Has deregulation of non-timber forest product controls and marketing in Orissa state (India) affected local patterns of use and marketing
- Mahapatra, A K, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mahapatra, A K , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006872
- Description: State control of marketing agricultural or forestry products may lead to a trade monopoly and restricted competition, resulting in inequitable returns to producers. Consequently, market deregulation for agriculture and other natural products has been advocated to improve market efficiencies, participation and returns for the producers and local traders. The study examines the impact of deregulation of state marketing controls on collection, sale and returns to extractors and traders from non-timber forest products. It assessed whether deregulation policy resulted in greater benefits to primary extractors and a win–win situation for both producers and traders? Mixed effects were found, with no significant changes in terms of trade, demand, or quantum of consumption; but there was an overall increase in the procurement price for several products following deregulation. The collection and farm gate price of tree based oilseeds and honey increased due to lower transaction costs, and ease of trading with a continued demand for these products. The impact on less valuable products was insignificant. Abolition of monopolistic trading increased competition and had a pull effect on the local market prices of several NTFPs. Although traders paid a higher price to procure products, overall they also benefited being able to sell the purchased products to merchants and manufacturers at a better margin than previously.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
He says, she says: ecosystem services and gender among indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon
- Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S, Cubillos, Martha V, Torres-Vitolas, Carlos, Harvey, Celia A, Shackleton, Charlie M, Schreckenberg, Kate, Willcock, Simon, Navarrete-Frías, Carolina, Sachet, Erwan
- Authors: Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S , Cubillos, Martha V , Torres-Vitolas, Carlos , Harvey, Celia A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate , Willcock, Simon , Navarrete-Frías, Carolina , Sachet, Erwan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa To be catalogued 1836-1909 Maps
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179627 , vital:43128 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100921"
- Description: Although it has been hypothesized that men and women vary in the way they value ecosystem services, research on ecosystem services rarely incorporates a gender dimension. We conducted research with nine indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon to understand which ecosystem services men and women perceive as most important for their wellbeing and to rank them according to locally-defined criteria of importance. Participants identified a total of 26 ecosystem services and 20 different ranking criteria. Ecosystem services such as land for agricultural fields (a supporting service), and provision of fish and medicinal plants were equally important for both men and women. Wild fruits and resources to make handicrafts were more frequently mentioned by women, whereas timber, materials for making tools and coca leaves were more frequently mentioned by men. There were also differences in the criteria used to value ecosystem services, with 11 criteria mentioned by both men and women, five mentioned exclusively by women and another four only by men. Our results suggest that taking gender differences into account in ecosystem services assessments may result in the prioritization of different services in conservation and sustainable development programs, and may lead to different outcomes for ecosystem service provision and local livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S , Cubillos, Martha V , Torres-Vitolas, Carlos , Harvey, Celia A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Schreckenberg, Kate , Willcock, Simon , Navarrete-Frías, Carolina , Sachet, Erwan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: South Africa To be catalogued 1836-1909 Maps
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179627 , vital:43128 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100921"
- Description: Although it has been hypothesized that men and women vary in the way they value ecosystem services, research on ecosystem services rarely incorporates a gender dimension. We conducted research with nine indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon to understand which ecosystem services men and women perceive as most important for their wellbeing and to rank them according to locally-defined criteria of importance. Participants identified a total of 26 ecosystem services and 20 different ranking criteria. Ecosystem services such as land for agricultural fields (a supporting service), and provision of fish and medicinal plants were equally important for both men and women. Wild fruits and resources to make handicrafts were more frequently mentioned by women, whereas timber, materials for making tools and coca leaves were more frequently mentioned by men. There were also differences in the criteria used to value ecosystem services, with 11 criteria mentioned by both men and women, five mentioned exclusively by women and another four only by men. Our results suggest that taking gender differences into account in ecosystem services assessments may result in the prioritization of different services in conservation and sustainable development programs, and may lead to different outcomes for ecosystem service provision and local livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
HIV/AIDS and other household shocks as catalysts of local commercialization of non-timber forest products in Southern Africa
- Weyer, Dylan J, Shackleton, Charlie M, Adam, Y O
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Shackleton, Charlie M , Adam, Y O
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398223 , vital:69385 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12261"
- Description: Local trade in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is increasing globally, yet the causes have been little studied. We examine household shock as a driver of NTFP trade in five southern African countries, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS-related illness and death. Over the past two years, 95% of trader households experienced at least one shock, with family illness and death recorded for 68% and 42% of households, respectively. Almost 40% had entered the trade because of HIV/AIDS-related shocks. Additional shocks included natural disasters, crop pests or failure and livestock loss. The sale of NTFPs was the third most common coping strategy, after kinship and agricultural adjustments. Coping strategies differed between sites and type of shock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Shackleton, Charlie M , Adam, Y O
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398223 , vital:69385 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12261"
- Description: Local trade in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is increasing globally, yet the causes have been little studied. We examine household shock as a driver of NTFP trade in five southern African countries, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS-related illness and death. Over the past two years, 95% of trader households experienced at least one shock, with family illness and death recorded for 68% and 42% of households, respectively. Almost 40% had entered the trade because of HIV/AIDS-related shocks. Additional shocks included natural disasters, crop pests or failure and livestock loss. The sale of NTFPs was the third most common coping strategy, after kinship and agricultural adjustments. Coping strategies differed between sites and type of shock.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Homestead greening is widespread amongst the urban poor in three medium-sized South African towns
- Kaoma, Humphrey, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398291 , vital:69398 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0362-3"
- Description: Trees in urban areas are important sources of ecosystem services and benefits. In most towns the bulk of urban biodiversity, and trees specifically, are found in homestead gardens. But there is only limited understanding of the tree holdings in such gardens, and how they vary within and between towns, especially for developing countries where rapid urbanisation and high poverty influence the use of and reliance on land and local resources. We report on the nature of tree holdings in private gardens of poorer suburbs in three medium-sized towns along a gradient of decreasing mean annual rainfall in northern South Africa. A total of 3 217 trees were enumerated across 450 randomly selected homesteads. Most (90 %) households had at least one tree on their homestead, with an average of 7.7 ± 6.1 trees. Most householders had planted the trees themselves. The density of trees declined along the moisture gradient. Within towns, tree density was positively related to garden size, which in turn was related to relative affluence and age of the suburb. Newer and poorer suburbs had the fewest trees per household. Sixty-two tree species were recorded, which were dominated by alien species, especially fruit trees. There was no relationship between the moisture gradient and tree species richness per household, but within towns there was a difference between suburbs, being lowest in the newest suburbs. Numbers of trees and species per household was positively related to age of the household head.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kaoma, Humphrey , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398291 , vital:69398 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0362-3"
- Description: Trees in urban areas are important sources of ecosystem services and benefits. In most towns the bulk of urban biodiversity, and trees specifically, are found in homestead gardens. But there is only limited understanding of the tree holdings in such gardens, and how they vary within and between towns, especially for developing countries where rapid urbanisation and high poverty influence the use of and reliance on land and local resources. We report on the nature of tree holdings in private gardens of poorer suburbs in three medium-sized towns along a gradient of decreasing mean annual rainfall in northern South Africa. A total of 3 217 trees were enumerated across 450 randomly selected homesteads. Most (90 %) households had at least one tree on their homestead, with an average of 7.7 ± 6.1 trees. Most householders had planted the trees themselves. The density of trees declined along the moisture gradient. Within towns, tree density was positively related to garden size, which in turn was related to relative affluence and age of the suburb. Newer and poorer suburbs had the fewest trees per household. Sixty-two tree species were recorded, which were dominated by alien species, especially fruit trees. There was no relationship between the moisture gradient and tree species richness per household, but within towns there was a difference between suburbs, being lowest in the newest suburbs. Numbers of trees and species per household was positively related to age of the household head.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Host-preference and density of woodrose-forming mistletoes (Loranthaceae) on savanna vegetation, South Africa
- Dzerefos, Cathy M, Witkowski, Ed T F, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Dzerefos, Cathy M , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181487 , vital:43738 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023991514968"
- Description: In the Bushbuckridge region of South Africa host preference and density of two woodrose-forming mistletoes, Erianthemum dregei (Eckl. and Zeyh.) V. Tieghem and Pedistylis galpinii (Schinz ex Sprague) was quantified in relation to land-use (harvested or unharvested), rainfall (high, more than 660 or low , less than 660 mm year−1) and catenal position (top or lower slope). These two mistletoes are generalist hemi-parasites of savanna trees and shrubs occurring on 25 and 17 hosts respectively, seven of which are shared. Thirty-six percent of woody plant species recorded were found to be hosts. Although Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. comprised only 4% of woody plant density in the environment, it was the principal host for both mistletoes, accounting for 71% of total E. dregei and 42% of P. galpinii infection. Mistletoe infection relative to density of Ficus stuhlmanii, Trichilia emetica and Cassine transvaalensis indicated that these were preferential hosts to S. birrea. Mistletoe host preference was negatively correlated with host wood density. Mistletoe number per tree had a weak relationship to canopy size. Mistletoes of all size classes were denser at high rainfall relative to low rainfall sites. Interestingly, the overall mistletoe size class distribution was similar between harvested and unharvested sites. The ratio of living to dead mistletoe was 2 to 1 for E. dregei and 1.5 to 1 for P. galpinii. There are sufficient dead mistletoes in unharvested and harvested areas to satisfy present market demand. Living E. dregei predominated in harvested rather than unharvested areas suggesting that current-harvesting levels had little or no negative effect on the population. In contrast, P. galpinii was denser in unharvested areas possibly owing to its higher market value and thus higher harvesting levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Dzerefos, Cathy M , Witkowski, Ed T F , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181487 , vital:43738 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023991514968"
- Description: In the Bushbuckridge region of South Africa host preference and density of two woodrose-forming mistletoes, Erianthemum dregei (Eckl. and Zeyh.) V. Tieghem and Pedistylis galpinii (Schinz ex Sprague) was quantified in relation to land-use (harvested or unharvested), rainfall (high, more than 660 or low , less than 660 mm year−1) and catenal position (top or lower slope). These two mistletoes are generalist hemi-parasites of savanna trees and shrubs occurring on 25 and 17 hosts respectively, seven of which are shared. Thirty-six percent of woody plant species recorded were found to be hosts. Although Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. comprised only 4% of woody plant density in the environment, it was the principal host for both mistletoes, accounting for 71% of total E. dregei and 42% of P. galpinii infection. Mistletoe infection relative to density of Ficus stuhlmanii, Trichilia emetica and Cassine transvaalensis indicated that these were preferential hosts to S. birrea. Mistletoe host preference was negatively correlated with host wood density. Mistletoe number per tree had a weak relationship to canopy size. Mistletoes of all size classes were denser at high rainfall relative to low rainfall sites. Interestingly, the overall mistletoe size class distribution was similar between harvested and unharvested sites. The ratio of living to dead mistletoe was 2 to 1 for E. dregei and 1.5 to 1 for P. galpinii. There are sufficient dead mistletoes in unharvested and harvested areas to satisfy present market demand. Living E. dregei predominated in harvested rather than unharvested areas suggesting that current-harvesting levels had little or no negative effect on the population. In contrast, P. galpinii was denser in unharvested areas possibly owing to its higher market value and thus higher harvesting levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Household attributes promote diversity of tree holdings in rural areas, South Africa:
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Paumgarten, Fiona, Cocks, Michelle L
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Paumgarten, Fiona , Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141301 , vital:37960 , DOI: 10.1007/s10457-007-9066-5
- Description: Trees within the homestead area provide many functions to rural households. However, within the semi-arid regions of southern Africa, there has been only limited examination of the correlates between the socio-economic attributes of rural households and the density, species richness and types of trees they keep. This paper reports on a multivariate analysis of household attributes in relation to homestead tree holdings from six rural villages in South Africa. In terms of density of trees per household, gender of the household head was the only significant correlate, with female-headed households having significantly fewer trees than their male-headed counterparts. This was especially so for the density of indigenous trees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Paumgarten, Fiona , Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141301 , vital:37960 , DOI: 10.1007/s10457-007-9066-5
- Description: Trees within the homestead area provide many functions to rural households. However, within the semi-arid regions of southern Africa, there has been only limited examination of the correlates between the socio-economic attributes of rural households and the density, species richness and types of trees they keep. This paper reports on a multivariate analysis of household attributes in relation to homestead tree holdings from six rural villages in South Africa. In terms of density of trees per household, gender of the household head was the only significant correlate, with female-headed households having significantly fewer trees than their male-headed counterparts. This was especially so for the density of indigenous trees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Household food insecurity along an agro-ecological gradient influences children’s nutritional status in South Africa
- Chakona, Gamuchirai, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179836 , vital:43193 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2017.00072"
- Description: The burden of food insecurity and malnutrition is a severe problem experienced by many poor households and children under the age of five are at high risk. The objective of the study was to examine household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and child nutritional status in relation to local context which influences access to and ability to grow food in South Africa and explore the links and associations between these and household socio-economic status. Using a 48-h dietary recall method, we interviewed 554 women from randomly selected households along a rural–urban continuum in three towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient. The Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) tools were used to measure household dietary diversity and food insecurity, respectively. Anthropometric measurements with 216 children (2–5 years) from the sampled households were conducted using height-for-age and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting, respectively. The key findings were that mean HDDS declined with decreasing agro-ecological potential from the wettest site (8.44 ± 1.72) to the other two drier sites (7.83 ± 1.59 and 7.76 ± 1.63). The mean HFIAS followed the opposite trend. Stunted growth was the dominant form of malnutrition detected in 35% of children and 18% of children were wasted. Child wasting was greatest at the site with lowest agro-ecological potential. Children from households with low HDDS had large MUAC which showed an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. Areas with agro-ecological potential had lower prevalence of food insecurity and wasting in children. Agro-ecological potential has significant influence on children’s nutritional status, which is also related to household food security and socio-economic status. Dependence on food purchasing and any limitations in households’ income, access to land and food, can result in different forms of malnutrition in children. Responses to address malnutrition in South Africa need to be prioritized and move beyond relying on food security and nutritional-specific interventions, but rather on nutrition-specific and sensitive programs and approaches; and building an enabling environment. Land availability, agriculture (including climate-smart agriculture especially in drier areas), and wild foods usage should be promoted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179836 , vital:43193 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2017.00072"
- Description: The burden of food insecurity and malnutrition is a severe problem experienced by many poor households and children under the age of five are at high risk. The objective of the study was to examine household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and child nutritional status in relation to local context which influences access to and ability to grow food in South Africa and explore the links and associations between these and household socio-economic status. Using a 48-h dietary recall method, we interviewed 554 women from randomly selected households along a rural–urban continuum in three towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient. The Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) tools were used to measure household dietary diversity and food insecurity, respectively. Anthropometric measurements with 216 children (2–5 years) from the sampled households were conducted using height-for-age and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting, respectively. The key findings were that mean HDDS declined with decreasing agro-ecological potential from the wettest site (8.44 ± 1.72) to the other two drier sites (7.83 ± 1.59 and 7.76 ± 1.63). The mean HFIAS followed the opposite trend. Stunted growth was the dominant form of malnutrition detected in 35% of children and 18% of children were wasted. Child wasting was greatest at the site with lowest agro-ecological potential. Children from households with low HDDS had large MUAC which showed an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. Areas with agro-ecological potential had lower prevalence of food insecurity and wasting in children. Agro-ecological potential has significant influence on children’s nutritional status, which is also related to household food security and socio-economic status. Dependence on food purchasing and any limitations in households’ income, access to land and food, can result in different forms of malnutrition in children. Responses to address malnutrition in South Africa need to be prioritized and move beyond relying on food security and nutritional-specific interventions, but rather on nutrition-specific and sensitive programs and approaches; and building an enabling environment. Land availability, agriculture (including climate-smart agriculture especially in drier areas), and wild foods usage should be promoted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Household fuelwood use in small electrified towns of the Makana District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Gambiza, James, Jones, R
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James , Jones, R
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182362 , vital:43823 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2007/v18i4a3394"
- Description: Access to secure energy supplies is a key foundation for sustainable development. Consequently local planning and development initiatives must be based on a sound knowledge of the energy use patterns and preferences of local users. This paper reports on such for three small urban settlements in the Eastern Cape Province, with a particular focus on fuelwood use. Despite widespread electrification over a decade ago, and perceptions that the ease of fuelwood collection was declining, most households continued to use fuelwood for cooking and space heating, whereas electricity was favoured for lighting. The most common reason for this was because fuelwood was cheap (or free) compared to electricity. Annual demand was approximately 1 450 kg per household per year. Households that collected their own supplies of fuelwood were significantly poorer than those that either bought their stocks, or those that did not use fuelwood at all. Indigenous species were favoured over exotic species, although fuelwood vendors traded mostly in exotic species, particularly Eucalyptus and wattle. The greater reliance of poorer and unelectrified households on fuelwood requires that local authorities consider this in energy planning, otherwise the poor will be neglected in policies such as the Free Basic Electricity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Household fuelwood use in small electrified towns of the Makana District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James , Jones, R
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182362 , vital:43823 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2007/v18i4a3394"
- Description: Access to secure energy supplies is a key foundation for sustainable development. Consequently local planning and development initiatives must be based on a sound knowledge of the energy use patterns and preferences of local users. This paper reports on such for three small urban settlements in the Eastern Cape Province, with a particular focus on fuelwood use. Despite widespread electrification over a decade ago, and perceptions that the ease of fuelwood collection was declining, most households continued to use fuelwood for cooking and space heating, whereas electricity was favoured for lighting. The most common reason for this was because fuelwood was cheap (or free) compared to electricity. Annual demand was approximately 1 450 kg per household per year. Households that collected their own supplies of fuelwood were significantly poorer than those that either bought their stocks, or those that did not use fuelwood at all. Indigenous species were favoured over exotic species, although fuelwood vendors traded mostly in exotic species, particularly Eucalyptus and wattle. The greater reliance of poorer and unelectrified households on fuelwood requires that local authorities consider this in energy planning, otherwise the poor will be neglected in policies such as the Free Basic Electricity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Household wealth status and natural resource use in the Kat River valley, South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Shackleton, Sheona E
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181301 , vital:43717 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.04.011"
- Description: Much work has demonstrated the significant role and value of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the livelihoods of rural people in southern Africa and elsewhere. The findings provide a mean or composite picture, averaged across the sample households within each community. Yet, within any given community, there is significant socio-economic differentiation. It is important to acknowledge such differentiation when considering policy and management interventions to support rural livelihoods and promote sustainable resource use. This paper reports on a study in South Africa, the objective of which was to explore wealth-related differences and similarities in the use and value of NTFPs. Data on NTFP consumption, purchase, and sale were collected from households in three rural villages. Households were divided into three wealth classes and patterns of NTFPs use between the classes examined. There was no difference in the proportions of households in each wealth class using NTFPs, nor the total number of NTFPs used per household. Yet, there was some supporting evidence that poorer households derive greater benefits from NTFPs than do wealthy or intermediate households. One clear difference was that, with increasing wealth, households purchased significantly more NTFPs, and a greater proportion of wealthy households did so. Conversely, a greater proportion of poor households were involved in the sale of one or more NTFPs, and they sold a greater number per household, compared to wealthy and intermediate households. Detailed examination of use and value of four NTFPs (fuelwood, wild fruits, edible herbs, and grass hand brushes) revealed that in all instances, the poorest households used more of the resource per capita than the other wealth classes. This was not the case for comparisons based on the total household as the unit of analysis. Gross annual direct-use value did not differ between the wealth classes for any of the four NTFPs examined, at the household level. But on a per capita basis, a significantly higher gross annual direct-use value was evident within poorer households for fuelwood and edible herbs. The significance of these differences is discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Shackleton, Sheona E
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181301 , vital:43717 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.04.011"
- Description: Much work has demonstrated the significant role and value of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the livelihoods of rural people in southern Africa and elsewhere. The findings provide a mean or composite picture, averaged across the sample households within each community. Yet, within any given community, there is significant socio-economic differentiation. It is important to acknowledge such differentiation when considering policy and management interventions to support rural livelihoods and promote sustainable resource use. This paper reports on a study in South Africa, the objective of which was to explore wealth-related differences and similarities in the use and value of NTFPs. Data on NTFP consumption, purchase, and sale were collected from households in three rural villages. Households were divided into three wealth classes and patterns of NTFPs use between the classes examined. There was no difference in the proportions of households in each wealth class using NTFPs, nor the total number of NTFPs used per household. Yet, there was some supporting evidence that poorer households derive greater benefits from NTFPs than do wealthy or intermediate households. One clear difference was that, with increasing wealth, households purchased significantly more NTFPs, and a greater proportion of wealthy households did so. Conversely, a greater proportion of poor households were involved in the sale of one or more NTFPs, and they sold a greater number per household, compared to wealthy and intermediate households. Detailed examination of use and value of four NTFPs (fuelwood, wild fruits, edible herbs, and grass hand brushes) revealed that in all instances, the poorest households used more of the resource per capita than the other wealth classes. This was not the case for comparisons based on the total household as the unit of analysis. Gross annual direct-use value did not differ between the wealth classes for any of the four NTFPs examined, at the household level. But on a per capita basis, a significantly higher gross annual direct-use value was evident within poorer households for fuelwood and edible herbs. The significance of these differences is discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
How compatible are urban livestock and urban green spaces and trees?: An assessment in a medium-sized South African town
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Guild, Jenny, Bromham, B, Impey, S, Jarrett, Mitchell, Ngubane, S, Steijl, K
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Guild, Jenny , Bromham, B , Impey, S , Jarrett, Mitchell , Ngubane, S , Steijl, K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181048 , vital:43694 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19463138.2017.1314968"
- Description: Urban green spaces and trees provide multiple benefits to urban residents and the sustainability of cities. A poorly examined benefit is the provision of fodder to urban livestock. However, the presence and activities of livestock may be incompatible with other uses, although this has been little studied. We examined the impacts of livestock on trees and parks along a gradient of declining livestock density, complemented with a tree planting experiment to monitor damage. Neighbouring residents and park managers were interviewed regarding their perceptions of damage caused by livestock. The negative impacts on soil compaction, tree damage and death increased with increasing livestock densities. Thorny tree species were damaged significantly less (13 %) than non-thorny species (77 %), as were protected trees (25 %) relative to unprotected ones (65 %). There was more tree damage in public green spaces (PUGS) (54 %) than control sites (38 %). The majority of local residents felt that livestock should not be allowed in formal PUGS, and most urban park managers regarded livestock damage as a strong disincentive to plant trees. These results show the need for management of the trade-offs caused by livestock and greater appreciation of livestock as agents shaping aspects of PUGS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Guild, Jenny , Bromham, B , Impey, S , Jarrett, Mitchell , Ngubane, S , Steijl, K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181048 , vital:43694 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19463138.2017.1314968"
- Description: Urban green spaces and trees provide multiple benefits to urban residents and the sustainability of cities. A poorly examined benefit is the provision of fodder to urban livestock. However, the presence and activities of livestock may be incompatible with other uses, although this has been little studied. We examined the impacts of livestock on trees and parks along a gradient of declining livestock density, complemented with a tree planting experiment to monitor damage. Neighbouring residents and park managers were interviewed regarding their perceptions of damage caused by livestock. The negative impacts on soil compaction, tree damage and death increased with increasing livestock densities. Thorny tree species were damaged significantly less (13 %) than non-thorny species (77 %), as were protected trees (25 %) relative to unprotected ones (65 %). There was more tree damage in public green spaces (PUGS) (54 %) than control sites (38 %). The majority of local residents felt that livestock should not be allowed in formal PUGS, and most urban park managers regarded livestock damage as a strong disincentive to plant trees. These results show the need for management of the trade-offs caused by livestock and greater appreciation of livestock as agents shaping aspects of PUGS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
How do HIV and AIDS impact the use of natural resources by poor rural populations?: The case of wild animal products
- Kaschula, Sarah, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182344 , vital:43822 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC97203"
- Description: As a result of heightened financial and food insecurity, populations adversely affected by HIV and/or AIDS may be more likely to utilise wild natural resources to supplement their diet and livelihoods. Should this effect be pronounced, HIV and AIDS may pose a serious environmental threat. We explored the hypothesis that the presence of factors in the household, such as chronic illness in and recent mortality of individuals in a high HIV-risk age group, as well as the fostering of orphans, are associated with increased utilisation of wild animal products (WAPs) at the household level. We randomly surveyed 519 households from four sites in rural South Africa, recording household socio-economic status, the utilisation of wild animal products and health and demographic factors attributed to HIV or AIDS. Binary logistic regressions were used to test if households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction were more likely to have a higher incidence and frequency of WAP utilisation relative to non-afflicted households, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic variables. We found that, although households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS were generally poorer and had higher dependency ratios, there was no evidence to support the hypothesis that WAP harvesting was associated with either poverty, or markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction. Our findings suggest that generalisations about a possible interaction between HIV and/or AIDS and the environment may not uniformly apply to all categories of natural resources or to all user groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kaschula, Sarah , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182344 , vital:43822 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC97203"
- Description: As a result of heightened financial and food insecurity, populations adversely affected by HIV and/or AIDS may be more likely to utilise wild natural resources to supplement their diet and livelihoods. Should this effect be pronounced, HIV and AIDS may pose a serious environmental threat. We explored the hypothesis that the presence of factors in the household, such as chronic illness in and recent mortality of individuals in a high HIV-risk age group, as well as the fostering of orphans, are associated with increased utilisation of wild animal products (WAPs) at the household level. We randomly surveyed 519 households from four sites in rural South Africa, recording household socio-economic status, the utilisation of wild animal products and health and demographic factors attributed to HIV or AIDS. Binary logistic regressions were used to test if households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction were more likely to have a higher incidence and frequency of WAP utilisation relative to non-afflicted households, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic variables. We found that, although households with markers of HIV and/or AIDS were generally poorer and had higher dependency ratios, there was no evidence to support the hypothesis that WAP harvesting was associated with either poverty, or markers of HIV and/or AIDS affliction. Our findings suggest that generalisations about a possible interaction between HIV and/or AIDS and the environment may not uniformly apply to all categories of natural resources or to all user groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
How important is green infrastructure in small and medium-sized towns? Lessons from South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Blair, Andrew, De Lacy, Peter, Kaoma, Humphrey, Mugwagwa, Noster, Dalu, Mwazvita, Walton, Wesley
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398321 , vital:69400 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398321 , vital:69400 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
How important is green infrastructure in small and medium-sized towns? Lessons from South Africa
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Blair, Andrew, De Lacy, Peter, Kaoma, Humphrey, Mugwagwa, Noster, Dalu, Mwazvita, Walton, Wesley
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398307 , vital:69399 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Blair, Andrew , De Lacy, Peter , Kaoma, Humphrey , Mugwagwa, Noster , Dalu, Mwazvita , Walton, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398307 , vital:69399 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.007"
- Description: The current nature and challenges of urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa display several unique features only weakly evident on other continents. Key ones include the current high rates of population growth, inadequate planning and governance systems, concentration in small and medium-sized towns, and increasing urban poverty. These shape the extent, nature and use of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure. This paper first examines the location of green infrastructure across nine towns, showing that it is unequal between suburbs and that the bulk is located under private tenure (74%) rather than in public spaces. We then consider the extent and patterns of use of selected provisioning and cultural ecosystem services from green infrastructure in different locations within towns, including private gardens, public parks and street trees. The results show significant use of green infrastructure for a range of provisioning and cultural services as well as its contribution to spiritual and mental wellbeing. Provisioning contributions are both in regular support of livelihood needs as well as increased use after a covariate shock (a flood), both of which help reduce household vulnerability. Lastly, our results show the expressed level of support and willingness-to-pay or work amongst urban residents for green infrastructure and the services it provides. Whilst the composite results indicate marked variation between and within towns, they show that there is widespread use of green infrastructure for both basic needs as well as for more aesthetic and psycho-spiritual appreciation and recreation, in small and medium-sized towns in a developing country such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
How many people globally actually use non-timber forest products?
- Shackleton, Charlie M, de Vos, Alta
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/403200 , vital:69933 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2021.102659"
- Description: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are widely used wild, biological products harvested from rural and urban landscapes for household subsistence, income and culture, thereby contributing to human wellbeing. Estimates of the numbers of people making use of, or being dependent on, NTFPs vary widely, and global estimates to date have excluded urban populations and also NTFP users in the Global North. Additionally, most global or continental estimates are two or more decades old, and hence do not account for significant worldwide changes in societies, cultures, economies and landscapes since the estimates were made. Here we collate more recent empirical studies reporting the number of NTFP users at fine scales that we extrapolate up for three broad regions, viz. rural areas of the Global South, urban areas of the Global South, and the Global North, as the basis for estimating the number of NTFP users globally. We calculate the lower and upper bounds, as well a median estimate. We find the lowest and median approximations to be 3.5 billion and 5.76 billion users globally, respectively, based on conservative approaches. This is more than double and triple, respectively, the oft cited and dated figure of 1.6 billion. Moreover, we find that only half of the global NTFP users are located in rural regions of the Global South, and that the other half are in urban areas and the Global North, showing that NTFPs are of importance across socio-economic and geographic regions, not just in remote and underdeveloped villages of the Global South. With such large numbers of users around the world, it is imperative that the supply, management, conservation and safeguarding of the values of NTFPs take a more central place in sectoral and development policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/403200 , vital:69933 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2021.102659"
- Description: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are widely used wild, biological products harvested from rural and urban landscapes for household subsistence, income and culture, thereby contributing to human wellbeing. Estimates of the numbers of people making use of, or being dependent on, NTFPs vary widely, and global estimates to date have excluded urban populations and also NTFP users in the Global North. Additionally, most global or continental estimates are two or more decades old, and hence do not account for significant worldwide changes in societies, cultures, economies and landscapes since the estimates were made. Here we collate more recent empirical studies reporting the number of NTFP users at fine scales that we extrapolate up for three broad regions, viz. rural areas of the Global South, urban areas of the Global South, and the Global North, as the basis for estimating the number of NTFP users globally. We calculate the lower and upper bounds, as well a median estimate. We find the lowest and median approximations to be 3.5 billion and 5.76 billion users globally, respectively, based on conservative approaches. This is more than double and triple, respectively, the oft cited and dated figure of 1.6 billion. Moreover, we find that only half of the global NTFP users are located in rural regions of the Global South, and that the other half are in urban areas and the Global North, showing that NTFPs are of importance across socio-economic and geographic regions, not just in remote and underdeveloped villages of the Global South. With such large numbers of users around the world, it is imperative that the supply, management, conservation and safeguarding of the values of NTFPs take a more central place in sectoral and development policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
How people foraging in urban greenspace can mobilize social–ecological resilience during Covid-19 and beyond
- Sardeshpande, Mallika, Hurley, P T, Mollee, Eefke, Garekae, Hesekia, Dahlberg, Annika C, Emery, Marla R, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Sardeshpande, Mallika , Hurley, P T , Mollee, Eefke , Garekae, Hesekia , Dahlberg, Annika C , Emery, Marla R , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402313 , vital:69841 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.686254"
- Description: Informal foraging for food and other natural materials in urban greenspaces is an activity undertaken by many across the world. For some, foraging is a necessary means of survival and livelihood, while for others, it provides cultural and recreational opportunities. In the socioeconomic crises induced by Covid-19, foraging can help communities, especially (but not exclusively) vulnerable people, cope with the impacts of lockdowns, and associated economic decline. In the long run, foraging can help improve social–ecological resilience in urban systems, particularly in response to climate, economic, and disease disruptions. First, we elaborate the ways in which urban foraging can provide immediate relief from the shocks to natural, human, social, physical, and financial capital. We then describe how over time, the livelihood, food, and income diversification brought about by foraging can contribute to preparedness for future uncertainties and gradual change. Cities are increasingly becoming home to the majority of humanity, and urban foraging can be one of the pathways that makes cities more liveable, for humans as well as other species we coexist with. Through the capitals framework, we explore the role foraging could play in addressing issues of biodiversity conservation, culture, and education, good governance and social justice, multifunctional greenspace, and sustainable nature-based livelihoods in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Sardeshpande, Mallika , Hurley, P T , Mollee, Eefke , Garekae, Hesekia , Dahlberg, Annika C , Emery, Marla R , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402313 , vital:69841 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.686254"
- Description: Informal foraging for food and other natural materials in urban greenspaces is an activity undertaken by many across the world. For some, foraging is a necessary means of survival and livelihood, while for others, it provides cultural and recreational opportunities. In the socioeconomic crises induced by Covid-19, foraging can help communities, especially (but not exclusively) vulnerable people, cope with the impacts of lockdowns, and associated economic decline. In the long run, foraging can help improve social–ecological resilience in urban systems, particularly in response to climate, economic, and disease disruptions. First, we elaborate the ways in which urban foraging can provide immediate relief from the shocks to natural, human, social, physical, and financial capital. We then describe how over time, the livelihood, food, and income diversification brought about by foraging can contribute to preparedness for future uncertainties and gradual change. Cities are increasingly becoming home to the majority of humanity, and urban foraging can be one of the pathways that makes cities more liveable, for humans as well as other species we coexist with. Through the capitals framework, we explore the role foraging could play in addressing issues of biodiversity conservation, culture, and education, good governance and social justice, multifunctional greenspace, and sustainable nature-based livelihoods in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Impact of fire frequency on woody community structure and soil nutrients in the Kruger National Park
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Scholes, Robert J
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Scholes, Robert J
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181874 , vital:43776 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v43i1.210"
- Description: Although fire is recognised as an important determinant of the structure and function of South African savannas, there are few studies of long-term impacts. Controlled burning blocks of contrasting fire season and frequency have been maintained throughout the Kruger National Park for almost 50 years. This paper reports on a quantitative study of the Satara plots to determine the long-term impacts of fire frequency on woody community structure and soil nutrients. Increasing fire frequency significantly decreased woody plant basal area, biomass, density, height, and mean stem circumference. The number of stems per plant and the proportion of regenerative stems increased with increasing fire frequency. Effects on species richness of woody plants were inconsistent. There were no significant differences attributable to fire frequency for any of the soil variables except organic matter and magnesium. Organic carbon was highest in the fire exclusion treatment and lowest in soils from plots burnt triennially. Magnesium levels were greatest in the annually burnt soils and least in the triennial plots.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Impact of fire frequency on woody community structure and soil nutrients in the Kruger National Park
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Scholes, Robert J
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181874 , vital:43776 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v43i1.210"
- Description: Although fire is recognised as an important determinant of the structure and function of South African savannas, there are few studies of long-term impacts. Controlled burning blocks of contrasting fire season and frequency have been maintained throughout the Kruger National Park for almost 50 years. This paper reports on a quantitative study of the Satara plots to determine the long-term impacts of fire frequency on woody community structure and soil nutrients. Increasing fire frequency significantly decreased woody plant basal area, biomass, density, height, and mean stem circumference. The number of stems per plant and the proportion of regenerative stems increased with increasing fire frequency. Effects on species richness of woody plants were inconsistent. There were no significant differences attributable to fire frequency for any of the soil variables except organic matter and magnesium. Organic carbon was highest in the fire exclusion treatment and lowest in soils from plots burnt triennially. Magnesium levels were greatest in the annually burnt soils and least in the triennial plots.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Impacts of gum-resin harvest and Lantana camara invasion on the population structure and dynamics of Boswellia serrata in the Western Ghats, India
- Soumya, Kori V, Shackleton, Charlie M, Setty, Siddappa R
- Authors: Soumya, Kori V , Shackleton, Charlie M , Setty, Siddappa R
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177549 , vital:42832 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117618
- Description: Assessing the effects of harvesting on the population dynamics of important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) species is important for informing species conservation options, guiding sustainable harvesting practices and offtake and supporting local livelihoods. However, harvesting is rarely the only pressure on NTFP populations, and it is vital that the effects of interactive pressures be considered. This applies to Boswellia serrata, an NTFP tree species which is widely harvested for gum-resin used in religious practices. However, in many settings populations are in decline, presumably due to heavy harvesting, but other factors may play a role, such as altered fire regimes and invasive species. Here we report on the effects of harvesting and invasion by Lantana camara on B. serrata populations in three protected areas in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. We considered tree and juvenile density, size class distribution, and growth, mortality, and recruitment rates in harvested and unharvested populations over two years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Soumya, Kori V , Shackleton, Charlie M , Setty, Siddappa R
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177549 , vital:42832 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117618
- Description: Assessing the effects of harvesting on the population dynamics of important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) species is important for informing species conservation options, guiding sustainable harvesting practices and offtake and supporting local livelihoods. However, harvesting is rarely the only pressure on NTFP populations, and it is vital that the effects of interactive pressures be considered. This applies to Boswellia serrata, an NTFP tree species which is widely harvested for gum-resin used in religious practices. However, in many settings populations are in decline, presumably due to heavy harvesting, but other factors may play a role, such as altered fire regimes and invasive species. Here we report on the effects of harvesting and invasion by Lantana camara on B. serrata populations in three protected areas in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. We considered tree and juvenile density, size class distribution, and growth, mortality, and recruitment rates in harvested and unharvested populations over two years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Impacts of HIV/AIDS on food consumption and wild food use in rural South Africa
- Ncube, Keitometsi, Shackleton, Charlie M, Swallow, Brent M, Dassanayake, Wijaya
- Authors: Ncube, Keitometsi , Shackleton, Charlie M , Swallow, Brent M , Dassanayake, Wijaya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180412 , vital:43385 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-016-0624-4"
- Description: HIV/AIDS can affect household food consumption in many ways, including through reductions in availability and quality of labour, reductions in earned income, and increased expenditure on medications. In rural South Africa, these negative effects can be buffered by social safety net programs provided by government and collection of wild foods. Despite some acknowledgement of the potential safety net role of wild foods, however, their contribution relative to other food sources in the context of HIV/AIDS remains underexplored. Here we report empirical findings from two rural communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to characterise food sources, intake and calories from 68 HIV/AIDS afflicted households and 87 non-afflicted households every quarter over 12 months. Results show that diets were moderately well-balanced though limited in variety, with cereal items contributing 52 % to total calorie intake. The bulk of food consumed by households was purchased, with supplementation from own production, collected wild vegetables and collected wild fruits. Up to 20 % of respondents from both HIV/ AIDS afflicted and non-afflicted households had insufficient daily caloric intake. Multivariate analyses show that, all else equal, individuals living in households afflicted by HIV/AIDS consumed fewer calories, had less diverse diets, and were more dependent on wild foods than those living in non-afflicted households. Given the detrimental effects of HIV/AIDS on income and home production, wild foods represent a free and readily available food source for vulnerable households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ncube, Keitometsi , Shackleton, Charlie M , Swallow, Brent M , Dassanayake, Wijaya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180412 , vital:43385 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-016-0624-4"
- Description: HIV/AIDS can affect household food consumption in many ways, including through reductions in availability and quality of labour, reductions in earned income, and increased expenditure on medications. In rural South Africa, these negative effects can be buffered by social safety net programs provided by government and collection of wild foods. Despite some acknowledgement of the potential safety net role of wild foods, however, their contribution relative to other food sources in the context of HIV/AIDS remains underexplored. Here we report empirical findings from two rural communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to characterise food sources, intake and calories from 68 HIV/AIDS afflicted households and 87 non-afflicted households every quarter over 12 months. Results show that diets were moderately well-balanced though limited in variety, with cereal items contributing 52 % to total calorie intake. The bulk of food consumed by households was purchased, with supplementation from own production, collected wild vegetables and collected wild fruits. Up to 20 % of respondents from both HIV/ AIDS afflicted and non-afflicted households had insufficient daily caloric intake. Multivariate analyses show that, all else equal, individuals living in households afflicted by HIV/AIDS consumed fewer calories, had less diverse diets, and were more dependent on wild foods than those living in non-afflicted households. Given the detrimental effects of HIV/AIDS on income and home production, wild foods represent a free and readily available food source for vulnerable households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Incorporation of environmental issues in South Africa’s municipal Integrated Development Plans
- Ruwanza, Sheunesu, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180481 , vital:43393 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2015.1062161"
- Description: The transition to full democracy in South Africa in 1994 saw local government becoming the focal point for dealing with socio-economic development needs of communities. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) has been used as the tool for guiding local development objectives, balanced against environmental demands within a sustainable development paradigm. Here we examine the extent to which this is being achieved through an analysis of IDPs from 35 different municipalities at three scales. We test the hypothesis that the metropolitan municipalities are better at mainstreaming environmental issues into their IDPs than local and district municipalities. Results indicate that mainstreaming environmental issues in IDPs is still low. The hypothesis that metropoles are better at mainstreaming environmental issues than district and local municipalities was not accepted since there were no significant differences between municipalities. There was low relative budget allocations and inclusion of vision and mission statements that mainstream environmental issues in all municipalities. For mainstreaming of environmental issues to be effective in IDPs, both proactive approaches and multi-faceted bottom-up and top-down approaches are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180481 , vital:43393 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2015.1062161"
- Description: The transition to full democracy in South Africa in 1994 saw local government becoming the focal point for dealing with socio-economic development needs of communities. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) has been used as the tool for guiding local development objectives, balanced against environmental demands within a sustainable development paradigm. Here we examine the extent to which this is being achieved through an analysis of IDPs from 35 different municipalities at three scales. We test the hypothesis that the metropolitan municipalities are better at mainstreaming environmental issues into their IDPs than local and district municipalities. Results indicate that mainstreaming environmental issues in IDPs is still low. The hypothesis that metropoles are better at mainstreaming environmental issues than district and local municipalities was not accepted since there were no significant differences between municipalities. There was low relative budget allocations and inclusion of vision and mission statements that mainstream environmental issues in all municipalities. For mainstreaming of environmental issues to be effective in IDPs, both proactive approaches and multi-faceted bottom-up and top-down approaches are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Influence of land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location on flooding impact in informal settlements in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Dalu, Mwazvita, Shackleton, Charlie M, Dalu, Tatenda
- Authors: Dalu, Mwazvita , Shackleton, Charlie M , Dalu, Tatenda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182089 , vital:43799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.12.009"
- Description: Patterns of land use, household topographical location and state of natural vegetation influence the spatial distribution of flooding impact. Using field observations and GIS mapping techniques, we investigated how landscape factors influenced structural flooding impact in informal settlements. This study was carried out in the informal settlements of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, after the October 2012 floods. Increasing slope significantly raised the probability and level of damage by at least 30% in five of the seven sites, whereas proximity to river and wetlands (more than 100 m) was significant in only two of the sites and at lower levels. Multi-regression analysis highlighted that land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location influenced the impact of flooding on housing structures. We found that the impact on housing structures in informal settlements during the floods were significantly influenced by their proximity to water bodies, slope factor and patterns of land cover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dalu, Mwazvita , Shackleton, Charlie M , Dalu, Tatenda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182089 , vital:43799 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.12.009"
- Description: Patterns of land use, household topographical location and state of natural vegetation influence the spatial distribution of flooding impact. Using field observations and GIS mapping techniques, we investigated how landscape factors influenced structural flooding impact in informal settlements. This study was carried out in the informal settlements of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, after the October 2012 floods. Increasing slope significantly raised the probability and level of damage by at least 30% in five of the seven sites, whereas proximity to river and wetlands (more than 100 m) was significant in only two of the sites and at lower levels. Multi-regression analysis highlighted that land cover, proximity to streams and household topographical location influenced the impact of flooding on housing structures. We found that the impact on housing structures in informal settlements during the floods were significantly influenced by their proximity to water bodies, slope factor and patterns of land cover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018