This study uses data from a special tabulation of the USDA Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey to examine the relationship between farm size and adoption of a variety of water management practices across seven Colorado Basin states. Parametric (Cochran-Armitage trend test) and non-parametric (Goodman-Kruskal gamma) methods were used to estimate associations between farm size and adoption of water management practices, use of water management information, and participation in conservation programs. Farms were divided into five categories: small farms, medium farms, large farms and very large farms, based on their gross sales. In all seven states, very large farms relied on a greater number of different information sources for water management than small farms. The relationship between farm size and information source use was not always monotonic, however. Small farms were more likely to rely more on their neighbors and irrigation district staff for water management information. Large and very large farms relied on a more diverse set of information sources and relied more on privately provide sources, such as consultants. In very few cases was a public or private information source used by more than half of any group of farmers. There is no "one-stop shopping" for irrigation management information. Smaller farms were more likely to not have investigated ways to improve water or energy conservation practices in the previous five years. Farmers cited economic factors as the most important largest constraints on adoption of conservation investments. Larger farms were more likely to participate in government (federal, state, or local) other conservation programs. These farms, though, account for the greatest share of water use. Many smaller farms do not have control over the timing of their irrigation applications, but rather depend on irrigation districts to supply water "in turn." Extension messaging to improve irrigation timing may be more effective if they target irrigation district staff that control irrigation scheduling.

<p> Information about population dynamics, life history variation, and connectivity patterns of threatened cutthroat trout (<i>O. clarkii</i> spp.) is critical for effective management and restoration. The Lahontan cutthroat trout (<i>O. c. henshawi;</i> LCT) is classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to widespread extirpations across its range, and is at increased risk due to drought, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. This study was conducted in the Summit Lake Basin, NV (USA), which has a population of LCT that resides in Summit Lake and its tributary stream network. The objectives of this research were to (1) examine the population dynamics of stream- and lake-dwelling LCT in the context of drought, (2) quantify the amount of stream-resident versus adfluvial life histories in an adfluvial spawning tributary, and (3) identify the level of population connectivity between stream-resident and adfluvial components of the population. Chapter 1 shows that stream-dwelling trout were more resilient to drought disturbance and that drought refugia in the stream contribute to their resilience. Chapter 2 provides evidence for stream-residency in addition to high population connectivity across the lake and stream environments that is likely to increase in high flow years. While LCT and other cutthroat species have innate characteristics that allow them to persist in dynamic and harsh environments, this research highlights the importance of drought refugia and landscape connectivity to the long-term persistence and viability of co-occurring adfluvial and stream-resident fish.</p><p>

<p> Infectious disease can play a vital role in species conservation, as some diseases can cause massive population die-offs. In North American tortoises, population declines have been attributed to an upper respiratory tract disease, but the importance of this disease within and among tortoise hosts is controversial. In this dissertation, I use samples from the upper respiratory tract of wild tortoises representing multiple species in the genus <i>Gopherus</i> to answer questions regarding pathogen prevalence and co-infection, pathogen genetic diversity, and the ecology of pathogens within the upper respiratory tracts of tortoises. Using genetic methods including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, Sanger sequencing, and 454-pyrosequencing, the data presented herein supports hypotheses that pathogens in this disease system interact with each other and with other microbes in the respiratory tract differently in different tortoise host species. </p><p> In this system, both transmission and disease progression are found to be extremely slow in these long-lived hosts. Though pathogens were widespread among the sampled tortoises, few individuals were found with clinical signs of disease. Few individuals capable of transmitting disease (requiring nasal mucus and pathogen), along with few opportunities for pathogen transmission (requiring long periods of direct contact), indicate that it is unlikely for tortoises to fully clear themselves of these microbes without risk of the pathogen&rsquo;s extinction. If this is the case, then it is likely that more tortoises than we can detect have these microbes in their upper respiratory tracts. With this in mind, and considering the abundance of visibly healthy tortoises over ill tortoises, my collaborators and I suspect that pathogens in this system likely form commensal relationships with their hosts much of the time, until a stressor alters the system and leads to a parasitic interaction. </p><p> The results of this dissertation indicate that this disease is context dependent, depending on the host and likely other microbes in the community. Our understanding of the ecology of this disease system would greatly benefit from experimental inoculation and long-term resampling studies.</p><p>

<p> Due in part to its geographic isolation and unique climate, Hawai&lsquo;i has a high number of endemic species and is considered a biodiversity hotspot. At the same time, these characteristics make Hawai&lsquo;i vulnerable to species loss. To protect endangered species, conservationists focus on preserving Hawai&lsquo;i&rsquo;s native ecosystems through invasive species control and habitat restoration. Native forests are central to Hawai&lsquo;i&rsquo;s watershed, provide habitat for endemic pollinators, and foster bioculture. Pollinators are integral for ecosystem health as well as for human spaces, and worldwide pollinators have been on the decline. Since pollinators and their flowering counterparts are embedded in human lives, this research challenges traditional conservation approaches by contextualizing more-than-human entanglements within social, political, and cultural milieu. The purpose of this work is to draw from posthumanism, new materialism, and indigenous discourse to examine the biopolitical issues in which Hawaii&rsquo;s endemic pollinators situate to re-envision questions and ethics of conservation. The researcher followed endemic pollinators through native forests to explore the entangled relationship between humans, pollinators, and forests examining the question, what is the biopolitical culture of endemic pollinators in Hawai&rsquo;i? This multi-sited, multi-method research used a mix of autoethnography, participant observations and interviews, visual data, and archival and biocultural accounts to articulate emergent findings. The findings of this dissertation discuss the nuances of multispecies entanglements and mattering, politics of biological conservation and extinction, and material-discursive understandings of place. This study suggests human/more-than-human encounters are grounded in reciprocity and responsibility and co-create place.</p><p>

Magister Artium - MA / Cape Town is a unique city. It has a global biodiversity hotspot, in the midst of an urban area. Historically, nature conservation practice excluded and marginalized certain groups of people based on their race and class. This has led to peoples‘ disconnection from nature. Rapid biodiversity loss is a major concern for conservators. In the last three decades, there has been a paradigm shift in conservation practice in certain parts of the world. The Cape Flats Nature programme based in Cape Town followed suit and aimed to stimulate a bottom-up participatory approach to conservation and replace the traditional top-down management strategy. The programme was tasked to reconcile the challenges of complex and conflicting relationships between urban poverty, unequal access to resources and biodiversity conservation. This study was aimed at investigating the relationships between conservation management, community partners and urban conservation areas. These relationships are vital for the progression of new conservation practice in places where people live and work. In addition, the transformative aspects of conservation in relation to social inclusion and the shift in conservation approaches was investigated. The study was conducted at five of Cape Town‘s nature reserves, Edith Stephens Wetland Park, Macassar Dunes, Harmony Flats, Wolfgat and Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserves. Data collection included in depth interviews with key informants from various conservation organizations, the Cape Flats Nature Programme team, the managers of the selected reserves and community partners. Others included observational methods and analysis of secondary data. It was found that relationships between conservators and local communities are not easily created and maintained but relationships regardless of its depth are equally beneficial to communities and the conservators. Balancing social needs with conservation needs is a struggle for conservators but many successes came in cases where this balance was realized. In addition, the transformation of conservators‘ identity has changed community perceptions of conservation practice holistically. Although, many informants feel that transformation continues to remain unequal. / South Africa

The primary focus of this body of research is to understand the drivers of consumer behaviour, towards electricity conservation in South African households. The underlying rationale is to influence a reduction in energy consumption by stimulating energy efficient behaviours, thereby reducing the impact of energy use on the environment. The outcomes shall be of benefit to policy makers who need to introduce the most effective interventions, and businesses that are engaged in the design and manufacture of energy efficient technologies and services. Owing to the limited research in South Africa on the subject of electricity conservation behaviour, the study applied a qualitative research methodology to validate the existing theory on energy efficient consumer behaviour, as well as to establish new insights from South African residential electricity consumers. The research findings are consistent with that of past research conducted in the US and Europe with the major difference noted on the level of environmental consciousness. While South Africans are conscious of the concepts of climate change and environmental degradation, they do not readily perceive domestic consumption of electricity as having a detrimental impact on the environment. Their foremost motivation to conserve electricity is inspired by the personal financial savings or potential savings, rather than to appease their conscience with regard to environmental impact. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This study explores the potential roles of a sample of 18 nature conservation law enforcement officers, as facilitators of environmental education. More specifically it examines their attitudes towards their dual duties of enforcing laws and providing extension services. Attitudes were examined by means of qualitative data analysis from semi-structured interviews. Officers' environmental attitudes, as well the relative emphasis placed on law enforcement and extension, and their own perspectives of working with communities, are explored. The historical and cultural context of officers' work, as well as worldviews and personality traits are also discussed. Certain recommendations regarding officers' roles as facilitors of environmental education are made.

This project forms part of a thesis for a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture at the Department of Architecture, University of Pretoria. Not only is macro-scale or regional design a very important part of Landscape Architecture but a very interesting field that I wanted to explore through this project. Extensive studies have been made by the Cape Action Plan for the Environment (CAPE) on the biodiversity conservation for the Cape Floral Kingdom. A Biodiversity Strategy and action Plan for the Cape Floral Kingdom was developed. It is my intention to understand the Gourits River Catchment Area (further referred to as GRCA) as an interacting process, to interpret this as a value system and to designate appropriate land uses. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Architecture / unrestricted

Historic landscapes are vital elements of our nation's cultural continuum and must be protected as a part of living fabric of the community. This thesis addressed the preservation of historic landscape gardens, focusing on design strategies that can make historic time legible in landscape. It proposed a landscape plan for the preservation of Palm Cottage Garden in Gotha, Florida, a significant historic landscape resource. To determine the criteria used to establish how and to what period the estate should be restored, the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes was followed. This process involved documenting the current site conditions and evaluating natural and cultural resources. For the garden to continue to keep its historic fabric, rehabilitation was selected. The garden was designed to preserve existing features and make efficient contemporary use of the garden possible. The landscape plan focused on strategies that reveal the site's significant past through new design elements while adapting to current and future needs.

The prospect of using ecotourism to add value to conservation initiatives has frequently been stated. However, there is a general lack of information on the costs and benefits of biodiversity and its management, and how this can be influenced by the ecotourism industry. This study seeks to explore the value of biodiversity from the perspective of ecotourism in a hierarchical series of studies that move from the biome-level perspective down to the value of juveniles in ecotourism. Ecotourism plays a significant role in the establishment and management of Private Protected Areas (PPAs) and hence the opportunity to be added to the conservation estate. The financial opportunity to be found in ‘big five’ areas had led to an uneven biome coverage of PPAs which has resulted in the over-representation of certain areas and a skewed contribution towards national conservation targets. The landscape-use of PPAs have indicated that ecotourism operators are largely driven to achieve successful game-viewing sightings which has influenced management and affected the landscape use of PPAs, the stocking rate of species, the introduction of extralimital species, and management of flagship species. These management decisions are based on anecdotal sources and have been made at the expense of biodiversity and therefore apparent conflict exists between ecotourism and conservation objectives. This is based on lack of information: ecotourism operators, despite the large area they protect, have not realised their potential to contribute to conservation. It is therefore important to develop policy and incentives to motivate the establishment of PPAs in areas of high conservation significance in order to contribute to national conservation targets. Ecotourism should be used as a solution to provide important insights into tourist preferences which contribute to the larger debate of how to establish a balance between managing animal populations to ensure tourist satisfaction while supporting conservation. To ensure sustainability of PPAs, it is strongly recommended to manage PPAs more intensively with regards to PPA size, species stocking rates and landscape use. The presence of juveniles at an animal sighting significantly contributes to tourist satisfaction which suggests that the loss of juveniles may reduce the attraction. This is used to provide recommendations that using contraception to control elephant population numbers should be applied with caution as a management tool as it may be counterproductive by negatively impacting ecotourism. The findings from this study not only contribute to the conservation of biodiversity through the use of ecotourism, but will also ensure sustainability of the ecotourism industry and build capacity for sustainable living.