An investigation into the origin and evolution of the Tierkloof Wetland, a peatland dominated by Prionium serratum, in the Western Cape
- Authors: Bekker, Debra Jane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Prionium serratum , Tierkloof Wetland (Western Cape, South Africa) , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Western Cape Cape , Peatland ecology -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Kromme River (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53689 , vital:26311
- Description: The Tierkloof Wetland in the Western Cape has been damaged through erosion down to bedrock with gullies that are up to 50 m wide and 7 m deep. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin and evolution of the Tierkloof Wetland and consider the role both natural and human-induced processes have played in its degradation. The main methods used were digital mapping using GIS software, satellite and aerial photographic interpretation of past and current land use, detailed topographic surveying, coring to bedrock, stratigraphic analysis of valley-fill sediments, and radio carbon dating of peat samples. Nine GIS-produced topographic profiles across the valley were plotted to analyse downstream changes in valley width and morphology along the length of the Tierkloof valley. Detailed cross sections of the stream channel were produced using topographic survey data. Depth to bedrock analysis indicated that there is evidence of a degree of planing of bedrock over geological time periods. Survey data indicates that the longitudinal slope of the former wetland surface is remarkably uniform over most of its length and there is an overall thinning of the valley fill from the head to the toe of the wetland. The stratigraphy and associated organic matter content of the wetland soils showed that the sedimentary fill varies considerably. There are appreciable accumulations of organic sediment, including sandy peat and peat layers with organic content of up to 50 %. The two radio carbon dates obtained from the gully wall midway down the Tierkloof Wetland suggest that peat accumulation started following the last glacial maximum. The peat has accumulated consistently and is mostly associated with the growth of the palmiet, Prionium serratum. Evidence from past and current land-use activities from aerial photographic interpretation show that natural vegetation in the Tierkloof Wetland has been severely degraded, alien plants are extremely common, and road-building and artificial drainage in the wetland have influenced fluvial processes. It is likely that these activities, exacerbated by the high rainfall events in the early 2000s, have triggered the erosional phase that was initiated a few decades ago. However, longer term processes (thousands to tens-of-thousands of years), such as the planing of the bedrock, also indicate that erosional processes have been a natural part of the Tierkloof Wetland development. A conceptual model of wetland development is thus proposed, based on long-term erosional and depositional processes that are linked with climate change and the current aggradation phase of peat formation that is being driven by the ecosystem engineering processes of palmiet plant growth. It is further suggested that relatively recent land-use activities have resulted in an already vulnerable wetland, in geomorphological terms, to cross a threshold to become a severely degraded, gulley- dominated wetland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bekker, Debra Jane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Prionium serratum , Tierkloof Wetland (Western Cape, South Africa) , Wetlands -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Western Cape Cape , Peatland ecology -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Kromme River (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53689 , vital:26311
- Description: The Tierkloof Wetland in the Western Cape has been damaged through erosion down to bedrock with gullies that are up to 50 m wide and 7 m deep. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin and evolution of the Tierkloof Wetland and consider the role both natural and human-induced processes have played in its degradation. The main methods used were digital mapping using GIS software, satellite and aerial photographic interpretation of past and current land use, detailed topographic surveying, coring to bedrock, stratigraphic analysis of valley-fill sediments, and radio carbon dating of peat samples. Nine GIS-produced topographic profiles across the valley were plotted to analyse downstream changes in valley width and morphology along the length of the Tierkloof valley. Detailed cross sections of the stream channel were produced using topographic survey data. Depth to bedrock analysis indicated that there is evidence of a degree of planing of bedrock over geological time periods. Survey data indicates that the longitudinal slope of the former wetland surface is remarkably uniform over most of its length and there is an overall thinning of the valley fill from the head to the toe of the wetland. The stratigraphy and associated organic matter content of the wetland soils showed that the sedimentary fill varies considerably. There are appreciable accumulations of organic sediment, including sandy peat and peat layers with organic content of up to 50 %. The two radio carbon dates obtained from the gully wall midway down the Tierkloof Wetland suggest that peat accumulation started following the last glacial maximum. The peat has accumulated consistently and is mostly associated with the growth of the palmiet, Prionium serratum. Evidence from past and current land-use activities from aerial photographic interpretation show that natural vegetation in the Tierkloof Wetland has been severely degraded, alien plants are extremely common, and road-building and artificial drainage in the wetland have influenced fluvial processes. It is likely that these activities, exacerbated by the high rainfall events in the early 2000s, have triggered the erosional phase that was initiated a few decades ago. However, longer term processes (thousands to tens-of-thousands of years), such as the planing of the bedrock, also indicate that erosional processes have been a natural part of the Tierkloof Wetland development. A conceptual model of wetland development is thus proposed, based on long-term erosional and depositional processes that are linked with climate change and the current aggradation phase of peat formation that is being driven by the ecosystem engineering processes of palmiet plant growth. It is further suggested that relatively recent land-use activities have resulted in an already vulnerable wetland, in geomorphological terms, to cross a threshold to become a severely degraded, gulley- dominated wetland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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:
- Date Issued: 2017
- 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:
- Date Issued: 2017
Changes in household food security, nutrition and food waste along an agro-ecological gradient and the rural-urban continuum in mid-sized South African towns
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Ecosystem services in a biosphere reserve context: identification, mapping and valuation
- Authors: Ntshane, Basane Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4536 , vital:20686
- Description: Despite their contribution to human well-being, ecosystem services (ES) are being destroyed by anthropogenic activities, taken for granted and often compromised during land use decision making. The question that often arises is, what value do ES have compared to other undertakings that are economically robust, such as mining? The vision of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was a world in which natural assets (including ES) are appreciated and integrated into decision-making. The biodiversity strategy of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) also concerns the integration of natural assets into decision making. Responding to challenges facing ES and their mainstreaming into decision-making has been constrained by lack of data and requires new tools and approaches. Integrating natural assets into decision-making is very important for South Africa (SA), where ES have been a crucial part of human systems for decades, and also because of the country’s commitment to the implementation of the CBD's biodiversity strategy. With the aim of incorporating ES into decision-making in an integrated way, this study was conducted in two biosphere reserves (BRs), Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province, SA. The aims of the study were the identification, mapping and valuation of ES following an integrated approach. In order to achieve these aims, the study attempted to address four key objectives: (1) to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, (2) to identify and quantify ES and their indicators, (3) to investigate and analyse the impact of land use/cover (LU/LC) change to ES and (4) to conduct valuation of selected ES. Two separate literature reviews were undertaken to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, thus addressing study objective 1. Both reviews detected a significant research gap with regard to mapping and valuation of supporting services in SA. To identify ES and indicators provided by the two BRs and to assess the impact of LU/LC change and its effect on ES, a participatory scenario planning process was conducted under three different scenarios, namely ecological development, social development and economic development. It became clear that LU issues were diverse in nature and affected ES in a number of ways and that there were always trade-offs in the choice of LU. For example, yields of ES were best in the ecological development scenario and were affected negatively, together with agricultural commodity production, in the social development and economic development scenarios. A mapping exercise was undertaken to illustrate the spatial distribution of ES supply and demand, involving five ES and 15 indicators using existing datasets and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) mapping tool, again addressing objective 2 of the study. Carbon storage and habitat quality were assessed, modelled and quantified and their values provided in biophysical terms using InVEST modelling tools, thus addressing objective 4 of the study. High quantities of carbon storage and high habitat quality were recorded in natural areas and low quantities were recorded in managed systems (cultivated, urban and plantation areas). InVEST was again applied to conduct an economic valuation of two provisioning ES, timber and firewood, by determining their net present values, attempting to address objective 4 of the study. Results revealed that, at 12% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) for timber production accounted for R23 317/ha in VBR and R57 304/ha in WBR. However, at lower discount rates (4 and 7%), the NPVs for timber were negative in VBR and positive in WBR. With regard to firewood production, the NPVs were negative against all three discount rates in both study areas. I conclude by proposing a four-step integrated approach that can aid the successful incorporation of ES into decision-making: (1) maintain a balance between the social, economic and ecological aspects when making decisions on ES, (2) strive for an evidence- based approach to decision-making (use quantities and values), (3) apply integrated approaches (methods and techniques) to quantification and valuation, and (4) communicate all steps along the way. The results of this study will serve as a baseline for integration of ES into decision-making in SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntshane, Basane Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4536 , vital:20686
- Description: Despite their contribution to human well-being, ecosystem services (ES) are being destroyed by anthropogenic activities, taken for granted and often compromised during land use decision making. The question that often arises is, what value do ES have compared to other undertakings that are economically robust, such as mining? The vision of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was a world in which natural assets (including ES) are appreciated and integrated into decision-making. The biodiversity strategy of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) also concerns the integration of natural assets into decision making. Responding to challenges facing ES and their mainstreaming into decision-making has been constrained by lack of data and requires new tools and approaches. Integrating natural assets into decision-making is very important for South Africa (SA), where ES have been a crucial part of human systems for decades, and also because of the country’s commitment to the implementation of the CBD's biodiversity strategy. With the aim of incorporating ES into decision-making in an integrated way, this study was conducted in two biosphere reserves (BRs), Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province, SA. The aims of the study were the identification, mapping and valuation of ES following an integrated approach. In order to achieve these aims, the study attempted to address four key objectives: (1) to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, (2) to identify and quantify ES and their indicators, (3) to investigate and analyse the impact of land use/cover (LU/LC) change to ES and (4) to conduct valuation of selected ES. Two separate literature reviews were undertaken to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, thus addressing study objective 1. Both reviews detected a significant research gap with regard to mapping and valuation of supporting services in SA. To identify ES and indicators provided by the two BRs and to assess the impact of LU/LC change and its effect on ES, a participatory scenario planning process was conducted under three different scenarios, namely ecological development, social development and economic development. It became clear that LU issues were diverse in nature and affected ES in a number of ways and that there were always trade-offs in the choice of LU. For example, yields of ES were best in the ecological development scenario and were affected negatively, together with agricultural commodity production, in the social development and economic development scenarios. A mapping exercise was undertaken to illustrate the spatial distribution of ES supply and demand, involving five ES and 15 indicators using existing datasets and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) mapping tool, again addressing objective 2 of the study. Carbon storage and habitat quality were assessed, modelled and quantified and their values provided in biophysical terms using InVEST modelling tools, thus addressing objective 4 of the study. High quantities of carbon storage and high habitat quality were recorded in natural areas and low quantities were recorded in managed systems (cultivated, urban and plantation areas). InVEST was again applied to conduct an economic valuation of two provisioning ES, timber and firewood, by determining their net present values, attempting to address objective 4 of the study. Results revealed that, at 12% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) for timber production accounted for R23 317/ha in VBR and R57 304/ha in WBR. However, at lower discount rates (4 and 7%), the NPVs for timber were negative in VBR and positive in WBR. With regard to firewood production, the NPVs were negative against all three discount rates in both study areas. I conclude by proposing a four-step integrated approach that can aid the successful incorporation of ES into decision-making: (1) maintain a balance between the social, economic and ecological aspects when making decisions on ES, (2) strive for an evidence- based approach to decision-making (use quantities and values), (3) apply integrated approaches (methods and techniques) to quantification and valuation, and (4) communicate all steps along the way. The results of this study will serve as a baseline for integration of ES into decision-making in SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Forest governance, conservation and livelihoods: the case of forest protected areas and local communities in north-western Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Geomorphological connectivity and sensitivity examined in a recently degraded gravel-bed stream: implications for river-floodplain rehabilitation
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Linking livelihood and ecosystem change in two dryland sites in Southern Africa over a period of 30 years
- Authors: Masunungure, Current
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Marwendo Village (Zimbabwe) -- Social conditions , Tshivhulani Village (South Africa) -- Social conditions , Marwendo Village (Zimbabwe) -- Environmental conditions , Tshivhulani Village (South Africa) -- Environmental conditions , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Tshivhulani Village , Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Marwendo Village
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4819 , vital:20732
- Description: The ongoing and rapid change (from global to local level) in climate, populations, governments, cultures, environment, land use and economies are critical issues, especially for poor rural communities found in the dryland parts of southern Africa. The manifestations of change can combine to increase rural livelihood vulnerability, through the erosion of assets and insecurity, but can at the same time create new opportunities. Studies that consider the complex nature of change across scales and how it affects changes in livelihoods, ecosystems and responses at local level, are increasingly needed. This study, carried out in two purposefully selected study sites in the communal drylands of south-eastern Zimbabwe (Marwendo village) and Limpopo province in South Africa (Tshivhulani village), examined the complex nature of change across scales by assessing the way in which change at the global scale results in localised trends, shocks and stressors, and its impacts on livelihoods and ecosystems and responses over the past 30 years. The study applies social-ecological system thinking in understanding human-environment change. Particular emphasis was put on the role of social protection and natural resources in responding to change, shocks and stressors. The study employed a mixed method approach to gather data which included a household survey, life history interviews, transect walks, focus group discussions as well as secondary sources of information. The results of the study illustrate that shocks and stressors are common in both villages and are likely to increase in severity and frequency with ongoing and rapid human-environmental change, especially climate change. The local responses to change, shocks and stressors are primarily reactive and mainly intensify exploitation of existing natural resources and social protection as safety-nets. In Marwendo village, the villagers relied more on the use and sale of natural resource products readily available to them, whereas in Tshivhulani village they mainly tend to rely on social grants. Thus, in the future, households’ vulnerability might increase, and may be worse in Marwendo village, since important components of current livelihoods remain natural resource-based and climate sensitive. In Tshivhulani village, livelihoods characterised by high dependence on social grants can have severe consequences for households as children get older or elderly members die and grants cease to be available. Social grants therefore only really offer a temporary relief. This coupled with environmentally destructive practices such as brick-moulding in Marwendo village and uncontrolled settlements in Tshivhulani village may reinforce the negative impacts of change and thus undermine sustainable adaptation. The study concludes that multiple lenses for understanding the links between livelihood and ecosystem vulnerability in the context of the ongoing and rapid change are essential, and these provide insights into how different policy options for livelihood improvement and social protection might be appropriate for reducing household and ecosystem vulnerabilities in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Masunungure, Current
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Marwendo Village (Zimbabwe) -- Social conditions , Tshivhulani Village (South Africa) -- Social conditions , Marwendo Village (Zimbabwe) -- Environmental conditions , Tshivhulani Village (South Africa) -- Environmental conditions , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Tshivhulani Village , Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Marwendo Village
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4819 , vital:20732
- Description: The ongoing and rapid change (from global to local level) in climate, populations, governments, cultures, environment, land use and economies are critical issues, especially for poor rural communities found in the dryland parts of southern Africa. The manifestations of change can combine to increase rural livelihood vulnerability, through the erosion of assets and insecurity, but can at the same time create new opportunities. Studies that consider the complex nature of change across scales and how it affects changes in livelihoods, ecosystems and responses at local level, are increasingly needed. This study, carried out in two purposefully selected study sites in the communal drylands of south-eastern Zimbabwe (Marwendo village) and Limpopo province in South Africa (Tshivhulani village), examined the complex nature of change across scales by assessing the way in which change at the global scale results in localised trends, shocks and stressors, and its impacts on livelihoods and ecosystems and responses over the past 30 years. The study applies social-ecological system thinking in understanding human-environment change. Particular emphasis was put on the role of social protection and natural resources in responding to change, shocks and stressors. The study employed a mixed method approach to gather data which included a household survey, life history interviews, transect walks, focus group discussions as well as secondary sources of information. The results of the study illustrate that shocks and stressors are common in both villages and are likely to increase in severity and frequency with ongoing and rapid human-environmental change, especially climate change. The local responses to change, shocks and stressors are primarily reactive and mainly intensify exploitation of existing natural resources and social protection as safety-nets. In Marwendo village, the villagers relied more on the use and sale of natural resource products readily available to them, whereas in Tshivhulani village they mainly tend to rely on social grants. Thus, in the future, households’ vulnerability might increase, and may be worse in Marwendo village, since important components of current livelihoods remain natural resource-based and climate sensitive. In Tshivhulani village, livelihoods characterised by high dependence on social grants can have severe consequences for households as children get older or elderly members die and grants cease to be available. Social grants therefore only really offer a temporary relief. This coupled with environmentally destructive practices such as brick-moulding in Marwendo village and uncontrolled settlements in Tshivhulani village may reinforce the negative impacts of change and thus undermine sustainable adaptation. The study concludes that multiple lenses for understanding the links between livelihood and ecosystem vulnerability in the context of the ongoing and rapid change are essential, and these provide insights into how different policy options for livelihood improvement and social protection might be appropriate for reducing household and ecosystem vulnerabilities in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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:
- Date Issued: 2017
- 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:
- Date Issued: 2017
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:
- Date Issued: 2017
- 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:
- Date Issued: 2017
The contribution of non-timber forest products to rural livelihoods and their price determination in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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:
- Date Issued: 2017
- 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:
- Date Issued: 2017
Understanding social-ecological changes in Fairbairn village, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Falayi, Menelisi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fairbairn Village (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Fairbairn Village , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Fairbairn Village
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7408 , vital:21257
- Description: The world is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain due to increasing levels of social- ecological change. Rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa are faced with multiple interconnected challenges such as population growth, environmental change, economic recession and climatic changes, amongst others. Such challenges can play a key role in determining vulnerability and food security, particularly for natural resource product- dependent societies that have limited livelihood sources. Studies that consider understanding how society and ecosystems simultaneously interact and respond to new and exacerbated drivers are increasingly needed. Therefore, this study was conducted in Fairbairn village, Eastern Cape, South Africa with the purpose of exploring multi-scale historical processes and current related trends in livelihood and environmental change, and the implications for future trajectories under a changing climate. This study applied social-ecological thinking and several conceptual approaches were combined to provide a lens for exploring the changes taking place. These included, inter alia, complexity theory, social-ecological systems, the sustainable livelihoods approach and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework and principles. The study employed a mixed method approach to gather data, which included a household survey, aerial photography, historical records as well as Participatory Learning and Action, focus group discussions, and Participatory Scenario techniques. Quantitative data were analysed using Excel and Statistica version 13, whilst coding was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. The main objective of this study was to explore multi-scale historical processes and current related trends of livelihood and environmental change, and the implications of these for future trajectories under a changing climate. Livelihood and landscape changes in Fairbairn village are embedded within a history of direct state intervention and more recently, improvements in basic service delivery. The findings show that natural resource products still form an important part of people’s livelihoods despite many other changes over the last fifteen years. A high proportion of households continue to utilise different products to meet household needs. The most widely used products are fuelwood, wild herbs and wild fruits. More so, my results revealed a significant increase in the number of people commercialising natural resource products over the past fifteen years. Furthermore, I found that rural livelihoods in Fairbairn are heavily dependent on external income and consumption and have become increasingly divorced from local production patterns. My results depict a steady decline of cultivated fields with a corresponding increase of home gardens since the 1960s. Therefore, the results demonstrate that current livelihood strategies are an expression of historical processes interacting with current contextual complexities. Given the complex and multidimensional issues at play in Fairbairn, the study highlights that there is no straightforward answer regarding future livelihood strategies. However, participatory scenario deliberations revealed that the youth were much more open to diversified and even very different forms of livelihood strategies in the future, whilst community leaders and elders remained firmly attached to farming activities. Understanding the diversity of past livelihood changes, together with current trends, can help to better contextualise future livelihood trajectories and this can therefore help rural communities identify and avoid undesirable futures under a changing climate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Falayi, Menelisi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fairbairn Village (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Fairbairn Village , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Fairbairn Village
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7408 , vital:21257
- Description: The world is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain due to increasing levels of social- ecological change. Rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa are faced with multiple interconnected challenges such as population growth, environmental change, economic recession and climatic changes, amongst others. Such challenges can play a key role in determining vulnerability and food security, particularly for natural resource product- dependent societies that have limited livelihood sources. Studies that consider understanding how society and ecosystems simultaneously interact and respond to new and exacerbated drivers are increasingly needed. Therefore, this study was conducted in Fairbairn village, Eastern Cape, South Africa with the purpose of exploring multi-scale historical processes and current related trends in livelihood and environmental change, and the implications for future trajectories under a changing climate. This study applied social-ecological thinking and several conceptual approaches were combined to provide a lens for exploring the changes taking place. These included, inter alia, complexity theory, social-ecological systems, the sustainable livelihoods approach and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework and principles. The study employed a mixed method approach to gather data, which included a household survey, aerial photography, historical records as well as Participatory Learning and Action, focus group discussions, and Participatory Scenario techniques. Quantitative data were analysed using Excel and Statistica version 13, whilst coding was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. The main objective of this study was to explore multi-scale historical processes and current related trends of livelihood and environmental change, and the implications of these for future trajectories under a changing climate. Livelihood and landscape changes in Fairbairn village are embedded within a history of direct state intervention and more recently, improvements in basic service delivery. The findings show that natural resource products still form an important part of people’s livelihoods despite many other changes over the last fifteen years. A high proportion of households continue to utilise different products to meet household needs. The most widely used products are fuelwood, wild herbs and wild fruits. More so, my results revealed a significant increase in the number of people commercialising natural resource products over the past fifteen years. Furthermore, I found that rural livelihoods in Fairbairn are heavily dependent on external income and consumption and have become increasingly divorced from local production patterns. My results depict a steady decline of cultivated fields with a corresponding increase of home gardens since the 1960s. Therefore, the results demonstrate that current livelihood strategies are an expression of historical processes interacting with current contextual complexities. Given the complex and multidimensional issues at play in Fairbairn, the study highlights that there is no straightforward answer regarding future livelihood strategies. However, participatory scenario deliberations revealed that the youth were much more open to diversified and even very different forms of livelihood strategies in the future, whilst community leaders and elders remained firmly attached to farming activities. Understanding the diversity of past livelihood changes, together with current trends, can help to better contextualise future livelihood trajectories and this can therefore help rural communities identify and avoid undesirable futures under a changing climate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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