An ecosystem service value chain analysis framework: a conceptual paper
- Authors: Rawlins, Jonathan M , De Lange, Willem J , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69321 , vital:29499 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.12.023
- Description: Modern day societies and economies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the continued erosion of the stocks and flows of essential ecosystem services. Thus, the management of complex socio-economic systems to effectively provide these essential services has become a global priority policy and academic research area. Understanding how underlying processes and functions contribute towards the provision of final ecosystem services can facilitate improved dissemination of credible, legitimate and salient information to decision-makers. This paper presents an ecosystem service value chain analysis framework that applies basic system dynamics modelling in the form of causal loop diagrams to facilitate an alternative analysis of ecosystem service value chains. A scoping application of the framework is applied to a case study for flood attenuation services in the Baviaanskloof catchment in South Africa. The framework enables the identification of forward linkages and ripple effects in individual value chains of final ecosystem services as well as the identification and assessment of challenges and opportunities within individual causal pathways. Ultimately, providing the potential to advance strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of final ecosystem service provision.
- Full Text: false
General features and kinetic analysis of thermoluminescence from annealed natural quartz
- Authors: Thomas, Sunil , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112885 , vital:33670 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.02.003
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the thermoluminescence properties of beta irradiated natural quartz annealed at 900 °C, that is, beyond its second phase inversion temperature of 867 °C. The sample was annealed to improve its sensitivity and to deplete any residual charge from electron traps. The glow-curve corresponding to 10 Gy shows three peaks when measured at 1 °C/s; a dominant one at 71 °C, the subject of this report, and two other ones at 125 and 177 °C. The dose response of the main peak was studied in the range 1–300 Gy. The activation energy of the main glow-peak was evaluated as ~1 eV. Kinetic analyses using various methods show that the main glow-peak follows first order kinetics.
- Full Text: false