Mapping and prediction of archaeological sites of habitation by modern humans using GIS and expert mapping on the south coast of South Africa
- Authors: Kleyn, Philippa May
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Archaeological sites , Kitchen-middens -- South Africa , Prehistoric peoples -- South Africa , Prehistoric peoples -- Dwellings -- South Africa , Geological mapping -- South Africa , Coastal archaeology -- South Africa , Archaeological significance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018662
- Description: South Africa contains many archaeological resources including shell middens from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) and Later Stone Age (LSA). These shell middens give researchers insight into the behaviour of modern humans where the first fossil evidence appears in Africa around 200 000 years ago (Klein, 2008). Research into shell middens is therefore vital to understand the origin of human kind. This study investigates whether Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a useful tool for predicting locations of unknown shell midden sites using the characteristics of known areas of modern human habitation. This was done using suitability analysis and expert mapping techniques. Ground truthing of the results of the desktop analysis revealed that GIS is not a useful tool for predicting sites of modern habitation as the characteristics that determine human habitation are too variable.
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- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation into the application (positioning) of geographic information systems (GIS)in PROPNET for competitivie advantange
- Authors: Lawrence, Gavin Eldred
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Competition -- South Africa , Positioning (Advertising)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8562 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/243 , Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Competition -- South Africa , Positioning (Advertising)
- Description: In an ever changing competitive environment, business is constantly faced with decisions. The ability to make informed decisions hinges on the organization’s power to properly integrate/position technology into the business processes of the organization. To stay in business organizations must be able to compete with rivals in their industry. The purpose of this research is to determine why the Geographic Information System (GIS) is not being utilized to its full potential. In order to determine the reason for this under utilization a literature study was undertaken with respect to GIS, how GIS is being positioned within PROPNET and what steps can be taken to improve the strategic positioning of GIS within PROPNET. A study was conducted which was limited to GIS professionals. An introduction to GIS is also given. A survey was then conducted within PROPNET. The survey covered competitive advantage, the value chain, kinds of information systems in relation to the different groups served within an organization and GIS. The results of the research survey corresponded with views expressed in the literature. Results concluded that GIS is incorrectly positioned within PROPNET for it to be competitive and that it should be repositioned within the operational level of the organization and utilized as a transaction processing system. The repositioning will lead to competitive advantage over rivals. Literature also revealed that GIS can be found in all sectors of the value chain. A strategy is proposed to reposition GIS within PROPNET. Recommendations are made to guide the repositioning. The subject field is new and there is little literature on GIS positioning and competitive advantage. There are significant advantages to repositioning GIS within PROPNET.
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- Date Issued: 2004
The development of a geographic information system (GIS) as a mariculture sector planning tool in South Africa
- Authors: Shiran-Klotz, Imran
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Mariculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005870 , Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Geographic information systems -- South Africa , Mariculture -- South Africa
- Description: The South African coastline has a high potential for mariculture development, particularly in land-based systems, due to excellent water quality, good infrastructure, and relatively cheap land in certain areas. Development of mariculture however, has been slow primarily due to the absence of a national sector development plan to coordinate contribution to development by government, industry and academia. Recent mariculture development plans however, supported by government commitment to stimulate coastal development, offers new opportunity for the sector's growth. These new sector development plans require a multi-disciplinary intensive information base with a strong regional and national spatial component. Geographic Information System (GIS) is a spatial analytical tool, which is capable of handling such large coastal databases and analysing them. Nevertheless, many mariculture GIS planning applications, often developed in isolation and with limited practical use for decision makers, highlighted the need to develop GIS in relation to the mariculture sector development plan. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a GIS for the national and regional mariculture sector planning process in South Africa, in order to identify potentially suitable areas along the South African coastline for mariculture operations. The GIS development in this study was based on the mariculture planning approach developed by PAP/RAe (1996), which recognizes the variations of scales in mariculture planning. Three case studies, representing the diversity of the South African sector plan, were selected to develop the GIS. They included: a national suitability analysis for all land-based culture systems, a specific national analysis on abalone ranching, and a detailed regional analysis of land-based culture and abalone ranching along the Namaqualand coastline. The GIS was developed separately for each case study based on a strategy consisting of six main phases, including: identification of project requirements, developing analytical framework, selection and location of data sources, organization and manipulation of data, analysing data and verifying and evaluation of the outputs. Biophysical, coastal use, and infrastructure criteria were collected, sorted and analysed to identify development constraints. Based on a set of conditions, and Boolean logic and arithmetic operations, unsuitable areas were identified and eliminated. Main constraints for national land-based development included competition over space along KwaZuluNatal Province coastline and restricted access to the coast along the south region of the Northern Cape Province, Wild Coast along the Eastern Cape Province, and Maputaland along KwaZulu-Natal Province. Ten areas along the country coastline were therefore identified as potentially suitable for land-based mariculture. Furthermore, South African abalone ranching potential was found to be limited mostly along the Western and Northern Cape Province's coastline due to the high risk of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) occurrences, alternative resource use and activities such as commercial fishery, poaching, and conservation. Hence, a total of nine areas along the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape coastlines were identified as premier areas for abalone ranching. The regional study along the Namaqualand coastline revealed potential conflict between mining activity and mariculture development due to security issues and restricted access to the coast. Land-based mariculture development was confined to the four main coastal urban areas. The highest potential for land-based mariculture was along Port Nolloth and Kleinsee coastlines, whereas marine-based (i.e. abalone ranching) potential was poor along the north part of the coast due to intense marine mining activities, restricted access to the coast, and low kelp bed density. High potential abalone ranching areas were identified south to Kleinsee, and around Port Nolloth. Potential conflict with marine mining activity was minimal since it was localised and not related to kelp bed locations. It was concluded that GIS is a relevant and compatible tool for South African mariculture sector planning. However, future development of GIS as integrated planning tool in mariculture and coastal planning, requires updated spatial data (e.g. recreational activity), and continued interaction among project planners, mariculture specialists and GIS analysts.
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- Date Issued: 2004