699 , vital:43162 , https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2019.1667442
- Description: Newspapers are key information sources and may influence both public opinion and policy. Previous studies have analysed the portrayal of ecosystem disservices in newspapers, but none have assessed the relative coverage between disservices and services, or how it might have changed over time. We report on the relative frequency and depiction of ecosystem services and disservices in South African, English newspapers over a 15-year period. We used a SABINET search complemented by key-informant interviews with environmental journalists. For each article we recorded if it covered ecosystem services or disservices, the type of service or disservice, and article tone and length. Overall, 2,201 articles were found, of which 25% were on services and 75% on disservices. The number of articles per year declined over the 15-year period for services, but not disservices. The most common services were energy and craft materials, food production, recreation and culture, and disservices were human health, heat waves and floods. Articles on ecosystem services were 25–40% longer than those on disservices. Article lengths on both declined over the 15 years. The greater reporting of ecosystem disservices over services is likely to influence public opinion and environmental decision-making accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mclellan, V , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179699 , vital:43162 , https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2019.1667442
- Description: Newspapers are key information sources and may influence both public opinion and policy. Previous studies have analysed the portrayal of ecosystem disservices in newspapers, but none have assessed the relative coverage between disservices and services, or how it might have changed over time. We report on the relative frequency and depiction of ecosystem services and disservices in South African, English newspapers over a 15-year period. We used a SABINET search complemented by key-informant interviews with environmental journalists. For each article we recorded if it covered ecosystem services or disservices, the type of service or disservice, and article tone and length. Overall, 2,201 articles were found, of which 25% were on services and 75% on disservices. The number of articles per year declined over the 15-year period for services, but not disservices. The most common services were energy and craft materials, food production, recreation and culture, and disservices were human health, heat waves and floods. Articles on ecosystem services were 25–40% longer than those on disservices. Article lengths on both declined over the 15 years. The greater reporting of ecosystem disservices over services is likely to influence public opinion and environmental decision-making accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of ambient temperature and body mass on body temperature, standard metabolic rate and evaporative water loss in southern African anurans of different habitat specialisation
- Mokhatla, Mohlamatsane, Measey, John, Smit, Ben
- Authors: Mokhatla, Mohlamatsane , Measey, John , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440571 , vital:73794 , 10.7717/peerj.7885
- Description: Temperature and water availability are two of the most important variables affecting all aspects of an anuran’s key physiological processes such as body temperature (T b), evaporative water loss (EWL) and standard metabolic rate (SMR). Since anurans display pronounced sexual dimorphism, evidence suggests that these processes are further influenced by other factors such as vapour pressure deficit (VPD), sex and body mass (M b). However, a limited number of studies have tested the generality of these results across a wide range of ecologically relevant ambient temperatures (T a), while taking habitat use into account. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of T a on T b, whole-animal EWL and whole-animal SMR in three wild caught African anuran species with different ecological specialisations: the principally aquatic African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), stream-breeding common river frog (Amietia delalandii), and the largely terrestrial raucous toad (Sclerophrys capensis).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mokhatla, Mohlamatsane , Measey, John , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440571 , vital:73794 , 10.7717/peerj.7885
- Description: Temperature and water availability are two of the most important variables affecting all aspects of an anuran’s key physiological processes such as body temperature (T b), evaporative water loss (EWL) and standard metabolic rate (SMR). Since anurans display pronounced sexual dimorphism, evidence suggests that these processes are further influenced by other factors such as vapour pressure deficit (VPD), sex and body mass (M b). However, a limited number of studies have tested the generality of these results across a wide range of ecologically relevant ambient temperatures (T a), while taking habitat use into account. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of T a on T b, whole-animal EWL and whole-animal SMR in three wild caught African anuran species with different ecological specialisations: the principally aquatic African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), stream-breeding common river frog (Amietia delalandii), and the largely terrestrial raucous toad (Sclerophrys capensis).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of invasive alien species in shaping local livelihoods and human well-being: A review
- Shackleton, Ross T, Shackleton, Charlie M, Kull, Christian A
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180280 , vital:43349 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.007"
- Description: Invasive alien species are a well-recognised driver of social-ecological change globally. Much research has focused on ecological impacts, but the role of invasive species for livelihoods and human well-being is less well known. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is important for guiding policy formulation and management. Here we review the literature on the role of invasive species in livelihoods to assess what is known, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. Literature was collected using key word searches and included both journal publications and grey literature. Slightly less than half (48%) of species studied had both substantial positive and negative impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. Australian Acacia spp. species; Camelus dromedaries; Lantana camara; Prosopis spp.), with 37% inducing mainly costs (Chromolaena odorata; Lissachatina fulica; Opuntia stricta) and 16% producing mainly benefits (Opuntia ficus-indica; Acacia spp.). Some species, such as Acacia dealbata, fell into different categories depending on the social-ecological context. Key benefits or services included the provision of fuelwood, fodder, timber and food products for local households communities and to a lesser extent supporting and regulating services such as soil improvement and shade. A number of species also provided cultural services such as recreation and spiritual values and provided many with an opportunity to earn a cash income. However, invasive species also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability through encroaching on land and reducing mobility or access. They can also decrease the supply of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production (livestock and/or crops) which can result in losses of income and increased vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species were seen to have negative implications for human health and safety and reduce the cultural value of landscapes. Economic impacts on livelihoods as a result of invasive species were highly variable and very dependent on the social-ecological contexts. These negative implications can reduce resilience and adaptive capacity of households and communities thus increasing their vulnerability to change. Drawing on case studies we highlight that efforts for managing invasive species need to safeguard livelihood benefits while mitigating negative impacts. In concluding we highlight future research and policy needs on the topic of invasive species, livelihoods and human well-being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180280 , vital:43349 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.007"
- Description: Invasive alien species are a well-recognised driver of social-ecological change globally. Much research has focused on ecological impacts, but the role of invasive species for livelihoods and human well-being is less well known. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is important for guiding policy formulation and management. Here we review the literature on the role of invasive species in livelihoods to assess what is known, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. Literature was collected using key word searches and included both journal publications and grey literature. Slightly less than half (48%) of species studied had both substantial positive and negative impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. Australian Acacia spp. species; Camelus dromedaries; Lantana camara; Prosopis spp.), with 37% inducing mainly costs (Chromolaena odorata; Lissachatina fulica; Opuntia stricta) and 16% producing mainly benefits (Opuntia ficus-indica; Acacia spp.). Some species, such as Acacia dealbata, fell into different categories depending on the social-ecological context. Key benefits or services included the provision of fuelwood, fodder, timber and food products for local households communities and to a lesser extent supporting and regulating services such as soil improvement and shade. A number of species also provided cultural services such as recreation and spiritual values and provided many with an opportunity to earn a cash income. However, invasive species also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability through encroaching on land and reducing mobility or access. They can also decrease the supply of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production (livestock and/or crops) which can result in losses of income and increased vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species were seen to have negative implications for human health and safety and reduce the cultural value of landscapes. Economic impacts on livelihoods as a result of invasive species were highly variable and very dependent on the social-ecological contexts. These negative implications can reduce resilience and adaptive capacity of households and communities thus increasing their vulnerability to change. Drawing on case studies we highlight that efforts for managing invasive species need to safeguard livelihood benefits while mitigating negative impacts. In concluding we highlight future research and policy needs on the topic of invasive species, livelihoods and human well-being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The South America tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), spreads its wings in Eastern Africa: distribution and socioeconomic impacts
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Hill, Martin P, Zalucki, Myron P, Obala, Francis, Idriss, Gamal E, Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G, Chidege, Maneno, Ekesi, Sunday, Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Hill, Martin P , Zalucki, Myron P , Obala, Francis , Idriss, Gamal E , Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G , Chidege, Maneno , Ekesi, Sunday , Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423859 , vital:72099 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz220"
- Description: Following the arrival of Tuta absoluta Meyrick in the eastern African subregion in 2012, several studies have shown numerous ecological aspects of its invasion. We investigated the impact of T. absoluta on people’s livelihoods across four counties of Kenya. Here, 200 farmers in the country were interviewed in person using semistructured questionnaires. In addition to livelihood surveys, T. absoluta distribution was mapped between 2016 and 2018 to determine its current distribution across four countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) in the subregion. Albeit a recent invader, T. absoluta is abundant and distributed throughout the subregion and is viewed as the worst invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods by tomato farmers. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased both the cost of tomato production and frequency of pesticide application. We recommend the implementation of biological control along, with other control measures in an integrated approach, against T. absoluta in the subregion, where its impact on sustainable livelihoods is serious and long-term control strategies are required to curb its detrimental effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Hill, Martin P , Zalucki, Myron P , Obala, Francis , Idriss, Gamal E , Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G , Chidege, Maneno , Ekesi, Sunday , Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423859 , vital:72099 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz220"
- Description: Following the arrival of Tuta absoluta Meyrick in the eastern African subregion in 2012, several studies have shown numerous ecological aspects of its invasion. We investigated the impact of T. absoluta on people’s livelihoods across four counties of Kenya. Here, 200 farmers in the country were interviewed in person using semistructured questionnaires. In addition to livelihood surveys, T. absoluta distribution was mapped between 2016 and 2018 to determine its current distribution across four countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) in the subregion. Albeit a recent invader, T. absoluta is abundant and distributed throughout the subregion and is viewed as the worst invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods by tomato farmers. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased both the cost of tomato production and frequency of pesticide application. We recommend the implementation of biological control along, with other control measures in an integrated approach, against T. absoluta in the subregion, where its impact on sustainable livelihoods is serious and long-term control strategies are required to curb its detrimental effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The Stinking Ontology of Sh#t in the Water: Higher Education Public Pedagogy and “Existance”?
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182754 , vital:43871 , xlink:href="http://doi.org/10.1089/sus.2019.29161"
- Description: “Existance” is not a spelling mistake. It is a word from Soweto street poet Zachariah Rapola’s poem, questioning our “stance in existence” . In the context of this essay, the poem raises the challenging perspective of our “stance in existence.” for engaging with the SDGs. The SDGs set a range of clear targets, but in doing so, they fail to give a good account of the stinking ontology of some of the issues to be dealt with, and thus lack a certain sense of realism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182754 , vital:43871 , xlink:href="http://doi.org/10.1089/sus.2019.29161"
- Description: “Existance” is not a spelling mistake. It is a word from Soweto street poet Zachariah Rapola’s poem, questioning our “stance in existence” . In the context of this essay, the poem raises the challenging perspective of our “stance in existence.” for engaging with the SDGs. The SDGs set a range of clear targets, but in doing so, they fail to give a good account of the stinking ontology of some of the issues to be dealt with, and thus lack a certain sense of realism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The thermal physiology of Stenopelmus rufinasus and Neohydronomus affinis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), two biological control agents for the invasive alien aquatic weeds, Azolla filiculoides and Pistia stratiotes in South Africa.
- Mvandaba, Sisanda F, Owen, Candice A, Hill, Martin P, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Mvandaba, Sisanda F , Owen, Candice A , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444467 , vital:74243 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1525484
- Description: Water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes, and red water fern, Azolla filiculoides, are floating aquatic macrophytes that have become problematic in South Africa. Two weevils, Neohydronomus affinis and Stenopelmus rufinasus, are successful biological control agents of these two species in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the thermal requirements of these two species to explain their establishment patterns in the field. Laboratory results showed that both weevils are widely tolerant to cold and warm temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mvandaba, Sisanda F , Owen, Candice A , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444467 , vital:74243 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1525484
- Description: Water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes, and red water fern, Azolla filiculoides, are floating aquatic macrophytes that have become problematic in South Africa. Two weevils, Neohydronomus affinis and Stenopelmus rufinasus, are successful biological control agents of these two species in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the thermal requirements of these two species to explain their establishment patterns in the field. Laboratory results showed that both weevils are widely tolerant to cold and warm temperatures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Thermal plasticity and microevolution enhance establishment success and persistence of a water hyacinth biological control agent
- Griffith, Tamzin C, Paterson, Iain D, Owen, Candice A, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Griffith, Tamzin C , Paterson, Iain D , Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424866 , vital:72190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12814"
- Description: Aspects of the thermal physiology of the water hyacinth biological control agent Eccritotarsus catarinensis Carvalho (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been extensively investigated over the past 20 years to understand and improve post-release establishment in the field. Thermal physiology studies predicted that the agent would not establish at a number of cold sites in South Africa, where it has nonetheless subsequently established and thrived. Recently, studies have begun to incorporate the plastic nature of insect thermal physiology into models of agent establishment. This study determined whether season and locality influenced the thermal physiology of two field populations of E. catarinensis, one collected from the hottest site where the agent has established in South Africa, and one from the coldest site. The thermal physiology of E. catarinensis was significantly influenced by season and site, demonstrating a degree of phenotypic plasticity, and that some post-release local adaptation to climatic conditions has occurred through microevolution. We then determined whether cold acclimation under laboratory conditions was possible. Successfully cold-acclimated E. catarinensis had a significantly lower critical thermal minimum (CTmin) compared to the field cold-acclimated population. This suggests that cold acclimation of agents could be conducted in the laboratory before future releases to improve their cold tolerance, thereby increasing their chance of establishment at cold sites and allowing further adaptation to colder climates to occur in the field. Although the thermal tolerance of E. catarinensis is limited by local adaptations to climatic conditions in the native range, the plastic nature of the insect's thermal physiology has allowed it to survive in the very different climatic conditions of the introduced range, and there has been some adaptive change to the insect's thermal tolerance since establishment. This study highlights the importance of plasticity and microevolutionary processes in the success of biological control agents under the novel climatic conditions in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Griffith, Tamzin C , Paterson, Iain D , Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424866 , vital:72190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12814"
- Description: Aspects of the thermal physiology of the water hyacinth biological control agent Eccritotarsus catarinensis Carvalho (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been extensively investigated over the past 20 years to understand and improve post-release establishment in the field. Thermal physiology studies predicted that the agent would not establish at a number of cold sites in South Africa, where it has nonetheless subsequently established and thrived. Recently, studies have begun to incorporate the plastic nature of insect thermal physiology into models of agent establishment. This study determined whether season and locality influenced the thermal physiology of two field populations of E. catarinensis, one collected from the hottest site where the agent has established in South Africa, and one from the coldest site. The thermal physiology of E. catarinensis was significantly influenced by season and site, demonstrating a degree of phenotypic plasticity, and that some post-release local adaptation to climatic conditions has occurred through microevolution. We then determined whether cold acclimation under laboratory conditions was possible. Successfully cold-acclimated E. catarinensis had a significantly lower critical thermal minimum (CTmin) compared to the field cold-acclimated population. This suggests that cold acclimation of agents could be conducted in the laboratory before future releases to improve their cold tolerance, thereby increasing their chance of establishment at cold sites and allowing further adaptation to colder climates to occur in the field. Although the thermal tolerance of E. catarinensis is limited by local adaptations to climatic conditions in the native range, the plastic nature of the insect's thermal physiology has allowed it to survive in the very different climatic conditions of the introduced range, and there has been some adaptive change to the insect's thermal tolerance since establishment. This study highlights the importance of plasticity and microevolutionary processes in the success of biological control agents under the novel climatic conditions in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Think Piece. Situating Education for Sustainable Development in southern African philosophy and contexts of social-ecological change to enhance curriculum relevance and the common good
- Pesanayi, Tichaona V, O'Donoghue, Rob B, Shava, Soul
- Authors: Pesanayi, Tichaona V , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Shava, Soul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388105 , vital:68307 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/187217"
- Description: The study opens with a brief review of how education in colonial southern Africa was steered by a succession of externally framed abstractions that have been implemented within the prevailing hegemony of western modernisation that dominated and marginalised indigenous cultures. It probes how, within an expanding functionalist framework, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been similarly constituted as a proposition for implementation. Here the supposition is that implementing ESD as an intervention will transform education into an inclusive and collaborative pedagogy that will shape competences for participants to transform society towards a sustainable future. In an effort to explore the possibility of making a break from a succession of education imperatives functioning as ‘salvation narratives’ to put things right in Africa, the study explores ESD from a more situated and emergent vantage point within African landscapes, philosophy and cultural practices. This requires a shift from a view of ESD as a perspective to be brought in and enacted to foster change, to ESD as a situated engagement in education as a process where relevance is deliberated and brought out in quality education with high order skills. This perspective exemplifies working with a more fully situated framing of deliberative social learning for the common good. It is explored here to contemplate how socio-cultural processes of deliberative ethics and co-engaged reflexive processes of learning-led change might emerge. Here, also, using a capabilities approach might provide useful starting points for ESD as an expansive process of transformative social learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Pesanayi, Tichaona V , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Shava, Soul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388105 , vital:68307 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/187217"
- Description: The study opens with a brief review of how education in colonial southern Africa was steered by a succession of externally framed abstractions that have been implemented within the prevailing hegemony of western modernisation that dominated and marginalised indigenous cultures. It probes how, within an expanding functionalist framework, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been similarly constituted as a proposition for implementation. Here the supposition is that implementing ESD as an intervention will transform education into an inclusive and collaborative pedagogy that will shape competences for participants to transform society towards a sustainable future. In an effort to explore the possibility of making a break from a succession of education imperatives functioning as ‘salvation narratives’ to put things right in Africa, the study explores ESD from a more situated and emergent vantage point within African landscapes, philosophy and cultural practices. This requires a shift from a view of ESD as a perspective to be brought in and enacted to foster change, to ESD as a situated engagement in education as a process where relevance is deliberated and brought out in quality education with high order skills. This perspective exemplifies working with a more fully situated framing of deliberative social learning for the common good. It is explored here to contemplate how socio-cultural processes of deliberative ethics and co-engaged reflexive processes of learning-led change might emerge. Here, also, using a capabilities approach might provide useful starting points for ESD as an expansive process of transformative social learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Tyrannical masters no more?: Promissory insurance warranties after Viking Inshore Fishing (Pty) Ltd v Mutual and Federal Insurance Co Ltd
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186701 , vital:44526 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1b0c21b6eb"
- Description: Federal Insurance Co Ltd for the law on promissory insurance warranties are considered. The article begins with an overview of the traditional position, which has been that such warranties are to be strictly interpreted and enforced, no matter the harshness of the result. Thereafter, the article discusses the contrasting decisions in Viking Inshore Fishing (Pty) Ltd v Mutual and Federal Insurance Co Ltd in the Western Cape High Court and the SCA. Wallis JA suggested on appeal that the strict traditional approach to promissory warranties was no longer appropriate, but without having to decide the point. The article next considers the implications of an obiter dictum of the SCA, in a matter relating to a court exercising admiralty jurisdiction, on insurance law in general. Thereafter, the article proposes that Wallis JA’s comments indicate an important change to our law on promissory warranties, specifically in relation to the need for there to be a causal link between the insured’s breach of the warranty and the loss suffered, before an insurer may exercise the power to repudiate the contract. Although others have made the causal-link argument before, this article tries to explain and situate this development in two doctrinal contexts: the modern law on contractual interpretation; and the doctrine of public policy. A supplementary argument relates to the drawing together of the law on promissory warranties with the rules relating to cancellation for major breach, in cases where an insurer pursues that remedy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186701 , vital:44526 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1b0c21b6eb"
- Description: Federal Insurance Co Ltd for the law on promissory insurance warranties are considered. The article begins with an overview of the traditional position, which has been that such warranties are to be strictly interpreted and enforced, no matter the harshness of the result. Thereafter, the article discusses the contrasting decisions in Viking Inshore Fishing (Pty) Ltd v Mutual and Federal Insurance Co Ltd in the Western Cape High Court and the SCA. Wallis JA suggested on appeal that the strict traditional approach to promissory warranties was no longer appropriate, but without having to decide the point. The article next considers the implications of an obiter dictum of the SCA, in a matter relating to a court exercising admiralty jurisdiction, on insurance law in general. Thereafter, the article proposes that Wallis JA’s comments indicate an important change to our law on promissory warranties, specifically in relation to the need for there to be a causal link between the insured’s breach of the warranty and the loss suffered, before an insurer may exercise the power to repudiate the contract. Although others have made the causal-link argument before, this article tries to explain and situate this development in two doctrinal contexts: the modern law on contractual interpretation; and the doctrine of public policy. A supplementary argument relates to the drawing together of the law on promissory warranties with the rules relating to cancellation for major breach, in cases where an insurer pursues that remedy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Un-functionalized gold nanoparticles as a simple colorimetric probe for sensitive and selective detection of dopamine
- Khanyile, Nokuthula, Krause, Rui W M, Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Torto, Nelson
- Authors: Khanyile, Nokuthula , Krause, Rui W M , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/195048 , vital:45522 , xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/0379-4350/2019/v72a27"
- Description: A dopamine (DA) colorimetric probe based on the growth and aggregation of un-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported. Upon addition of AuNPs to dopamine at various concentrations, the shape, size and colour change of the nanoparticles results in spectral shifts to higher wavelengths and hence colour change is the mode of detection. The colour change can be easily observed by the naked eye from as low as 5.0 nM DA, even under sub-optimal conditions. Under optimal pH conditions the calculated limit of detection was 2.5 nM (3σ). The probe was successfully applied to whole blood sample and showed good selectivity and sensitivity towards DA. The simple, sensitive and selective probe could be an excellent alternative for on-site and immediate detection of DA without the use of instrumentation and would thus be useful for rapid diagnostic applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Khanyile, Nokuthula , Krause, Rui W M , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Torto, Nelson
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/195048 , vital:45522 , xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/0379-4350/2019/v72a27"
- Description: A dopamine (DA) colorimetric probe based on the growth and aggregation of un-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported. Upon addition of AuNPs to dopamine at various concentrations, the shape, size and colour change of the nanoparticles results in spectral shifts to higher wavelengths and hence colour change is the mode of detection. The colour change can be easily observed by the naked eye from as low as 5.0 nM DA, even under sub-optimal conditions. Under optimal pH conditions the calculated limit of detection was 2.5 nM (3σ). The probe was successfully applied to whole blood sample and showed good selectivity and sensitivity towards DA. The simple, sensitive and selective probe could be an excellent alternative for on-site and immediate detection of DA without the use of instrumentation and would thus be useful for rapid diagnostic applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Use of public urban green spaces for spiritual services in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ngulani, T, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Ngulani, T , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179710 , vital:43163 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.11.009"
- Description: Urban green spaces provide an array of ecosystem services. Spiritual services provided by urban green spaces are widely used, but are often overlooked and rarely quantified. These services are accessed at sites of specific religious or sacred significance or more general urban green spaces used for religious practices that require natural or semi-natural, outdoor settings. We sampled twelve public green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to determine their use as sites for religious gatherings, interviewed visitors to green spaces and religious congregants about such and used the travel cost method to assign a value to the green spaces for spiritual benefits. Religious gatherings were observed in all twelve sampled green spaces, and 7% of a random sample of visitors to the urban green spaces said that they participated in such. Amongst the worshippers, 71% said worshipping outdoors was part of their religious practices and 29% said they did so because they had no building in which to worship. Most (79%) worshipped in public green spaces 1–4 times per week. Many felt that it would be easier if the city council designated specific and quiet areas in public green spaces for their religious observances, which they could then help maintain. The mean value of spiritual services was determined to be US$93 ± 79 /ha/yr, and tended to be highest in the high density, poorer suburbs. These results reveal the significance of urban green spaces for spiritual purposes and indicate the need for greater recognition amongst researchers and city planners and authorities to secure and maintain such benefit flows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngulani, T , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179710 , vital:43163 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.11.009"
- Description: Urban green spaces provide an array of ecosystem services. Spiritual services provided by urban green spaces are widely used, but are often overlooked and rarely quantified. These services are accessed at sites of specific religious or sacred significance or more general urban green spaces used for religious practices that require natural or semi-natural, outdoor settings. We sampled twelve public green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to determine their use as sites for religious gatherings, interviewed visitors to green spaces and religious congregants about such and used the travel cost method to assign a value to the green spaces for spiritual benefits. Religious gatherings were observed in all twelve sampled green spaces, and 7% of a random sample of visitors to the urban green spaces said that they participated in such. Amongst the worshippers, 71% said worshipping outdoors was part of their religious practices and 29% said they did so because they had no building in which to worship. Most (79%) worshipped in public green spaces 1–4 times per week. Many felt that it would be easier if the city council designated specific and quiet areas in public green spaces for their religious observances, which they could then help maintain. The mean value of spiritual services was determined to be US$93 ± 79 /ha/yr, and tended to be highest in the high density, poorer suburbs. These results reveal the significance of urban green spaces for spiritual purposes and indicate the need for greater recognition amongst researchers and city planners and authorities to secure and maintain such benefit flows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Wand plant architecture in the Fynbos: Testing the rodent herbivory hypothesis
- Bailey, Lauren A, Potts, A J, Cowling, R M, Whitfield, Maxine C, Smit, Ben
- Authors: Bailey, Lauren A , Potts, A J , Cowling, R M , Whitfield, Maxine C , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440583 , vital:73795 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.03.035
- Description: Throughout the Cape Floristic Region, in a range of local environments, can be found a distinctive growth form: “wand” plants. This curious plant architecture comprises perennial plants which have slender (wand-like) stems that extend high above the matrix vegetation. We explore whether the evolution of wand-plants may have been driven by plant–herbivore interactions with rodents, where such architecture reduces access to nutrient rich flowers and seeds. To test this idea, we determined if (i) wand-plants were more flexible than non-wand congeners, and (ii) a stabilised wand plant was favoured for climbing (by laboratory mice) over a free-standing wand plant in a laboratory setting. Under a phylogenetic independent contrast framework, wand-plants were not more flexible (across a range of diameters) than non-wand congeners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bailey, Lauren A , Potts, A J , Cowling, R M , Whitfield, Maxine C , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440583 , vital:73795 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.03.035
- Description: Throughout the Cape Floristic Region, in a range of local environments, can be found a distinctive growth form: “wand” plants. This curious plant architecture comprises perennial plants which have slender (wand-like) stems that extend high above the matrix vegetation. We explore whether the evolution of wand-plants may have been driven by plant–herbivore interactions with rodents, where such architecture reduces access to nutrient rich flowers and seeds. To test this idea, we determined if (i) wand-plants were more flexible than non-wand congeners, and (ii) a stabilised wand plant was favoured for climbing (by laboratory mice) over a free-standing wand plant in a laboratory setting. Under a phylogenetic independent contrast framework, wand-plants were not more flexible (across a range of diameters) than non-wand congeners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
With or without you: stem-galling of a tephritid fly reduces the vegetative and reproductive performance of the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) both alone and in combination with another agent
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Day, Michael D, Itohan Idemudia, Wilson, David D, Paterson, Iain D
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Day, Michael D , Itohan Idemudia , Wilson, David D , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418093 , vital:71508 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-09917-x"
- Description: With or without another biological control agent, the specialist folivore Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata, the stem-galling fly Cecidochares connexa reduced the performance of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata in Ghana. There was a strong significant negative relationship between gall densities of the gall fly and stem height, and the number of stems and flower heads of C. odorata. Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata had very little impact on any C. odorata parameters. However, at sites where both C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata occurred simultaneously, the performance of C. odorata was significantly reduced when compared with control plants. Increasing densities of both agents had a strong significant negative correlative effect on C. odorata plant parameters. Cecidochares connexa was recorded in all five regions of the country sampled, while P. pseudoinsulata was recorded in four regions. Densities of both agents declined in the dry season, but galls were persistent throughout the study period. This is the first report of the impact of C. connexa on C. odorata in the West African sub-region since its introduction to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003 and it is clear that the agent has a significant impact on C. odorata in Ghana. Further surveys are required to determine the impact of both biological control agents in other parts of the sub-region where they have established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Day, Michael D , Itohan Idemudia , Wilson, David D , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418093 , vital:71508 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-09917-x"
- Description: With or without another biological control agent, the specialist folivore Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata, the stem-galling fly Cecidochares connexa reduced the performance of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata in Ghana. There was a strong significant negative relationship between gall densities of the gall fly and stem height, and the number of stems and flower heads of C. odorata. Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata had very little impact on any C. odorata parameters. However, at sites where both C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata occurred simultaneously, the performance of C. odorata was significantly reduced when compared with control plants. Increasing densities of both agents had a strong significant negative correlative effect on C. odorata plant parameters. Cecidochares connexa was recorded in all five regions of the country sampled, while P. pseudoinsulata was recorded in four regions. Densities of both agents declined in the dry season, but galls were persistent throughout the study period. This is the first report of the impact of C. connexa on C. odorata in the West African sub-region since its introduction to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003 and it is clear that the agent has a significant impact on C. odorata in Ghana. Further surveys are required to determine the impact of both biological control agents in other parts of the sub-region where they have established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Woza Albert! (Student Editions)
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229598 , vital:49691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2018.1560975"
- Description: Publishing Woza Albert! back in 1983 was a smart move by Methuen Publishing, since it went on to become South Africa’s most canonical dramatic text. As Temple Hauptfleisch points out in his introduction to this new edition, the play has become one of the most anthologized and produced of all South African plays, a regular prescribed work…particularly so in the new curricula introduced since 1994…a major work in the South African literary canon, one of the most studied and produced of the plays from the turbulent 1980s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229598 , vital:49691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2018.1560975"
- Description: Publishing Woza Albert! back in 1983 was a smart move by Methuen Publishing, since it went on to become South Africa’s most canonical dramatic text. As Temple Hauptfleisch points out in his introduction to this new edition, the play has become one of the most anthologized and produced of all South African plays, a regular prescribed work…particularly so in the new curricula introduced since 1994…a major work in the South African literary canon, one of the most studied and produced of the plays from the turbulent 1980s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
“It is a thing that depends on God”
- Samandari, Ghazaleh, Grant, Carolyn, Brent, Lily, Gullo, Sara
- Authors: Samandari, Ghazaleh , Grant, Carolyn , Brent, Lily , Gullo, Sara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281091 , vital:55691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0757-y"
- Description: Background: Pregnancy among adolescent girls in Niger contributes to 34% of all deaths among females ages 15–19, but there is a dearth of research as to the specific contextual causes. In Zinder region, an area that is especially impoverished and where girls are at heightened risk, there is very little information on the main obstacles to improving adolescents’ health and well-being. This qualitative study examines the underlying social, individual and structural factors influencing married girls’ early first birth and participation in alternative opportunities (such as education or economic pursuits) in Niger. Methodology: In July of 2017, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with a non-probability sample of community members in three communes of Zinder Region, Niger. Participants (n = 107) included adolescent girls, husbands of adolescent girls, influential adults, community leaders, health providers, and positive deviants. All interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using Dedoose software. Results: Participants recognize the health benefits of delaying first birth, but stigma around infertility and contraceptive use, desire for children, and belief that childbirth is “God’s will” interfere with a girl’s ability to delay. Girls’ social isolation, lack of mobility or autonomy, and inability to envision alternatives to early motherhood compound the issue. Participants favor adolescents’ pursuit of increased economic opportunities or education, but would not support delaying birth to do so. Conclusions: Findings indicate the need for a holistic approach to delaying early birth and stimulating girls’ participation in economic and educational pursuits. Potential interventions include mitigating barriers to reproductive health care; training adolescent girls on viable economic activities; and providing educational opportunities for girls. Effective programs should also include or target immediate members of the girls’ families (husbands, parents, in-laws), influential local leaders and members of the community at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Samandari, Ghazaleh , Grant, Carolyn , Brent, Lily , Gullo, Sara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281091 , vital:55691 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0757-y"
- Description: Background: Pregnancy among adolescent girls in Niger contributes to 34% of all deaths among females ages 15–19, but there is a dearth of research as to the specific contextual causes. In Zinder region, an area that is especially impoverished and where girls are at heightened risk, there is very little information on the main obstacles to improving adolescents’ health and well-being. This qualitative study examines the underlying social, individual and structural factors influencing married girls’ early first birth and participation in alternative opportunities (such as education or economic pursuits) in Niger. Methodology: In July of 2017, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with a non-probability sample of community members in three communes of Zinder Region, Niger. Participants (n = 107) included adolescent girls, husbands of adolescent girls, influential adults, community leaders, health providers, and positive deviants. All interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using Dedoose software. Results: Participants recognize the health benefits of delaying first birth, but stigma around infertility and contraceptive use, desire for children, and belief that childbirth is “God’s will” interfere with a girl’s ability to delay. Girls’ social isolation, lack of mobility or autonomy, and inability to envision alternatives to early motherhood compound the issue. Participants favor adolescents’ pursuit of increased economic opportunities or education, but would not support delaying birth to do so. Conclusions: Findings indicate the need for a holistic approach to delaying early birth and stimulating girls’ participation in economic and educational pursuits. Potential interventions include mitigating barriers to reproductive health care; training adolescent girls on viable economic activities; and providing educational opportunities for girls. Effective programs should also include or target immediate members of the girls’ families (husbands, parents, in-laws), influential local leaders and members of the community at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relevance of cross-scale connections and spatial interactions for ecosystem service delivery by protected areas: Insights from southern Africa
- de Vos, Alta, Cumming, Graeme S, Roux, Dirk J
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, Graeme S , Roux, Dirk J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416438 , vital:71348 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.11.014"
- Description: The ecosystem services (ES) concept can frame the value of protected areas (PAs) to society and identify management actions that bridge biodiversity conservation and human benefits. In this special issue on ES flows to and from southern African PAs we consider two themes: (1) water as a biophysical and social-ecological connector; and (2) cross-scale interactions and connections as influences on cultural ecosystem service (CES) provision. Freshwater flows have supporting, regulating, and cultural elements, leading to complexities in governance as well as place attachment, intellectual, and recreational services. Scale dependence in CES creates trade-offs that challenge the usefulness of the ES framework for PA management. Ecosystem service production can potentially create political support for PAs and helps to build connections and feedbacks that increase PA resilience. Papers in the feature highlight a need to understand trade-offs in optimising for biodiversity vs. particular bundles of ES; impacts of investment in built infrastructure on ES use; how managers facilitate ES; scale and heterogeneity as influences; the role of adaptive monitoring of PAs as social–ecological systems; and services and benefits from PAs that are not well-articulated in ES classifications. PA research can thus add nuance, depth and substance to broader thinking around CES.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Cumming, Graeme S , Roux, Dirk J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416438 , vital:71348 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.11.014"
- Description: The ecosystem services (ES) concept can frame the value of protected areas (PAs) to society and identify management actions that bridge biodiversity conservation and human benefits. In this special issue on ES flows to and from southern African PAs we consider two themes: (1) water as a biophysical and social-ecological connector; and (2) cross-scale interactions and connections as influences on cultural ecosystem service (CES) provision. Freshwater flows have supporting, regulating, and cultural elements, leading to complexities in governance as well as place attachment, intellectual, and recreational services. Scale dependence in CES creates trade-offs that challenge the usefulness of the ES framework for PA management. Ecosystem service production can potentially create political support for PAs and helps to build connections and feedbacks that increase PA resilience. Papers in the feature highlight a need to understand trade-offs in optimising for biodiversity vs. particular bundles of ES; impacts of investment in built infrastructure on ES use; how managers facilitate ES; scale and heterogeneity as influences; the role of adaptive monitoring of PAs as social–ecological systems; and services and benefits from PAs that are not well-articulated in ES classifications. PA research can thus add nuance, depth and substance to broader thinking around CES.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017