Plankton and macroinvertebrate dynamics in the Khakhea–Bray transboundary aquifer region
- Authors: Mungenge, Chipo Perseverance
- Date: 2024-04-05
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435674 , vital:73178 , DOI 10.21504/10962/435674
- Description: Temporary wetlands are prevalent in semi–arid and arid climates across the globe and harbour unique faunal assemblages that significantly contribute to regional aquatic biodiversity. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the ecological dynamics of temporary wetland ecosystems, focusing on plankton dynamics, large branchiopod diversity, trophic dynamics, water quality and the impacts of freshwater salinisation in temporary pans in the Khakhea Bray Transboundary aquifer region in the North west Province, South Africa. This body of work represents field, laboratory and writing components which span the period May 2021 to December 2023. The results from this study revealed seasonal patterns in plankton diversity with a winter peak in phytoplankton diversity dominated by Zygnematophyceae species, while Chlorophyceae were dominant in summer. Zooplankton diversity was high in summer as compared to winter, with both Rotifera and Copepoda dominant in both seasons. Six large branchiopod species were found in the region, and three of these were new distribution records for the North west Province, including the first record of Phallocryptus spinosa in the salt pan that was sampled in summer. Large branchiopod diversity was mainly influenced by water temperature and phosphorous in summer, while sediment sodium influenced the diversity in winter. The stable isotope analyses used to determine trophic dynamics in these temporary pans revealed that the food web had four trophic levels, with the top predators being the notonectids Anisops sp. The dominant consumers were predatory insects such as Sigara sp., Anisops sp., Lestes sp., Rhantus sp. and Cybister sp. adults and larvae, as well as detritivorous Tomopterna sp. tadpoles. High trophic niche overlaps were found between the notonectids and the dytiscids. These temporary pans are susceptible to anthropogenic impacts, and disturbed pans were found to have elevated pH, ammonium, phosphates and dissolved oxygen compared to the undisturbed pans. A strong positive relationship was observed between chl–a and temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphates and ammonium. Chlorophyll–a concentration increased as surface area and the distance from kraals, buildings and latrines decreased. Freshwater salinisation was found to cause notable shifts in abiotic factors and benthic phytoplankton communities, favouring the proliferation of saline–tolerant diatom species at the cost of more sensitive taxa. The study also revealed that in interaction with salinisation, time also exerted a notable influence on shaping the benthic phytoplankton community. Salinity levels of 2.5 ppt and above led to significant decreases in emergent taxa richness and abundance, with Spinicaudata and Ostracoda being the most sensitive taxa to high salinities. There was a limited effect on community hatching phenology dynamics from salinity. This suggests that the main impact of salinisation in these systems will be reductions in hatching success and, hence, reduced recruitment. The study highlights the vulnerability of temporary pan ecosystems to anthropogenic influences and the complexities of interactions of organisms and the environmental conditions in these systems. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04-05
A sustainability practices educational intervention in response to environmental matters of concern amongst Makhanda youth
- Authors: Musiyiwa, Fungayi Lona
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sustainable living South Africa Makhanda , Social learning South Africa Makhanda , Eco clubs South Africa Makhanda , Environmental education Activity programs South Africa Makhanda , Youth in development South Africa Makhanda , Youth Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188364 , vital:44747
- Description: This study responded to urbanisation as one of the challenges affecting youths’ lifestyles in this century. Children and youth around the world are living in overpopulated, polluted and unsafe environments which fail to produce opportunities for learning, play and recreation (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2017). This study explored these issues in the context of Makhanda with an intervention to engage youth in sustainability practices, to help them to strengthen sustainable lifestyles. The participants in this research were members of two eco-clubs from two schools in Makhanda ranging in age from 12-14 years (primary school) and 15-17 years (high school). The study explored how learning processes within a club intervention contributed to the well- being of participating youth and their capacity to live sustainable and fulfilling lives. The research explored (with participants) eight themes as matters of concern namely, ‘education’, ‘home-life’, ‘energy use’, ‘mobility’, ‘leisure and communication’, ‘waste’, ‘water’ and ‘food’. Detailed case narratives exploring Wals’ social learning stages were used to explore the themes. These themes were explored through photo narratives of the youths’ lives and matters of concern in sustainability issues, risks and practices emanating from the Makhanda context. The pedagogical framework for the intervention was guided by Wals’ social learning framework for mobilizing sustainability practices. Social learning interaction took place through all the stages of the framework and the challenges and potentials of the educational intervention were explored in relation to each stage. From the six themes suggested above the youth chose food and water as themes to take forward as a response project. The project pursued was a vegetable garden in which the youth were actively engaged in order to seek and try out sustainable ways of living. An interpretive approach was used within the interpretive paradigm. Qualitative data were generated through focus group discussions, observations, individual interviews and document analysis. Practice architectures theory was used analytically to explore the dynamics of the emergent sustainability practices initiated by the eco-club youth. I used it as a change method and a tool for initiating social learning actions for ‘sustainability practices’ projects. The study indicated that the youth’s key challenges affecting sustainability of their lifestyles are: lack of access to basic infrastructure, recreational facilities, electricity supply, transport, security and water. In this study, it was clear that much of the youth’s involvement in these matters of concern and sustainability issues was at the level of participating in the six themes through Wals’ social learning processes. This allowed youths to develop their knowledge and skills on how to participate in the gardening project rather than simply focusing on the environmental matters of concern in question. The Handprint Resource Books have been designed for educators who are looking for practical ideas to work with in the learning areas of the National Curriculum. The focus is on sustainability practices that can be taken up within the perspective that each learning area brings to environment and sustainability concerns. The use of the Handprint Resource Books promoted active youth participation and interaction encouraging youth to be reflective thinkers, which led to understanding of the issues and the sustainability practices that emerged during the discussions. The Handprint Resource Books focused on sustainability practices within the learning area of environment and sustainability concerns. Due to her facilitation skills, an environmental expert’s presentation on a sustainability topic enabled youths to select the intended project. The involvement of youth in the implementation of the vegetable garden as a sustainability practice empowered youth to be more confident in engaging in a collective action for change as they developed the capability to share and start their own vegetable gardens at their homes. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Environmental Learning Research Centre, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
An enquiry on gender, religion and sport: the case of Muslim women residing in Malabar, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Sait, Shaabiera
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55196 , vital:49588
- Description: Modern sports have made many claims, one of which is to give surety of equality within sporting codes. They also specifically focus on providing equal rights to allow individuals to compete in sports. The political history of South Africa is particularly important as it is essentially linked to the capacity to participate in sport in South Africa. Therefore, it is safe to say that politics and sports are intrinsically entwined in the country. Sport played a vibrant role in the struggle against the system of apartheid and has a vigorous role to play in the transformation and nation-building of South Africa. Islam has been open to growth and development, adaptation, and even change. Since its revelation, Islam has been filtered through a succession of cultural growth, reflecting the complex ways in which religious beliefs and social reality accommodate one another. Islam possesses a unifying framework which is provided by the Quran (Islam’s primary source regarded by Muslims as God’s revealed word) as the quintessential source along with the Hadith (the statements and deeds of Prophet Muhammad [Peace be unto him]) and language of the religion of Islam. This unity is accompanied by a multitude of diversities that must be considered in any discussion regarding Islam and its practice by Muslims. The Muslim women presented in this thesis were specifically from the Malabar area in Port Elizabeth, where different interpretations or perspectives of Islam exist. Malabar was created in 1961 under the Group Areas Act of 1950 in terms of which the Apartheid government forced people of different race categories to live separately. In a variety of societies and communities where legislation, customs, and traditions are affected or inspired by interpretations of the Quran and Sunnah, they combine to define the roles and status of men and women. Within a specific Muslim society, however, these may vary from one class or generation to another. Muslim women’s lives and the choices they face are influenced as much by patriarchal social arrangements as they are by religious ideology. The research is centred around the interpretations of Islam and what these interpretations mean for Muslim women and their participation in sports, while also considering the interconnectedness of personal choice and the rules and regulations of Islam. The objective of this study was to critically analyse the effect that the different interpretations of Islam have on Muslim women’s participation in sporting activities, as iii well as the barriers that Muslim women face during their involvement in sports. The research adopted a qualitative research method in which 20 Muslim women were interviewed, with the use of semi-structured interview schedules, as well as participant observation to collect the necessary data. A case study method was used to share the data collected from interviews. Furthermore, an auto-ethnographic method is also utilized for self-reflection and to explore personal experience relevant to this research. This thesis also draws on the Marxist feminist theoretical approach, focusing on investigating and explaining how women are oppressed through systems of capitalism and private property. Marxism and feminism are theories of power, which is distributed unequally in society. In researching gender, religion, and sport, I found that the relationship between Muslim women and sport is understood in different ways because of different interpretations of Islam and its teachings, often between one generation to the next and amongst various Muslim communities. Thus, individuals who are passionate about their sport will go the extra mile to ensure participation. In some cases, this would be regardless of the rules and regulations of Islam. Muslim women across the world have made many strides and overcome many barriers in sport. Over the years, although not favourably portrayed in the media, participation by women has increased drastically over time. This thesis explores gender, religion, and sport as well as the ‘lived body’ experiences of veiled Muslim women in sport and physical activity. I attempt to explain the relationship between religious requirements and participation in sport and physical activity. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12