A spatial and temporal analysis of elephant induced thicket degradation in Addo Elephant National Park
- Authors: Smith, Janis
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Soil degradation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012903
- Description: Thicket degradation within the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), Eastern Cape, South Africa is a key issue of concern. The increasing elephant densities have over time threatened thicket vegetation, which is endemic to this area. The “elephant problem” within the Park has raised many concerns as to the vulnerability of thicket to elephant impacts. Remote sensing provides an environment in which temporal changes in thicket vegetation condition can be assessed. The main aim of this study was to assess temporal and spatial trends in thicket degradation within the AENP, using multi-temporal satellite imagery. Elephant induced thicket degradation was assessed using multi-temporal satellite imagery from between 1973 and 2010. Changes in thicket condition in relation to the AENP expansion were analysed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), post-classification and landscape metrics. The ‘per-pixel’ based classification approach was carried out and change detection of land cover classes was analysed by post-classification. Landscape spatial metrics were used in order to gain an understanding of vegetation fragmentation trends. Temporal changes in vegetation gradients in relation to water points and thicket condition within the botanical reserves were also assessed. Thicket condition was noted to deteriorate as the AENP expanded. An expansion of degraded vegetation away from the water points was identified during the study period. Thicket condition in botanical reserves 1 and 2 fluctuated over time, with a registered increase in intact thicket within botanical reserve 2, with botanical reserve 3 remaining constant. Landscape spatial metric analyses revealed evidence of increased vegetation fragmentation as new areas of the AENP were opened for elephant activity. A progressive decline in intact thicket and increase in degraded thicket were observed. Considering the current elephant densities, thicket degradation within AENP is set to continue, causing a continued threat to the thicket biome.
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- Date Issued: 2012
The assessment of factors contributing to the sustainability of poverty relief projects in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Makhalane, Vuyisile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8218 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1005 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current study aimed at assessing the factors contributing to sustainability of Poverty Relief Projects by the Department of Social Development. The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape within Chris Hani District at Sakhizwe Local Municipality. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling procedures have been seen as most suitable for this study and have been utilized to identify participants of the study. The sample consisted of thirty project members from six different projects and also included five Community Development Practitioners from the Department of Social Development. Semi- structured interviews, document review and focus group discussion were used to collect data for the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic methods. The study revealed factors that contribute to the sustainability of the projects. These factors include the capacity of the project members and the departmental officials to implement and monitor the projects. Management and organization of the project plays an important role in determining the sustainability. Active participation of the project members in the planning of the project is important. Stakeholder participation and sharing of expertise is another important factor in determining the sustainability of the projects. Lastly, the study shows that monitoring and evaluation of the progress is necessary to ensure that the project achieve the desired outcome. It is recommended that the Department of Social Development should consider these factors and add them in the checklist before the funding of the project is approved. It is also important to determine the duration of the project in order to be able to measure its impact in a given period of time.
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- Date Issued: 2008