The contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Mugido, Worship, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177488 , vital:42826 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2019.101983
- Description: Although many studies have examined the contributions of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods, relatively few consider the context in which income shares are shaped. A core one is the local agro-ecological potential because it moulds possible land use options and the potential balance between agricultural and NTFP activities. Using income surveys of 1200 households, this paper examined the absolute and relative contribution of NTFP income at six sites each paired across a gradient of differing agro-ecological potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177488 , vital:42826 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2019.101983
- Description: Although many studies have examined the contributions of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods, relatively few consider the context in which income shares are shaped. A core one is the local agro-ecological potential because it moulds possible land use options and the potential balance between agricultural and NTFP activities. Using income surveys of 1200 households, this paper examined the absolute and relative contribution of NTFP income at six sites each paired across a gradient of differing agro-ecological potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Mugido, Worship, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182308 , vital:43819 , xlink:href="Commonwealth Forestry Association"
- Description: In South Africa, there is extensive NTFP trade within communities and via external markets. However, there is a limited indication of the proportion of all households trading one or more NTFPs, and how it varies in relation to local context. Therefore, this study sought to establish the proportion of households trading in NTFPs in sites of different distances to urban markets and agro-ecological zones of South Africa. The results showed that about 6.4% households reported selling NTFPs for various reasons, with many (22%) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9%). Even though the returns from trading NTFPs are relatively low, every earning is very important to many cash-strapped rural households. This was demonstrated by the fact that many sellers of NTFPs used their earnings to augment household income and cover their living expenses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182308 , vital:43819 , xlink:href="Commonwealth Forestry Association"
- Description: In South Africa, there is extensive NTFP trade within communities and via external markets. However, there is a limited indication of the proportion of all households trading one or more NTFPs, and how it varies in relation to local context. Therefore, this study sought to establish the proportion of households trading in NTFPs in sites of different distances to urban markets and agro-ecological zones of South Africa. The results showed that about 6.4% households reported selling NTFPs for various reasons, with many (22%) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9%). Even though the returns from trading NTFPs are relatively low, every earning is very important to many cash-strapped rural households. This was demonstrated by the fact that many sellers of NTFPs used their earnings to augment household income and cover their living expenses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The elephant in the ‘room’: determinants of songbird assemblages in the Thicket Biome, South Africa
- Authors: Parker, Daniel M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105134 , vital:32468 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2018.1562847
- Description: When vegetation structure is altered, songbird communities may be affected. Despite speculation that African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) browsing impacts bird communities, existing data are limited. I sampled the bird communities of the Albany Thicket Biome at 10 sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, half with elephants and half without. Songbird community parameters were best predicted by how long elephants had been present, elephant density and the percentage cover of thicket vegetation. The sites where elephants had been present for longer had more bird species and increased songbird density and diversity. However, bird density also increased with increasing thicket vegetation cover and this is a phenomenon unlikely to be compatible with long-term elephant presence. There was an almost equal split between the number of bird species that appeared to be negatively affected by changes in habitat structure (47%) and those which benefited (53%). Smaller birds were generally more abundant as vegetation structural integrity increased and larger birds were more abundant when vegetation structural integrity declined. The browsing of elephants could be viewed as facilitative for songbirds in the short term. However, this effect may not persist in the long term because all elephant populations (notorious tree-fellers) in the Eastern Cape are found in fenced areas where natural migration is not possible. More broadly, my data provide important insight into how avian communities respond to habitat transformation at the local and regional scales.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Parker, Daniel M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105134 , vital:32468 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2018.1562847
- Description: When vegetation structure is altered, songbird communities may be affected. Despite speculation that African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) browsing impacts bird communities, existing data are limited. I sampled the bird communities of the Albany Thicket Biome at 10 sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, half with elephants and half without. Songbird community parameters were best predicted by how long elephants had been present, elephant density and the percentage cover of thicket vegetation. The sites where elephants had been present for longer had more bird species and increased songbird density and diversity. However, bird density also increased with increasing thicket vegetation cover and this is a phenomenon unlikely to be compatible with long-term elephant presence. There was an almost equal split between the number of bird species that appeared to be negatively affected by changes in habitat structure (47%) and those which benefited (53%). Smaller birds were generally more abundant as vegetation structural integrity increased and larger birds were more abundant when vegetation structural integrity declined. The browsing of elephants could be viewed as facilitative for songbirds in the short term. However, this effect may not persist in the long term because all elephant populations (notorious tree-fellers) in the Eastern Cape are found in fenced areas where natural migration is not possible. More broadly, my data provide important insight into how avian communities respond to habitat transformation at the local and regional scales.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
The impact of illustrated side effect information on understanding and sustained retention of antiretroviral side effect knowledge:
- Browne, Sara H, Barford, Kirsty-Lee, Ramela, Thato, Dowse, Roslind
- Authors: Browne, Sara H , Barford, Kirsty-Lee , Ramela, Thato , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156341 , vital:39980 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.012
- Description: Prompt management of side effects is critical to supporting adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) medication. This study examines the impact of presenting side effect information using simple text combined with pictograms on sustained knowledge of ARV side effects over three months. Previously designed side effect pictograms, combined with simple text, were incorporated into a side effects panel within an ARV information leaflet. In a randomised controlled study, 116 limited literacy HIV patients taking ARVs were randomly allocated to either control (standard care) or intervention groups (standard care plus illustrated information). Side effect knowledge was assessed at baseline, and intervention patients received the illustrated leaflet. Knowledge was re-tested at one and three months. Interpretation of side effect pictograms was evaluated at one month.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Browne, Sara H , Barford, Kirsty-Lee , Ramela, Thato , Dowse, Roslind
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156341 , vital:39980 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.05.012
- Description: Prompt management of side effects is critical to supporting adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) medication. This study examines the impact of presenting side effect information using simple text combined with pictograms on sustained knowledge of ARV side effects over three months. Previously designed side effect pictograms, combined with simple text, were incorporated into a side effects panel within an ARV information leaflet. In a randomised controlled study, 116 limited literacy HIV patients taking ARVs were randomly allocated to either control (standard care) or intervention groups (standard care plus illustrated information). Side effect knowledge was assessed at baseline, and intervention patients received the illustrated leaflet. Knowledge was re-tested at one and three months. Interpretation of side effect pictograms was evaluated at one month.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of dopants on thermoluminescence of Sr2MgSi2O7
- Thomas, Sunil, Kalita, Jitumani M, Chithambo, Makaiko L, Ntwaeaborwa, Odireleng M
- Authors: Thomas, Sunil , Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L , Ntwaeaborwa, Odireleng M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105148 , vital:32469 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.12.035
- Description: We report the influence of dopants on the thermoluminescence of Sr2MgSi2O7. Samples studied comprise undoped Sr2MgSi2O7 and doped versions, namely, Sr2MgSi2O7:Dy3+, Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu3+, Sr2MgSi2O7:Tb3+ and Sr2MgSi2O7:Tb3+,Eu3+ phosphors. All samples show a broad glow peak near 60 °C when measured at 1 °C/s after irradiation to 10 Gy. The peak changes with partial heating, irradiation and fades between irradiation and measurement in a manner expected of a composite one. The behaviour is used to exemplify the analysis of a composite peak on the basis that particular features reflect those of the dominant component.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Thomas, Sunil , Kalita, Jitumani M , Chithambo, Makaiko L , Ntwaeaborwa, Odireleng M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105148 , vital:32469 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.12.035
- Description: We report the influence of dopants on the thermoluminescence of Sr2MgSi2O7. Samples studied comprise undoped Sr2MgSi2O7 and doped versions, namely, Sr2MgSi2O7:Dy3+, Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu3+, Sr2MgSi2O7:Tb3+ and Sr2MgSi2O7:Tb3+,Eu3+ phosphors. All samples show a broad glow peak near 60 °C when measured at 1 °C/s after irradiation to 10 Gy. The peak changes with partial heating, irradiation and fades between irradiation and measurement in a manner expected of a composite one. The behaviour is used to exemplify the analysis of a composite peak on the basis that particular features reflect those of the dominant component.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
The meaning and practice of stewardship in South Africa
- Cockburn, Jessica, Cundill, Georgina, Shackleton, Sheona, Rouget, Mathieu
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica , Cundill, Georgina , Shackleton, Sheona , Rouget, Mathieu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/390683 , vital:68574 , xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5339"
- Description: Stewardship offers a means of addressing social-ecological sustainability challenges, from the local to the global level. The concept of stewardship has had various meanings attached to it over time, and the links between the theory and practice of stewardship are not well understood. We sought to characterise the practice of stewardship in South Africa, to better understand the relationship between theory and practice. We found that practitioners’ understandings of stewardship coalesce around two core notions: the idea of stewardship as ‘responsible use and care’ of nature, and stewardship as a ‘balancing act’ between stewards’ use of natural resources for agricultural production and their responsibility to protect and manage the wider ecosystem. Stewardship practice in South Africa is strongly influenced by the biodiversity stewardship tool; however, many practitioners are integrating biodiversity stewardship with other approaches. These emerging social-ecological stewardship initiatives operate at landscape-level and work towards integrated social and ecological stewardship outcomes, by facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Further research is needed to better understand what is required to support these integrated, collaborative and cross-sectoral initiatives. Policy mechanisms that facilitate integrated place-based stewardship practice can contribute to expanding the practice of biodiversity stewardship in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cockburn, Jessica , Cundill, Georgina , Shackleton, Sheona , Rouget, Mathieu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/390683 , vital:68574 , xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5339"
- Description: Stewardship offers a means of addressing social-ecological sustainability challenges, from the local to the global level. The concept of stewardship has had various meanings attached to it over time, and the links between the theory and practice of stewardship are not well understood. We sought to characterise the practice of stewardship in South Africa, to better understand the relationship between theory and practice. We found that practitioners’ understandings of stewardship coalesce around two core notions: the idea of stewardship as ‘responsible use and care’ of nature, and stewardship as a ‘balancing act’ between stewards’ use of natural resources for agricultural production and their responsibility to protect and manage the wider ecosystem. Stewardship practice in South Africa is strongly influenced by the biodiversity stewardship tool; however, many practitioners are integrating biodiversity stewardship with other approaches. These emerging social-ecological stewardship initiatives operate at landscape-level and work towards integrated social and ecological stewardship outcomes, by facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Further research is needed to better understand what is required to support these integrated, collaborative and cross-sectoral initiatives. Policy mechanisms that facilitate integrated place-based stewardship practice can contribute to expanding the practice of biodiversity stewardship in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The obstinate notion that higher education is a meritocracy
- Sobuwa, Simpiwe, McKenna, Sioux
- Authors: Sobuwa, Simpiwe , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187150 , vital:44574 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.14426/cristal.v7i2.184"
- Description: Student success is an enormous concern in light of the high drop-out rates in South African universities. There is a wealth of local and international research which provides complex explanations for these statistics, but the common-sense understanding is that those students who have the right attributes and who work hard will do well. While the notion of higher education as a meritocracy is pervasive, it is invalid given the effects of numerous other mechanisms at play in the students' educational experiences. This article draws from the literature to discuss the problems of the meritocratic explanation in how it fails to sufficiently account for the centrality of agency and the ways in which this intersects with societal structures. We argue that more useful understandings of student success and failure require social theory that acknowledges the complexities underpinning student success or failure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sobuwa, Simpiwe , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187150 , vital:44574 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.14426/cristal.v7i2.184"
- Description: Student success is an enormous concern in light of the high drop-out rates in South African universities. There is a wealth of local and international research which provides complex explanations for these statistics, but the common-sense understanding is that those students who have the right attributes and who work hard will do well. While the notion of higher education as a meritocracy is pervasive, it is invalid given the effects of numerous other mechanisms at play in the students' educational experiences. This article draws from the literature to discuss the problems of the meritocratic explanation in how it fails to sufficiently account for the centrality of agency and the ways in which this intersects with societal structures. We argue that more useful understandings of student success and failure require social theory that acknowledges the complexities underpinning student success or failure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The photo-physicochemical properties and in vitro photodynamic therapy activity of differently substituted-zinc (II)-phthalocyanines and graphene quantum dots conjugates on MCF7 breast cancer cell line
- Nene, Lindokuhle C, Managa, Muthumuni E, Oluwole, David O, Mafukidze, Donovan M, Sindelo, Azole, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle C , Managa, Muthumuni E , Oluwole, David O , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Sindelo, Azole , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187449 , vital:44653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2019.01.012"
- Description: Several differently substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) were prepared and conjugated to GQDs. The photophysical properties were determined for both the Pcs and their respective conjugates including the fluorescence/triplet quantum yields and lifetimes as well as the singlet oxygen generating abilities. Upon conjugation to GQDs, the fluorescence of the Pcs decreased (insignificant decrease in some cases), with an increase in the triplet quantum yields. However, the singlet quantum yields of the Pcs in the conjugates did not show an increase with the increase in the triplet quantum yields, this is suspected to be due to the screening effect. The cytotoxicity of the complexes in vitro decreased upon conjugation, as a result of the reduced actual number of Pcs units provided in the conjugate for therapy. Upon introduction of cationic charges, the photodynamic therapy activity of the complexes increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle C , Managa, Muthumuni E , Oluwole, David O , Mafukidze, Donovan M , Sindelo, Azole , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187449 , vital:44653 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2019.01.012"
- Description: Several differently substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) were prepared and conjugated to GQDs. The photophysical properties were determined for both the Pcs and their respective conjugates including the fluorescence/triplet quantum yields and lifetimes as well as the singlet oxygen generating abilities. Upon conjugation to GQDs, the fluorescence of the Pcs decreased (insignificant decrease in some cases), with an increase in the triplet quantum yields. However, the singlet quantum yields of the Pcs in the conjugates did not show an increase with the increase in the triplet quantum yields, this is suspected to be due to the screening effect. The cytotoxicity of the complexes in vitro decreased upon conjugation, as a result of the reduced actual number of Pcs units provided in the conjugate for therapy. Upon introduction of cationic charges, the photodynamic therapy activity of the complexes increased.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of phenyldiazenyl phenoxy substituted phthalocyanines when incorporated into Pluronic® F127 micelles
- Motloung, Banele M, Sekhosana, Kutloano E, Managa, Muthumuni, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Motloung, Banele M , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Managa, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186769 , vital:44532 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.114157"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of 4(4-phenyldiazenyl) phenoxy substituted indium (III) (InPc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines when alone or incorporated into Pluronic_ F127 micelles are presented in this study. The InPc exhibited higher singlet oxygen (UD) at 0.47 compared to the ZnPc at 0.20 in dimethylsulfoxide. The UD values in the presence of Pluronic_ F127 and in water, were 0.32 for InPc and 0.09 for ZnPc. The triplet quantum yields (UT) were 0.92 for InPc and 0.32 for ZnPc in DMSO. The PDT activity followed the same trend as the singlet oxygen quantum yields. At the highest concentration, InPc in Pluronic_ F127 gave 22% cell viability compared to 34% for complex ZnPc. The partition coefficient Kp values were determined using the water and octanol system. InPc had a larger Kp suggesting that it is more likely to be taken up by the cancer cells, hence it exhibited better PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Motloung, Banele M , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Managa, Muthumuni , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186769 , vital:44532 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.114157"
- Description: The synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of 4(4-phenyldiazenyl) phenoxy substituted indium (III) (InPc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines when alone or incorporated into Pluronic_ F127 micelles are presented in this study. The InPc exhibited higher singlet oxygen (UD) at 0.47 compared to the ZnPc at 0.20 in dimethylsulfoxide. The UD values in the presence of Pluronic_ F127 and in water, were 0.32 for InPc and 0.09 for ZnPc. The triplet quantum yields (UT) were 0.92 for InPc and 0.32 for ZnPc in DMSO. The PDT activity followed the same trend as the singlet oxygen quantum yields. At the highest concentration, InPc in Pluronic_ F127 gave 22% cell viability compared to 34% for complex ZnPc. The partition coefficient Kp values were determined using the water and octanol system. InPc had a larger Kp suggesting that it is more likely to be taken up by the cancer cells, hence it exhibited better PDT activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The prevalence of insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Businge, Charles Bitamazire, Longo-Mbenza , Benjamin, Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Authors: Businge, Charles Bitamazire , Longo-Mbenza , Benjamin , Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Africa , Iodine , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5882 , vital:44662 , https://DOI:10.1186/s13643-019-1092-7
- Description: Background: Insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy is associated with many adverse pregnancy outcomes. About 90% of African countries are at risk of iodine deficiency due to poor soils and dietary goitrogens. Pregnancy predisposes to insufficient iodine nutrition secondary to increased physiological demand and increased renal loss. Iodine deficiency is re-emerging in countries thought to be replete with pregnant women being the most affected. This review seeks to identify the degree of iodine nutrition in pregnancy on the entire African continent before and after the implementation of national iodization programmes. Methods: A systematic search of published literature will be conducted for observational studies that directly determined the prevalence of insufficient iodine intake among pregnant women in Africa. Electronic databases and grey literature will be searched for baseline data before the implementation of population-based iodine supplementation and for follow-up data up to December 2018. Screening of identified articles and data extraction will be conducted independently by two investigators. Risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using a risk of bias tool. Appropriate meta-analytic techniques will be used to pool prevalence estimates from studies with similar features, overall and by major characteristics including the region of the study, time period (before and after implementation of iodization programmes), sample size and age. Heterogeneity of the estimates across studies will be quantified and publication bias investigated. This protocol is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines. Discussion: This review will help ascertain the impact of national iodization programmes on the iodine nutrition status in pregnancy in Africa and advise policy on the necessity for monitoring and mitigating iodine deficiency in pregnancy in Africa. This review is part of a thesis that will be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, for the award of a PhD in Medicine whose protocol has been granted ethics approval (UCT HREC 135/2018). In addition, the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018099434 Keywords: Iodine, Insufficiency, Pregnancy, Africa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Businge, Charles Bitamazire , Longo-Mbenza , Benjamin , Kengne, Andre Pascal
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Africa , Iodine , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5882 , vital:44662 , https://DOI:10.1186/s13643-019-1092-7
- Description: Background: Insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy is associated with many adverse pregnancy outcomes. About 90% of African countries are at risk of iodine deficiency due to poor soils and dietary goitrogens. Pregnancy predisposes to insufficient iodine nutrition secondary to increased physiological demand and increased renal loss. Iodine deficiency is re-emerging in countries thought to be replete with pregnant women being the most affected. This review seeks to identify the degree of iodine nutrition in pregnancy on the entire African continent before and after the implementation of national iodization programmes. Methods: A systematic search of published literature will be conducted for observational studies that directly determined the prevalence of insufficient iodine intake among pregnant women in Africa. Electronic databases and grey literature will be searched for baseline data before the implementation of population-based iodine supplementation and for follow-up data up to December 2018. Screening of identified articles and data extraction will be conducted independently by two investigators. Risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using a risk of bias tool. Appropriate meta-analytic techniques will be used to pool prevalence estimates from studies with similar features, overall and by major characteristics including the region of the study, time period (before and after implementation of iodization programmes), sample size and age. Heterogeneity of the estimates across studies will be quantified and publication bias investigated. This protocol is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines. Discussion: This review will help ascertain the impact of national iodization programmes on the iodine nutrition status in pregnancy in Africa and advise policy on the necessity for monitoring and mitigating iodine deficiency in pregnancy in Africa. This review is part of a thesis that will be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, for the award of a PhD in Medicine whose protocol has been granted ethics approval (UCT HREC 135/2018). In addition, the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018099434 Keywords: Iodine, Insufficiency, Pregnancy, Africa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relative representation of ecosystem services and disservices in South African newspaper media
- Mclellan, V, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mclellan, V , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179699 , vital:43162 , https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2019.1667442
- Description: Newspapers are key information sources and may influence both public opinion and policy. Previous studies have analysed the portrayal of ecosystem disservices in newspapers, but none have assessed the relative coverage between disservices and services, or how it might have changed over time. We report on the relative frequency and depiction of ecosystem services and disservices in South African, English newspapers over a 15-year period. We used a SABINET search complemented by key-informant interviews with environmental journalists. For each article we recorded if it covered ecosystem services or disservices, the type of service or disservice, and article tone and length. Overall, 2,201 articles were found, of which 25% were on services and 75% on disservices. The number of articles per year declined over the 15-year period for services, but not disservices. The most common services were energy and craft materials, food production, recreation and culture, and disservices were human health, heat waves and floods. Articles on ecosystem services were 25–40% longer than those on disservices. Article lengths on both declined over the 15 years. The greater reporting of ecosystem disservices over services is likely to influence public opinion and environmental decision-making accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mclellan, V , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179699 , vital:43162 , https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2019.1667442
- Description: Newspapers are key information sources and may influence both public opinion and policy. Previous studies have analysed the portrayal of ecosystem disservices in newspapers, but none have assessed the relative coverage between disservices and services, or how it might have changed over time. We report on the relative frequency and depiction of ecosystem services and disservices in South African, English newspapers over a 15-year period. We used a SABINET search complemented by key-informant interviews with environmental journalists. For each article we recorded if it covered ecosystem services or disservices, the type of service or disservice, and article tone and length. Overall, 2,201 articles were found, of which 25% were on services and 75% on disservices. The number of articles per year declined over the 15-year period for services, but not disservices. The most common services were energy and craft materials, food production, recreation and culture, and disservices were human health, heat waves and floods. Articles on ecosystem services were 25–40% longer than those on disservices. Article lengths on both declined over the 15 years. The greater reporting of ecosystem disservices over services is likely to influence public opinion and environmental decision-making accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The role of invasive alien species in shaping local livelihoods and human well-being: A review
- Shackleton, Ross T, Shackleton, Charlie M, Kull, Christian A
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180280 , vital:43349 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.007"
- Description: Invasive alien species are a well-recognised driver of social-ecological change globally. Much research has focused on ecological impacts, but the role of invasive species for livelihoods and human well-being is less well known. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is important for guiding policy formulation and management. Here we review the literature on the role of invasive species in livelihoods to assess what is known, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. Literature was collected using key word searches and included both journal publications and grey literature. Slightly less than half (48%) of species studied had both substantial positive and negative impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. Australian Acacia spp. species; Camelus dromedaries; Lantana camara; Prosopis spp.), with 37% inducing mainly costs (Chromolaena odorata; Lissachatina fulica; Opuntia stricta) and 16% producing mainly benefits (Opuntia ficus-indica; Acacia spp.). Some species, such as Acacia dealbata, fell into different categories depending on the social-ecological context. Key benefits or services included the provision of fuelwood, fodder, timber and food products for local households communities and to a lesser extent supporting and regulating services such as soil improvement and shade. A number of species also provided cultural services such as recreation and spiritual values and provided many with an opportunity to earn a cash income. However, invasive species also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability through encroaching on land and reducing mobility or access. They can also decrease the supply of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production (livestock and/or crops) which can result in losses of income and increased vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species were seen to have negative implications for human health and safety and reduce the cultural value of landscapes. Economic impacts on livelihoods as a result of invasive species were highly variable and very dependent on the social-ecological contexts. These negative implications can reduce resilience and adaptive capacity of households and communities thus increasing their vulnerability to change. Drawing on case studies we highlight that efforts for managing invasive species need to safeguard livelihood benefits while mitigating negative impacts. In concluding we highlight future research and policy needs on the topic of invasive species, livelihoods and human well-being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Shackleton, Ross T , Shackleton, Charlie M , Kull, Christian A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180280 , vital:43349 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.007"
- Description: Invasive alien species are a well-recognised driver of social-ecological change globally. Much research has focused on ecological impacts, but the role of invasive species for livelihoods and human well-being is less well known. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is important for guiding policy formulation and management. Here we review the literature on the role of invasive species in livelihoods to assess what is known, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research. Literature was collected using key word searches and included both journal publications and grey literature. Slightly less than half (48%) of species studied had both substantial positive and negative impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. Australian Acacia spp. species; Camelus dromedaries; Lantana camara; Prosopis spp.), with 37% inducing mainly costs (Chromolaena odorata; Lissachatina fulica; Opuntia stricta) and 16% producing mainly benefits (Opuntia ficus-indica; Acacia spp.). Some species, such as Acacia dealbata, fell into different categories depending on the social-ecological context. Key benefits or services included the provision of fuelwood, fodder, timber and food products for local households communities and to a lesser extent supporting and regulating services such as soil improvement and shade. A number of species also provided cultural services such as recreation and spiritual values and provided many with an opportunity to earn a cash income. However, invasive species also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability through encroaching on land and reducing mobility or access. They can also decrease the supply of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production (livestock and/or crops) which can result in losses of income and increased vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species were seen to have negative implications for human health and safety and reduce the cultural value of landscapes. Economic impacts on livelihoods as a result of invasive species were highly variable and very dependent on the social-ecological contexts. These negative implications can reduce resilience and adaptive capacity of households and communities thus increasing their vulnerability to change. Drawing on case studies we highlight that efforts for managing invasive species need to safeguard livelihood benefits while mitigating negative impacts. In concluding we highlight future research and policy needs on the topic of invasive species, livelihoods and human well-being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The South America tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), spreads its wings in Eastern Africa: distribution and socioeconomic impacts
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Hill, Martin P, Zalucki, Myron P, Obala, Francis, Idriss, Gamal E, Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G, Chidege, Maneno, Ekesi, Sunday, Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Hill, Martin P , Zalucki, Myron P , Obala, Francis , Idriss, Gamal E , Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G , Chidege, Maneno , Ekesi, Sunday , Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423859 , vital:72099 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz220"
- Description: Following the arrival of Tuta absoluta Meyrick in the eastern African subregion in 2012, several studies have shown numerous ecological aspects of its invasion. We investigated the impact of T. absoluta on people’s livelihoods across four counties of Kenya. Here, 200 farmers in the country were interviewed in person using semistructured questionnaires. In addition to livelihood surveys, T. absoluta distribution was mapped between 2016 and 2018 to determine its current distribution across four countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) in the subregion. Albeit a recent invader, T. absoluta is abundant and distributed throughout the subregion and is viewed as the worst invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods by tomato farmers. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased both the cost of tomato production and frequency of pesticide application. We recommend the implementation of biological control along, with other control measures in an integrated approach, against T. absoluta in the subregion, where its impact on sustainable livelihoods is serious and long-term control strategies are required to curb its detrimental effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Hill, Martin P , Zalucki, Myron P , Obala, Francis , Idriss, Gamal E , Midingoyi, Soul-Kifouly G , Chidege, Maneno , Ekesi, Sunday , Mohamed, Samira Abuelgasim
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423859 , vital:72099 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz220"
- Description: Following the arrival of Tuta absoluta Meyrick in the eastern African subregion in 2012, several studies have shown numerous ecological aspects of its invasion. We investigated the impact of T. absoluta on people’s livelihoods across four counties of Kenya. Here, 200 farmers in the country were interviewed in person using semistructured questionnaires. In addition to livelihood surveys, T. absoluta distribution was mapped between 2016 and 2018 to determine its current distribution across four countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) in the subregion. Albeit a recent invader, T. absoluta is abundant and distributed throughout the subregion and is viewed as the worst invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods by tomato farmers. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased both the cost of tomato production and frequency of pesticide application. We recommend the implementation of biological control along, with other control measures in an integrated approach, against T. absoluta in the subregion, where its impact on sustainable livelihoods is serious and long-term control strategies are required to curb its detrimental effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The Stinking Ontology of Sh#t in the Water: Higher Education Public Pedagogy and “Existance”?
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182754 , vital:43871 , xlink:href="http://doi.org/10.1089/sus.2019.29161"
- Description: “Existance” is not a spelling mistake. It is a word from Soweto street poet Zachariah Rapola’s poem, questioning our “stance in existence” . In the context of this essay, the poem raises the challenging perspective of our “stance in existence.” for engaging with the SDGs. The SDGs set a range of clear targets, but in doing so, they fail to give a good account of the stinking ontology of some of the issues to be dealt with, and thus lack a certain sense of realism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182754 , vital:43871 , xlink:href="http://doi.org/10.1089/sus.2019.29161"
- Description: “Existance” is not a spelling mistake. It is a word from Soweto street poet Zachariah Rapola’s poem, questioning our “stance in existence” . In the context of this essay, the poem raises the challenging perspective of our “stance in existence.” for engaging with the SDGs. The SDGs set a range of clear targets, but in doing so, they fail to give a good account of the stinking ontology of some of the issues to be dealt with, and thus lack a certain sense of realism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The use of turnitin in the higher education sector: Decoding the myth
- Mphahlele, Amanda, McKenna, Sioux
- Authors: Mphahlele, Amanda , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124229 , vital:35578 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2019.1573971
- Description: Plagiarism needs to be addressed to maintain academic standards and to safeguard the integrity of the academic project. With the evolving digital world, conventional methods of addressing plagiarism are gradually being dismissed in favour of new technologies. Unfortunately, there is a general misunderstanding about what such technologies do. This paper was written from a PhD study, and looks at how such misunderstandings emerge across the higher education sector of one country. Institutional policies and other documents related to plagiarism were analysed from public universities across South Africa, and this was then augmented with interviews with members of institutional plagiarism committees. The results of the study revealed that technology is a key facet in these universities’ attempts to reduce the incidents of plagiarism, and that Turnitin is the most favored text-matching tool. However, the software is misunderstood to be predominantly a plagiarism detection tool for policing purposes, ignoring its educational potential for student development. The implication is that, if Turnitin is primarily used as a policing tool, students are not only denied access to nuanced pedagogical interventions that might develop their academic writing, but its misuse could also change students’ behavior in undesirable ways.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mphahlele, Amanda , McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124229 , vital:35578 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2019.1573971
- Description: Plagiarism needs to be addressed to maintain academic standards and to safeguard the integrity of the academic project. With the evolving digital world, conventional methods of addressing plagiarism are gradually being dismissed in favour of new technologies. Unfortunately, there is a general misunderstanding about what such technologies do. This paper was written from a PhD study, and looks at how such misunderstandings emerge across the higher education sector of one country. Institutional policies and other documents related to plagiarism were analysed from public universities across South Africa, and this was then augmented with interviews with members of institutional plagiarism committees. The results of the study revealed that technology is a key facet in these universities’ attempts to reduce the incidents of plagiarism, and that Turnitin is the most favored text-matching tool. However, the software is misunderstood to be predominantly a plagiarism detection tool for policing purposes, ignoring its educational potential for student development. The implication is that, if Turnitin is primarily used as a policing tool, students are not only denied access to nuanced pedagogical interventions that might develop their academic writing, but its misuse could also change students’ behavior in undesirable ways.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Thermal plasticity and microevolution enhance establishment success and persistence of a water hyacinth biological control agent
- Griffith, Tamzin C, Paterson, Iain D, Owen, Candice A, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Griffith, Tamzin C , Paterson, Iain D , Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424866 , vital:72190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12814"
- Description: Aspects of the thermal physiology of the water hyacinth biological control agent Eccritotarsus catarinensis Carvalho (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been extensively investigated over the past 20 years to understand and improve post-release establishment in the field. Thermal physiology studies predicted that the agent would not establish at a number of cold sites in South Africa, where it has nonetheless subsequently established and thrived. Recently, studies have begun to incorporate the plastic nature of insect thermal physiology into models of agent establishment. This study determined whether season and locality influenced the thermal physiology of two field populations of E. catarinensis, one collected from the hottest site where the agent has established in South Africa, and one from the coldest site. The thermal physiology of E. catarinensis was significantly influenced by season and site, demonstrating a degree of phenotypic plasticity, and that some post-release local adaptation to climatic conditions has occurred through microevolution. We then determined whether cold acclimation under laboratory conditions was possible. Successfully cold-acclimated E. catarinensis had a significantly lower critical thermal minimum (CTmin) compared to the field cold-acclimated population. This suggests that cold acclimation of agents could be conducted in the laboratory before future releases to improve their cold tolerance, thereby increasing their chance of establishment at cold sites and allowing further adaptation to colder climates to occur in the field. Although the thermal tolerance of E. catarinensis is limited by local adaptations to climatic conditions in the native range, the plastic nature of the insect's thermal physiology has allowed it to survive in the very different climatic conditions of the introduced range, and there has been some adaptive change to the insect's thermal tolerance since establishment. This study highlights the importance of plasticity and microevolutionary processes in the success of biological control agents under the novel climatic conditions in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Griffith, Tamzin C , Paterson, Iain D , Owen, Candice A , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424866 , vital:72190 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12814"
- Description: Aspects of the thermal physiology of the water hyacinth biological control agent Eccritotarsus catarinensis Carvalho (Hemiptera: Miridae) have been extensively investigated over the past 20 years to understand and improve post-release establishment in the field. Thermal physiology studies predicted that the agent would not establish at a number of cold sites in South Africa, where it has nonetheless subsequently established and thrived. Recently, studies have begun to incorporate the plastic nature of insect thermal physiology into models of agent establishment. This study determined whether season and locality influenced the thermal physiology of two field populations of E. catarinensis, one collected from the hottest site where the agent has established in South Africa, and one from the coldest site. The thermal physiology of E. catarinensis was significantly influenced by season and site, demonstrating a degree of phenotypic plasticity, and that some post-release local adaptation to climatic conditions has occurred through microevolution. We then determined whether cold acclimation under laboratory conditions was possible. Successfully cold-acclimated E. catarinensis had a significantly lower critical thermal minimum (CTmin) compared to the field cold-acclimated population. This suggests that cold acclimation of agents could be conducted in the laboratory before future releases to improve their cold tolerance, thereby increasing their chance of establishment at cold sites and allowing further adaptation to colder climates to occur in the field. Although the thermal tolerance of E. catarinensis is limited by local adaptations to climatic conditions in the native range, the plastic nature of the insect's thermal physiology has allowed it to survive in the very different climatic conditions of the introduced range, and there has been some adaptive change to the insect's thermal tolerance since establishment. This study highlights the importance of plasticity and microevolutionary processes in the success of biological control agents under the novel climatic conditions in the introduced range.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Thermally and optically stimulated luminescence of natural red and blue corundum (Al2O3)
- Kalita, Jitumani M, Thomas, Sunil, Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Thomas, Sunil , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105177 , vital:32472 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.09.058
- Description: We report the thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of natural corundum (Al2O3) of two varieties; one red and the other blue. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of the samples show that the concentration of Al2O3 in the red corundum is 43.05% and 46.87% in the blue corundum. TL measurements carried out on un-annealed samples and samples annealed at 700 °C, 900 °C and 1200 °C show that the TL sensitivity increases with annealing. The sensitivity of the red corundum reaches a maximum after annealing at 900 °C whereas that of the blue corundum increases with annealing up to the maximum annealing temperature of 1200 °C used in this study. Both samples have a complex glow curve between 30 °C and 500 °C. The composite nature of the glow curves is deduced to be due to a continuum in the trap distribution in the crystal. The activation energy of the traps vary between 0.70 eV and 1.15 eV. The dose response of the red corundum under TL is linear within 100‒1000 Gy whereas that of the blue corundum is superlinear for the same dose range. The TL of both samples is reproducible but the signal fades with time between irradiation and measurement. Both samples produce OSL under 470 nm blue light stimulation. The dose response of the OSL is superlinear within 100‒1000 Gy. It is found that the samples also produce thermally-assisted OSL (TA-OSL) at elevated temperature. The TA-OSL intensity of the red corundum increases with dose up to 400 Gy and saturates thereafter. On the other hand, the intensity of the blue corundum increases consistently with dose from 100 Gy to 1000 Gy.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kalita, Jitumani M , Thomas, Sunil , Chithambo, Makaiko L
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105177 , vital:32472 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2018.09.058
- Description: We report the thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of natural corundum (Al2O3) of two varieties; one red and the other blue. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of the samples show that the concentration of Al2O3 in the red corundum is 43.05% and 46.87% in the blue corundum. TL measurements carried out on un-annealed samples and samples annealed at 700 °C, 900 °C and 1200 °C show that the TL sensitivity increases with annealing. The sensitivity of the red corundum reaches a maximum after annealing at 900 °C whereas that of the blue corundum increases with annealing up to the maximum annealing temperature of 1200 °C used in this study. Both samples have a complex glow curve between 30 °C and 500 °C. The composite nature of the glow curves is deduced to be due to a continuum in the trap distribution in the crystal. The activation energy of the traps vary between 0.70 eV and 1.15 eV. The dose response of the red corundum under TL is linear within 100‒1000 Gy whereas that of the blue corundum is superlinear for the same dose range. The TL of both samples is reproducible but the signal fades with time between irradiation and measurement. Both samples produce OSL under 470 nm blue light stimulation. The dose response of the OSL is superlinear within 100‒1000 Gy. It is found that the samples also produce thermally-assisted OSL (TA-OSL) at elevated temperature. The TA-OSL intensity of the red corundum increases with dose up to 400 Gy and saturates thereafter. On the other hand, the intensity of the blue corundum increases consistently with dose from 100 Gy to 1000 Gy.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
Think Piece. Situating Education for Sustainable Development in southern African philosophy and contexts of social-ecological change to enhance curriculum relevance and the common good
- Pesanayi, Tichaona V, O'Donoghue, Rob B, Shava, Soul
- Authors: Pesanayi, Tichaona V , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Shava, Soul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388105 , vital:68307 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/187217"
- Description: The study opens with a brief review of how education in colonial southern Africa was steered by a succession of externally framed abstractions that have been implemented within the prevailing hegemony of western modernisation that dominated and marginalised indigenous cultures. It probes how, within an expanding functionalist framework, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been similarly constituted as a proposition for implementation. Here the supposition is that implementing ESD as an intervention will transform education into an inclusive and collaborative pedagogy that will shape competences for participants to transform society towards a sustainable future. In an effort to explore the possibility of making a break from a succession of education imperatives functioning as ‘salvation narratives’ to put things right in Africa, the study explores ESD from a more situated and emergent vantage point within African landscapes, philosophy and cultural practices. This requires a shift from a view of ESD as a perspective to be brought in and enacted to foster change, to ESD as a situated engagement in education as a process where relevance is deliberated and brought out in quality education with high order skills. This perspective exemplifies working with a more fully situated framing of deliberative social learning for the common good. It is explored here to contemplate how socio-cultural processes of deliberative ethics and co-engaged reflexive processes of learning-led change might emerge. Here, also, using a capabilities approach might provide useful starting points for ESD as an expansive process of transformative social learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Pesanayi, Tichaona V , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Shava, Soul
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/388105 , vital:68307 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/187217"
- Description: The study opens with a brief review of how education in colonial southern Africa was steered by a succession of externally framed abstractions that have been implemented within the prevailing hegemony of western modernisation that dominated and marginalised indigenous cultures. It probes how, within an expanding functionalist framework, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been similarly constituted as a proposition for implementation. Here the supposition is that implementing ESD as an intervention will transform education into an inclusive and collaborative pedagogy that will shape competences for participants to transform society towards a sustainable future. In an effort to explore the possibility of making a break from a succession of education imperatives functioning as ‘salvation narratives’ to put things right in Africa, the study explores ESD from a more situated and emergent vantage point within African landscapes, philosophy and cultural practices. This requires a shift from a view of ESD as a perspective to be brought in and enacted to foster change, to ESD as a situated engagement in education as a process where relevance is deliberated and brought out in quality education with high order skills. This perspective exemplifies working with a more fully situated framing of deliberative social learning for the common good. It is explored here to contemplate how socio-cultural processes of deliberative ethics and co-engaged reflexive processes of learning-led change might emerge. Here, also, using a capabilities approach might provide useful starting points for ESD as an expansive process of transformative social learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Tools to enrich vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning for coastal communities in data-poor regions: application to a case study in Madagascar
- Cochrane, Kevern L, Rakotondrazafy, H, Aswani, Shankar, Chaigneau, Tomas, Downey-Breedt, Nicola, Lemahieu, Anne, Paytan, Adina, Pecl, Gretta T, Plagányi, Éva, Popova, Elizaveta, Van Putten, Ingrid E, Sauer, Warwick H H, Byfield, Val, Gasalla, Maria A, Van Gennip, Simon J, Malherbe, Willem, Rabary, Andriantsilavo, Rabeariso, Ando, Ramaroson, N, Randrianarimanana, V, Scott, Lucy E P, Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Rakotondrazafy, H , Aswani, Shankar , Chaigneau, Tomas , Downey-Breedt, Nicola , Lemahieu, Anne , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva , Popova, Elizaveta , Van Putten, Ingrid E , Sauer, Warwick H H , Byfield, Val , Gasalla, Maria A , Van Gennip, Simon J , Malherbe, Willem , Rabary, Andriantsilavo , Rabeariso, Ando , Ramaroson, N , Randrianarimanana, V , Scott, Lucy E P , Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145347 , vital:38430 , DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00505
- Description: Here we describe an interdisciplinary and multi-country initiative to develop rapid, participatory methods to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities and facilitate adaptation to climate change in data-poor regions. The methods were applied in Madagascar as a case study. The initiative centered on an exploratory research exercise in two communities in the south-west of Madagascar, a workshop held in Antananarivo in June 2016, combined with a component on communicating ocean science and climate change to stakeholders. It utilized innovative and rapid approaches to combine global and local skills and information on adaptation and resilience building, taking cognizance of national policies, and was based on the principles of a holistic, integrated and participatory approach. This paper summarizes the activities undertaken and assesses how effective they were in achieving the project goals, as well as presenting examples of the outputs obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Rakotondrazafy, H , Aswani, Shankar , Chaigneau, Tomas , Downey-Breedt, Nicola , Lemahieu, Anne , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva , Popova, Elizaveta , Van Putten, Ingrid E , Sauer, Warwick H H , Byfield, Val , Gasalla, Maria A , Van Gennip, Simon J , Malherbe, Willem , Rabary, Andriantsilavo , Rabeariso, Ando , Ramaroson, N , Randrianarimanana, V , Scott, Lucy E P , Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145347 , vital:38430 , DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00505
- Description: Here we describe an interdisciplinary and multi-country initiative to develop rapid, participatory methods to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities and facilitate adaptation to climate change in data-poor regions. The methods were applied in Madagascar as a case study. The initiative centered on an exploratory research exercise in two communities in the south-west of Madagascar, a workshop held in Antananarivo in June 2016, combined with a component on communicating ocean science and climate change to stakeholders. It utilized innovative and rapid approaches to combine global and local skills and information on adaptation and resilience building, taking cognizance of national policies, and was based on the principles of a holistic, integrated and participatory approach. This paper summarizes the activities undertaken and assesses how effective they were in achieving the project goals, as well as presenting examples of the outputs obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Tracking the decline of the world’s largest seabream against policy adjustments
- Kerwath, Sven E, Parker, Denham, Winker, A Henning, Potts, Warren M, Mann, Bruce, Wilke, Christopher, Attwood, Colin G
- Authors: Kerwath, Sven E , Parker, Denham , Winker, A Henning , Potts, Warren M , Mann, Bruce , Wilke, Christopher , Attwood, Colin G
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131433 , vital:36571 , https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12853
- Description: For most rare marine species, abundance trends are poorly estimated. This uncertainty often translates into disagreement on management regulations, impeding conservation efforts when they are most urgently required. The world’s largest sea bream, the red steenbras Petrus rupestris, has undergone a substantial and widely acknowledged decline during the 20th century. Standardised probability of encounter over the last 3 decades was used to track red steenbras abundance trajectories in 2 regions, which together represent the species’ distribution. The results predicted a reduction in abundance of 44% in the East region and 96% in the South-West region, from what was already considered to be a collapsed population at the start of the time series. The species is now largely confined to areas in the centre of its historical abundance. Content analysis of a recreational angling magazine revealed a concurrent 50% decrease in reported size between 1984 and 2012. Shore-based observer data (2009-2010) indicate that the impact of recreational fishers on this species far exceeded that of commercial fishers at the time. Regulations in the form of progressively more stringent catch and effort restrictions appear to have been largely ineffective, too lenient, implemented too late or were unsuitable to control fishing mortality for this species. This study highlights 2 fundamental challenges in management of rare marine fish species: (1) providing decision makers with a credible measure of abundance for species whose rarity limits data availability and (2) implementing effective policy changes before the specific measures become ineffective and obsolete.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kerwath, Sven E , Parker, Denham , Winker, A Henning , Potts, Warren M , Mann, Bruce , Wilke, Christopher , Attwood, Colin G
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131433 , vital:36571 , https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12853
- Description: For most rare marine species, abundance trends are poorly estimated. This uncertainty often translates into disagreement on management regulations, impeding conservation efforts when they are most urgently required. The world’s largest sea bream, the red steenbras Petrus rupestris, has undergone a substantial and widely acknowledged decline during the 20th century. Standardised probability of encounter over the last 3 decades was used to track red steenbras abundance trajectories in 2 regions, which together represent the species’ distribution. The results predicted a reduction in abundance of 44% in the East region and 96% in the South-West region, from what was already considered to be a collapsed population at the start of the time series. The species is now largely confined to areas in the centre of its historical abundance. Content analysis of a recreational angling magazine revealed a concurrent 50% decrease in reported size between 1984 and 2012. Shore-based observer data (2009-2010) indicate that the impact of recreational fishers on this species far exceeded that of commercial fishers at the time. Regulations in the form of progressively more stringent catch and effort restrictions appear to have been largely ineffective, too lenient, implemented too late or were unsuitable to control fishing mortality for this species. This study highlights 2 fundamental challenges in management of rare marine fish species: (1) providing decision makers with a credible measure of abundance for species whose rarity limits data availability and (2) implementing effective policy changes before the specific measures become ineffective and obsolete.
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- Date Issued: 2019