Assessing selected ecosystem services in urban green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Authors: Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5856 , vital:20982
- Description: Urbanization has resulted in the building of numerous structures such as buildings and roads which reduces the amount of natural land. Urban space planning has taken this into consideration resulting in planned urban green spaces and remnant land within urban areas. Urban green spaces provide a number of ecosystem services which are beneficial to urban residents. This study sought to determine residents’ use and perception of urban green spaces in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and to quantify and value four selected ecosystem services, i.e. carbon sequestration by urban trees, urban heat island amelioration, spiritual services and firewood provision. All ecosystem services were valued using local a variety of direct or substitutive methods. Questionnaires were administered at green spaces to green space users to capture responses on reasons why they use green spaces and their perception of green spaces. Residents’ responses showed that they appreciate green spaces as multidimensional spaces which provide a number of benefits for cultural and provisioning services. The role of the green spaces in providing regulating services was not well appreciated by the residents as they did not directly experience these benefits. An association was revealed between primary purpose of visit to urban green spaces and household income. Residents in areas of medium and high density housing visited green spaces on a daily basis, whereas those in more affluent, low density housing areas visited green spaces less often, i.e. a few times a month Carbon sequestration rate was determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in carbon sequestered. Bulawayo’s urban green spaces sequester 3 290 t/C/yr valued at approximately $13 000/yr. There was a significant difference in carbon sequestration by urban trees between formal and informal green spaces with formal green spaces sequestering more carbon. Indigenous trees were shown to sequester more carbon than exotic trees and trees with bigger stem diameter were determined sequester more carbon than trees with small diameter. The effect of urban green spaces on ambient temperature was determined by measuring ambient air temperature in green spaces and built up areas over six months. Urban green spaces in Bulawayo play a role in urban micro-climate regulation by reducing the ambient temperature in the green spaces as well as is built up areas. The mean difference between green spaces and surrounding urban areas was up to 60C, with larger green spaces generally showing larger differences. The green spaces extend their cooling effect to surrounding areas thus reducing the temperatures in surrounding residential areas thus reducing the energy demand used for indoor cooling. To determine why residents worship in green spaces, questionnaires were administered to congregation members to capture reasons why and how often they worship in green spaces, challenges faced by the congregants as well as assistance that can be given by the Bulawayo city council to improve the outdoor worship experience. Green spaces offer ideal places for worship in natural areas for congregants to be in touch with nature. The green spaces are also used by some congregations who ordinarily would worship in buildings but fail to do so due to lack of funds for rent or to purchase or construct a church building to use. The value of Bulawayo’s green spaces spiritual services was determined to be $92.50/ha/yr. Firewood provision was also determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in fuelwood. The green spaces showed a significant difference in firewood production among sites. Formal green spaces were shown to produce more firewood as compared to informal green spaces and no difference was determined in growth rates between exotic and indigenous tree species. Bulawayo’s green spaces produce 1.9t/ha/yr of firewood with an ecosystem service value of $340 to $490 /ha/yr. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces in Bulawayo. They are multifunctional spaces, providing multiple ecosystem services. The local appreciation of the services provided by urban green spaces differs according to the type of service and location in the city. The value of services provided by green spaces is high, albeit not taken into account in planning decisions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5856 , vital:20982
- Description: Urbanization has resulted in the building of numerous structures such as buildings and roads which reduces the amount of natural land. Urban space planning has taken this into consideration resulting in planned urban green spaces and remnant land within urban areas. Urban green spaces provide a number of ecosystem services which are beneficial to urban residents. This study sought to determine residents’ use and perception of urban green spaces in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and to quantify and value four selected ecosystem services, i.e. carbon sequestration by urban trees, urban heat island amelioration, spiritual services and firewood provision. All ecosystem services were valued using local a variety of direct or substitutive methods. Questionnaires were administered at green spaces to green space users to capture responses on reasons why they use green spaces and their perception of green spaces. Residents’ responses showed that they appreciate green spaces as multidimensional spaces which provide a number of benefits for cultural and provisioning services. The role of the green spaces in providing regulating services was not well appreciated by the residents as they did not directly experience these benefits. An association was revealed between primary purpose of visit to urban green spaces and household income. Residents in areas of medium and high density housing visited green spaces on a daily basis, whereas those in more affluent, low density housing areas visited green spaces less often, i.e. a few times a month Carbon sequestration rate was determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in carbon sequestered. Bulawayo’s urban green spaces sequester 3 290 t/C/yr valued at approximately $13 000/yr. There was a significant difference in carbon sequestration by urban trees between formal and informal green spaces with formal green spaces sequestering more carbon. Indigenous trees were shown to sequester more carbon than exotic trees and trees with bigger stem diameter were determined sequester more carbon than trees with small diameter. The effect of urban green spaces on ambient temperature was determined by measuring ambient air temperature in green spaces and built up areas over six months. Urban green spaces in Bulawayo play a role in urban micro-climate regulation by reducing the ambient temperature in the green spaces as well as is built up areas. The mean difference between green spaces and surrounding urban areas was up to 60C, with larger green spaces generally showing larger differences. The green spaces extend their cooling effect to surrounding areas thus reducing the temperatures in surrounding residential areas thus reducing the energy demand used for indoor cooling. To determine why residents worship in green spaces, questionnaires were administered to congregation members to capture reasons why and how often they worship in green spaces, challenges faced by the congregants as well as assistance that can be given by the Bulawayo city council to improve the outdoor worship experience. Green spaces offer ideal places for worship in natural areas for congregants to be in touch with nature. The green spaces are also used by some congregations who ordinarily would worship in buildings but fail to do so due to lack of funds for rent or to purchase or construct a church building to use. The value of Bulawayo’s green spaces spiritual services was determined to be $92.50/ha/yr. Firewood provision was also determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in fuelwood. The green spaces showed a significant difference in firewood production among sites. Formal green spaces were shown to produce more firewood as compared to informal green spaces and no difference was determined in growth rates between exotic and indigenous tree species. Bulawayo’s green spaces produce 1.9t/ha/yr of firewood with an ecosystem service value of $340 to $490 /ha/yr. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces in Bulawayo. They are multifunctional spaces, providing multiple ecosystem services. The local appreciation of the services provided by urban green spaces differs according to the type of service and location in the city. The value of services provided by green spaces is high, albeit not taken into account in planning decisions.
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Perceptions and livelihood uses of an invasive alien tree (acacia dealbata) by rural communities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
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Quantifying degraded subtropical thicket structure and composition: a multi-scale approach in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lunderstedt, Kyra Elizabeth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5281 , vital:20804
- Description: The loss in canopy cover from over-browsing severely degrades the ecological integrity of spekboom-dominated thicket in the Eastern Cape. A homogenisation of species across the landscape and high heterogeneity at fine scales has been reported with little evidence of recovery. As an interlinked consequence, the loss in important biological structures and composition impacts greatly on soil resources and therefore function. This thesis provides a baseline of degraded thicket abiotic and biotic structure and composition over both spatial and temporal scales within the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), including Darlington, Kabouga and Addo Main and within the Baviaanskloof. The study aimed to find correlates of species composition within sites and assess changes in composition with degradation and recovery times. Across the GAENP, landscape degradation was most evident in post-1960 aerial imagery. The duration since sampled sites have been incorporated into the GAENP did not influence species composition, however the period of degradation and severity, did. Across the landscape, communities were strongly associated with each of the four sites and separated predominantly by rainfall, gravel and altitude. A total of 345 plant species were identified across the landscape and despite degradation, each site was characterised into three to five communities each, barring Baviaanskloof which had no significantly different communities. Across the landscape, matrix composition comprised predominantly of Pentzia incana, Drosanthemum hispidum, Galenia pubescens and Cynodon species. Woody cover within patches included smaller Grewia robusta, Rhigozum obovatum and Vachellia karroo and the larger Pappea capensis and Euclea undulata. The succulent shrub Euphorbia caerulescens in Darlington and succulent tree Aloe ferox in Baviaanskloof occurred abundantly as a consequence of degradation. Species richness was significantly correlated to patch size in all sites, but Kabouga had the greatest richness and probability of a suite of species occurring within a patch. Higher woody and succulent cover in Kabouga was therefore associated with higher soil C, root percentage and bulk density. Other sites were higher in Ca, Na, K and P. The method of degradation scoring was not sufficiently accurate and it is recommended that indicator species within the matrix should be used instead of growth forms. The findings of this thesis are conceptualised within a double-cusped catastrophe model and recommendations for restoration are provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lunderstedt, Kyra Elizabeth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5281 , vital:20804
- Description: The loss in canopy cover from over-browsing severely degrades the ecological integrity of spekboom-dominated thicket in the Eastern Cape. A homogenisation of species across the landscape and high heterogeneity at fine scales has been reported with little evidence of recovery. As an interlinked consequence, the loss in important biological structures and composition impacts greatly on soil resources and therefore function. This thesis provides a baseline of degraded thicket abiotic and biotic structure and composition over both spatial and temporal scales within the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), including Darlington, Kabouga and Addo Main and within the Baviaanskloof. The study aimed to find correlates of species composition within sites and assess changes in composition with degradation and recovery times. Across the GAENP, landscape degradation was most evident in post-1960 aerial imagery. The duration since sampled sites have been incorporated into the GAENP did not influence species composition, however the period of degradation and severity, did. Across the landscape, communities were strongly associated with each of the four sites and separated predominantly by rainfall, gravel and altitude. A total of 345 plant species were identified across the landscape and despite degradation, each site was characterised into three to five communities each, barring Baviaanskloof which had no significantly different communities. Across the landscape, matrix composition comprised predominantly of Pentzia incana, Drosanthemum hispidum, Galenia pubescens and Cynodon species. Woody cover within patches included smaller Grewia robusta, Rhigozum obovatum and Vachellia karroo and the larger Pappea capensis and Euclea undulata. The succulent shrub Euphorbia caerulescens in Darlington and succulent tree Aloe ferox in Baviaanskloof occurred abundantly as a consequence of degradation. Species richness was significantly correlated to patch size in all sites, but Kabouga had the greatest richness and probability of a suite of species occurring within a patch. Higher woody and succulent cover in Kabouga was therefore associated with higher soil C, root percentage and bulk density. Other sites were higher in Ca, Na, K and P. The method of degradation scoring was not sufficiently accurate and it is recommended that indicator species within the matrix should be used instead of growth forms. The findings of this thesis are conceptualised within a double-cusped catastrophe model and recommendations for restoration are provided.
- Full Text:
The socio-economic contribution of non-timber forest product trade to households in four villages in Zomba and Machinga Districts, Malawi
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
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