Impact of sustainable tax revenue and expenditure on the achievement of sustainable development goals in some selected African countries
- Authors: Kola, Benson Ajeigbe
- Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9234 , vital:73024
- Description: Abstract The study examined the impact of Sustainable Tax Revenue and Expenditure on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in African countries using secondary data. The dataset was extracted from the World Development Indicators database. The large gap between developed and developing countries when comparing the probability of them achieving the SDGs was the main motivation behind this study. Data retrieved from 45 countries comprised of both African and developed countries for the period 2010–2020 was analyzed using the Generalized Method of Moments technique. The results revealed that the coefficients of grants received, various forms of taxes, and other revenue have a positive effect on economic growth but a negative effect on poverty and unemployment for African and developed countries. This finding suggests that improvements in tax revenue generation, grants and other revenue accumulation across different sources boost economic performance and the welfare of individuals in the analyzed countries. The outcome is an indication that accumulating more grants from different sources will help to achieve sustainable development, improve financial stability, contributes to the economic growth and development in these countries. This study can guide policymakers, governments, international institutions, revenue bodies such as SARS and other stakeholders in their various planning and other decision-making endeavors. Governments and other policymakers must ensure the efficient generation and sustainable utilization of revenue generated from taxes and other revenues to spur the growth and development of their countries. They should have Growth-Sustainability-Oriented Fiscal Adjustment Programs and Sustainable Government Expenditure that can help push and redirect governments to achieve the SDGs in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Kola, Benson Ajeigbe
- Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9234 , vital:73024
- Description: Abstract The study examined the impact of Sustainable Tax Revenue and Expenditure on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in African countries using secondary data. The dataset was extracted from the World Development Indicators database. The large gap between developed and developing countries when comparing the probability of them achieving the SDGs was the main motivation behind this study. Data retrieved from 45 countries comprised of both African and developed countries for the period 2010–2020 was analyzed using the Generalized Method of Moments technique. The results revealed that the coefficients of grants received, various forms of taxes, and other revenue have a positive effect on economic growth but a negative effect on poverty and unemployment for African and developed countries. This finding suggests that improvements in tax revenue generation, grants and other revenue accumulation across different sources boost economic performance and the welfare of individuals in the analyzed countries. The outcome is an indication that accumulating more grants from different sources will help to achieve sustainable development, improve financial stability, contributes to the economic growth and development in these countries. This study can guide policymakers, governments, international institutions, revenue bodies such as SARS and other stakeholders in their various planning and other decision-making endeavors. Governments and other policymakers must ensure the efficient generation and sustainable utilization of revenue generated from taxes and other revenues to spur the growth and development of their countries. They should have Growth-Sustainability-Oriented Fiscal Adjustment Programs and Sustainable Government Expenditure that can help push and redirect governments to achieve the SDGs in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
A temporal dimension to the influence of pollen rewards on bee behaviour and fecundity in Aloe tenuior
- Duffy, Karl J, Johnson, Steven D, Peter, Craig I
- Authors: Duffy, Karl J , Johnson, Steven D , Peter, Craig I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011735 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094908
- Description: The net effect of pollen production on fecundity in plants can range from negative – when self-pollen interferes with fecundity due to incompatibility mechanisms, to positive – when pollen availability is associated with increased pollinator visitation and fecundity due to its utilization as a reward. We investigated the responses of bees to pollen and nectar rewards, and the effects of these rewards on pollen deposition and fecundity in the hermaphroditic succulent shrub Aloe tenuior. Self-pollinated plants failed to set fruit, but their ovules were regularly penetrated by self-pollen tubes, which uniformly failed to develop into seeds as expected from ovarian self-incompatibility (or strong early inbreeding depression). Bees consistently foraged for pollen during the morning and early afternoon, but switched to nectar in the late afternoon. As a consequence of this differential foraging, we were able to test the relative contribution to fecundity of pollen- versus nectar-collecting flower visitors. We exposed emasculated and intact flowers in either the morning or late afternoon to foraging bees and showed that emasculation reduced pollen deposition by insects in the morning, but had little effect in the afternoon. Despite the potential for self-pollination to result in ovule discounting due to late-acting self-sterility, fecundity was severely reduced in artificially emasculated plants. Although there were temporal fluctuations in reward preference, most bee visits were for pollen rewards. Therefore the benefit of providing pollen that is accessible to bee foragers outweighs any potential costs to fitness in terms of gender interference in this species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Duffy, Karl J , Johnson, Steven D , Peter, Craig I
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6561 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011735 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094908
- Description: The net effect of pollen production on fecundity in plants can range from negative – when self-pollen interferes with fecundity due to incompatibility mechanisms, to positive – when pollen availability is associated with increased pollinator visitation and fecundity due to its utilization as a reward. We investigated the responses of bees to pollen and nectar rewards, and the effects of these rewards on pollen deposition and fecundity in the hermaphroditic succulent shrub Aloe tenuior. Self-pollinated plants failed to set fruit, but their ovules were regularly penetrated by self-pollen tubes, which uniformly failed to develop into seeds as expected from ovarian self-incompatibility (or strong early inbreeding depression). Bees consistently foraged for pollen during the morning and early afternoon, but switched to nectar in the late afternoon. As a consequence of this differential foraging, we were able to test the relative contribution to fecundity of pollen- versus nectar-collecting flower visitors. We exposed emasculated and intact flowers in either the morning or late afternoon to foraging bees and showed that emasculation reduced pollen deposition by insects in the morning, but had little effect in the afternoon. Despite the potential for self-pollination to result in ovule discounting due to late-acting self-sterility, fecundity was severely reduced in artificially emasculated plants. Although there were temporal fluctuations in reward preference, most bee visits were for pollen rewards. Therefore the benefit of providing pollen that is accessible to bee foragers outweighs any potential costs to fitness in terms of gender interference in this species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
IziNambuzane: isiZulu names for insects
- Cockburn, Jessica J, Khumalo-Seegelken, B, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica J , Khumalo-Seegelken, B , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Insects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Nomenclature , Zulu language -- Revival , Language policy -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Native language and education -- Research -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Ethnoentomology
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014581
- Description: We provide a tool for communicating about insects in isiZulu to facilitate research and knowledge sharing in the fields of indigenous knowledge, cultural entomology, environmental education and community extensioninvolving isiZulu speakers. A total of 213 different names for 64 insect specimens were encountered among a sample of 67 respondents in 11 communities distributed across the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This list includes 93 names that can be considered core isiZulu vocabulary and which are widely used to identify insects that are agriculturally, medically, domestically, culturally or ecologically common or significant. Substantial variation was found regarding the names for particular insects, especially between regions, suggesting dialectal differences between isiZulu speakers. Grammatical and social variation in names was also recorded. This study highlights interdisciplinary teamwork in the field of indigenous knowledge research and the influences affecting the standardisation of South African languages for technical and scientific work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica J , Khumalo-Seegelken, B , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Insects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Nomenclature , Zulu language -- Revival , Language policy -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Native language and education -- Research -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Ethnoentomology
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014581
- Description: We provide a tool for communicating about insects in isiZulu to facilitate research and knowledge sharing in the fields of indigenous knowledge, cultural entomology, environmental education and community extensioninvolving isiZulu speakers. A total of 213 different names for 64 insect specimens were encountered among a sample of 67 respondents in 11 communities distributed across the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This list includes 93 names that can be considered core isiZulu vocabulary and which are widely used to identify insects that are agriculturally, medically, domestically, culturally or ecologically common or significant. Substantial variation was found regarding the names for particular insects, especially between regions, suggesting dialectal differences between isiZulu speakers. Grammatical and social variation in names was also recorded. This study highlights interdisciplinary teamwork in the field of indigenous knowledge research and the influences affecting the standardisation of South African languages for technical and scientific work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A tale of two neglected systems-structure and function of the thin- and thick-walled sieve tubes in monocotyledonous leaves
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:6499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004514 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2013.00297
- Description: There is a large body of information relating to the ontogeny, development and the vasculature of eudicotyledonous leaves. However, there is less information available concerning the vascular anatomy of monocotyledonous leaves. This is surprising, given that there are two uniquely different phloem systems present in large groups such as grasses and sedges. Monocotyledonous leaves contain marginal, large, intermediate, and small longitudinal veins that are interconnected by numerous transverse veins. The longitudinal veins contain two metaphloem sieve tube types, which, based upon their ontogeny and position within the phloem, are termed early (thin-walled) and late (thick-walled) sieve tubes. Early metaphloem comprises sieve tubes, companion cells and vascular parenchyma (VP) cells, whilst the late metaphloem, contains thick-walled sieve tubes (TSTs) that lack companion cells. TSTs are generally adjacent to, or no more than one cell removed from the metaxylem. Unlike thin-walled sieve tube (ST) -companion cell complexes, TSTs are connected to parenchyma by pore-plasmodesma units and are generally symplasmically isolated from the STs. This paper addresses key structural and functional differences between thin- and thick-walled sieve tubes and explores the unique advantages of alternate transport strategies that this 5–7 million years old dual system may offer. It would seem that these two systems may enhance, add to, or play a significant role in increasing the efficiency of solute retrieval as well as of assimilate transfer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Botha, Christiaan E J
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: vital:6499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004514 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2013.00297
- Description: There is a large body of information relating to the ontogeny, development and the vasculature of eudicotyledonous leaves. However, there is less information available concerning the vascular anatomy of monocotyledonous leaves. This is surprising, given that there are two uniquely different phloem systems present in large groups such as grasses and sedges. Monocotyledonous leaves contain marginal, large, intermediate, and small longitudinal veins that are interconnected by numerous transverse veins. The longitudinal veins contain two metaphloem sieve tube types, which, based upon their ontogeny and position within the phloem, are termed early (thin-walled) and late (thick-walled) sieve tubes. Early metaphloem comprises sieve tubes, companion cells and vascular parenchyma (VP) cells, whilst the late metaphloem, contains thick-walled sieve tubes (TSTs) that lack companion cells. TSTs are generally adjacent to, or no more than one cell removed from the metaxylem. Unlike thin-walled sieve tube (ST) -companion cell complexes, TSTs are connected to parenchyma by pore-plasmodesma units and are generally symplasmically isolated from the STs. This paper addresses key structural and functional differences between thin- and thick-walled sieve tubes and explores the unique advantages of alternate transport strategies that this 5–7 million years old dual system may offer. It would seem that these two systems may enhance, add to, or play a significant role in increasing the efficiency of solute retrieval as well as of assimilate transfer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Chris McGregor and the Castle Lager Big Band
- Authors: Alexander, Tebogo
- Date: 2012-09-20
- Subjects: McGregor, Chris -- 1936-1990 , Jazz , Jazz musicians , Castle Lager Big Band
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:13471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001393 , McGregor, Chris -- 1936-1990 , Jazz , Jazz musicians
- Description: Photocopied article from the newspaper Vrye Weekblad about a recording of Chris McGregor with the Castle Lager Big Band.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Alexander, Tebogo
- Date: 2012-09-20
- Subjects: McGregor, Chris -- 1936-1990 , Jazz , Jazz musicians , Castle Lager Big Band
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:13471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001393 , McGregor, Chris -- 1936-1990 , Jazz , Jazz musicians
- Description: Photocopied article from the newspaper Vrye Weekblad about a recording of Chris McGregor with the Castle Lager Big Band.
- Full Text:
Contrasting habitat associations of imperilled endemic stream fishes from a global biodiversity hot spot
- Chakona, Albert, Swartz, Ernst R
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011850 , http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/12/19
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011850 , http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/12/19
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Like a bolt from the blue : phthalocyanines in biomedical optics
- Sekkat, N, Van den Berg, H, Nyokong, Tebello, Lange, N
- Authors: Sekkat, N , Van den Berg, H , Nyokong, Tebello , Lange, N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Biomedical optics Fluorescence diagnosis Phthalocyanines NIR dyes Photodynamic therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004346 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules17010098
- Description: The purpose of this review is to compile preclinical and clinical results on phthalocyanines (Pcs) as photosensitizers (PS) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and contrast agents for fluorescence imaging. Indeed, Pcs are excellent candidates in these fields due to their strong absorbance in the NIR region and high chemical and photo-stability. In particular, this is mostly relevant for their in vivo activation in deeper tissular regions. However, most Pcs present two major limitations, i.e., a strong tendency to aggregate and a low water-solubility. In order to overcome these issues, both chemical tuning and pharmaceutical formulation combined with tumor targeting strategies were applied. These aspects will be developed in this review for the most extensively studied Pcs during the last 25 years, i.e., aluminium-, zinc- and silicon-based Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sekkat, N , Van den Berg, H , Nyokong, Tebello , Lange, N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Biomedical optics Fluorescence diagnosis Phthalocyanines NIR dyes Photodynamic therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004346 , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules17010098
- Description: The purpose of this review is to compile preclinical and clinical results on phthalocyanines (Pcs) as photosensitizers (PS) for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and contrast agents for fluorescence imaging. Indeed, Pcs are excellent candidates in these fields due to their strong absorbance in the NIR region and high chemical and photo-stability. In particular, this is mostly relevant for their in vivo activation in deeper tissular regions. However, most Pcs present two major limitations, i.e., a strong tendency to aggregate and a low water-solubility. In order to overcome these issues, both chemical tuning and pharmaceutical formulation combined with tumor targeting strategies were applied. These aspects will be developed in this review for the most extensively studied Pcs during the last 25 years, i.e., aluminium-, zinc- and silicon-based Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Diverse pollination systems of the twin-spurred orchid genus Satyrium in African grasslands
- Johnson, S.D, Peter, C.I, Ellis, A.G, Boberg, E, Botes, C, Van der Niet, T
- Authors: Johnson, S.D , Peter, C.I , Ellis, A.G , Boberg, E , Botes, C , Van der Niet, T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006025 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0411-1
- Description: The large terrestrial orchid genus Satyrium underwent evolutionary radiations in the Cape floral region and the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. These radiations were accompanied by tremendous diversification of the unusual twin-spurred flowers that characterize the genus, but pollination data required to interpret these patterns of floral evolution have been lacking for grassland species in the genus. Here we document pollinators, nectar properties, and levels of pollination success for 11 grassland Satyrium species in southern and south-central Africa. Pollinators of these species include bees, beetles, butterflies, hawkmoths, noctuid moths, long-proboscid flies, and sunbirds. Most species appear to be specialized for pollination by one functional pollinator group. Long-proboscid fly pollination systems are reported for the first time in Satyrium (in S. macrophyllum and a high-altitude form of S. neglectum). Floral morphology, especially spur length and rostellum structure, differs markedly among plants with different pollinators, while nectar volume, concentration, and sugar composition are fairly uniform across species. Most taxa exhibited high levels of pollination success (>50% of flowers pollinated), a trend that can be attributed to the presence of nectar in the twin spurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Johnson, S.D , Peter, C.I , Ellis, A.G , Boberg, E , Botes, C , Van der Niet, T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006025 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0411-1
- Description: The large terrestrial orchid genus Satyrium underwent evolutionary radiations in the Cape floral region and the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. These radiations were accompanied by tremendous diversification of the unusual twin-spurred flowers that characterize the genus, but pollination data required to interpret these patterns of floral evolution have been lacking for grassland species in the genus. Here we document pollinators, nectar properties, and levels of pollination success for 11 grassland Satyrium species in southern and south-central Africa. Pollinators of these species include bees, beetles, butterflies, hawkmoths, noctuid moths, long-proboscid flies, and sunbirds. Most species appear to be specialized for pollination by one functional pollinator group. Long-proboscid fly pollination systems are reported for the first time in Satyrium (in S. macrophyllum and a high-altitude form of S. neglectum). Floral morphology, especially spur length and rostellum structure, differs markedly among plants with different pollinators, while nectar volume, concentration, and sugar composition are fairly uniform across species. Most taxa exhibited high levels of pollination success (>50% of flowers pollinated), a trend that can be attributed to the presence of nectar in the twin spurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Has deregulation of non-timber forest product controls and marketing in Orissa state (India) affected local patterns of use and marketing
- Mahapatra, A K, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The potential for voluntary instruments to achieve conservation planning goals : the case of conservancies in South Africa
- Downsborough, Linda, Shackleton, Charlie M, Knight, Andrew T
- Authors: Downsborough, Linda , Shackleton, Charlie M , Knight, Andrew T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006821
- Description: Spatial prioritizations and gap analyses are increasingly undertaken to allocate conservation resources. Most spatial prioritizations are conducted without specifying the conservation instruments to be implemented and gap analyses typically assess formally protected areas but increasingly include private land conservation instruments. We examine conservancies to see if these voluntary instruments contribute towards achieving goals of South African conservation planning initiatives. We conducted a nationwide survey and interviews with conservancy members in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Conservancies have potential for assisting South Africa to achieve conservation planning goals at national and local scales but their inclusion in spatial prioritizations and gap analyses predicates improved protection for nature, operational refinement and increased support. We sound a warning to conservation planning initiatives that incorporate voluntary instruments on private land, and present recommendations for strengthening such instruments to make them more effective. Our findings may assist conservation planners elsewhere to design more effective conservation planning initiatives focused on private land.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Downsborough, Linda , Shackleton, Charlie M , Knight, Andrew T
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006821
- Description: Spatial prioritizations and gap analyses are increasingly undertaken to allocate conservation resources. Most spatial prioritizations are conducted without specifying the conservation instruments to be implemented and gap analyses typically assess formally protected areas but increasingly include private land conservation instruments. We examine conservancies to see if these voluntary instruments contribute towards achieving goals of South African conservation planning initiatives. We conducted a nationwide survey and interviews with conservancy members in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Conservancies have potential for assisting South Africa to achieve conservation planning goals at national and local scales but their inclusion in spatial prioritizations and gap analyses predicates improved protection for nature, operational refinement and increased support. We sound a warning to conservation planning initiatives that incorporate voluntary instruments on private land, and present recommendations for strengthening such instruments to make them more effective. Our findings may assist conservation planners elsewhere to design more effective conservation planning initiatives focused on private land.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A comparison of two sampling methods for surveying mammalian herbivore impacts on beetle communities in the canopy of Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya
- Kuria, Simon K, Villet, Martin H, Palmer, T M, Stanton, M L
- Authors: Kuria, Simon K , Villet, Martin H , Palmer, T M , Stanton, M L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011150
- Description: Even though several methods are used to sample and monitor canopy arthropods, there are no studies to indicate which of these methods is more effective.We compared the efficacy of the beating and canopy fogging methods in collecting beetles that inhabit Acacia drepanolobium (Harms) tree canopies at Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia district, Kenya. These trees grow naturally on the black cotton soils of the Laikipia ecosystem, accounting for more than 98%of the overstorey at the study site, and are important for local cattle and wildlife production. The ultimate objective of this study was to determine the effect of differential grazing and browsing pressure from large mammalian herbivores on the beetle communities of A. drepanolobium. Seven hundred and twenty trees 1.0–2.5 m tall were sampled using each method, making a total of 1440 trees. Sampling using the two methods was done concurrently and repeated quarterly over a period of 14 months. In total, 4320 individuals were collected, 1456 by beating and 2864 by fogging. The methods jointly yielded beetle specimens from 13 families and 55 morphospecies. Fogging collected significantly more beetle morphospecies than beating, and there was a significant interaction effect between method and sampling date. We found that numerically Anthicidae and Curculionidae responded positively to the presence of cattle.We also found that Anthicidae sp. A and Myllocerus sp. A numbers significantly increased in plots where livestock were grazed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kuria, Simon K , Villet, Martin H , Palmer, T M , Stanton, M L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011150
- Description: Even though several methods are used to sample and monitor canopy arthropods, there are no studies to indicate which of these methods is more effective.We compared the efficacy of the beating and canopy fogging methods in collecting beetles that inhabit Acacia drepanolobium (Harms) tree canopies at Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia district, Kenya. These trees grow naturally on the black cotton soils of the Laikipia ecosystem, accounting for more than 98%of the overstorey at the study site, and are important for local cattle and wildlife production. The ultimate objective of this study was to determine the effect of differential grazing and browsing pressure from large mammalian herbivores on the beetle communities of A. drepanolobium. Seven hundred and twenty trees 1.0–2.5 m tall were sampled using each method, making a total of 1440 trees. Sampling using the two methods was done concurrently and repeated quarterly over a period of 14 months. In total, 4320 individuals were collected, 1456 by beating and 2864 by fogging. The methods jointly yielded beetle specimens from 13 families and 55 morphospecies. Fogging collected significantly more beetle morphospecies than beating, and there was a significant interaction effect between method and sampling date. We found that numerically Anthicidae and Curculionidae responded positively to the presence of cattle.We also found that Anthicidae sp. A and Myllocerus sp. A numbers significantly increased in plots where livestock were grazed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Connectivity between marine reserves and exploited areas in the philopatric reef fish Chrysoblephus laticeps (Teleostei: Sparidae)
- Teske, Peter R, Forget, Fabian R G, Cowley, Paul D, von der Heyden, Sophie, Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Forget, Fabian R G , Cowley, Paul D , von der Heyden, Sophie , Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008086
- Description: "No-take‟ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are successful in protecting populations of many exploited fish species, but it is often unclear whether networks of MPAs are adequately spaced to ensure connectivity among reserves, and whether spillover occurs into adjacent exploited areas. Such issues are particularly important in species with low dispersal potential, many of which exist as genetically distinct regional stocks.The roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps, is an overexploited, commercially important fishery species endemic to South Africa. Post-recruits display resident behavior and occupy small home ranges, making C. laticeps a suitable model species to investigate connectivity in marine teleosts with potentially low dispersal ability. We used multilocus data from two types of highly variable genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA control region and microsatellites) to clarify patterns of genetic connectivity and population structure in C. laticeps using samples from two MPAs and several moderately or severely exploited regions. Despite using analytical tools that are sensitive to detect even subtle genetic structure, we found that this species exists as a single, well-mixed stock throughout its core distribution. This finding lends supports to the status of MPAs as an adequate tool for managing overexploited marine teleosts. Even though adult dispersal out of MPAs is limited, the fact that the large adults in these reserves produce exponentially more offspring than their smaller counterparts in exploited areas makes MPAs a rich source of recruits. We nonetheless caution against concluding that the lack of structure identified in C. laticeps and several other southern African teleosts can be considered to be representative of marine teleosts in this region in general. Many such species are represented in more than one marine biogeographic province and may be comprised of regionally-adapted stocks that need to be managed individually.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Forget, Fabian R G , Cowley, Paul D , von der Heyden, Sophie , Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008086
- Description: "No-take‟ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are successful in protecting populations of many exploited fish species, but it is often unclear whether networks of MPAs are adequately spaced to ensure connectivity among reserves, and whether spillover occurs into adjacent exploited areas. Such issues are particularly important in species with low dispersal potential, many of which exist as genetically distinct regional stocks.The roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps, is an overexploited, commercially important fishery species endemic to South Africa. Post-recruits display resident behavior and occupy small home ranges, making C. laticeps a suitable model species to investigate connectivity in marine teleosts with potentially low dispersal ability. We used multilocus data from two types of highly variable genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA control region and microsatellites) to clarify patterns of genetic connectivity and population structure in C. laticeps using samples from two MPAs and several moderately or severely exploited regions. Despite using analytical tools that are sensitive to detect even subtle genetic structure, we found that this species exists as a single, well-mixed stock throughout its core distribution. This finding lends supports to the status of MPAs as an adequate tool for managing overexploited marine teleosts. Even though adult dispersal out of MPAs is limited, the fact that the large adults in these reserves produce exponentially more offspring than their smaller counterparts in exploited areas makes MPAs a rich source of recruits. We nonetheless caution against concluding that the lack of structure identified in C. laticeps and several other southern African teleosts can be considered to be representative of marine teleosts in this region in general. Many such species are represented in more than one marine biogeographic province and may be comprised of regionally-adapted stocks that need to be managed individually.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The use and appreciation of urban green spaces: the case of selected botanical gardens in South Africa
- Ward, Catherine D, Parker, Caitlin M, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Ward, Catherine D , Parker, Caitlin M , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007086
- Description: There are few formal studies on the contribution of botanical gardens as urban green spaces, particularly within developing countries. Therefore, this paper reports on an assessment of the use and appreciation of botanical gardens as urban green spaces in South Africa. Users and staff were surveyed in six national botanical gardens. The gardens provided numerous benefits in terms of conservation, education and recreation. However, the people using the gardens were not demographically representative of the general population of the surrounding city or town. Generally, most of the visitors were middle- to old-aged, well-educated professionals with medium to high incomes. Most were white and English was their home language. There was an even gender representation. Most visited only a few times per year. The majority of users visited the gardens for recreation and psychological reasons rather than educational ones. However, the staff of each garden placed emphasis on education in the gardens and amongst surrounding schools. Most visitors appreciated the conservation dimensions of botanical gardens, and felt that there was insufficient public green space in their town or city. Understanding how people perceive and use the botanical gardens of South Africa is important to inform future research and strategies regarding the conservation of urban green space within a developing country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Ward, Catherine D , Parker, Caitlin M , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007086
- Description: There are few formal studies on the contribution of botanical gardens as urban green spaces, particularly within developing countries. Therefore, this paper reports on an assessment of the use and appreciation of botanical gardens as urban green spaces in South Africa. Users and staff were surveyed in six national botanical gardens. The gardens provided numerous benefits in terms of conservation, education and recreation. However, the people using the gardens were not demographically representative of the general population of the surrounding city or town. Generally, most of the visitors were middle- to old-aged, well-educated professionals with medium to high incomes. Most were white and English was their home language. There was an even gender representation. Most visited only a few times per year. The majority of users visited the gardens for recreation and psychological reasons rather than educational ones. However, the staff of each garden placed emphasis on education in the gardens and amongst surrounding schools. Most visitors appreciated the conservation dimensions of botanical gardens, and felt that there was insufficient public green space in their town or city. Understanding how people perceive and use the botanical gardens of South Africa is important to inform future research and strategies regarding the conservation of urban green space within a developing country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A test for Allee effects in the self-incompatible wasp-pollinated milkweed Gomphocarpus physocarpus
- Coombs, Gareth, Peter, Craig I, Johnson, Steven D
- Authors: Coombs, Gareth , Peter, Craig I , Johnson, Steven D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005938 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2009.01976.x
- Description: It has been suggested that plants which are good colonizers will generally have either an ability to self-fertilize or a generalist pollination system. This prediction is based on the idea that these reproductive traits should confer resistance to Allee effects in founder populations and was tested using Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Asclepiadoideae; Apocynaceae), a species native to South Africa that is invasive in other parts of the world. We found no significant relationships between the size of G. physocarpus populations and various measures of pollination success (pollen deposition, pollen removal, and pollen transfer efficiency) and fruit set. A breeding system experiment showed that plants in a South African population are genetically self-incompatible and thus obligate outcrossers. Out-crossing is further enhanced by mechanical reconfiguration of removed pollinaria before the pollinia can be deposited. Selfpollination is reduced when such reconfiguration exceeds the average duration of pollinator visits to a plant. Observations suggest that a wide variety of wasp species in the genera Belonogaster and Polistes (Vespidae) are the primary pollinators. We conclude that efficient pollination of plants in small founding populations, resulting from their generalist wasp-pollination system, contributes in part to the colonizing success of G. physocarpus. The presence of similar wasps in other parts of the world has evidently facilitated the expansion of the range of this milkweed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Coombs, Gareth , Peter, Craig I , Johnson, Steven D
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005938 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2009.01976.x
- Description: It has been suggested that plants which are good colonizers will generally have either an ability to self-fertilize or a generalist pollination system. This prediction is based on the idea that these reproductive traits should confer resistance to Allee effects in founder populations and was tested using Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Asclepiadoideae; Apocynaceae), a species native to South Africa that is invasive in other parts of the world. We found no significant relationships between the size of G. physocarpus populations and various measures of pollination success (pollen deposition, pollen removal, and pollen transfer efficiency) and fruit set. A breeding system experiment showed that plants in a South African population are genetically self-incompatible and thus obligate outcrossers. Out-crossing is further enhanced by mechanical reconfiguration of removed pollinaria before the pollinia can be deposited. Selfpollination is reduced when such reconfiguration exceeds the average duration of pollinator visits to a plant. Observations suggest that a wide variety of wasp species in the genera Belonogaster and Polistes (Vespidae) are the primary pollinators. We conclude that efficient pollination of plants in small founding populations, resulting from their generalist wasp-pollination system, contributes in part to the colonizing success of G. physocarpus. The presence of similar wasps in other parts of the world has evidently facilitated the expansion of the range of this milkweed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Is HIV/AIDS jeopardizing biodiversity?
- McGarry, Dylan K, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: McGarry, Dylan K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006871
- Description: The scourge of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is most prevalent in southern Africa. South Africa has the highest number of people in the world living with HIV/AIDS and a prevalence rate of over 30 % for females presenting at antenatal clinics. There are now almost five million orphans within southern Africa, as a result of AIDS deaths of one or more or their parents. AIDS-related mortality and morbidity of care-givers may lead to increased reliance on wild sources of animal protein by surviving children. This increase in hunting pressure has unknown, but potentially important impacts on local animal populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: McGarry, Dylan K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006871
- Description: The scourge of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is most prevalent in southern Africa. South Africa has the highest number of people in the world living with HIV/AIDS and a prevalence rate of over 30 % for females presenting at antenatal clinics. There are now almost five million orphans within southern Africa, as a result of AIDS deaths of one or more or their parents. AIDS-related mortality and morbidity of care-givers may lead to increased reliance on wild sources of animal protein by surviving children. This increase in hunting pressure has unknown, but potentially important impacts on local animal populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Pollinators, “mustard oil” volatiles, and fruit production in flowers of the dioecious tree Drypetes natalensis (Putranjivaceae)
- Johnson, Steven D, Griffiths, Megan E, Peter, Craig I, Lawes, Michael J
- Authors: Johnson, Steven D , Griffiths, Megan E , Peter, Craig I , Lawes, Michael J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005948
- Description: The Putranjivaceae is an enigmatic family, notable for being the only lineage outside the Capparales to possess the glucosinolate biochemical pathway, which forms the basis of an induced chemical defense system against herbivores (the “ mustard oil bomb ” ). We investigated the pollination biology and fl oral scent chemistry of Drypetes natalensis (Putranjivaceae), a dioecious subcanopy tree with fl owers borne on the stem (caulifl ory). Flowering male trees were more abundant than female ones and produced about 10-fold more fl owers. Flowers of both sexes produce copious amounts of nectar on disc-like nectaries accessible to short-tongued insects. The main fl ower visitors observed were cetoniid beetles, bees, and vespid wasps. Pollen load analysis indicated that these insects exhibit a high degree of fi delity to D. natalensis fl owers. Insects effectively transfer pollen from male to female plants resulting in about 31% of female fl owers developing fruits with viable seeds. Cetoniid beetles showed signifi cant orientation toward the scent of D. natalensis fl owers in a Y-maze olfactometer. The scents of male and female fl owers are similar in chemical composition and dominated by fatty acid derivatives and isothiocyanates from the glucosinolate pathway. The apparent constitutive emission of isothiocyanates raises interesting new questions about their functional role in flowers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Johnson, Steven D , Griffiths, Megan E , Peter, Craig I , Lawes, Michael J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005948
- Description: The Putranjivaceae is an enigmatic family, notable for being the only lineage outside the Capparales to possess the glucosinolate biochemical pathway, which forms the basis of an induced chemical defense system against herbivores (the “ mustard oil bomb ” ). We investigated the pollination biology and fl oral scent chemistry of Drypetes natalensis (Putranjivaceae), a dioecious subcanopy tree with fl owers borne on the stem (caulifl ory). Flowering male trees were more abundant than female ones and produced about 10-fold more fl owers. Flowers of both sexes produce copious amounts of nectar on disc-like nectaries accessible to short-tongued insects. The main fl ower visitors observed were cetoniid beetles, bees, and vespid wasps. Pollen load analysis indicated that these insects exhibit a high degree of fi delity to D. natalensis fl owers. Insects effectively transfer pollen from male to female plants resulting in about 31% of female fl owers developing fruits with viable seeds. Cetoniid beetles showed signifi cant orientation toward the scent of D. natalensis fl owers in a Y-maze olfactometer. The scents of male and female fl owers are similar in chemical composition and dominated by fatty acid derivatives and isothiocyanates from the glucosinolate pathway. The apparent constitutive emission of isothiocyanates raises interesting new questions about their functional role in flowers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Quantity and significance of wild meat off-take by a rural community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Kaschula, Sarah A H, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah A H , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006864
- Description: When compared to tropical forest zones in west and central Africa, off-take of wild meat from savannah and grassland biomes by local rural communities has not been well assessed. This case study of wild meat collection activities within a rural community in the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape (South Africa) uses last-catch records derived from 50 wild meat gatherers to calculate average off-take of taxa, species and fresh mass of wild meat per collection event. When per-event off take is overlaid onto household hunting frequency data, annual off-take would be 268.6 kg km−2 yr−1 or 3 kg person−1 yr−1 presuming constant off-take over an annual period. Monetary value of off-take would be South African R 307 (US$ 39) per household annually. For some species, off-take weight per km2 shows similar values to data from tropical forest zones, but high human population densities tend to dilute off-takes to less nutritionally significant amounts at the per person scale. However, unlike many tropical zones, none of the species harvested can be considered high-priority conservation species. Even densely populated and heavily harvested communal lands appear to offer high wild meat off-takes from low conservation priority species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Stronger induction of callose deposition in barley by Russian wheat aphid than bird cherry-oat aphid is not associated with differences in callose synthase or ≤-1,3-glucanase expression
- Saheed, Sefiu A, Cierlik, Izabela, Larsson, Kristina A E, Delp, Gabriele, Bradley, Graeme, Jonsson, Lisbeth M V, Botha, Christiaan E J
- Authors: Saheed, Sefiu A , Cierlik, Izabela , Larsson, Kristina A E , Delp, Gabriele , Bradley, Graeme , Jonsson, Lisbeth M V , Botha, Christiaan E J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6542 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005984
- Description: The effects of infestation by the bird cherry-oat aphid (BCA), (Rhopalosiphum padi L) and the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) on callose deposition and gene expression related to callose accumulation were investigated in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Clipper). The BCA, which gives no visible symptoms, induced very limited callose deposition, even after 14 days of infestation. In contrast, RWA, which causes chlorosis, white and yellow streaking and leaf rolling, induced callose accumulation already after 24h in longitudinal leaf veins. The deposition was pronounced after 72 h, progressing during 7 and 14 days of infestation. In RWA-infested source leaves, callose was also induced in longitudinal veins basipetal to the aphid-infested tissue, whereas in sink leaves, more callose deposition was found above the feeding sites. Nine putative callose synthase genes were identified in a data base search, of which eight were expressed in the leaves, but with similar level of expression in control and aphid-infested tissue. Four out of 12 examined β-1,3-glucanases were expressed in the leaves, and three of them were up-regulated in aphid-infested tissue. They were all more strongly induced by RWA than BCA. The results suggest that callose accumulation may be partly responsible for the symptoms resulting from RWA feeding and that a callose-inducing signal may be transported in the phloem. Furthermore it is concluded that the absence of callose deposition in BCA-infested leaves is not due to a stronger induction of callose-degrading β-1,3-glucanases in this tissue, as compared to RWA-infested leaves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Saheed, Sefiu A , Cierlik, Izabela , Larsson, Kristina A E , Delp, Gabriele , Bradley, Graeme , Jonsson, Lisbeth M V , Botha, Christiaan E J
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6542 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005984
- Description: The effects of infestation by the bird cherry-oat aphid (BCA), (Rhopalosiphum padi L) and the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko) on callose deposition and gene expression related to callose accumulation were investigated in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Clipper). The BCA, which gives no visible symptoms, induced very limited callose deposition, even after 14 days of infestation. In contrast, RWA, which causes chlorosis, white and yellow streaking and leaf rolling, induced callose accumulation already after 24h in longitudinal leaf veins. The deposition was pronounced after 72 h, progressing during 7 and 14 days of infestation. In RWA-infested source leaves, callose was also induced in longitudinal veins basipetal to the aphid-infested tissue, whereas in sink leaves, more callose deposition was found above the feeding sites. Nine putative callose synthase genes were identified in a data base search, of which eight were expressed in the leaves, but with similar level of expression in control and aphid-infested tissue. Four out of 12 examined β-1,3-glucanases were expressed in the leaves, and three of them were up-regulated in aphid-infested tissue. They were all more strongly induced by RWA than BCA. The results suggest that callose accumulation may be partly responsible for the symptoms resulting from RWA feeding and that a callose-inducing signal may be transported in the phloem. Furthermore it is concluded that the absence of callose deposition in BCA-infested leaves is not due to a stronger induction of callose-degrading β-1,3-glucanases in this tissue, as compared to RWA-infested leaves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Wealth differentiation in household use and trade in non-timber forest products in South Africa
- Paumgarten, Fiona, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Paumgarten, Fiona , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006892
- Description: Findings from southern Africa and internationally indicate the local use and trade of NTFPs to be significant however most present a composite picture, failing to account for intra-community socio-economic differences. These differences may have implications for policy and practice related to poverty alleviation and sustainable use. This paper reports on a study in South Africa which explored the relationship between household wealth and the use, procurement and sale of NTFPs in two villages. There was no influence of wealth on the proportion of households using or purchasing most of the NTFPs, or the number used. However, wealthier households bought significantly more resources per household, and poor households (at one village) sold significantly more. These results are discussed within the context of local conditions and poverty alleviation debates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Paumgarten, Fiona , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006892
- Description: Findings from southern Africa and internationally indicate the local use and trade of NTFPs to be significant however most present a composite picture, failing to account for intra-community socio-economic differences. These differences may have implications for policy and practice related to poverty alleviation and sustainable use. This paper reports on a study in South Africa which explored the relationship between household wealth and the use, procurement and sale of NTFPs in two villages. There was no influence of wealth on the proportion of households using or purchasing most of the NTFPs, or the number used. However, wealthier households bought significantly more resources per household, and poor households (at one village) sold significantly more. These results are discussed within the context of local conditions and poverty alleviation debates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Will the real custodian of natural resource management please stand up
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007076
- Description: South Africa is the custodian of an immense wealth of biodiversity resources, and is estimated to be the third most biodiverse country in the world. At the ecosystem level this biodiversity supports the production of goods and services used by us all; water, air, soil fertility, wood, food, etc. At a more local level the harvesting of numerous natural resources provides consumptive products for millions of poor South Africans, as well as income for equally significant numbers.Consumption of and trade in these resources is the very mainstay of their well-being, and crucial in preventing deeper poverty levels. For example, despite massive improvements in the provision of electricity, most rural and a significant proportion of urban South Africans continue to use fuelwood as a key energy source for cooking (e.g. 65% of electrified households in the urban areas of Makana municipality, and 92% of households in the rural areas of Bushbuckridge); approximately 75% of the population use medicinal plants for medicinal or cultural reasons; and millions of urban and rural households make use of wild edible herbs. With such high demand for these resources, it is not unsurprising that there are large and established trade networks spanning local, regional, national and, for some resources (e.g. specific medicinal plants, mopane worms), international boundaries. The total value of this trade is unknown, and unrecorded in local or national economic or GDP statistics. It certainly equates to billions of rands per year. The direct-use and trade values are substantial and provide a cost saving to the State. Where biodiversity resources are overused or exhausted, people have to purchase alternatives, which reduces their scarce cash resources, thereby increasing their likely dependency on State welfare grants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007076
- Description: South Africa is the custodian of an immense wealth of biodiversity resources, and is estimated to be the third most biodiverse country in the world. At the ecosystem level this biodiversity supports the production of goods and services used by us all; water, air, soil fertility, wood, food, etc. At a more local level the harvesting of numerous natural resources provides consumptive products for millions of poor South Africans, as well as income for equally significant numbers.Consumption of and trade in these resources is the very mainstay of their well-being, and crucial in preventing deeper poverty levels. For example, despite massive improvements in the provision of electricity, most rural and a significant proportion of urban South Africans continue to use fuelwood as a key energy source for cooking (e.g. 65% of electrified households in the urban areas of Makana municipality, and 92% of households in the rural areas of Bushbuckridge); approximately 75% of the population use medicinal plants for medicinal or cultural reasons; and millions of urban and rural households make use of wild edible herbs. With such high demand for these resources, it is not unsurprising that there are large and established trade networks spanning local, regional, national and, for some resources (e.g. specific medicinal plants, mopane worms), international boundaries. The total value of this trade is unknown, and unrecorded in local or national economic or GDP statistics. It certainly equates to billions of rands per year. The direct-use and trade values are substantial and provide a cost saving to the State. Where biodiversity resources are overused or exhausted, people have to purchase alternatives, which reduces their scarce cash resources, thereby increasing their likely dependency on State welfare grants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009