Risk-based assessment of environmental asbestos contamination in the Northern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa
- Authors: Jones, Robert Ryan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Asbestos industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Asbestos industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- North West Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa-- Northern Cape Environmental risk assessment -- North West Asbestos -- Toxicology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Asbestos -- Toxicology -- South Africa -- North West Tailings (Metallurgy) -- Waste disposal -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Tailings (Metallurgy) -- Waste disposal -- South Africa -- North West
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012612
- Description: The commercial mining of asbestos occurred in four Provinces of South Africa (Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga). It was initiated in the late 1800's and lasted for over a hundred years into the beginning of this century. As a producer of amphibole asbestos, South Africa far outpaced every other country being responsible for 97% of global production. The last crocidolite mine closed in 1996 and chrysotile in 2002. Anecdotal information concerning environmental contamination as a result of the former mining activities and the improper disposal of mine waste tailings has been reported by a variety of authors. Few comprehensive or systematic surveys have been conducted to date to document this issue and very little quantifiable research has been completed on the communities located in close proximity to the former mine sites to determine the extent of contamination. In 2004-2006 communities were surveyed within the Northern Cape and North West Provinces to determine the extent and severity of environmental contamination. This research developed and applied a methodology to select those communities suspected of environmental contamination, a targeted survey methodology, and a protocol for rapid sample laboratory analysis. A total of 41 communities were initially predicted by the model to be suspected for environmental asbestos contamination. Based on the inclusion of local knowledge, a final 36 communities were selected for a screening-level field assessment, 34 of which were found to contain environmental asbestos contamination at rates ranging from 20 to 100% of the surveyed locations. A total of 1 843 samples of soil and building material were collected in the screening level assessment. One community (Ga-Mopedi) was selected as being representative of the total cohort and a more detailed house to house survey was completed. A total of 1 486 samples were collected during the detailed survey. Results of the detailed survey revealed 26.2% of the homes were contaminated with asbestos containing soil and/or building material. A theoretical quantitative cumulative exposure assessment was developed to estimate the disease burden within the study area population of 126,130 individuals within the surveyed communities resulting in a predicted range of 25-52.4 excess deaths per year from lung cancer and mesothelioma due solely to environmental exposures to asbestos pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jones, Robert Ryan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Asbestos industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Asbestos industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- North West Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa-- Northern Cape Environmental risk assessment -- North West Asbestos -- Toxicology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Asbestos -- Toxicology -- South Africa -- North West Tailings (Metallurgy) -- Waste disposal -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Tailings (Metallurgy) -- Waste disposal -- South Africa -- North West
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4780 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012612
- Description: The commercial mining of asbestos occurred in four Provinces of South Africa (Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga). It was initiated in the late 1800's and lasted for over a hundred years into the beginning of this century. As a producer of amphibole asbestos, South Africa far outpaced every other country being responsible for 97% of global production. The last crocidolite mine closed in 1996 and chrysotile in 2002. Anecdotal information concerning environmental contamination as a result of the former mining activities and the improper disposal of mine waste tailings has been reported by a variety of authors. Few comprehensive or systematic surveys have been conducted to date to document this issue and very little quantifiable research has been completed on the communities located in close proximity to the former mine sites to determine the extent of contamination. In 2004-2006 communities were surveyed within the Northern Cape and North West Provinces to determine the extent and severity of environmental contamination. This research developed and applied a methodology to select those communities suspected of environmental contamination, a targeted survey methodology, and a protocol for rapid sample laboratory analysis. A total of 41 communities were initially predicted by the model to be suspected for environmental asbestos contamination. Based on the inclusion of local knowledge, a final 36 communities were selected for a screening-level field assessment, 34 of which were found to contain environmental asbestos contamination at rates ranging from 20 to 100% of the surveyed locations. A total of 1 843 samples of soil and building material were collected in the screening level assessment. One community (Ga-Mopedi) was selected as being representative of the total cohort and a more detailed house to house survey was completed. A total of 1 486 samples were collected during the detailed survey. Results of the detailed survey revealed 26.2% of the homes were contaminated with asbestos containing soil and/or building material. A theoretical quantitative cumulative exposure assessment was developed to estimate the disease burden within the study area population of 126,130 individuals within the surveyed communities resulting in a predicted range of 25-52.4 excess deaths per year from lung cancer and mesothelioma due solely to environmental exposures to asbestos pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The Contribution of fruit from trees to improve household nutritional security in the context of deforestation in Cameroon
- Tata epse Ngome, Precillia Ijang
- Authors: Tata epse Ngome, Precillia Ijang
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/793 , vital:19991
- Description: Cameroon needs healthy citizens to archive emergence by 2035. Malnutrition and undernourishment is the highest burden in the World in recent times and a silent crisis facing most rural communities in forest areas of Cameroon. Its abstruseness makes extremely fragile political, social and economic planning to foster development in such areas. Therefore, it is time we bring appropriate understanding and new strategies on unpacking the complexities of food and nutritional security and define practical solutions to food insecurity. Working in the context of increasing deforestation, this thesis brings evidence on the situation of household food insecurity (FIS) access experience in forest areas which is not reported in current discussions at the national level. It further investigates the knowledge and awareness of households on the availability, accessibility, utilisation, vulnerability and consumption of nutrient rich food items using the example of fruits from trees. Thus, the aim of this research was to investigate strategies for addressing household FIS through increased domestic supply and consumption of fruits from trees in the context of deforestation in Cameroon. Data were collected through four rounds of structured interviews completed between August 2013 and October 2014. Analysis was done using simple citations and ordering, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Likert scale, χ2-test of association and Cramer's V coefficient to test the strength of the association and means and ANOVA. The HFIAS approach used to determine household FIS. Only 1% of the population were food secure and the moderately deforested zone showed the worst trends in food insecurity. Therefore, the effect of deforestation was nuanced. Diverse fruit trees were registered. Households said they required fruits only 2.4 ± 1.5 times per week. Recently, the intake of 400 g of fruit per person per day for good health was announced as a priority of international recognition. However, households were not aware of the importance and frequency of fruit consumption with less than 50% of households eating fruits daily during the harvesting season. Fruit tree nurseries where scarce and seeds where obtained from local sources. Fruit tree diseases where rampant and up to 50% harvest lost was registered for some fruits species. This study has shown that food availability does not necessarily mean adequate food intake. Three opinions about fruit trees and the prevalence of food insecurity in Cameroon has been raised in this thesis. First, there is ineffectiveness in the eradication of FIS because even in agricultural conducive environments, hunger and food insecurity are still prevalent at high rates. Therefore, effective and efficient targeting of food insecured groups need to be promoted in all clusters of the population. Secondly, the national nutrition program is neglecting sensitisation on food consumption patterns and therefore people are not making use of nutrient rich foods even when this maybe found around their environments - taking the case of fruits from trees. Thus, very few people ate fruits and at irregular frequencies of consumption. Thus, there is need to design special campaign programs to promote the consumption of fruits from trees. Thirdly, the word-of-mouth or neighbour-to-neighbour dissemination approach on fruit trees planting has not been efficient across communities. As such nurseries where scarce and people obtained fruit trees plants from natural regeneration or found them on the field when establishing the field. Therefore, in this research, it is postulated that no matter the nature of efforts and level of intervention, what is certain is that addressing FIS requires effective targeting of the vulnerable population and the implementation of novel and practical approaches on promoting access to and consumption of fruits in the right frequencies. This research further revealed that poor eating habits was a problem and lack of knowledge about the frequency and intake of nutrient rich food was serious. For instance, people were not aware on the recommended frequency of fruit consumption and people ate infested fruit while reserving the healthy ones for sale. This is the trap of the food insecurity problem in some regions – knowledge about foods and ways of food utilisation. This is neither a problem of availability nor accessibility, but rather a problem of lack of knowledge and lack of sensitisation. From FAO reports on the state of food insecurity in the world and other studies of food intake in most developing nation, poor food consumption is a global problem in most poor regions and even in rich areas affected by obesity. Thus, there is a need to establish a high level policy framework maybe in the form of a convention or an intergovernmental panel at the level of the United Nations and/or the African Union on ‘reducing malnutrition in all its forms (rates, drivers and consequences on human health and the environment)’. This structure will promote setting priorities, strategies, monitoring on peoples eating habits, setting nutritional standards, and principles and indicators for observing under nutrition, over nutrition and associated problems within all population strata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tata epse Ngome, Precillia Ijang
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/793 , vital:19991
- Description: Cameroon needs healthy citizens to archive emergence by 2035. Malnutrition and undernourishment is the highest burden in the World in recent times and a silent crisis facing most rural communities in forest areas of Cameroon. Its abstruseness makes extremely fragile political, social and economic planning to foster development in such areas. Therefore, it is time we bring appropriate understanding and new strategies on unpacking the complexities of food and nutritional security and define practical solutions to food insecurity. Working in the context of increasing deforestation, this thesis brings evidence on the situation of household food insecurity (FIS) access experience in forest areas which is not reported in current discussions at the national level. It further investigates the knowledge and awareness of households on the availability, accessibility, utilisation, vulnerability and consumption of nutrient rich food items using the example of fruits from trees. Thus, the aim of this research was to investigate strategies for addressing household FIS through increased domestic supply and consumption of fruits from trees in the context of deforestation in Cameroon. Data were collected through four rounds of structured interviews completed between August 2013 and October 2014. Analysis was done using simple citations and ordering, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Likert scale, χ2-test of association and Cramer's V coefficient to test the strength of the association and means and ANOVA. The HFIAS approach used to determine household FIS. Only 1% of the population were food secure and the moderately deforested zone showed the worst trends in food insecurity. Therefore, the effect of deforestation was nuanced. Diverse fruit trees were registered. Households said they required fruits only 2.4 ± 1.5 times per week. Recently, the intake of 400 g of fruit per person per day for good health was announced as a priority of international recognition. However, households were not aware of the importance and frequency of fruit consumption with less than 50% of households eating fruits daily during the harvesting season. Fruit tree nurseries where scarce and seeds where obtained from local sources. Fruit tree diseases where rampant and up to 50% harvest lost was registered for some fruits species. This study has shown that food availability does not necessarily mean adequate food intake. Three opinions about fruit trees and the prevalence of food insecurity in Cameroon has been raised in this thesis. First, there is ineffectiveness in the eradication of FIS because even in agricultural conducive environments, hunger and food insecurity are still prevalent at high rates. Therefore, effective and efficient targeting of food insecured groups need to be promoted in all clusters of the population. Secondly, the national nutrition program is neglecting sensitisation on food consumption patterns and therefore people are not making use of nutrient rich foods even when this maybe found around their environments - taking the case of fruits from trees. Thus, very few people ate fruits and at irregular frequencies of consumption. Thus, there is need to design special campaign programs to promote the consumption of fruits from trees. Thirdly, the word-of-mouth or neighbour-to-neighbour dissemination approach on fruit trees planting has not been efficient across communities. As such nurseries where scarce and people obtained fruit trees plants from natural regeneration or found them on the field when establishing the field. Therefore, in this research, it is postulated that no matter the nature of efforts and level of intervention, what is certain is that addressing FIS requires effective targeting of the vulnerable population and the implementation of novel and practical approaches on promoting access to and consumption of fruits in the right frequencies. This research further revealed that poor eating habits was a problem and lack of knowledge about the frequency and intake of nutrient rich food was serious. For instance, people were not aware on the recommended frequency of fruit consumption and people ate infested fruit while reserving the healthy ones for sale. This is the trap of the food insecurity problem in some regions – knowledge about foods and ways of food utilisation. This is neither a problem of availability nor accessibility, but rather a problem of lack of knowledge and lack of sensitisation. From FAO reports on the state of food insecurity in the world and other studies of food intake in most developing nation, poor food consumption is a global problem in most poor regions and even in rich areas affected by obesity. Thus, there is a need to establish a high level policy framework maybe in the form of a convention or an intergovernmental panel at the level of the United Nations and/or the African Union on ‘reducing malnutrition in all its forms (rates, drivers and consequences on human health and the environment)’. This structure will promote setting priorities, strategies, monitoring on peoples eating habits, setting nutritional standards, and principles and indicators for observing under nutrition, over nutrition and associated problems within all population strata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Changes in household food security, nutrition and food waste along an agro-ecological gradient and the rural-urban continuum in mid-sized South African towns
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The missing ingredient: rethinking the drought disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation nexus in Chirumhanzu District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Grey, Mashoko Stephen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Climatic changes -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Natural disasters -- Risk assessment -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Drought management -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Hazard mitigation -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58298 , vital:27207
- Description: Two of the main challenges facing communities and governments in developing countries are the reduction of risks of hydro-meteorological hazards and adaptation to climate change. As climate variability and change impacts are becoming more visible in the form of disasters, and are negatively affecting climate sensitive livelihoods and eroding communities' ability to fully recover, leading to increased vulnerability to subsequent climate risks. The unpredictability of current weather systems, therefore, makes it very difficult for poor governments and households to deal with adverse impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the fragmented approach to DRR and CCA with regards to practice, policy and organisational frameworks for dealing with climate risks is resulting in coordination challenges for the government departments. This study aimed to explore how local households and communities perceive and are experiencing and coping with climate change and drought, and what that means for integrating hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The study was carried out in Chirumhanzu district and the methods used for data collection included: 217 household surveys; six focus group discussions; participatory learning actions methods; key informant's interviews and document review. The majority of households owned low value material assets and had low levels of livelihood capitals and this exposed them to the impacts of climate variability and successive droughts. This low adaptive capacity largely affected their ability to engage effective drought risk reduction and adaptation strategies for their livelihood activities in small-scale farming and livestock rearing. Vulnerability to climate risks was exacerbated by seasonal weather forecasts, which were deemed by some households to be unreliable, inaccurate and not easily understood, while others used of indigenous knowledge. Successive droughts affected households' access to food and cash income for other household demands. Other non-climatic factors that contributed to adverse drought impacts at the household level were an emphasis on reactive humanitarian aid approach and the poor economy in Zimbabwe. Additionally, the policy framework for dealing with climate change and drought hazards is fragmented and weak; and is housed in different government departments making it difficult to coordinate and implement. To improve climate risk management, there is need for the government to appreciate that drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation are all about reducing vulnerability. Understanding this, might assist in improving government focus on addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability and mainstreaming DRR and CCA into development processes through addressing specific and generic adaptive capacities. The thesis argues that as long as rural households are involved in climate sensitive livelihood activities and not getting meaningful intervention to diversity and/or better intensify their livelihood activities, they will continue to be vulnerable to successive climate risks. This fragmented approach to dealing with climate risks, is not yielding any successful results with regards to building resilience, risk reduction or adaptation of rural households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Grey, Mashoko Stephen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Climatic changes -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Natural disasters -- Risk assessment -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Drought management -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District , Hazard mitigation -- Zimbabwe -- Chirumanzu District
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58298 , vital:27207
- Description: Two of the main challenges facing communities and governments in developing countries are the reduction of risks of hydro-meteorological hazards and adaptation to climate change. As climate variability and change impacts are becoming more visible in the form of disasters, and are negatively affecting climate sensitive livelihoods and eroding communities' ability to fully recover, leading to increased vulnerability to subsequent climate risks. The unpredictability of current weather systems, therefore, makes it very difficult for poor governments and households to deal with adverse impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the fragmented approach to DRR and CCA with regards to practice, policy and organisational frameworks for dealing with climate risks is resulting in coordination challenges for the government departments. This study aimed to explore how local households and communities perceive and are experiencing and coping with climate change and drought, and what that means for integrating hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The study was carried out in Chirumhanzu district and the methods used for data collection included: 217 household surveys; six focus group discussions; participatory learning actions methods; key informant's interviews and document review. The majority of households owned low value material assets and had low levels of livelihood capitals and this exposed them to the impacts of climate variability and successive droughts. This low adaptive capacity largely affected their ability to engage effective drought risk reduction and adaptation strategies for their livelihood activities in small-scale farming and livestock rearing. Vulnerability to climate risks was exacerbated by seasonal weather forecasts, which were deemed by some households to be unreliable, inaccurate and not easily understood, while others used of indigenous knowledge. Successive droughts affected households' access to food and cash income for other household demands. Other non-climatic factors that contributed to adverse drought impacts at the household level were an emphasis on reactive humanitarian aid approach and the poor economy in Zimbabwe. Additionally, the policy framework for dealing with climate change and drought hazards is fragmented and weak; and is housed in different government departments making it difficult to coordinate and implement. To improve climate risk management, there is need for the government to appreciate that drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation are all about reducing vulnerability. Understanding this, might assist in improving government focus on addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability and mainstreaming DRR and CCA into development processes through addressing specific and generic adaptive capacities. The thesis argues that as long as rural households are involved in climate sensitive livelihood activities and not getting meaningful intervention to diversity and/or better intensify their livelihood activities, they will continue to be vulnerable to successive climate risks. This fragmented approach to dealing with climate risks, is not yielding any successful results with regards to building resilience, risk reduction or adaptation of rural households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An evaluation of the potential for implementing adaptive co-management in the Waodani social-ecological system in the Ecuadorian Amazon
- Authors: Bryja, Malgorzata Anna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Adaptive natural resource management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Natural resources -- Co-management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Social ecology -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Sustainable development -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Resource-based communities -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni (Ecuador) -- Economic conditions , Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018192
- Description: Adaptive co-management (ACM), one of the most prominent management approaches to emerge in the recent years, combines iterative learning, flexibility, and adaptation promoted by adaptive management with the principles of nurturing diversity and fostering collaboration among different partners that underpin co-management philosophy. ACM has been proposed as an approach to address the deficiencies of centralized management in ensuring sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs) in face of future uncertainties. This thesis aims to evaluate the readiness of resource users (the Waodani) as well as external actors (the Ecuadorian State and NGOs) for future implementation of ACM and thus enhancing the long-term social-ecological sustainability of the Waodani SES located in the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Qualitative data obtained by means of focus groups with the Waodani and individual interviews with external actors and Waodani leaders revealed different levels of readiness for ACM. Firstly, in the case of the Waodani, the insufficient fulfillment of some conditions required for successful ACM as well as intercommunity differences in regards to these conditions can complicate the implementation of ACM, unless sufficient external assistance is offered to the SES. The analysis of NGOs demonstrated, on the other hand, a relative readiness for ACM, providing that such aspects as sufficient funding, long-term commitment to collaboration, and inter-institutional linkages are strengthened. The study also found that the Ecuadorian government’s potential to contribute to ACM is hindered by the lack of readiness to work with the indigenous society as well as by funding and communication challenges. Furthermore, the resource based economy supported by the State limits the scope of innovation and adaptation. Still, as in the case of other actors, overcoming the challenges and transitioning towards adaptive governance and thus ACM could be possible in the long-term, if recent legal and political changes are truly implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bryja, Malgorzata Anna
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Adaptive natural resource management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Natural resources -- Co-management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Social ecology -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Sustainable development -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Resource-based communities -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni , Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni (Ecuador) -- Economic conditions , Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018192
- Description: Adaptive co-management (ACM), one of the most prominent management approaches to emerge in the recent years, combines iterative learning, flexibility, and adaptation promoted by adaptive management with the principles of nurturing diversity and fostering collaboration among different partners that underpin co-management philosophy. ACM has been proposed as an approach to address the deficiencies of centralized management in ensuring sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs) in face of future uncertainties. This thesis aims to evaluate the readiness of resource users (the Waodani) as well as external actors (the Ecuadorian State and NGOs) for future implementation of ACM and thus enhancing the long-term social-ecological sustainability of the Waodani SES located in the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Qualitative data obtained by means of focus groups with the Waodani and individual interviews with external actors and Waodani leaders revealed different levels of readiness for ACM. Firstly, in the case of the Waodani, the insufficient fulfillment of some conditions required for successful ACM as well as intercommunity differences in regards to these conditions can complicate the implementation of ACM, unless sufficient external assistance is offered to the SES. The analysis of NGOs demonstrated, on the other hand, a relative readiness for ACM, providing that such aspects as sufficient funding, long-term commitment to collaboration, and inter-institutional linkages are strengthened. The study also found that the Ecuadorian government’s potential to contribute to ACM is hindered by the lack of readiness to work with the indigenous society as well as by funding and communication challenges. Furthermore, the resource based economy supported by the State limits the scope of innovation and adaptation. Still, as in the case of other actors, overcoming the challenges and transitioning towards adaptive governance and thus ACM could be possible in the long-term, if recent legal and political changes are truly implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Foraging for fruits: natural resource use and its conservation potential in urban environments
- Authors: Sardeshpande, Mallika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-timber forest products , Wild plants, Edible , Urban plants , Urban ecology (Biology) , Open spaces , Environmental protection -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167465 , vital:41483
- Description: Wild edible fruits (WEFs) are a type of natural resource that humans across the world collect from diverse natural landscapes. They are among the most used non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and wild foods, and often serve more than a nutritional purpose for humans, in the form of fibre, fuel, medicine, and other products. The use of WEFs may augment household dietary diversity, food security, and income in some contexts. The prevalence of WEF species across the spectrum of natural to modified ecosystems presents the potential for integrated landscape-level conservation efforts centred on these species. The first half of this thesis investigates the state of knowledge about this versatile and ubiquitous resource in the wider context of other wild foods and NTFPs, and compares the patterns of use of WEFs with those of other wild foods and NTFPs. Through these studies, I find that WEFs are indeed a widely occurring, resilient, and useful resource along the rural-urban gradient. They are unique in that their use transcends the geographical and socio-economic criteria that influence the use of other wild foods and NTFPs. Based on these findings, in the second half of the thesis, I propose the use-based conservation of WEF species in urban landscapes through the practice of urban foraging. Through interviews with urban land managers and foragers, I describe the state of urban green space management and urban foraging, and identify synergies between the two. Green space management is increasingly devolved and well-defined in developed cities, and relatively diffused in smaller towns, but nevertheless supportive of use-based biodiversity conservation. Planting and foraging for WEFs in urban green spaces ties in with local and national objectives of urban land use management policy. However, the lack of information on species, spaces, and sustainability related to foraging are a hindrance to addressing this activity and harnessing its conservation potential. Foragers use a variety of WEF species collected from natural as well as highly used and urbanised areas in their cities. Although most foragers consider foraging as a cultural and recreational activity, many of them agreed with the prospect of commercialising or popularising it to protect and promote the biodiversity and culture associated with their foraging spaces. The synthesis of this study presents four possible pathways to conserve the diversity of WEF species, and to extend the benefits of WEF use to landscape stewardship. It identifies key stakeholders in implementing these pathways and possible collaborations between these stakeholders; the multiple conservation objectives and policies these pathways respond to; and context-specific considerations for policy and implementation related to planting and foraging of WEFs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sardeshpande, Mallika
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-timber forest products , Wild plants, Edible , Urban plants , Urban ecology (Biology) , Open spaces , Environmental protection -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167465 , vital:41483
- Description: Wild edible fruits (WEFs) are a type of natural resource that humans across the world collect from diverse natural landscapes. They are among the most used non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and wild foods, and often serve more than a nutritional purpose for humans, in the form of fibre, fuel, medicine, and other products. The use of WEFs may augment household dietary diversity, food security, and income in some contexts. The prevalence of WEF species across the spectrum of natural to modified ecosystems presents the potential for integrated landscape-level conservation efforts centred on these species. The first half of this thesis investigates the state of knowledge about this versatile and ubiquitous resource in the wider context of other wild foods and NTFPs, and compares the patterns of use of WEFs with those of other wild foods and NTFPs. Through these studies, I find that WEFs are indeed a widely occurring, resilient, and useful resource along the rural-urban gradient. They are unique in that their use transcends the geographical and socio-economic criteria that influence the use of other wild foods and NTFPs. Based on these findings, in the second half of the thesis, I propose the use-based conservation of WEF species in urban landscapes through the practice of urban foraging. Through interviews with urban land managers and foragers, I describe the state of urban green space management and urban foraging, and identify synergies between the two. Green space management is increasingly devolved and well-defined in developed cities, and relatively diffused in smaller towns, but nevertheless supportive of use-based biodiversity conservation. Planting and foraging for WEFs in urban green spaces ties in with local and national objectives of urban land use management policy. However, the lack of information on species, spaces, and sustainability related to foraging are a hindrance to addressing this activity and harnessing its conservation potential. Foragers use a variety of WEF species collected from natural as well as highly used and urbanised areas in their cities. Although most foragers consider foraging as a cultural and recreational activity, many of them agreed with the prospect of commercialising or popularising it to protect and promote the biodiversity and culture associated with their foraging spaces. The synthesis of this study presents four possible pathways to conserve the diversity of WEF species, and to extend the benefits of WEF use to landscape stewardship. It identifies key stakeholders in implementing these pathways and possible collaborations between these stakeholders; the multiple conservation objectives and policies these pathways respond to; and context-specific considerations for policy and implementation related to planting and foraging of WEFs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods across four nature reserves in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Striving towards a balance between livelihoods and conservation
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Angwenyi, Daniel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: National parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural population -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138551 , vital:37649
- Description: The realisation that biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and that intact ecosystems are essential for ecological functioning and sustenance of human life, has led to biodiversity taking centre stage in national and international agencies’ environmental talks agendas. Protected areas are viable option to stem biodiversity loss. However, the establishment of protected areas might have negative impacts on communities living adjacent to them, leading to poor relations and frequent conflicts between these communities and the managers of protected areas. The Eastern Cape Province has twenty-one nature reserves and three national parks. Since the province is rural, the assumption was likelihood that households in the province depended on natural resources, specifically non-timber forest products for their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it was hypothesised that conserving natural resources, was likely to negatively impact on the livelihoods of most households adjacent to these areas, which in turn would influence their perceptions towards these resources and eventually the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This study aimed at examining the relationship between biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on four nature reserves – Tsolwana, Hluleka, Mkambati and Great Fish River. The objectives of the study were to: I I. Compare the vegetation productivity inside and outside, as well as land cover change in four nature reserves, as an indicator of conservation effectiveness. II II. Evaluate the relationship between biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in four nature reserves. III III. Evaluate how people’s expectations of nature reserves and perceptions towards nature reserve influence their support of conservation activities. Four hundred semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads of communities living at various distances from the four nature reserves, using a gradient design (based on distance). The motive of using distance was to assess whether livelihood status varied with distance from the nature reserves, since data on livelihood before the reserves’ establishment could not be obtained. Through a questionnaire survey, data on demographic information, livelihood assets, livelihood activities, livelihood strategies, livelihood trends, and impacts of the reserves on local communities were gathered. Focus group interviews were also conducted to complement the household surveys. A chi-square test was used to test if there was a relationship between distance from the reserves’ boundaries and local communities’ state of livelihoods. NVivo was used to analyse qualitative data Themes substantiated using literature. The study finds that the reserves did not have any impact on livelihood assets because most households in the study area did not directly depend on the resources found in the reserves. These households depended mostly on government grants and remittances from relatives working in other areas in the country. The reserves, however, supplied some goods and services to local communities, including meat, jobs, water, building materials, security from wild animals, education, skills development, and recreation. There were also a number of negative impacts associated with the reserves including resource use restrictions, harassment by reserves management, killing of domestic animals, and attacks on humans by wild animals escaping from the reserve. The majority (60%) of locals had substantive knowledge of the reserves’ role because of this awareness, 79% were supportive of reserves. However, there were mixed views by locals on the best way to manage these reserves. The most dominant view was that natural resources should be preserved for future generations, while meeting the current generation’s livelihood needs. Other lesser views included that the reserves’ management should involve locals in the management structures, either as active members or through consultation. Similarly, there were people feeling that the reserve is an obstacle to their livelihoods and should be closed and the land returned to the rightful owners. The vegetation productivity was better inside as compared to the outside the reserves. This activity also improved in the sixteen (16) years under assessment. This imply that the ecological functionality of the reserves is better than the surrounding areas and is improving with time. The research recommended that local communities could be an asset in conservation since most of them were in favour of the reserves. This, however, will need reserve managers to form workable partnerships with these communities, where the rights and responsibilities for both parties are defined. Besides these partnerships, lease agreements between local communities and reserves management to enhance benefits to the communities could encourage local communities to take pride in the natural resources within the reserves. This will ultimately becoming stewards to these resources. Development of tourism infrastructure such as curio shops and convenience stores to enhance livelihood opportunities could also help. For the local communities to be well represented it is important that the committees representing them in the various reserve matters be expanded and democratically elected. Where necessary, community awareness programmes on the importance of the reserves and the roles of local communities should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The significance of the local trade in natural resource products for livelihoods and poverty alleviation in South Africa
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Natural resources -- South Africa Selling -- Handicraft South Africa -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011731
- Description: What role can the commercialisation of natural resource products play in the efforts to reduce poverty and vulnerability and how can this be enhanced? With poverty alleviation at the top of the global development agenda, this is a question posed by many scholars, practitioners, donor agencies and government departments operating at the environment-development interface. However, recent commentary on this issue is mixed and ambiguous, with some observers being quite optimistic regarding the potential of these products, while others hold a counter view. This thesis explores the livelihood contributions and poverty alleviation potential of four products traded locally in the Bushbuckridge municipality, South Africa; namely traditional brooms, reed mats, woodcraft and a beer made from the fruits of Sclerocarya birrea. A common approach, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, was used to investigate the harvesting, processing and marketing arrangements, sustainability and livelihood contributions of each product. The results illustrate that any inference regarding the potential of the trade to alleviate poverty depends on how poverty is defined and interpreted, and on whether the role of these products is assessed from a holistic livelihood perspective that includes notions of vulnerability, alternatives and choice, diversification and the needs of rural producers themselves. Overall, the products studied were key in enhancing the livelihood security of the poorest members of society, forming an important safety net and assisting in raising household incomes to levels equivalent to the wider population, but generally were unlikely, on their own, to provide a route out of poverty. However, there were notable exceptions, with marked variation evident both within and across products. Incomes often surpassed local wage rates, and a minority of producers were obtaining returns equivalent to or greater than the official minimum wage. Other benefits, such as the opportunity to work from home or to diversify the livelihood portfolio, were also crucial, with the trade representing different livelihood strategies for different households. When viewed within the context of rising unemployment and HIV/AIDS these findings assume greater significance. While the trades were complex and growth limited, livelihood benefits could be improved on a sustainable basis if the sector was given the attention and support it deserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Natural resources -- South Africa Selling -- Handicraft South Africa -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011731
- Description: What role can the commercialisation of natural resource products play in the efforts to reduce poverty and vulnerability and how can this be enhanced? With poverty alleviation at the top of the global development agenda, this is a question posed by many scholars, practitioners, donor agencies and government departments operating at the environment-development interface. However, recent commentary on this issue is mixed and ambiguous, with some observers being quite optimistic regarding the potential of these products, while others hold a counter view. This thesis explores the livelihood contributions and poverty alleviation potential of four products traded locally in the Bushbuckridge municipality, South Africa; namely traditional brooms, reed mats, woodcraft and a beer made from the fruits of Sclerocarya birrea. A common approach, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, was used to investigate the harvesting, processing and marketing arrangements, sustainability and livelihood contributions of each product. The results illustrate that any inference regarding the potential of the trade to alleviate poverty depends on how poverty is defined and interpreted, and on whether the role of these products is assessed from a holistic livelihood perspective that includes notions of vulnerability, alternatives and choice, diversification and the needs of rural producers themselves. Overall, the products studied were key in enhancing the livelihood security of the poorest members of society, forming an important safety net and assisting in raising household incomes to levels equivalent to the wider population, but generally were unlikely, on their own, to provide a route out of poverty. However, there were notable exceptions, with marked variation evident both within and across products. Incomes often surpassed local wage rates, and a minority of producers were obtaining returns equivalent to or greater than the official minimum wage. Other benefits, such as the opportunity to work from home or to diversify the livelihood portfolio, were also crucial, with the trade representing different livelihood strategies for different households. When viewed within the context of rising unemployment and HIV/AIDS these findings assume greater significance. While the trades were complex and growth limited, livelihood benefits could be improved on a sustainable basis if the sector was given the attention and support it deserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Vulnerability and adaptation of Zanzibar east coast communities to climate variability and change and other interacting stressors
- Authors: Makame, Makame Omar
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Bioclimatology Global temperature changes Food security -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Water-supply -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Sustainable development -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Human ecology -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Zanzibar -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011895
- Description: Climate variability and change as well as sea level rise poses significant challenges to livelihoods, water and food security in small island developing states (SIDSs) including the Zanzibar Islands. Thus, without planned strategic adaptation, the future projected changes in climate and sea level will intensify the vulnerability of these sensitive areas. This thesis is based on research conducted in two sites located in the north eastern parts of each island, namely Kiuyu Mbuyuni, Pemba Island and Matemwe, Unguja Island. The research focused firstly on assessing the vulnerability of these two coastal communities to climate variability and change and other stressors. This included investigation of (1) the perceptions of fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers regarding climate stressors and shocks and associated risks and impacts, (2) existing and possible future water and food security issues, and (3) household's access to important livelihood assets. This was followed by an exploration of the coping and adaptive responses of farmers, fishers and seaweed farmers to perceived shocks and stresses and some of the barriers to these responses. Lastly, an analysis of the implications of the findings for achieving sustainable coastal livelihoods and a resilient coastal community was undertaken. The general picture that emerges is that local people along the east coasts of both islands are already vulnerable to a wide range of stressors. Although variability in rainfall is not a new phenomenon in these areas, increasing frequency of dry spells and coastal floods resulting from the influence of El Niño and La Niña events exert enormous pressures on local activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) which are the crux of the local economy. The main argument of the study is that the nature and characteristics of these activities are the main source of sensitivity amongst these communities and this creates high levels of vulnerability to climate shocks and trends. This vulnerability is evidenced by the reoccurrence of localised food shortages and the observed food and water insecurity. The study found that food insecurity is a result of unreliable rainfall, drought and seasonality changes. These interacted with other contextual factors such as poor soil, low purchasing power and the lack of livelihood diversification options. In addition to exposure to these almost unavoidable risks from climate variability, the vulnerability of the local communities along the east coasts is also influenced by the low level of capital stocks and limited access to the assets that are important for coping and adaptation. Despite this, some households managed to overcome barriers and adapt in various ways both within the three main livelihood sectors (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) as well as through adopting options outside these sectors resulting in diversification of the livelihood portfolio. However, the study found that most of the strategies opted for by fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers were mainly spontaneous. Few planned adaptation measures supported by state authorities were observed across the sites, with the exception of the provision of motorised boats which were specifically meant to increase physical assets amongst fishers, reduce pressure in the marine conservation areas and prevent overfishing in-shore. Furthermore, numerous strategies that people adopted were discontinued when further barriers were encountered. Interestingly, some of the barriers that prevented households adapting were the same ones that forced households that had responded to abandon their adaptations. To increase resilience amongst east coast communities to current and future predicted changes in climate and sea level, the study argues that traditional livelihood activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) need to be better supported, and access to a range of livelihood assets improved. This may be achieved through increased access to local sources of water and facilitation of rainwater harvesting, expanding the livelihood options available to people and increasing climate change awareness, and access to sources of credit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Makame, Makame Omar
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Bioclimatology Global temperature changes Food security -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Water-supply -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Sustainable development -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Human ecology -- Tanzania -- Zanzibar Zanzibar -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011895
- Description: Climate variability and change as well as sea level rise poses significant challenges to livelihoods, water and food security in small island developing states (SIDSs) including the Zanzibar Islands. Thus, without planned strategic adaptation, the future projected changes in climate and sea level will intensify the vulnerability of these sensitive areas. This thesis is based on research conducted in two sites located in the north eastern parts of each island, namely Kiuyu Mbuyuni, Pemba Island and Matemwe, Unguja Island. The research focused firstly on assessing the vulnerability of these two coastal communities to climate variability and change and other stressors. This included investigation of (1) the perceptions of fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers regarding climate stressors and shocks and associated risks and impacts, (2) existing and possible future water and food security issues, and (3) household's access to important livelihood assets. This was followed by an exploration of the coping and adaptive responses of farmers, fishers and seaweed farmers to perceived shocks and stresses and some of the barriers to these responses. Lastly, an analysis of the implications of the findings for achieving sustainable coastal livelihoods and a resilient coastal community was undertaken. The general picture that emerges is that local people along the east coasts of both islands are already vulnerable to a wide range of stressors. Although variability in rainfall is not a new phenomenon in these areas, increasing frequency of dry spells and coastal floods resulting from the influence of El Niño and La Niña events exert enormous pressures on local activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) which are the crux of the local economy. The main argument of the study is that the nature and characteristics of these activities are the main source of sensitivity amongst these communities and this creates high levels of vulnerability to climate shocks and trends. This vulnerability is evidenced by the reoccurrence of localised food shortages and the observed food and water insecurity. The study found that food insecurity is a result of unreliable rainfall, drought and seasonality changes. These interacted with other contextual factors such as poor soil, low purchasing power and the lack of livelihood diversification options. In addition to exposure to these almost unavoidable risks from climate variability, the vulnerability of the local communities along the east coasts is also influenced by the low level of capital stocks and limited access to the assets that are important for coping and adaptation. Despite this, some households managed to overcome barriers and adapt in various ways both within the three main livelihood sectors (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) as well as through adopting options outside these sectors resulting in diversification of the livelihood portfolio. However, the study found that most of the strategies opted for by fishers, farmers and seaweed farmers were mainly spontaneous. Few planned adaptation measures supported by state authorities were observed across the sites, with the exception of the provision of motorised boats which were specifically meant to increase physical assets amongst fishers, reduce pressure in the marine conservation areas and prevent overfishing in-shore. Furthermore, numerous strategies that people adopted were discontinued when further barriers were encountered. Interestingly, some of the barriers that prevented households adapting were the same ones that forced households that had responded to abandon their adaptations. To increase resilience amongst east coast communities to current and future predicted changes in climate and sea level, the study argues that traditional livelihood activities (fishing, farming and seaweed farming) need to be better supported, and access to a range of livelihood assets improved. This may be achieved through increased access to local sources of water and facilitation of rainwater harvesting, expanding the livelihood options available to people and increasing climate change awareness, and access to sources of credit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Geomorphological connectivity and sensitivity examined in a recently degraded gravel-bed stream: implications for river-floodplain rehabilitation
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Powell, Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53722 , vital:26313
- Description: The study of river complexity and sensitivity to future human land-use activities and climate change is a fast growing field within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology. Associated with this is a need to improve river rehabilitation and catchment management approach, design and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate drivers of the recent geomorphological sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, an upland system in South Africa, by integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy. The understanding generated was used to evaluate the approach of the State agency, Working for Wetlands (WfWet), to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the catchment.The concepts of geomorphological connectivity and Panarchy provide useful frameworks for understanding interactions between geomorphological processes and structure across scales of space and time. Geomorphological connectivity explains the degree to which water and sediment is linked in a river landscape, determined by the distribution of erosional and depositional landforms (Brierley et al. 2006; Fryirs et al. 2007a; Fryirs et al. 2007b). Panarchy attempts to explain lagged response to disturbances, non-linear interactions, and sudden shifts in system state, and has been applied largely to ecological systems. Panarchy theory, when combined with the concept of geomorphological connectivity, provides a guiding framework for understanding river complexity in greater depth. The first results chapter of this study investigated river long-term and recent geomorphological history, towards understanding the nature and timing of river geomorphological cycling between erosion and deposition. Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of alluvial fan and floodplain sedimentary units was conducted, for analysis of river-floodplain long-term history (100s to 1 000s of years). Interviews with 11 local landowners, combined with analysis of historic aerial imagery and river-floodplain topographic surveys, provided a means of describing recent (last few decades) geomorphological dynamics. The results indicated that the Baviaanskloof is naturally a cut- and-fill landscape over scales of several hundred to thousands of years, characterized by the alternation between phases of high fluvial energy and alluvial fan expansion, and low energy conditions associated with floodplain accretion. Recent and widespread river-floodplain degradation was compressed into a short period of approximately 30 years, suggesting that one or more drivers have pushed the system beyond a threshold, resulting in increased water and sediment connectivity. The second results chapter investigated the role of human land-use activities and flooding frequency and magnitude, as drivers of recent river-floodplain degradation. Human impacts were investigated by describing land-use activities for the preceding 80 years, and relating these activities to changes in river-floodplain form and behavior. Temporal trends in flood events of different frequency and magnitude were investigated by analyzing rainfall data, integrated with landowner reports of flood-inducing rainfall magnitudes. The findings indicated that human land-use activities have been an important driver of recent river- floodplain degradation, through the enhancement of water and sediment connectivity across spatial scales of the catchment. Episodic and high magnitude floods synergized with human driven increased connectivity, precipitating stream power and geomorphological threshold breaches, resulting in a shift in river behaviour. The third results chapter investigated the influence of tributary-junction streams and fans on the geomorphological form, behavior and sensitivity of the Baviaanskloof River. Local- scale topographic impacts of tributary fans and streams were described using topographic surveys and geomorphological mapping techniques. Tributary streams form a major control on the behaviour of the river, by influencing the degree of coarse sediment connectivity with the main channel. Although tributary fans buffer the river from disturbances occurring in the wider catchment, they initiate topographic variations along the floodplain, influencing local-scale patterns of deposition and erosion along the river. The main river responds to water and sediment inputs from tributary junction streams by locally adjusting longitudinal slope, maintaining an overall constant slope of 0.0066 m/m. The response of the Baviaanskloof River to tributary junction fans and streams is however variable, and is fashioned by complex interactions between geomorphological and anthropogenic factors. The final two chapters of the thesis evaluate the findings of the study within the context of river-floodplain rehabilitation approaches in South Africa, and within the theoretical, philosophical and methodological context of the research. The first of these two chapters evaluates the approach of the WfWet programme to river-floodplain rehabilitation in the Baviaanskloof. The chapter indicates that the present practice of WfWet is to reinstate a pre-degradation state, which is not suited to the Baviaanskloof River-floodplain, since the river-floodplain has passed a geomorphological threshold, resulting in a new set of interacting processes and landforms. The author presents a conceptual model illustrating the existence of geomorphological adaptive cycles interacting across spatial and temporal scales, thereby attempting to explain a river Panarchy specific to the Baviaanskloof. From this conceptual model, a hierarchical rehabilitation framework, targeting geomorphological processes and structure situated at different spatial and temporal scales of the landscape is suggested. The final chapter discusses the implications of integrating the concepts of geomorphological connectivity and river Panarchy theory in studies of river complexity and sensitivity to geomorphological change. The author suggests that there is scope for further investigation of the application of the two concepts within the discipline of fluvial geomorphology, particularly with regard to developing quantitative approaches to measuring and describing connectivity and Panarchy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Dryland conservation areas, indigenous people, livelihoods and natural resource values in South Africa: the case of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Human ecology -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Arid regions biodiversity conservation -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Arid regions agriculture -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Indigenous peoples -- Ecology -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources conservation areas -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources -- Government policy -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011732
- Description: Contemporary conservation and development understanding in both policy and academic circles espouses that natural resources have a significant contribution to the livelihoods of local people and that knowledge of this can better foster conservation policies that are consistent with livelihood and ecological needs. This thesis is based on research conducted in the southern Kalahari region, South Africa among the San and Mier communities bordering Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It looks at the importance of natural resources to the San and Mier community groups and ascertains the extent of resource use and its value within broader livelihood portfolios. It also focuses on the cultural values of natural resources and interactions among institutions and actors and how these shape natural resource governance and livelihood outcomes. Overall, natural resources represent an important livelihood source contributing up to 32 % and 9 % of the total income of the San and Mier respectively or up to 46 % and 23 % if livestock incomes are included. However, the dependence on, diversification patterns and distribution of natural resource income vary substantially between and within the two communities. With regards to the cultural values attached to natural resources by the San and Mier, the findings show that these arise from an incredibly diverse and sometimes conflicting array of values that punctuate the two communities’ way of life and they are inextricably linked to resource use. Lastly, governance of natural resources in the co-managed Park and communitymanaged resettlement farms is characterised by complex institutional arrangements, compounded by the existence of multiple actors that have multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives – as shaped by different meanings and interpretations of natural resources. Heightened inter- and intra-community conflicts are common, notably resource use conflicts between the San and Mier and between the San ‘modernist’ and ‘traditionalist’ groups. This demonstrates that the communities’ livelihood dynamics in general and the dependence on natural resources in particular, are closely linked with ecological, economic and social factors including history, culture and present livelihood needs. By exploring the social-environment interactions, the study highlights the complexities and diversity of resource use for livelihoods that should be taken into consideration for both conservation and development policy interventions and research. The main argument of the study is that the contribution of natural resources to local livelihood portfolios in co- and community-managed areas, can be better understood through a consideration of cultural dynamics and institutional arrangements since these condition natural resource access, value and use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Human ecology -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Arid regions biodiversity conservation -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Arid regions agriculture -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Indigenous peoples -- Ecology -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources conservation areas -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources -- Government policy -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) Natural resources -- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana and South Africa) -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011732
- Description: Contemporary conservation and development understanding in both policy and academic circles espouses that natural resources have a significant contribution to the livelihoods of local people and that knowledge of this can better foster conservation policies that are consistent with livelihood and ecological needs. This thesis is based on research conducted in the southern Kalahari region, South Africa among the San and Mier communities bordering Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It looks at the importance of natural resources to the San and Mier community groups and ascertains the extent of resource use and its value within broader livelihood portfolios. It also focuses on the cultural values of natural resources and interactions among institutions and actors and how these shape natural resource governance and livelihood outcomes. Overall, natural resources represent an important livelihood source contributing up to 32 % and 9 % of the total income of the San and Mier respectively or up to 46 % and 23 % if livestock incomes are included. However, the dependence on, diversification patterns and distribution of natural resource income vary substantially between and within the two communities. With regards to the cultural values attached to natural resources by the San and Mier, the findings show that these arise from an incredibly diverse and sometimes conflicting array of values that punctuate the two communities’ way of life and they are inextricably linked to resource use. Lastly, governance of natural resources in the co-managed Park and communitymanaged resettlement farms is characterised by complex institutional arrangements, compounded by the existence of multiple actors that have multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives – as shaped by different meanings and interpretations of natural resources. Heightened inter- and intra-community conflicts are common, notably resource use conflicts between the San and Mier and between the San ‘modernist’ and ‘traditionalist’ groups. This demonstrates that the communities’ livelihood dynamics in general and the dependence on natural resources in particular, are closely linked with ecological, economic and social factors including history, culture and present livelihood needs. By exploring the social-environment interactions, the study highlights the complexities and diversity of resource use for livelihoods that should be taken into consideration for both conservation and development policy interventions and research. The main argument of the study is that the contribution of natural resources to local livelihood portfolios in co- and community-managed areas, can be better understood through a consideration of cultural dynamics and institutional arrangements since these condition natural resource access, value and use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Barriers to and enablers of climate change adaptation in four South African municipalities, and implications for community based adaptation
- Authors: Spires, Meggan Hazel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Risk management -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Government policy -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018913
- Description: The focus of this study is on understanding the multiple and interacting factors that hinder or enable municipal planned climate change adaptation, here called barriers and enablers respectively, and their implications for community based adaptation. To do this I developed a conceptual framework of barriers to and enablers of planned climate change adaptation, which informed a systematic literature review of barriers to planned community based adaptation in developing countries. In this framework barriers were grouped into resource, social and physical barriers. I then conducted empirical case study analysis using qualitative research methods in four South African municipalities to understand what barriers and enablers manifested in these contexts. In light of the reflexive nature of my methodology, my framework was adjusted based on my empirical findings, where contextual barriers were found to better represent the empirical results and subsumed physical barriers. I found my framework useful for analysis, but in the empirical cases, barriers and enablers overlaid and interacted so significantly that in reality it was often difficult to separate them. A key finding was that enablers tended to be more about the way things are done, as opposed to direct opposites of barriers. Comparison of barriers and enablers across the case studies revealed a number of key themes. Municipalities struggle to implement climate change adaptation and community based adaptation within contexts of significant social, economic and ecological challenges. These contextual barriers, when combined with certain cognitive barriers, lead to reactive responses. Existing municipal systems and structures make it difficult to enable climate change adaptation, which is inherently cross‐sectoral and messy, and especially community based adaptation that is bottom‐up and participatory. Lack of locally applicable knowledge, funding and human resources were found to be significant resource barriers, and were often underlain by social barriers relating to perceptions, norms, discourses and governance challenges. Enablers of engaged officials, operating within enabling organisational environments and drawing on partnerships and networks, were able to overcome or circumvent these barriers. When these enablers coincided with windows of opportunity that increased the prioritisation of climate change within the municipality, projects with ancillary benefits were often implemented. Analysis of the barriers and enablers identified in the literature and case studies, informed discussion on whether municipalities are able to implement community based adaptation as defined in the literature, as well as the development of recommendations for how municipal planned climate change adaptation and community based adaptation can be further understood and enabled in the future. These recommendations for practice and research include: (a) To acknowledge and understand the conceptual framings of municipal climate change work, as these framings inform the climate change agenda that is pursued, and hence what municipal climate change adaptation work is done and how it was done. (b) The need for further research into the social barriers that influence the vital enablers of engaged officials, enabling organisational environments, and partnerships and networks. (c) To learn from pilot community‐level interventions that have been implemented by municipalities, as well as from other disciplines and municipalities. (d) To develop top‐down/bottom‐up approaches to enable municipal planned climate change adaptation and community based adaptation, that benefits from high level support and guidance, as well as local level flexibility and learning‐by‐doing. (e) To develop viable mechanisms for municipalities to better engage with the communities they serve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Spires, Meggan Hazel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Risk management -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- Government policy -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4787 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018913
- Description: The focus of this study is on understanding the multiple and interacting factors that hinder or enable municipal planned climate change adaptation, here called barriers and enablers respectively, and their implications for community based adaptation. To do this I developed a conceptual framework of barriers to and enablers of planned climate change adaptation, which informed a systematic literature review of barriers to planned community based adaptation in developing countries. In this framework barriers were grouped into resource, social and physical barriers. I then conducted empirical case study analysis using qualitative research methods in four South African municipalities to understand what barriers and enablers manifested in these contexts. In light of the reflexive nature of my methodology, my framework was adjusted based on my empirical findings, where contextual barriers were found to better represent the empirical results and subsumed physical barriers. I found my framework useful for analysis, but in the empirical cases, barriers and enablers overlaid and interacted so significantly that in reality it was often difficult to separate them. A key finding was that enablers tended to be more about the way things are done, as opposed to direct opposites of barriers. Comparison of barriers and enablers across the case studies revealed a number of key themes. Municipalities struggle to implement climate change adaptation and community based adaptation within contexts of significant social, economic and ecological challenges. These contextual barriers, when combined with certain cognitive barriers, lead to reactive responses. Existing municipal systems and structures make it difficult to enable climate change adaptation, which is inherently cross‐sectoral and messy, and especially community based adaptation that is bottom‐up and participatory. Lack of locally applicable knowledge, funding and human resources were found to be significant resource barriers, and were often underlain by social barriers relating to perceptions, norms, discourses and governance challenges. Enablers of engaged officials, operating within enabling organisational environments and drawing on partnerships and networks, were able to overcome or circumvent these barriers. When these enablers coincided with windows of opportunity that increased the prioritisation of climate change within the municipality, projects with ancillary benefits were often implemented. Analysis of the barriers and enablers identified in the literature and case studies, informed discussion on whether municipalities are able to implement community based adaptation as defined in the literature, as well as the development of recommendations for how municipal planned climate change adaptation and community based adaptation can be further understood and enabled in the future. These recommendations for practice and research include: (a) To acknowledge and understand the conceptual framings of municipal climate change work, as these framings inform the climate change agenda that is pursued, and hence what municipal climate change adaptation work is done and how it was done. (b) The need for further research into the social barriers that influence the vital enablers of engaged officials, enabling organisational environments, and partnerships and networks. (c) To learn from pilot community‐level interventions that have been implemented by municipalities, as well as from other disciplines and municipalities. (d) To develop top‐down/bottom‐up approaches to enable municipal planned climate change adaptation and community based adaptation, that benefits from high level support and guidance, as well as local level flexibility and learning‐by‐doing. (e) To develop viable mechanisms for municipalities to better engage with the communities they serve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Forest governance, conservation and livelihoods: the case of forest protected areas and local communities in north-western Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mutekwa, Vurayai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7396 , vital:21254
- Description: Forest protected areas (FPAs) constitute one of the main strategies for achieving the triple benefits of biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance and climate regulation. The quality of FPA governance plays a major role in the achievement of these conservation objectives. Governance encompasses policies, institutions, actors, processes and power and how they interplay to determine conservation outcomes. Currently, no research has systematically explored the historical and contemporary governance of Zimbabwe’s protected indigenous forests and its implications on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods. This is despite the fact that improving forest governance depends on learning from those that prevailed in the past as well as those currently obtaining on the ground in terms of how they have performed in relation to conservation and livelihood sustenance. This study assessed Zimbabwe’s historical and contemporary FPA governance and its implications on social and ecological outcomes. The overall rationale of the study was to provide evidence of the impact of past governance arrangements on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, improve understanding of the current governance arrangements and propose future FPA governance strategies and mechanisms to enhance conservation and local communities’ livelihood outcomes. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize and collate historical governance of FPAs in western Zimbabwe, 2) evaluate the impact of governance on forest condition and local communities’ livelihoods, 3) explore the nature of contemporary governance at the forest level, and 4) propose the governance model for Zimbabwe’s FPAs into the future. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods including the systematic literature review methodology. Using specific case studies of indigenous FPAs in western Zimbabwe as examples, the study initially evaluated through literature review (Chapter 2) the history of forest governance in Zimbabwe showing how four main powers (force, regulation, market and legitimation) led to different types of local community exclusion and how community agency countered exclusion especially from the year 2000 to date. Chapter 3 uses six case study forests to assess the quality of historical FPA governance by analyzing the application of seven governance principles. The results showed that the quality of governance was high during precolonial times, deteriorated with the inception of colonialism and remained poor after independence in 1980. Forest condition also varied in tandem with the quality of governance variations showing a positive relationship between the two variables. Participation in decision making, fairness in sharing benefits and effective rule enforcement emerged as key principles for FPA authorities to earn local community support and improve forest condition. Chapter 4 employed remote sensing techniques to determine the impact of governance on FPA land cover change by comparing FPAs with in situ and ex situ inhabitants. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between governance quality and land cover change. FPAs with in situ inhabitants experienced higher forest loss than those with ex situ inhabitants. Poor governance accelerated forest conversion to other land uses particularly agriculture and settlement. Chapter 5 explored contemporary FPA governance at the forest level. Results showed that human agency that led to the invasion of FPAs from the year 2000 onwards disrupted the governance arrangements that were previously in place subjecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs to near open access by local communities and other actors. The FPAs’ contemporary governance is characterized by involvement of multiple actors with diverse interests, lack of Forestry Commission legitimacy, very low levels of local people’s participation in decision making and rule enforcement, lack of compliance with FPA rules and actual benefits that do not match local communities’ expectations. Overall, the study has revealed the ineffectiveness of the conventional centralized FPA governance in achieving positive conservation and local communities’ livelihoods outcomes. The study recommended a shift from conventional centralized governance to pro-people adaptive collaborative management (ACM). This has the potential to address most of the governance ills affecting Zimbabwe’s FPAs if it is designed and implemented with the full commitment of all relevant actors. This governance approach should, however, avoid some of the pitfalls such as elite capture, corruption in benefit sharing, gender inequality and technocratic professional management approaches that have characterized some collaborative governance systems in developing countries further perpetuating marginalization and poverty amongst local communities. Forestry Commission must also exercise visionary leadership and motivation. ACM becomes possible through leadership, vision, establishment and maintenance of links through culture and management and high levels of motivation. Designing and implementing ACM avoiding the highlighted pitfalls improves the capacity of the FPAs to continue providing social and ecological benefits such as improvement of local communities’ livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Barriers to, and enablers of urban tree planting in low-cost housing areas: lessons from participatory learning processes in South Africa
- Authors: Gwedla, Nanamhla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Urban ecology (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tree planting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Trees in cities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban forestry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167065 , vital:41434
- Description: The recent pronouncement of low-cost housing areas as sustainable human settlements came with an expectation for their development in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Unfortunately, the historical legacy and various socio-economic, socio-political, and socio-cultural dynamics characteristic of these areas have proven it challenging for them to conform to all requirements of urban sustainability, as evidenced in part by the virtual lack of greenspaces and urban trees. Through a three-tier inquiry of urban tree planting in low-cost housing areas using inductive and deductive mixed methods approaches, the aim of this research was to investigate the barriers to, and enablers of, tree planting in low-cost housing areas, and explore participatory learning opportunities to address the challenges and enhance the enablers. In the first segment, a participatory urban forest governance conceptual framing lens was used to situate the various actors in the development of the low-cost housing area urban forest and the dynamics of their involvement in that regard. Inquiry focused on an overview of tree planting across South Africa using key informant interviews, observations and document analysis. Secondly, distribution of trees, and barriers and enablers of tree planting in selected low-cost housing areas in the Eastern Cape province using household surveys, observations, key informant interviews and document analysis were investigated. Finally, drawing on interventionist methodology and adoption of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the third segment tested scenarios of tree planting in three different small towns through focus group discussions and knowledge-sharing awareness events about trees and tree planting using an activity systems approach. Findings from the first segment ascertain the national Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) as the custodian of forestry, and by extension urban forestry in South Africa. Municipalities are tasked with implementing greening plans and strategies for public space planting, while private businesses collaborate with entities to contribute to tree-planting as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Civil society, including residents and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) also contribute, especially for private space planting. However, there are currently very few initiatives implemented in low-cost housing areas. An assessment of ten tree planting initiatives revealed that the DEFF is the most common partner and stakeholder, and normally provides resources such as funding and trees. Most programs reported having undertaken community engagement before and during the tree planting. The general outcomes of these initiatives were centred on the survival rate of trees, job creation, and development of parks and gardens. Findings from the first part of the second segment, conducted in eight small-medium sized towns in the Eastern Cape, revealed a general lack of trees along streets of both the newly developed and old low-cost housing areas. In the private spaces, most households (52 %) reported having at least one tree in their yard, with households in the older suburbs (60 %) reporting more trees than the newer ones (44 %). Most of these trees (66 %) had been planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Previous participation in urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future. Municipal officials from these towns corroborated that they do not host tree planting events or initiatives, which was demonstrated by the limited incorporation of urban forestry and urban greening in municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDP). In the second part of the second segment, three groupings of barriers and enablers into biophysical, social, and resources revealed that the most mentioned barriers for the private space were resource barriers. The most prominent barriers were limited space in people’s yards, insufficient funds for tree purchases and associated resources, the lack of equipment, and damage to planted trees. Private space enablers of tree planting suggested include the availability of funds, allocation of space, and changes in attitudes towards trees. According to residents, the most prominent barriers to public space planting include the perceived incompetence of municipalities, limited space on the street, insufficient funds for tree planting programmes, damage to trees in public spaces, crime associated with street trees, and politics. Additionally, municipal officials reported that their efforts to plant trees were hindered by lack of communication and coordination between municipal departments. Residents suggested that enlisting the skills of residents for tree planting, engaging in education and awareness initiatives about trees and tree planting, and changing attitudes towards trees could enable tree planting. Municipal officials opined that education and awareness, revisions to and implementation of Environmental Management Plans, and inter-departmental collaborations and partnerships could improve the prospects for public space planting. Drawing on key findings from the second segment, an intervention to involve communities in tree planting using a case study approach in three towns ensued. Here an activity systems analysis of participatory tree planting initiatives was used. Findings revealed an array of multi-activity systems with multiple and partially overlapping objectives related to tree planting. Residents demonstrated that, with support, they can champion urban tree planting for their suburbs. However, contradictions and tensions within and between various activity systems emerged, creating opportunities for the expansive transformation of an activity that was previously not a priority. This study highlights the current distribution of power and resources in the governance system of the urban forest, ascertains the spatial heterogeneity of urban trees in areas of a similar socio-economic context, and provides lessons for best-practice in tree planting that involves multiple actors. It provides in-depth insights into what constrains tree planting, and highlights the importance of residents in the governance system of urban forests and how this can constrain or advance tree planting. Further research in participatory urban forest governance for a developing country, low-income context could utilize an expansive learning platform as this will provide first-hand experiences into learning what is not yet there, and provide communities with the opportunities to explore and devise localized solutions to the lack of trees in their residential areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gwedla, Nanamhla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Urban ecology (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tree planting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Trees in cities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban forestry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167065 , vital:41434
- Description: The recent pronouncement of low-cost housing areas as sustainable human settlements came with an expectation for their development in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Unfortunately, the historical legacy and various socio-economic, socio-political, and socio-cultural dynamics characteristic of these areas have proven it challenging for them to conform to all requirements of urban sustainability, as evidenced in part by the virtual lack of greenspaces and urban trees. Through a three-tier inquiry of urban tree planting in low-cost housing areas using inductive and deductive mixed methods approaches, the aim of this research was to investigate the barriers to, and enablers of, tree planting in low-cost housing areas, and explore participatory learning opportunities to address the challenges and enhance the enablers. In the first segment, a participatory urban forest governance conceptual framing lens was used to situate the various actors in the development of the low-cost housing area urban forest and the dynamics of their involvement in that regard. Inquiry focused on an overview of tree planting across South Africa using key informant interviews, observations and document analysis. Secondly, distribution of trees, and barriers and enablers of tree planting in selected low-cost housing areas in the Eastern Cape province using household surveys, observations, key informant interviews and document analysis were investigated. Finally, drawing on interventionist methodology and adoption of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the third segment tested scenarios of tree planting in three different small towns through focus group discussions and knowledge-sharing awareness events about trees and tree planting using an activity systems approach. Findings from the first segment ascertain the national Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) as the custodian of forestry, and by extension urban forestry in South Africa. Municipalities are tasked with implementing greening plans and strategies for public space planting, while private businesses collaborate with entities to contribute to tree-planting as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Civil society, including residents and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) also contribute, especially for private space planting. However, there are currently very few initiatives implemented in low-cost housing areas. An assessment of ten tree planting initiatives revealed that the DEFF is the most common partner and stakeholder, and normally provides resources such as funding and trees. Most programs reported having undertaken community engagement before and during the tree planting. The general outcomes of these initiatives were centred on the survival rate of trees, job creation, and development of parks and gardens. Findings from the first part of the second segment, conducted in eight small-medium sized towns in the Eastern Cape, revealed a general lack of trees along streets of both the newly developed and old low-cost housing areas. In the private spaces, most households (52 %) reported having at least one tree in their yard, with households in the older suburbs (60 %) reporting more trees than the newer ones (44 %). Most of these trees (66 %) had been planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Previous participation in urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future. Municipal officials from these towns corroborated that they do not host tree planting events or initiatives, which was demonstrated by the limited incorporation of urban forestry and urban greening in municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDP). In the second part of the second segment, three groupings of barriers and enablers into biophysical, social, and resources revealed that the most mentioned barriers for the private space were resource barriers. The most prominent barriers were limited space in people’s yards, insufficient funds for tree purchases and associated resources, the lack of equipment, and damage to planted trees. Private space enablers of tree planting suggested include the availability of funds, allocation of space, and changes in attitudes towards trees. According to residents, the most prominent barriers to public space planting include the perceived incompetence of municipalities, limited space on the street, insufficient funds for tree planting programmes, damage to trees in public spaces, crime associated with street trees, and politics. Additionally, municipal officials reported that their efforts to plant trees were hindered by lack of communication and coordination between municipal departments. Residents suggested that enlisting the skills of residents for tree planting, engaging in education and awareness initiatives about trees and tree planting, and changing attitudes towards trees could enable tree planting. Municipal officials opined that education and awareness, revisions to and implementation of Environmental Management Plans, and inter-departmental collaborations and partnerships could improve the prospects for public space planting. Drawing on key findings from the second segment, an intervention to involve communities in tree planting using a case study approach in three towns ensued. Here an activity systems analysis of participatory tree planting initiatives was used. Findings revealed an array of multi-activity systems with multiple and partially overlapping objectives related to tree planting. Residents demonstrated that, with support, they can champion urban tree planting for their suburbs. However, contradictions and tensions within and between various activity systems emerged, creating opportunities for the expansive transformation of an activity that was previously not a priority. This study highlights the current distribution of power and resources in the governance system of the urban forest, ascertains the spatial heterogeneity of urban trees in areas of a similar socio-economic context, and provides lessons for best-practice in tree planting that involves multiple actors. It provides in-depth insights into what constrains tree planting, and highlights the importance of residents in the governance system of urban forests and how this can constrain or advance tree planting. Further research in participatory urban forest governance for a developing country, low-income context could utilize an expansive learning platform as this will provide first-hand experiences into learning what is not yet there, and provide communities with the opportunities to explore and devise localized solutions to the lack of trees in their residential areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Conserving land for people: transformative adaptive co-management of sustainable protected areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Kalyongo, Kujirakwinja Deo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Protected areas -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Government policy -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Conservation of natural resources -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165912 , vital:41296
- Description: Conservation practices and approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as in other parts of the world, have evolved from traditional to fortress and collaborative contemporary approaches such as adaptive co-management. These approaches aim to include multiple decision-makers using diversified resources and, existing formal and informal governance structures. Collaborative approaches also consider conflict resolution and external factors that can influence conservation outputs and outcomes. In the DRC context, conflicts over resources are related not only to resource access and power but also to the ineffectiveness of collaborative approaches that exclude stakeholders such as local communities. These conflicts have negatively affected protected areas and weakened the management and governance of protected areas. Therefore, evolving approaches such as adaptive co-management that consider power relations, the multi-scaled involvement of actors and learning loops to adjust strategies are seen as better options to improve the governance of protected areas and minimise the degradation of key ecosystems. My research explored the gazettement processes of three protected areas in the eastern DRC (Itombwe, Kabobo and Okapi Reserves). I focused on the influence of social-political, historical and psychological factors on the management and governance of protected areas in the DRC. In addition, the research reveals the inclusive gazettement processes of protected areas is the foundation of successful co-management approaches. I found that values and good governance practices play a key role in influencing local perceptions and support to conservation interventions. Whilst some conservation practitioners believe that economic benefits to communities are the most predominant motivating factor, I found that good conservation management practices can motivate communities to support protected area management. Bad management practices were related not only to inadequate conservation approaches and practices but also to factors such as corruption, inadequate law enforcement and the inappropriate equipment of rangers. Therefore, I suggest that long term protected area management in DRC should consider how the value of resources for communities and protected areas have been changing throughout the history of conservation, and how to best share power and responsibilities with local resource users and stakeholders. This is only possible if conservation practices and approaches, governance process and institutions are transformed at multiple levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kalyongo, Kujirakwinja Deo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Protected areas -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Government policy -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Protected areas -- Management -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Conservation of natural resources -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165912 , vital:41296
- Description: Conservation practices and approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as in other parts of the world, have evolved from traditional to fortress and collaborative contemporary approaches such as adaptive co-management. These approaches aim to include multiple decision-makers using diversified resources and, existing formal and informal governance structures. Collaborative approaches also consider conflict resolution and external factors that can influence conservation outputs and outcomes. In the DRC context, conflicts over resources are related not only to resource access and power but also to the ineffectiveness of collaborative approaches that exclude stakeholders such as local communities. These conflicts have negatively affected protected areas and weakened the management and governance of protected areas. Therefore, evolving approaches such as adaptive co-management that consider power relations, the multi-scaled involvement of actors and learning loops to adjust strategies are seen as better options to improve the governance of protected areas and minimise the degradation of key ecosystems. My research explored the gazettement processes of three protected areas in the eastern DRC (Itombwe, Kabobo and Okapi Reserves). I focused on the influence of social-political, historical and psychological factors on the management and governance of protected areas in the DRC. In addition, the research reveals the inclusive gazettement processes of protected areas is the foundation of successful co-management approaches. I found that values and good governance practices play a key role in influencing local perceptions and support to conservation interventions. Whilst some conservation practitioners believe that economic benefits to communities are the most predominant motivating factor, I found that good conservation management practices can motivate communities to support protected area management. Bad management practices were related not only to inadequate conservation approaches and practices but also to factors such as corruption, inadequate law enforcement and the inappropriate equipment of rangers. Therefore, I suggest that long term protected area management in DRC should consider how the value of resources for communities and protected areas have been changing throughout the history of conservation, and how to best share power and responsibilities with local resource users and stakeholders. This is only possible if conservation practices and approaches, governance process and institutions are transformed at multiple levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The impact of HIV and AIDS on household food security and food acquisition strategies in South Africa
- Authors: Kaschula, S A H
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa Food supply -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa Chronically ill -- Economic conditions -- South Africa Chronically ill -- Social conditions -- South Africa Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Rural development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007137
- Description: How should the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural livelihoods be factored into efforts to monitor and stabilise household food security? With both HIV and AIDS and food security at the top of the global development agenda, this is a question posed by many scholars, practitioners, donor agencies and government departments. However, while there is an excess of discourse outlining the theoretical bases for how HIV and AIDS can, and is, radically transforming household food acquisition; there is a lack of empirical evidence from the South African context that demonstrates if, and how, HIV and AIDS changes household-level strategies of food acquisition and intake. This thesis explores the association of household-level mortality, chronic illness and additional child-dependent fostering with household experience of food security and food acquisition strategies, in three rural villages in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data-collection were applied to 307 households in the three sites. For twelve months, both HIV and AIDS-afflicted and non-afflicted households were repeatedly visited at 3-month intervals, in order to be assessed for levels of food security, dietary intake and method of food procurement (purchased, cultivated, wild or donated). Overall, HIV and AIDS-afflicted households showed a significantly higher experience of food insecurity, probably attributable to shortages in food quantity. Dietary composition and overall diversity, however, was not significantly different. Although households with chronic illness and recent mortality showed a heightened investment in cultivation sources, the success of these strategies were to a great extent mediated by household income, and the level of medical treatment received by those who were chronically ill. Chronic illness was also associated with more donations, but these required considerable investments in social capital networks. Finally, use of wild leafy vegetables was not associated with household HIV and AIDS status, despite the financial, nutritional and labour-saving properties of these foods. Overall, the study suggests that there was little evidence of long-term planning and strategy in household food security responses. There was no evidence for shifts to labour-saving crops or foods and, in some instances, child labour was being used to ameliorate prime-adult labour deficits. Moreover, given that the vast majority (89.2%) of food groups were sourced through purchase, it is questionable whether investing in diverse food acquisition strategies would be advisable. Unless supported by medical treatment and steady earned household income, policies to promote intensified household agricultural subsistence production in the wake of HIV and AIDS are unlikely to provide households with anything more than short-term safety-nets, rather than long-term, sustainable food security solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kaschula, S A H
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa Food supply -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa Chronically ill -- Economic conditions -- South Africa Chronically ill -- Social conditions -- South Africa Food -- Social aspects -- South Africa Food -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Rural development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007137
- Description: How should the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural livelihoods be factored into efforts to monitor and stabilise household food security? With both HIV and AIDS and food security at the top of the global development agenda, this is a question posed by many scholars, practitioners, donor agencies and government departments. However, while there is an excess of discourse outlining the theoretical bases for how HIV and AIDS can, and is, radically transforming household food acquisition; there is a lack of empirical evidence from the South African context that demonstrates if, and how, HIV and AIDS changes household-level strategies of food acquisition and intake. This thesis explores the association of household-level mortality, chronic illness and additional child-dependent fostering with household experience of food security and food acquisition strategies, in three rural villages in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data-collection were applied to 307 households in the three sites. For twelve months, both HIV and AIDS-afflicted and non-afflicted households were repeatedly visited at 3-month intervals, in order to be assessed for levels of food security, dietary intake and method of food procurement (purchased, cultivated, wild or donated). Overall, HIV and AIDS-afflicted households showed a significantly higher experience of food insecurity, probably attributable to shortages in food quantity. Dietary composition and overall diversity, however, was not significantly different. Although households with chronic illness and recent mortality showed a heightened investment in cultivation sources, the success of these strategies were to a great extent mediated by household income, and the level of medical treatment received by those who were chronically ill. Chronic illness was also associated with more donations, but these required considerable investments in social capital networks. Finally, use of wild leafy vegetables was not associated with household HIV and AIDS status, despite the financial, nutritional and labour-saving properties of these foods. Overall, the study suggests that there was little evidence of long-term planning and strategy in household food security responses. There was no evidence for shifts to labour-saving crops or foods and, in some instances, child labour was being used to ameliorate prime-adult labour deficits. Moreover, given that the vast majority (89.2%) of food groups were sourced through purchase, it is questionable whether investing in diverse food acquisition strategies would be advisable. Unless supported by medical treatment and steady earned household income, policies to promote intensified household agricultural subsistence production in the wake of HIV and AIDS are unlikely to provide households with anything more than short-term safety-nets, rather than long-term, sustainable food security solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Civil society engagement with water governance at a local government scale in South Africa
- Weaver, Matthew James Thanduxolo
- Authors: Weaver, Matthew James Thanduxolo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Government accountability -- South Africa , Civil Society -- South Africa , Political participation -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Water supply -- Management , Water resources development -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/151316 , vital:39051
- Description: The South African state’s ideological commitment to a participatory approach to managing water resources and delivering services in a way that includes all stakeholders warrants critical analysis.Realising this ideological commitment has proved challenging, due largely to the complex historical, political, social, and environmental context of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in South Africa. The overarching aim of this study was to explore and expand the learning of civil societyparticipating in water governance processes at a local government scale. To address this aim a single, in-depth, four-year case study into civil society participation in water governance in the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was conducted between 2014 and 2018. The case study comprised two research phases. Both phases of the research were conducted using an adaptive transdisciplinary and participatory action research approach underpinned by General Complexity Theory. Located at the research-practice interface, the study sought to be transformative and advance both scientific research and societal goals. Qualitative research methods and inductive and deductive modes of inference were used to collect and analyse the data respectively. In the first phase of the study, a Communities of Practice theoretical framing was adopted to investigate the emergence, practice and learning of a civil society organisation (CSO), Water for Dignity (WfD), in response to household water service delivery issues in the municipality. This phase served to build an understanding of factors that enabled and constrained the practice of WfD in addressing local water service issues, and of their role as social learning agents in building water-related knowledge in their community. As participation with the first civil society organisation fragmented, the opportunity arose for local government, the National Department of Water and Sanitation and civil society to co-engage. This opened up the second phase of the research during which the role of a multi-stakeholder platform, the Makana Water Forum (MWF), in enabling democratic water governance was investigated. The MWF was South Africa’s first catchment management forum with an integrated water service and water resource management agenda. In this phase, the study drew on interventionist methodology, Change Laboratory, from Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to 1) describe the historical development, composition and shared purpose of the MWF multi-activity system constellation; and to 2) guide participants through seven learning actions (expansive learning cycle) to identify, analyse, model and implement remedial actions to problematic aspects (contradictions) of the MWF practice. Participants of the Change Laboratory workshops built their individual and collective transformative agency (deliberate actions to transform a problematic situation) as they navigated the expansive learning process. The development of this agency was identified through a micro-analysis of agentive talk. The two phases served to advance the exploration of civil society participation from informal participation to address water issues, to formal participation in water governance processes at a local government scale. Findings from the first phase of the research revealed that dedicated and sustained support of partners with distributed expertise and the highly motivated core members of WfD enabled the practice and emergence of the civil society organisation. However, factors such as poor internal leadership, power dynamics between supporting partners, socio-economic constraints and a deeply embedded lack of agency were found to be key constraining factors to WfD’s practice. Findings revealed that learning at WfD team level occurred in four ways, through learning as belonging, learning as doing, learning as experiencing and learning as becoming. The WfD CSO was able to catalyse social learning related to personal water rights; and best practices for improving water quality and water conservation in their wider community of practice. Social learning was fostered mainly through structured citizen engagements offered by WfD. The research provides evidence that civil society organisations can play an important role in bridging water-related knowledge gaps and can foster active citizenship in South African communities. However, despite significant inputs of support and resources through the engaged transdisciplinary research process, the practice and learning outcomes of WfD had a marginal transformative impact on improving the citizen’s every-day water service experiences. Findings from the second phase of the study revealed the MWF to resemble a multi-activity system constellation with a multiple, partially overlapping. interests related to the management of water. The establishment, function and contradictions constraining the function of the MWF were influenced by past cycles of participatory water governance-related activity and practice at national and local scales. Through the Change Laboratory process, 25 contradictions were identified that appeared to constrain the ability of the MWF to enable inclusive and meaningful participatory water governance. Through a process of expansive learning, participants sought to overcome three sets of contradictions grouped as Problem Themes: lack of clear focus of the MWF; representation, representivity and nonattendance; and the MWF relationship with the Makana Local Municipality. Remedial actions modelled and those enacted have improved aspects of the function of the MWF (such as diversified modes of engagement and a more focussed agenda) but have only resulted in incremental shifts towards enabling improved participatory practice, most markedly in building a collaborative relationship and trust between the MWF members, municipal and government officials. The microanalysis of agentive talk revealed seven different expressions of transformative agency. Constraining socio-economic and political conditions and the limited capacity of the coordinating committee of the MWF hindered the development of transformative agency to the extent to which concrete actions were implemented. Findings further revealed that contextualising a Change Laboratory process within the adaptive cycle of a complex social-ecological system, and the particular opportunity context the system presents, could inform the enactment of agency and its potential impact on the transformation of the system. The intervention with the MWF was too short a process to clearly observe the effects of transformative actions on the sustainability of the Makana Local Municipality water system. However, long-chain transformative agency through the development of one-on-one engagements, learning journeys and a reflexive component to the MWF engagements could support transformative pathways to sustainability in the municipality and water management system. The study contributes in-depth insight into the key role of learning as a catalyst in transformative processes. Learning improves the collaborative and adaptive capacity of people, and therefore, water management institutions, to manage explicitly for the complexity inherent in “complex” socialecological systems. It provides empirical evidence as to what enables and constrains “real” participation and learning in grass-roots water governance processes in the context of a shifting national drive towards a more adaptive and developmental Integrated Water Resource Management approach. It further provides methodological contributions to 1) the application of the Change Laboratory method with multi-activity system constellations in developing world contexts and 2) value and limitations of extended and engaged transdisciplinary research. Lastly, it provides practical recommendations to the establishment and sustainable function of both community-based CSOs and multi-stakeholder platforms engaging in water governance processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Weaver, Matthew James Thanduxolo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Government accountability -- South Africa , Civil Society -- South Africa , Political participation -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Water supply -- Management , Water resources development -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/151316 , vital:39051
- Description: The South African state’s ideological commitment to a participatory approach to managing water resources and delivering services in a way that includes all stakeholders warrants critical analysis.Realising this ideological commitment has proved challenging, due largely to the complex historical, political, social, and environmental context of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in South Africa. The overarching aim of this study was to explore and expand the learning of civil societyparticipating in water governance processes at a local government scale. To address this aim a single, in-depth, four-year case study into civil society participation in water governance in the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was conducted between 2014 and 2018. The case study comprised two research phases. Both phases of the research were conducted using an adaptive transdisciplinary and participatory action research approach underpinned by General Complexity Theory. Located at the research-practice interface, the study sought to be transformative and advance both scientific research and societal goals. Qualitative research methods and inductive and deductive modes of inference were used to collect and analyse the data respectively. In the first phase of the study, a Communities of Practice theoretical framing was adopted to investigate the emergence, practice and learning of a civil society organisation (CSO), Water for Dignity (WfD), in response to household water service delivery issues in the municipality. This phase served to build an understanding of factors that enabled and constrained the practice of WfD in addressing local water service issues, and of their role as social learning agents in building water-related knowledge in their community. As participation with the first civil society organisation fragmented, the opportunity arose for local government, the National Department of Water and Sanitation and civil society to co-engage. This opened up the second phase of the research during which the role of a multi-stakeholder platform, the Makana Water Forum (MWF), in enabling democratic water governance was investigated. The MWF was South Africa’s first catchment management forum with an integrated water service and water resource management agenda. In this phase, the study drew on interventionist methodology, Change Laboratory, from Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to 1) describe the historical development, composition and shared purpose of the MWF multi-activity system constellation; and to 2) guide participants through seven learning actions (expansive learning cycle) to identify, analyse, model and implement remedial actions to problematic aspects (contradictions) of the MWF practice. Participants of the Change Laboratory workshops built their individual and collective transformative agency (deliberate actions to transform a problematic situation) as they navigated the expansive learning process. The development of this agency was identified through a micro-analysis of agentive talk. The two phases served to advance the exploration of civil society participation from informal participation to address water issues, to formal participation in water governance processes at a local government scale. Findings from the first phase of the research revealed that dedicated and sustained support of partners with distributed expertise and the highly motivated core members of WfD enabled the practice and emergence of the civil society organisation. However, factors such as poor internal leadership, power dynamics between supporting partners, socio-economic constraints and a deeply embedded lack of agency were found to be key constraining factors to WfD’s practice. Findings revealed that learning at WfD team level occurred in four ways, through learning as belonging, learning as doing, learning as experiencing and learning as becoming. The WfD CSO was able to catalyse social learning related to personal water rights; and best practices for improving water quality and water conservation in their wider community of practice. Social learning was fostered mainly through structured citizen engagements offered by WfD. The research provides evidence that civil society organisations can play an important role in bridging water-related knowledge gaps and can foster active citizenship in South African communities. However, despite significant inputs of support and resources through the engaged transdisciplinary research process, the practice and learning outcomes of WfD had a marginal transformative impact on improving the citizen’s every-day water service experiences. Findings from the second phase of the study revealed the MWF to resemble a multi-activity system constellation with a multiple, partially overlapping. interests related to the management of water. The establishment, function and contradictions constraining the function of the MWF were influenced by past cycles of participatory water governance-related activity and practice at national and local scales. Through the Change Laboratory process, 25 contradictions were identified that appeared to constrain the ability of the MWF to enable inclusive and meaningful participatory water governance. Through a process of expansive learning, participants sought to overcome three sets of contradictions grouped as Problem Themes: lack of clear focus of the MWF; representation, representivity and nonattendance; and the MWF relationship with the Makana Local Municipality. Remedial actions modelled and those enacted have improved aspects of the function of the MWF (such as diversified modes of engagement and a more focussed agenda) but have only resulted in incremental shifts towards enabling improved participatory practice, most markedly in building a collaborative relationship and trust between the MWF members, municipal and government officials. The microanalysis of agentive talk revealed seven different expressions of transformative agency. Constraining socio-economic and political conditions and the limited capacity of the coordinating committee of the MWF hindered the development of transformative agency to the extent to which concrete actions were implemented. Findings further revealed that contextualising a Change Laboratory process within the adaptive cycle of a complex social-ecological system, and the particular opportunity context the system presents, could inform the enactment of agency and its potential impact on the transformation of the system. The intervention with the MWF was too short a process to clearly observe the effects of transformative actions on the sustainability of the Makana Local Municipality water system. However, long-chain transformative agency through the development of one-on-one engagements, learning journeys and a reflexive component to the MWF engagements could support transformative pathways to sustainability in the municipality and water management system. The study contributes in-depth insight into the key role of learning as a catalyst in transformative processes. Learning improves the collaborative and adaptive capacity of people, and therefore, water management institutions, to manage explicitly for the complexity inherent in “complex” socialecological systems. It provides empirical evidence as to what enables and constrains “real” participation and learning in grass-roots water governance processes in the context of a shifting national drive towards a more adaptive and developmental Integrated Water Resource Management approach. It further provides methodological contributions to 1) the application of the Change Laboratory method with multi-activity system constellations in developing world contexts and 2) value and limitations of extended and engaged transdisciplinary research. Lastly, it provides practical recommendations to the establishment and sustainable function of both community-based CSOs and multi-stakeholder platforms engaging in water governance processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The contribution of non-timber forest products to rural livelihoods and their price determination in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Learning, governance and livelihoods : toward adaptive co-management under resource poor conditions in South Africa
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Rural development -- South Africa Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006961
- Description: Through collaborative monitoring and case study comparison, this thesis explores conceptual and methodological approaches to monitoring transitions toward adaptive co-management. In so doing, a number of knowledge gaps are addressed. Firstly, conceptual and methodological frameworks are developed for monitoring transitions toward adaptive co-management. Secondly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the processes of collaboration and learning is developed and tested. Thirdly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the governance outcomes of adaptive co-management is developed and tested. Fourthly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the livelihood outcomes of adaptive co-management is developed and tested. Based on the outcomes from these four components of the study, this thesis explores the ways in which transitions toward adaptive co-management might be initiated under the resource poor conditions that characterise South Africa's communal areas. The four case studies explored in the study are described as 'resource poor' in terms of institutional capacity, ecosystem productivity and social vulnerability. From a resilience perspective these case studies can be described as being in the re-organisation phase of the adaptive cycle following multiple disturbances over time, largely due to South Africa's historical 'separate development' policies. Scholars have suggested that it is in this re-organisation phase that innovation and novelty might occur. The lens of social learning is applied to analyse collaborative processes within these contexts. Results indicate that the institutional innovation necessary for transitions toward adaptive co-management relies on careful facilitation by an 'honest broker'. Equally important is finding a balance between maintaining key individuals and knowledge holders within decision making networks, and preventing rigidity and vulnerability within communities of practice. The results point to an over simplification in the rhetoric that currently surrounds the learning outcomes of multi level networks. The governance outcomes of the initiatives are explored through the lenses of adaptive governance, social capital, adaptive capacity and self-organisation. Results indicate that under resource poor conditions creating the conditions that facilitate self-organisation is the major challenge facing transformations toward adaptive governance. Long term access to reliable information and capacity and financial support for adaptive management are key constraining variables. The livelihood outcomes of the initiatives are analysed through the lens of resilience and diversification. Results suggest that flexibility, rather than livelihood diversity, is the key livelihood strategy employed by households in situations were options are limited. Interventions that enhance opportunities for households to specialise in situ by actively dealing with structural constraints, such as access to markets and credit, is vital to encouraging innovation during transitions toward adaptive co-management. Based on the results from monitoring, this study identifies key focus areas that require a great deal more attention if transitions toward adaptive co-management are to be initiated under resource poor conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cundill, Georgina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa Rural poor -- South Africa Rural development -- South Africa Households -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006961
- Description: Through collaborative monitoring and case study comparison, this thesis explores conceptual and methodological approaches to monitoring transitions toward adaptive co-management. In so doing, a number of knowledge gaps are addressed. Firstly, conceptual and methodological frameworks are developed for monitoring transitions toward adaptive co-management. Secondly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the processes of collaboration and learning is developed and tested. Thirdly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the governance outcomes of adaptive co-management is developed and tested. Fourthly, a conceptual and practical approach to monitoring the livelihood outcomes of adaptive co-management is developed and tested. Based on the outcomes from these four components of the study, this thesis explores the ways in which transitions toward adaptive co-management might be initiated under the resource poor conditions that characterise South Africa's communal areas. The four case studies explored in the study are described as 'resource poor' in terms of institutional capacity, ecosystem productivity and social vulnerability. From a resilience perspective these case studies can be described as being in the re-organisation phase of the adaptive cycle following multiple disturbances over time, largely due to South Africa's historical 'separate development' policies. Scholars have suggested that it is in this re-organisation phase that innovation and novelty might occur. The lens of social learning is applied to analyse collaborative processes within these contexts. Results indicate that the institutional innovation necessary for transitions toward adaptive co-management relies on careful facilitation by an 'honest broker'. Equally important is finding a balance between maintaining key individuals and knowledge holders within decision making networks, and preventing rigidity and vulnerability within communities of practice. The results point to an over simplification in the rhetoric that currently surrounds the learning outcomes of multi level networks. The governance outcomes of the initiatives are explored through the lenses of adaptive governance, social capital, adaptive capacity and self-organisation. Results indicate that under resource poor conditions creating the conditions that facilitate self-organisation is the major challenge facing transformations toward adaptive governance. Long term access to reliable information and capacity and financial support for adaptive management are key constraining variables. The livelihood outcomes of the initiatives are analysed through the lens of resilience and diversification. Results suggest that flexibility, rather than livelihood diversity, is the key livelihood strategy employed by households in situations were options are limited. Interventions that enhance opportunities for households to specialise in situ by actively dealing with structural constraints, such as access to markets and credit, is vital to encouraging innovation during transitions toward adaptive co-management. Based on the results from monitoring, this study identifies key focus areas that require a great deal more attention if transitions toward adaptive co-management are to be initiated under resource poor conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The current role of palm species Hyphaene Coriacea and Phoenix Reclanata in local livelihoods in the Zitundo area, southern Mozambique
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Ilala palm -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Palms -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Non-timber forest products industry -- Mozambique , Sustainable development -- Mozambique , Conservation of natural resources -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150613 , vital:38989
- Description: The majority of rural households in developing countries are heavily dependent on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to fulfill much of their basic daily needs. In Mozambique more than 64% of the population lives in rural areas and depends heavily in the extraction of NTFPs to complement agricultural production. One substantial source of NTFPs are palm species. Palms are sources of food, building materials, cloth, ornaments, medicines, and are also used for cultural purposes. In southern Mozambique two important palms species used as NTFPs are Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata. These two species provide an array of subsistence and commercial products. The sap, leaves and stems of these two palms are harvested by local people as sources of traditional beverages, weaving, roofing, fencing and furniture material as well as other household utensils. The effects (if any) of harvesting of these palm products on palm distribution, population structure, dynamics and viability have never been examined, and thus the sustainability of the practices and benefits flows to local livelihoods are unknow-n. Any effects harvesting effects may also be exacerbated by predicted climate change for the area. The present study aims to investigate the role of the palm species Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata in the livelihoods of households in the Zitundo area, Matutuine district, southern Mozambique and under future climate scenarios. Specifically, this study: i) evaluates the abundance, population structure and harvesting selection of these species; ii) characterizes the ethnobotanical knowledge and use of the two species; iii) examines the local production and trade of palm wine in the area; iv) examines the contribution of palm income to livelihoods and income diversification in area; v) describes the local management practices and perceptions on palm productivity and abundance; and vi) models the current and future distribution of the these palm species in the area. To evaluate the abundance, population structure and stability of these two palm species a population census was carried out, and the size class distribution, Simpson index of dominance, permutation index and the quotient between successive size classes were calculated. I further calculated the preference ratio for specific size classes. Additionally a questionnaire survey was conducted with 179 randomly selected households from the 16 villages in the study area to characterize the ethnobotanical knowledge and use of these two species, as well as to examine the contribution of palm income to livelihoods and diversification. Standard ethnobotanical indices were used as measures of each palm species use and knowledge while principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied to highlight the livelihood patterns and the role of diversification and of palm income in local livelihoods. Structured interviews with 37 palm tappers were additionally used to examine the local production and trade of palm wine in the area, while both the household survey and palm tappers interviews, were employed to investigate the local management practices and perceptions on palms productivity and abundance. Maxent Software was used to model the current and future under climate change distribution of the two palm species. Hyphaene coriacea was more abundant than Phoenix reclinata. Both species exhibited steep negative slopes in the regression analyses of size class distribution, indicating the presence of more individuals in shorter size classes. Although there was a dominance of shorter over taller size classes, limited recruitment was observed through low stem densities of seedlings and juveniles compared to the 1-50 cm size class The Simpson index of dominance, the permutation index, and the fluctuating quotients between the consecutive size classes showed a level of instability in both populations. Hyphaene coriacea appeared to be more resilient to tapping than Phoenix reclinata as showed by the higher rate of stem survival after tapping. Hyphaene coriacea was favored for tapping compared to Phoenix reclinata. The most preferred size class to tap for both species was between 101cm and 150 cm. Currently the distribution of Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata was mostly confined to the eastern side of the study area. Most of the area was predicted as unsuitable for both palm species, with less than six percent predicted to be suitable or higher. The occurrence of both species appeared to be influenced mostly by water related variables, such as precipitation, and distance to rivers and distance to water bodies. The habitat suitability for Hyphaene coriacea was predicted to increase under future climate conditions scenarios, while little variation was predicted for Phoenix reclinata distribution. The knowledge about the uses of these two palm species was widespread in the area, although only 32% of respondents were engaged in palm exploitation. Thirteen palm products were exploited, with palm wine production from the sap of both palms being the dominant activity, followed by broom production from Phoenix reclinata stems and basket production from Hyphaene coriacea leaves. The cultural importance of these species included the production of anklets and skirts used during traditional dances and the use of palm wine in the traditional ritual of libation. Palm tapping was practiced year round in five of the sixteen villages in the area. Palm tapping was an important livelihood activity, contributing over 80% of tappers’ total annual income, and tappers earned up to three times more than the national minimum wage for the agricultural and forestry sector. Palm wine was also a highly commercial commodity in Zitundo area, with an average commercialization index above 60%. The income from palm wine sales showed an important role in mitigating the level of poverty in the area. Palm income accounted for over 60% reduction on poverty incidence among palm tappers. Households in Zitundo further engaged in some level of livelihood diversification. The majority of households adopted a wage-based strategy, although this strategy was among the less remunerative in terms of per capita cash income. A palm-based livelihood strategy, although adopted only by 11% of households, was one of the most remunerative strategies. Palm income played a vital role in enhancing household livelihoods and mitigating poverty in the area as shown by the lower poverty incidences among households engaged in the palm-based livelihood strategy than alternatives strategies. The village of household residency, along with household demographic and socio-economic characteristics appeared to determine the knowledge and exploitation level of palms as well as a households’ choice of livelihood strategy, level of palm wine returns, commercialization index and palm income dependency. The importance of palms in local livelihoods and poverty alleviation needs greater acknowledgement by government and development agencies in the area. Palm wine, broom and basket production have a high potential for income generation, and therefore should be included in future local development policies and poverty reduction strategies. Although palms are an open access resource in Zitundo area, the perception is that they are abundant and that tapping does not have many detrimental effects. However, this study found some negative impacts of tapping on the recruitment of both palms species. The inclusion of palm products in future development programs and poverty reduction strategies will require the design of participatory conservation and management strategies that involve all palm users groups and others stakeholders and include long-term participatory monitoring of the effect of palm use on the populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Martins, Angelina R O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Ilala palm -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Palms -- Economic aspects -- Mozambique , Non-timber forest products industry -- Mozambique , Sustainable development -- Mozambique , Conservation of natural resources -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150613 , vital:38989
- Description: The majority of rural households in developing countries are heavily dependent on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to fulfill much of their basic daily needs. In Mozambique more than 64% of the population lives in rural areas and depends heavily in the extraction of NTFPs to complement agricultural production. One substantial source of NTFPs are palm species. Palms are sources of food, building materials, cloth, ornaments, medicines, and are also used for cultural purposes. In southern Mozambique two important palms species used as NTFPs are Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata. These two species provide an array of subsistence and commercial products. The sap, leaves and stems of these two palms are harvested by local people as sources of traditional beverages, weaving, roofing, fencing and furniture material as well as other household utensils. The effects (if any) of harvesting of these palm products on palm distribution, population structure, dynamics and viability have never been examined, and thus the sustainability of the practices and benefits flows to local livelihoods are unknow-n. Any effects harvesting effects may also be exacerbated by predicted climate change for the area. The present study aims to investigate the role of the palm species Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata in the livelihoods of households in the Zitundo area, Matutuine district, southern Mozambique and under future climate scenarios. Specifically, this study: i) evaluates the abundance, population structure and harvesting selection of these species; ii) characterizes the ethnobotanical knowledge and use of the two species; iii) examines the local production and trade of palm wine in the area; iv) examines the contribution of palm income to livelihoods and income diversification in area; v) describes the local management practices and perceptions on palm productivity and abundance; and vi) models the current and future distribution of the these palm species in the area. To evaluate the abundance, population structure and stability of these two palm species a population census was carried out, and the size class distribution, Simpson index of dominance, permutation index and the quotient between successive size classes were calculated. I further calculated the preference ratio for specific size classes. Additionally a questionnaire survey was conducted with 179 randomly selected households from the 16 villages in the study area to characterize the ethnobotanical knowledge and use of these two species, as well as to examine the contribution of palm income to livelihoods and diversification. Standard ethnobotanical indices were used as measures of each palm species use and knowledge while principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied to highlight the livelihood patterns and the role of diversification and of palm income in local livelihoods. Structured interviews with 37 palm tappers were additionally used to examine the local production and trade of palm wine in the area, while both the household survey and palm tappers interviews, were employed to investigate the local management practices and perceptions on palms productivity and abundance. Maxent Software was used to model the current and future under climate change distribution of the two palm species. Hyphaene coriacea was more abundant than Phoenix reclinata. Both species exhibited steep negative slopes in the regression analyses of size class distribution, indicating the presence of more individuals in shorter size classes. Although there was a dominance of shorter over taller size classes, limited recruitment was observed through low stem densities of seedlings and juveniles compared to the 1-50 cm size class The Simpson index of dominance, the permutation index, and the fluctuating quotients between the consecutive size classes showed a level of instability in both populations. Hyphaene coriacea appeared to be more resilient to tapping than Phoenix reclinata as showed by the higher rate of stem survival after tapping. Hyphaene coriacea was favored for tapping compared to Phoenix reclinata. The most preferred size class to tap for both species was between 101cm and 150 cm. Currently the distribution of Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata was mostly confined to the eastern side of the study area. Most of the area was predicted as unsuitable for both palm species, with less than six percent predicted to be suitable or higher. The occurrence of both species appeared to be influenced mostly by water related variables, such as precipitation, and distance to rivers and distance to water bodies. The habitat suitability for Hyphaene coriacea was predicted to increase under future climate conditions scenarios, while little variation was predicted for Phoenix reclinata distribution. The knowledge about the uses of these two palm species was widespread in the area, although only 32% of respondents were engaged in palm exploitation. Thirteen palm products were exploited, with palm wine production from the sap of both palms being the dominant activity, followed by broom production from Phoenix reclinata stems and basket production from Hyphaene coriacea leaves. The cultural importance of these species included the production of anklets and skirts used during traditional dances and the use of palm wine in the traditional ritual of libation. Palm tapping was practiced year round in five of the sixteen villages in the area. Palm tapping was an important livelihood activity, contributing over 80% of tappers’ total annual income, and tappers earned up to three times more than the national minimum wage for the agricultural and forestry sector. Palm wine was also a highly commercial commodity in Zitundo area, with an average commercialization index above 60%. The income from palm wine sales showed an important role in mitigating the level of poverty in the area. Palm income accounted for over 60% reduction on poverty incidence among palm tappers. Households in Zitundo further engaged in some level of livelihood diversification. The majority of households adopted a wage-based strategy, although this strategy was among the less remunerative in terms of per capita cash income. A palm-based livelihood strategy, although adopted only by 11% of households, was one of the most remunerative strategies. Palm income played a vital role in enhancing household livelihoods and mitigating poverty in the area as shown by the lower poverty incidences among households engaged in the palm-based livelihood strategy than alternatives strategies. The village of household residency, along with household demographic and socio-economic characteristics appeared to determine the knowledge and exploitation level of palms as well as a households’ choice of livelihood strategy, level of palm wine returns, commercialization index and palm income dependency. The importance of palms in local livelihoods and poverty alleviation needs greater acknowledgement by government and development agencies in the area. Palm wine, broom and basket production have a high potential for income generation, and therefore should be included in future local development policies and poverty reduction strategies. Although palms are an open access resource in Zitundo area, the perception is that they are abundant and that tapping does not have many detrimental effects. However, this study found some negative impacts of tapping on the recruitment of both palms species. The inclusion of palm products in future development programs and poverty reduction strategies will require the design of participatory conservation and management strategies that involve all palm users groups and others stakeholders and include long-term participatory monitoring of the effect of palm use on the populations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020